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Book Review: The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow & Giveaway

May 6, 2010 by Darlene


The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow is a memoir about eleven childhood friends who stand the test of time and now in their forties they are still friends – they have managed to maintain a forty year friendship. That’s amazing just on it’s own!

This is the story of Karla, Kelly, Marilyn, Jane, Jenny, Karen, Cathy, Angela, Sally, Diana and Sheila. Their bonds formed very early on in some cases but all began in childhood and while some of the girls feel closer to some than others, they are all still a group of friends. They are each unique in their own way with really their own role within the group. It was interesting to read about the dynamics in a group of friends this big.

The girls all grew up in Ames and dealt with all the normal stuff – the teenage years, the boyfriends – the usual. They were, although they say they weren’t, a popular group in high school. Any group of girls that big that always hang out together are bound to be envied and have others want to join in. However it wasn’t to be. These girls stuck together and kept their group to the eleven of them – they were definitely a clique.

Now they are spread all over yet they still manage to keep in touch whether it be by email, reunions and are always there for the big things like weddings or funerals. They are really there for each other and this I found that I really envied. When one is in trouble they all band together and send emails and flowers to show their support. One of their members, Sheila, is no longer with them as she passed away young in an accident yet they will all say she is there in spirit with them when they are all together.

I found myself laughing at some points in this book like in the maxi pad scene and tearing at others like the illness of one of their children. I didn’t really make any connections to any one person in this book because I don’t think it’s told in a way that you can. Being in my forties as well though I did find many of the things they experienced in their teen years to be the same as what I did in mine in terms of music, hairstyles, or movies. It was fun to take a bit of a trip down memory lane.

These women are very lucky to have each other. To have a friendship that has endured as this one has and is still going strong is extremely special and now they are passing it down a generation by having their children get together as well and I think that’s great. There’s a quote from Kelly that’s my favorite…

  • ‘Having these women in my world has meant not only acceptance, but radiant joy and laughter that knocks me right out of my chair. Through our darkest moments, we have lifted each other up. In every moment of grief we’ve shared, our laughter is a life vest, a secure promise that we will not go under.’ (pg 261)

I think that sums up this group of ladies and their friendship so well. I read The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow for his book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can see the other tour stops for The Girls from Ames here. You can buy your very own copy of The Girls from Ames here in the US and here in Canada.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 copy of The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow up for giveaway courtesy of Penguin Group. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries tell me if you’re a part of a great group of friends like this one.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway.

The giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) as the book will be shipped to the winner directly from the publisher. I will draw for the winner of Sunday, May 30, 2010. Good luck!

My thanks to Lisa with TLC Book Tours and Penguin Group for my review copy of The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow.

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Filed Under: 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010-100+ Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mystica says

    May 6, 2010 at 10:22 am

    The best books appear for your giveaways. Thank you for being so very generous always.

    I follow.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

  2. Sandy Nawrot says

    May 6, 2010 at 10:29 am

    This is sereptitious! A friend of mine just recommended this book to me, based on my recent experience of reuniting with high school friends and remembering why we loved each other way back then. And, one of them died recently, like in the book. I think this book is something that all of my friends would love to read. Please enter me! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com

  3. Bethie says

    May 6, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win this. Crossing my fingers!

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  4. Serena says

    May 6, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    This sounds like a fun book. I'll have to keep it in mind. No need to enter me.

  5. traveler says

    May 6, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. bermudaonion says

    May 6, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    I love books about women's friendships, so I'd love to read this. When we lived in Auburn, I belonged to a bunco group that was much like the women from Ames and I'm still in close contact with many of them. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  7. Karen B says

    May 6, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    This sounds like a wonderful read!

  8. amandawk says

    May 6, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    I would love to win this book.
    amandarwest at gmaildotcom

  9. Linda says

    May 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway – I love books about friendships.

    I don't have a 'group' of friends like this one, but I do have a couple of very old friends that I know I can always count on.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  10. Zibilee says

    May 6, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    I never had a group of friends like this one, but have read quite a few books about groups of women friends. Have you ever read The Necklace? Much is similar in the two books, and I think you'd enjoy it. I'd love a copy of this book to try for myself, so please do enter me in your giveaway!!

