Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Book Giveaway

The Book Junkie is celebrating her birthday by giving away a box of books! Her birthday is in February and she will choose the lucky winner on February 22nd. Go to her blog to fill out the form. You could win a box of books for HER birthday!!!! What a great idea!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

I had the pleasure of receiving and reviewing an advance copy of Making Toast, by well-known author Roger Rosenblatt. The book will be released February 16th. I hope you get the opportunity to read it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here's my review:

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt shows how your entire life can change at any moment. And, in this case, the author and his family will never return to the way life was before the sudden change that hit them when their daughter suddenly dies. I have to admit I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked up this book. It is heart wrenching yet engaging and quite light in its own way. Does that make sense? Probably not – until you read it.

The author and his wife go through the grief process while trying to be there for their son-in-law and their other children’s families and to play “parent” to their three young grandchildren. They are at the stage of their life where they should be enjoying the carefree times they’ve worked hard to attain. Instead of the doting grandparents they should be at this age, they are suddenly thrown into the role of caregiver for children who have lost their mother. Not an easy task, but these two are definitely not ordinary people.

These grandparents are now dealing with schedules, temper tantrums, and the children’s loss as they deal with their own feelings. This book will break your heart while at the same time entertain you. A hard task, for sure! But I found I couldn’t put this book down even as I cried my eyes out and as my own heart was breaking for this family.

Losing a child is a nightmare no one wants to have, but, sadly, many do. This book heals as it hurts. What a marvelous family. Their love and good humor comes through on every page but the pain never goes away.

Don’t let the subject put you off. This book is definitely worth the time it takes to read it and is well written. You won’t be sorry. I loved Making Toast.

Friday, January 22, 2010

A Belated Happy New Year!

I'm sorry to be late in wishing you the best for 2010. My New Year's resolution is to actually try to blog a couple times a week. I've been quite negligent but am determined to get this going! So off to a good start - only 22 days into 2010.

Right after the new year I headed to Florida for a very, very cold week in the sunny south. Upon my return I went to Boston to celebrate my granddaughter's first birthday. Believe it or not, the weather was much milder in Boston than it was in Saint Augustine and Jupiter Island, Florida. But I wouldn't have minded cold, ice or snow because seeing my beautiful granddaughters warmed my heart.

Happy New Year and I hope 2010 brings you all much happiness.