Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.
The Kind of Love That Saves You by Amy Yurk
Fiction
2000 Bantam
Finished on May 16, 2000
Rating: 2/5 (Fair)
Publisher's Blurb:
Every now and then a gifted new writer bursts on the scene blessed with rare wisdom, dazzling eloquence, and a deep understanding of what it means to be human, to be alive. Amy Yurk is just such a writer, establishing herself with her enthralling debut novel, a tale of loss, friendship, and the resilience of a woman's heart....Sarah Strickland and her best friend, Calista, have been like sisters since the first day of kindergarten, sharing good times and weathering crises for more than twenty years. Together they've navigated the terrain of school, friendship, romances, breakups, love, and marriage. Six months after Sarah's marriage to Gavin Strickland, Calista wed Gavin's best friend. Now, holding Calista and Mike's bright and boisterous eighteen-month-old, Sarah longs to follow her friend into the sometimes rocky, sometimes breathtakingly beautiful realm of motherhood.
But in one shattering second the world changes, and the landscape Sarah enters is one she could not have envisioned. And it is one Calista cannot fully comprehend. Now the growing distance between the two women threatens to deepen the devastating sense of loss Sarah already feels. Calista tries valiantly to be her guide through this dark emotional territory, tries to hurry her over the roughest places, but her attempts to help only alienate the friend she loves.
Suddenly, miraculously, someone walks into Sarah's life who understands every twist of the long, heartbreaking path life has set her on. Someone who is capable of guiding her through and showing her that there is a life beyond the pain she feels. But Sarah cannot begin to know if this new friendship, so desperately needed, will provide the healing bond between her and Calista...or become the wedge that will tear them apart forever.
A celebration of life, hope, and the healing power of love, The Kind of Love That Saves You is an electrifying debut, an unforgettable story that will make you smile through your tears...and treasure the loved ones in your own life even more.
My Original Thoughts (2000):
Pure fluff -- and not even good fluff. Story of a woman who writes to her unborn child about her marriage, losses and friendships. Pure sap. A very quick, mindless read. Wouldn't recommend it.
My Current Thoughts:
I probably read this before I gave myself permission to quit on books that weren't enjoyable.
I think I forced myself to finish a lot of books I was not enjoying back long ago before I set that same rule for myself. To give ourselves a bit of slack, I remember, too, that we did not have access to books back then that we have now, and we were unable to find out a lot about books before we purchased them, and those things also influenced our reading of less-than books.
ReplyDeleteDeb, you are absolutely right! 20 years ago, we didn't have publishers vying for our attention via blog tours, publicity for giveaways via Shelfawareness & Goodreads, etc. I receive so many emails about new books and follow numerous blogs that give me recommendations for so many new (and older) books to read that I rarely wonder, "What should I read?" My TBR list is full of great recs from trusted readers.
DeleteI love the fact that you've now given yourself permission to stop reading a book. If it doesn't work, move on - right? LOL
ReplyDeleteKay, hello there!! So nice to see your name pop up in an email in my inbox! Yes, I now give up on books that aren't working for me without any guilt, although I do try to stick with some if they're for my book group. Not always, but I usually read further than I normally would in those instances.
DeleteHa! Love your forthright opinion!
ReplyDeleteJenclair, no one can ever accuse me of not posting honest reviews. ;)
DeleteOne to skip for sure. I have been clearing out my shelves and have decided that if a book doesn't interest me any more it's ok to part with it. I'll still have plenty of books left over to read.
ReplyDeleteIliana, I've been clearing my shelves, too. Nice to see some space between the stacks for a change!
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