"Promises to Keep" by Ann Tatlock UPDATED)

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock is about a little girl’s dream of her parents getting back together even though her mother took off with her children to keep them safe.  Alan Anthony, the father is an alcoholic that was abusive to his family, but convinces his daughter, Rosalind, that he has changed and is going to come back and make everything better.  When the mother and kids move out on their own to a small town, the house they are surprised to find Tillie, the old lady who built the house, sitting on their porch reading their paper.  Tillie had been put into a nursing home when she broke her hip and her son sold her house.  After her hip healed, Tillie left the nursing home because she was determined to live out “her” days in her house.  Because the mother has to work and needs someone to watch the youngest daughter, she lets Tillie move in with them.  I liked this subplot because it was humorous. 

Promises to Keep is well-written and kept my interest all the way through by making me wonder if the father really had changed—it gives great insight into human nature.  This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but look forward to reading more of her books.  There are discussion questions in the back of the book which make this a good Christian fiction book club read.
(Karen's review)

Gerard read this too:
This is a really nice story about two little girls, one black, one white, who want to have their fathers in their lives again.  It kept my interest for sure.  Although somewhat predictable, it's a good story and well worth your time.  It goes fast!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

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"Sarah's Daughter" by Ruth Bass

I enjoyed Sarah’s Daughter by Ruth Bass more than I thought I would.  It’s about a grieving family in the 1880’s and how the husband and his three children cope with the death of Sarah, the wife and mother.  Rose, the oldest daughter, is 14 and becomes overwhelmed with taking on all that the mother did while still going to school.  The father turns to alcohol to drown his troubles.

Here is a quote I thought was very good:

Sarah always said when the problem was very big, you just started at the very beginning and went along a bit at a time, the way you read a new book.

"Read only the first line," she'd say, "and understand that.  Don't go skimming through or try to see the end before you have absorbed all the lines between.  Problems are like books.  You work your way through them, and sometimes the ending is quite a surprise."

I liked the humor in this book and found the historical look at daily living in the 1800s very interesting.  The main character is likeable and well developed.  The author told most of the story from Rose’s point of view, even sharing her funny thoughts with the reader.  It is very well written and character driven.  This novel is about friendship, dysfunctional families, grief, suicide, dreams and some romance.  I recommend it to anyone who likes books teens or historical fiction.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

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"The Weight of Silence" by Heather Gudenkauf

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf is a page-turner that grabbed my attention right from the start.  A young girl is abducted and her friend, Calli is also missing.   Calli is seven but hasn't spoken since she was four. I liked this book because it wasn't predictable and deals with a lot of different issues such as family dynamics, alcoholism, old flames, police investigation, selective mutism and friendship.  It is a fast read and contains discussion questions at the end.  I recommend this book if you like contemporary fiction about families.
Karen's review posted 2/11/10

The Weight Of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf is a real page turner!  I suggest not reading the Prologue first.  I never do until I finish reading the book.  Wow!  This book was just awesome.  It reads just like a Jodi Picoult book, which is not a bad thing at all.  The book got my attention right away and kept it all the way to the end.  All the characters are very good.  I especially enjoyed their stories of early times in their lives.  I do not think you will be able to guess the outcome.  I didn’t.  Enjoy this book--it is REALLY, REALLY GOOD!

(Gerard's Review 1/30/10)

comments received moved from our other blog:
I Just started a book blog and I am discouraged. Then I found you guys and I realized that you seem to read the same type of books that I do. I just finished The Weight Of Silence, Have also read The Art of Racing in the Rain and Columbine, The Book Thief and My Sisters Keeper. I am on my library's wait list for Going Rogue. However, your kitties choice of Where the Wild Things Are is my favorite. I's like to ask you a favor, just because I am starting out and your tastes run similar to mine. If you have time would you just drop by my site and give me a critique or two. Since there are so many holidays in February I was going with a theme and a giveaway almost everyday. I am discouraged as I am not having much luck. Mainly just friends and family. I would really appreciate your advice. Thank you very much! Lesa  skyroxy@bellsouth.net

By Lesa on February 15, 2010

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