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.
Fiction
1999 Atria Books
Read in February 2001
Rating: 3/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Lily Wilk always knew she was destined to be an artist -- ever since she pulled a drawing kit from a grab bag on her tenth birthday. Now Lily's work is always in demand around her small Massachusetts town, where she makes her living painting fire hydrants, lettering diplomas, and applying "Gulls" and "Buoys" to restaurant bathroom doors. But when supermarket heiress Mary Ziemba commissions her to paint a family portrait, Lily senses her lifelong dream of creating a memorable masterpiece is finally within her grasp. What she discovers, however, is that dreams often take their own unexpected twists...and with each small and gentle brush stroke she applies to Mary Ziemba's painting, Lily learns more than she ever imagined about the meaning of friendship, family, and love.
With a gift for creating fiction that is "rich with an unusual sweetness" (USA Today) and filled with wry humor, bestselling author Suzanne Strempek Shea delivers a poignant and unforgettable work of art in Lily of the Valley. My Original Thoughts (2001):
It took me a while to get caught up in the story, but I eventually did. I don't think the author writes very well, though. I stumbled over many sentences that were jerky and seemed poorly written. However, the story intrigued me and I'm happy I kept at it. Reminiscent of Lorna Landvik's novels.
My Current Thoughts:
I doubt I'd have the patience for this book now. Pretty sure it would have wound up on my recent reject pile.
It's so interesting to hear your thoughts about books you read a while ago. I see books that I rated 5/5 and wonder why sometimes and then books I gave lower ratings to are ones I've continued to think about.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I've really enjoyed going back through my reading journals for this weekly post. I'm inspired to reread some of my old favorites and as with my current reread (The Shell Seekers), I'm constantly surprised at how little I remember of the details of books I loved. I have a sense of the overall storyline, but it really does feel like I'm reading the book for the first time. So odd.
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