Joy for Beginners...Review

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

Comments

  1. This book is on my reading list of hopeful summer readings. I would love to read.
    msgb245 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks like a really interesting book! Thanks for the contest!

    junegirl63@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh and I forgot to say that I've become a follower

    junegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds quite a lot like 'The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship' but I'd definitely like to give it a go!

    I'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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This look like a fantastic book. I would love to win!
    nerakg1974@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks good thanks for the giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I loves The School of Essential Ingredients, so I'm not surprised to see this book is so good. No need to enter me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please enter me. Brenda from Michigan. I'm a new follower.
    Please follow my blog DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for your giveaway! :)

    jasmine716 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Get rid of books?? Was that one of the challenges? Eek, I wouldn't want to have to do that!

    Please 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

    ReplyDelete
  12. I LOVED this author's previous book, it is one of my very favorites! So excited she has another one coming out :)

    I follow your blog now!

    poetees@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. sounds like a great book, thanks for the giveaway

    Loda at twcny.rr.comngs

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would like to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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.

    My profile has my email addy in it. AND I am a new follower via GFC.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a summer reading book! Please enter me to win this book!
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. new gfc follower: nicolesender
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like a good book to add to my list. I followed you via google reader. junebug1990(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds like a good book to read to possibly help me
    trustjesus7771 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sounds like a good read! Thanks for the giveaway

    chris-tea@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hmmm...I think I'd love this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    -I'm a follower.
    -My email is visible.

    -Eva
    (storybookreviews@hotmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  22. This sounds like a really good read! I am an old follower amd here is my email address.

    countrysunset40 (at) aol dot com

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Would love to win this book

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. My email is in my profile.. very visible :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! This sounds like a perfect summer read. :)

    uaxostacy (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete