The novel begins with a letter from Barbara to her daughters. Barbara wrote the letter while she was dying of cancer, and it gives instructions on planning her funeral. We then meet Barbara’s four daughters. Lisa, the oldest, is a commitment-phobe. Jennifer is married but terribly unhappy in her marriage, and is facing a decision to have kids with a man she isn’t sure she loves anymore. Amanda is a wanderer, traveling around the world – even while her mom is dying. And Hannah, the 15 year old, rebels against the loss of her mother.
The novel tells the story of these daughters, as well as Mark, Barbara’s second husband and the girls’ step-father, throughout the 12 months following Barbara’s death. The letters from Barbara are combines with stories of love, revelations, and secrets. Each daughter is touched differently by the letters, and we are able to follow the journey of each girl during this year.
This novel really touched me. I am very close with my mother, and honestly don’t know what I would do without her. She is one of my closest friends, and I feel so lucky to have her. There were several instances where I totally lost it and found tears streaming down my face – because I really felt like I could relate to what was happening in the girls’ lives. It is interesting how you can read a book that truly speaks to you in a certain time of your life.
I love how Barbara was portrayed – beautiful, upbeat, fun, quirky, and outgoing – with amazing and heartfelt advice. She seemed very wise, and gave advice by telling of her own experiences and how she learned what she did. She was not perfect, which the daughters learn throughout the course of the book. She had her own weaknesses, secrets, and insecurities – she was human. The daughters learn to accept all parts of their mom – both the good and the bad.
This book really struck a chord with me, and I highly recommend this novel to all moms and daughters. In fact, I’m excited to announce another giveaway!! Nicole from HarperCollins has offered to giveaway 5 copies of Things I Want My Daughters to Know!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post – that’s it!! Be sure to leave an email address with your comment – if you don’t, your comment will be deleted and you won’t be entered (I HAVE to have a way to contact you!!) The contest will run until May 14, and I’ll pick a winner on Friday, May 15!!! I am a little late on getting this out for Mother’s Day, but it’ll be a great novel at any time of the year. This contest is open to US residents only, and no PO Boxes, please.
Good luck and happy reading!!
52 comments:
Great giveaway! Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com
I want to enter!
Jenni (rafini)
jenniwood13 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Oh! Pick me!
brainella(at)gmail(dot)com
this sounds like a deep novel...i think this was a great review...
savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com
THAT sounds like a good one!
cgotaypalumbo@gmail.com
I want to enter! I heard this is a good read!
Tina
tinagrizz82(at)yahoo(dot)com
No need to enter me; I'm just dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.
looks like a great book!
laurastroessner at gmail dot com
I would love to read this one. Please enter me.
nicole@linussblanket.com
This sounds really interesting. I'd love to enter, too.
amandagignac [at] gmail [dot] com
I would really love to read this one!
marielay@gmail.com
Great review...I definitely want to enter!
alleigh @ gmail.com
FAAAABulous giveaway. Please enter me. tonigomez (at) surewest (dot) net
As a mother of only daughters and an avid reader, I would love to be entered.
jawpaw@msn.com
I would love to read this and then share it with my mother and sister.
I have so been wanting to read this book!
reading_frenzy@yahoo.com
Oooh I would love to read this book!!! Sounds like a great book, to read while being pregnant :)
ladybugg82 @gmail.com
Great review! I would love to read the book!
jenmyers15@gmail.com
This sounds fantastic! Plz enter me (even though I've won from you before).
damonca(at)satx(dot)rr(dot)com
(Yes, there are supposed to be two 'dots'.)
Sounds like a good book. Please enter me. Thank you.
iluvchrisnlevi@aol.com
I'm an only daughter to my only mother. :) Would love to read this book, so please enter me!
onetwentypm@gmail.com
This looks great! Please enter me!
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
I've heard great things about this book and I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the chance.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
I would love to read that book!
syracusecritter (at) yahoo (dot) com
Hey KS!
I have heard good things about this novel, too. Enter me!
angelina41 at gmail ;)
This book sounds excellent, and, since my mom is 75 and had an unexpected quadruple bypass at the end of March, thinking about facing life without her presense has been a theme for me recently.
Please enter me in the giveaway. Choco223@aol.com
Enter me, please :)
lelizrn@gmail.com
If I win this - my mom and I will definitely read it together.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
This one sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to be entered. Thanks for the giveaway!
skrishna [st] skrishnasbooks [dot] com
This sounds like a great story. Please enter me. :0)
Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com
I would really love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
This book sounds really great! I'd love a chance to win it, if not I'll definitely have to go get a copy.
Thank you so much!
mishtakes AT gmail DOT com
Sounds really good. Please enter me!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Forgot to add email ;)
lisamoore13 at gmail dot com
Thanks for this great giveaway. A wonderful novel that would be memorable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I've been wanting to read this book for a very long time. I'd love to win.
mamie316@sbcglobal.net
Sounds very informative.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would treasure this book - for my own daughter and for my mother too! Thanks for the review. Enter me in the giveaway!
bsyb100 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a book to be treasured. Thanks for the chance to win.
1bmore @ gmail . com
This sounds like a very touching story. As the mother of 3 daughters, I would love to read it.
Thanks,
Looks like a fantastic read! Very generous + sweet!
heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com
Sounds wonderful
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com
I would love a chance to read this, it sounds great! Thank you!
Tiffanys819 at gmail.com
Great review. Please enter me in the contest.
heathererwin(at)hotmail(dot)com
Okay so the title alone drew me in on this one!
ajcmeyer AT go DOT com
Please enter me. This sounds like a great book.
iluvchrisnlevi@aol.com
I've heard great things about this book - please count me in!
bookopolis at live dot com
I've really been wanting to read this!!
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
Love to have this.
Thanks,
darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com
I know I will be hysterical as I read this and my tears will blur the words but I want to read it anyway.
madamerkf at aol dot com
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