    I am also a follower of your blog via google reader!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  11. Teresa says

    May 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    I've seen this one and am really interested in reading it. I wish I had a group of friends like this.

    I am a follower.

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

  12. Debbie F says

    May 6, 2010 at 7:28 pm

    Please include me! Would love to read this one!

    Thanks!
    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  13. Debbie F says

    May 6, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    I used to have a group of women I would hang with every weekend but then I had two children real closed together so my time became theirs and not my own. I still talk to one friend who is my BFF (as the kids say) and she is all I need! thanks!

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  14. Sandy Jay says

    May 6, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds like a very good book. I'd love to win it.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  15. Staci says

    May 6, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    Don't enter me dear as I'm on the tour too…I just finished this one last night…wasn't a good one for me.

  16. Rachel says

    May 7, 2010 at 1:25 am

    Thank you for the giveaway!!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  17. Miss Jessica says

    May 7, 2010 at 2:47 am

    I'm so excited to see a review of this book, which has been on my to-read list since I heard of it.

    I go to college in Ames. 🙂

    My group of girlfriends amounts to a handful as opposed to eleven… We all live in different towns and are in different stages in life. But whenever we get together, it's as if we've never been apart.

    Oh, and I blogged this at: http://www.lovelyundergrad.com/2010/05/book-giveaway-girls-from-ames.html

  18. Kelsey says

    May 7, 2010 at 2:52 am

    I'm a follower.
    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/13524607015.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

  19. Martha Lawson says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:24 am

    Great giveaway! This book sounds awesome. Please enter me.

    I follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

  20. S. Krishna says

    May 7, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    I've heard good things about this one and would love the chance to read it! I'm part of a group of friends like this – my two best friends since I was three years old. Unfortunately, I recently had a falling out with one, but am still very close with the other!

    skrishna [at] skrishnasboooks [dot] com

  21. Jo-Jo says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    I would love to win this book!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  22. Jo-Jo says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Although I am no longer that close with my friends from my high school days, I have a wonderful group of women that I spend time with now. I think it is so important to have great women in your life.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  23. holdenj says

    May 7, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    I have seen some great reviews of this book, thanks for the chance to win!

    +2 I am a follower.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. carla says

    May 8, 2010 at 2:43 am

    This one caught my eye as I am only about 30 miles from Ames.
    Sounds like they have done a good job of keeping in touch with each other.
    No need to enter me, good luck to everyone!

  25. Alice Teh says

    May 8, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Too bad I cannot enter for the giveaway but still, thank you for reviewing it, Dar. I've seen a few other reviews of the same and they're all saying good things about it!

  26. ruthiekb72 says

    May 8, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    Please enter me! Thanks so much!
    ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

  27. ruthiekb72 says

    May 8, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    I have a great group of friends in my book club that I started last year in my neighborhood…15 women of all ages & backgrounds!
    ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

  28. Cindy W. says

    May 8, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    This book sounds awesome. I would love to win a copy.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  29. Cindy W. says

    May 8, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    I wish I could say I had a great group of friends that I grew up with but unfortunately I was an Air Force brat who traveled and said goodbye to friends while embracing new ones. There are pros and cons but if I had my choice I would have lived in the same town my entire life with the same group of friends even if some moved away.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  30. Elise says

    May 9, 2010 at 6:31 am

    I would love to enter this giveaway.
    caliblue7@gmail.com

  31. Elise says

    May 9, 2010 at 6:32 am

    I have wonderful friends. My college friends are great! We are all still friends now.
    caliblue7@gmail.com

  32. Wanda says

    May 10, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    This book kind of sounds like The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants but with an adult twist. 11 characters though — did you have any difficulty keeping them all straight in your head? I think I would…

  33. Beachreader says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    I have a group of friends called the beach gals because every August we rent a beach house in the outer banks for a week – for some of us it's the only time we see each other. We have beeen doing it for about 14 years. This sounds like a great book to read at the beach. Please enter me in the giveaway.

  34. naida says

    May 10, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    I've seen this one around Dar, and it does sound good. Great review!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  35. Jenny Girl says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:56 am

    No need to enter me. Just wanted to say I enjoyed your review. SOunds like a warm and happy book.

