Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I Read A Book, a very *good* book


(Non Dog Related)


I'm stepping out of my dog writer shoes for a moment and sliding on my fluffy book reader slippers. I must share this with you.


"This" is a novel that I just finished reading. I've been reading a lot of 'first' novels and classic novels. The book before last was To Kill A Mockingbird, which was both. I've heard everywhere and back again that writers should read good writing. I read the 'first' novels to give me hope.


I got a recommendation for a book on Barry's most excellent blog, An Explorer's View of Life. Seems the author was one of his blog friends/followers. I checked out her blog, and I loved her voice. So I followed the links and ordered her book.


My copy of Tender Graces, by Kathryn Magendie, arrived in the mail. It is published by BelleBooks, Inc., which I assume is a smallish press out of Smyrna, Georgia. I had to finish two library books which were due back. I made the mistake of reading the first chapter of Tender Graces. Library books, shmibrary books. I was hooked.


I raced through Tender Graces, not the way you would gulp down a big juicy hamburger after a couple days without food. More the way you would attend to a fresh-steamed Maine lobster, wanting to savor every bite while the butter was still hot and the shell burned your fingers a little. Everything else could wait.


That I had only recently re-read To Kill A Mockingbird is one of those inexplicable Gifts of the Universe. That book, (okay, along with Gregory Peck), holds a very dear place in my heart. Harper Lee is one of the best writers in my world. And I read Tender Graces thinking, Wow. She's that good a writer. This book is To Kill a Mockingbird good. And I was right.


Now I have to wait until the next in the series comes out. The rest of you can use the links and get your own copies. Don't bother with the blurbs - they don't do the storytelling justice. Here's a blurb: It's the story of a girl and a mountain and whispers in the wind. Of riding fast on an imaginary horse and parents who drink and make hornets buzz in a little girl's head. It's about kindness and flaws and doing better. Hot Louisiana summers and brothers who are gone and there and gone. It is simply a great read, beautifully written.


Enjoy!!

16 comments:

  1. Thank you....Muzzer says she will start looking for it, and put it on her list so she doesn't forget.

    gussie

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  2. Mom just finished South of Broad by Pat Conroy and Baking Cakes in Kilgali by Gaile Parkin (a tale of life in Rwanda after the horrors) and The Comforts of a Muddy Sunday by Alexander McCall Smith and The World According to Bertie, also by McCall Smith -- and, drum roll, she is about to start Teddy Kennedy's memoir True Compass.

    But she will look for Tender Graces to follow as you are a trusted advisor on all things special.

    Wirey woofs,

    Jake and Just Harry

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  3. It sounds like a wonderful book, Patience! We'll follow the links!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  4. I just watched the video and loved the fiddling! It made ME want to read it, too! I told my reading sisters and Susan will need to listen to the video fiddlin'!
    So glad you loved this book, Patience--now others can, too!
    laurie

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  5. Oh good! I needed a new book to read. Your review sounds wonderful. And To Kill A Mockingbird is one of my all time favorites. Not sure how many times I have read it, but it has been more than a few.

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  6. Will get a copy and plan to read at Christmas. Sounds wonderful

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  7. My publishers actually sent me this before I had a chance to even stop by and find it for myself! I am blushing and smiling and so very happy - this has made my morning. If you could see my sappy happy grin.....

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  8. You are better than Oprah for book referrals. I enjoyed the last book you recommended, Lace Reader, and will put this one on my upcoming "to read" list. Right now I am thoroughly enjoying Willa Cather's My Antonia. Why haven't I read this wonderful book sooner?

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  9. This sounds like one Old Girl would like. She reviews books at http://tiffanynorris.blogspot.com. I normally don't like to give her free publicity, but there you go.

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  10. Thanks for the recommendation. I also count To Kill A Mockingbird as one of my all time favorites. She may have had only one book in her but it sure was great. I highly recommend, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

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  11. There is nothing better than a good book. To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the very best.

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  12. Happiness is an unexpected good find book that comes to you with a great recommendation. Tender Graces is #17 on my list, but may move up to top of queque. Earlier this week I was happy to learn that Sue Monk Kidd has a new book out, co-written with her daughter. It's "Traveling with Pomegranates, a mother-daughter story"--a sort of dual memoir. I'm starting Dan Brown's megabook today and then will get on to these more memorable works, I'm sure.

    BTW, I was interested to read in the post below that even well-trained whippets bite each other when on leash together when frustrated at getting to their intended target--squirrels. My four used to do that all the time. Very upsetting and hard to anticipate and deflect.

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  13. I think, that because of you and Barry, I will have to read this book. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best books in the English language. Barry says that Tender Graces has a pink cover-I would normally NOT read such a book (isn't that dumb)--I might just take a chance.

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  14. You can read an excerpt here:

    http://www.bellebooks.com/books/TenderGraces.asp#Excerpt

    It really pulls you in.

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  15. Done! It's on our reading list!
    Thank you!
    Jake and Fergi (for Moma)

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