About the book:
At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them. To celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing that's always terrified her: white-water rafting. But if she goes, all of them will also do something they always swore they'd never do-and Kate is going to choose their adventures.
Shimmering with warmth, wit, and insight, Joy for Beginners is a celebration of life: unexpected, lyrical, and deeply satisfying.
Normally I would peg a book like this as cliched and predictable. Instead, it's warm and inspiring. Kate has overcome breast cancer and at a celebratory dinner, decides to go white-water rafting down the Colorado river with her daughter. Her friends are thrilled for her until she tells them that they each must also do something new or something that scares them and that she is going to choose what challenge or adventure they have.
Each chapter is one woman's story, yet they all intertwine together nicely. We learn how such a disparate group of women came to be such close, intimate friends. Some of their challenges seem simple: learn to bake bread, take a trip by yourself or get rid of the books. What makes this novel wonderful, however, is discovering the why behind each challenge and learning the history or event that lead Kate to give specific, unique challenges to her friends.
Joy for Beginners is beautifully written. Erica Bauermeister has a wonderful way with words and her descriptions and narrative are simply captivating. I know that this is a book I will read again and the next time I do, I will probably have a high-lighter handy. This novel was a delight to read and when I finished it, I was reflective and grateful anew for girlfriends who love and support and encourage me.
Thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Erica Bauermeister here. You can purchase your own copy here. You can see other reviews and tour stops here.
Monday, June 6th: Peeking Between the Pages
Tuesday, June 7th: Raging Bibliomania
Wednesday, June 8th: Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
Thursday, June 9th: Jenny Loves to Read
Friday, June 10th: Amusing Reviews
Monday, June 13th: Book Club Classics!
Tuesday, June 14th: 2 Kids and Tired
Wednesday, June 15th: Books and Movies
Thursday, June 16th: Joyfully Retired
Friday, June 17th: Redlady’s Reading Room
Monday, June 20th: Luxury Reading
Tuesday, June 21st: Teresa’s Reading Corner
Wednesday, June 22nd: Rundpinne
Thursday, June 23rd: Lit and Life
Friday, June 24th: Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, June 27th: The Brain Lair
Tuesday,June 28th: Library of Clean Reads
Wednesday, June 29th: Life in Review
Thursday, June 30th: POOF.. books
Date TBD: Bookish Ruth
----------------------------------------
Read 6/11
* * * *
4/5 Stars
At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them. To celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing that's always terrified her: white-water rafting. But if she goes, all of them will also do something they always swore they'd never do-and Kate is going to choose their adventures.
Shimmering with warmth, wit, and insight, Joy for Beginners is a celebration of life: unexpected, lyrical, and deeply satisfying.
Normally I would peg a book like this as cliched and predictable. Instead, it's warm and inspiring. Kate has overcome breast cancer and at a celebratory dinner, decides to go white-water rafting down the Colorado river with her daughter. Her friends are thrilled for her until she tells them that they each must also do something new or something that scares them and that she is going to choose what challenge or adventure they have.
Each chapter is one woman's story, yet they all intertwine together nicely. We learn how such a disparate group of women came to be such close, intimate friends. Some of their challenges seem simple: learn to bake bread, take a trip by yourself or get rid of the books. What makes this novel wonderful, however, is discovering the why behind each challenge and learning the history or event that lead Kate to give specific, unique challenges to her friends.
Joy for Beginners is beautifully written. Erica Bauermeister has a wonderful way with words and her descriptions and narrative are simply captivating. I know that this is a book I will read again and the next time I do, I will probably have a high-lighter handy. This novel was a delight to read and when I finished it, I was reflective and grateful anew for girlfriends who love and support and encourage me.
Thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Erica Bauermeister here. You can purchase your own copy here. You can see other reviews and tour stops here.
Monday, June 6th: Peeking Between the Pages
Tuesday, June 7th: Raging Bibliomania
Wednesday, June 8th: Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
Thursday, June 9th: Jenny Loves to Read
Friday, June 10th: Amusing Reviews
Monday, June 13th: Book Club Classics!
Tuesday, June 14th: 2 Kids and Tired
Wednesday, June 15th: Books and Movies
Thursday, June 16th: Joyfully Retired
Friday, June 17th: Redlady’s Reading Room
Monday, June 20th: Luxury Reading
Tuesday, June 21st: Teresa’s Reading Corner
Wednesday, June 22nd: Rundpinne
Thursday, June 23rd: Lit and Life
Friday, June 24th: Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, June 27th: The Brain Lair
Tuesday,June 28th: Library of Clean Reads
Wednesday, June 29th: Life in Review
Thursday, June 30th: POOF.. books
Date TBD: Bookish Ruth
----------------------------------------
Read 6/11
* * * *
4/5 Stars
This book is on my reading list of hopeful summer readings. I would love to read.
ReplyDeletemsgb245 at gmail dot com
At first glance it does seem to be on of those stereotypical stories so I'm thrilled to know that it goes way beyond that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.
This looks like a really interesting book! Thanks for the contest!
ReplyDeletejunegirl63@gmail.com
Oh and I forgot to say that I've become a follower
ReplyDeletejunegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds quite a lot like 'The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship' but I'd definitely like to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently living in the UK so don't worry about including me in the giveaway because I wouldn't want you to have to fuss with mailing it overseas.
This look like a fantastic book. I would love to win!
ReplyDeletenerakg1974@gmail.com
Looks good thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
singitm@hotmail.com
I loves The School of Essential Ingredients, so I'm not surprised to see this book is so good. No need to enter me.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me. Brenda from Michigan. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeletePlease follow my blog DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com
dancealert at aol dot com
Thanks for your giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletejasmine716 at gmail dot com
Get rid of books?? Was that one of the challenges? Eek, I wouldn't want to have to do that!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the giveaway -- this sounds like a fantastic book.
Oh and I think my email is visible in my profile (if I'm understanding you correctly). In other words, you should be able to reply directly to this comment via email.
Thanks for the giveaway!
shereadsandreads(at)gmail(dot)com
I LOVED this author's previous book, it is one of my very favorites! So excited she has another one coming out :)
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog now!
poetees@gmail.com
sounds like a great book, thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteLoda at twcny.rr.comngs
I would like to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
What an interesting sounding book.... have you ever read An Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish? It sounds like this one is similar.
ReplyDeleteMy profile has my email addy in it. AND I am a new follower via GFC.
What a summer reading book! Please enter me to win this book!
ReplyDeletenicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
new gfc follower: nicolesender
ReplyDeletenicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a good book to add to my list. I followed you via google reader. junebug1990(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book to read to possibly help me
ReplyDeletetrustjesus7771 at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a good read! Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletechris-tea@hotmail.com
Hmmm...I think I'd love this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDelete-I'm a follower.
-My email is visible.
-Eva
(storybookreviews@hotmail.com)
This sounds like a really good read! I am an old follower amd here is my email address.
ReplyDeletecountrysunset40 (at) aol dot com
Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
Would love to win this book
ReplyDeletelaurie1993@verizon.net
My email is in my profile.. very visible :)
ReplyDeleteNow following GFC (Gianna).
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this giveaway! This sounds like a perfect summer read. :)
ReplyDeleteuaxostacy (at) hotmail (dot) com