  36. Wise Owl, Editor says

    May 11, 2010 at 5:10 am

    This book sounds very inviting. I do have a group of friends I can rely on, and it is a great feeling.

    Eileen
    felinmanor@aol dot com

  37. a real librarian says

    May 12, 2010 at 12:19 am

    I have been dying to read this book!! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

    I have a couple girlfriends that I picked up and moved across the country with – it was the most amazing experience!

    areallibrarian[at}gmail[dot]com

  38. ♥TanyaMarie♥ says

    May 12, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Omg.this sounds so great!

    I have my group of friends :]

    fun.fun.fun

    tanya_starpower at yahoo dot com

  39. Anonymous says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    Sounds like a great book.
    Please enter me.
    RJB
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

  40. Jo-Jo says

    May 14, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    I blogged about the contest here.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  41. Booksnyc says

    May 14, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    I have seen great reviews of this book! Thanks for hosting!

    leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo (dot) com

  42. Anonymous says

    May 16, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    I love these books on friendship!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

  43. Debi says

    May 18, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    I would love to read about this group of women! Please enter me.
    Thank you!

    debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

  44. Debi says

    May 18, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    I don't have a large group of women but a group of 5 or 6 that I know I can always count on. A few years we all took a vacation during the spring. It was wonderful.

    debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

  45. Margie says

    May 19, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    Sounds wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  46. Margie says

    May 19, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I have a small group of friends from school…we don't all live in
    the same area, but we keep in touch via email and in person when we travel.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  47. Arch says

    May 19, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    This sounds like a good read…its always nice to read books about friendship… and I have to agree with the comment from Mystica..you surely have some of the good books in your giveaways and am not complaining… 🙂

    archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com

    -arch

  48. LisaMM says

    May 22, 2010 at 12:32 am

    I'm sorry for the long delay in getting over here, but thank you for the terrific review, and for being on the tour. We really appreciate it!

  49. Benita says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:36 am

    Sounds great. Please count me in.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  50. Benita says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:37 am

    I do have a group of friends like this. We travel together.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  51. Amy says

    May 23, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    This book sounds amazing. I would very much like to read the story about this group of female friends.
    Please enter me in your giveaway.

    ~ Amy
    Aimala127@gmail.com

  52. Amy says

    May 23, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    I wish I was part of a great group of friend like this one but I'm not…any longer anyway. I was in college and law school. I still have my college friends and I can count on them although we don't see each other much anymore. But my law school friends who live around where I live now dropped away as my disablity increased and my health problems worsened. I wasn't able to go out like they were and often had to cancel plans. That can cause people to drift away unfortunately.

    Thank you for this terrific giveaway!

    Aimala127@gmail.com

  53. Amy says

    May 23, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    I tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/Amestir/status/14585195989

    Thank you!

    Aimala127@gmail.com

  54. MUM says

    May 24, 2010 at 3:31 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds like a great book.

    Marie
    utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com

  55. MUM says

    May 24, 2010 at 3:31 am

    I'm a follower.

    Marie
    utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com

  56. JHS. says

    May 25, 2010 at 5:24 am

    I'm intrigued by this book because yes indeed I am part of several such great groups of friends. One group has been together since grammar school — we used to run home together to watch "Dark Shadows." Some other friends joined us in junior high & we are all still buds. I also have another group that I met in junior college — 35 years and we're still going strong. And still a couple of other groups of musicians, college friends, etc.

    I am very fortunate to be a member of each and every group because they are all eclectic wonderful people.

    JHS
    Colloquium

    admin at jhsiess dot com

  57. Angie says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:41 am

    This was nominated for our last book club. It didn't make it but I'd still like to read it

    aksimmo at brainerd dot net

  58. Angie says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:42 am

    +2 follower

    askimmo at brainerd dot net

  59. degood says

    May 26, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    Please enter me. I have added it to my summer reading list.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

  60. degood says

    May 26, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    +2 I do have a great group of friends that all bonded over a mom's group for newborns when our kids were born. There are 12 of us that still regularly meet about twice a month for coffee, friendship and fun and our kids are almost teenagers now.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

  61. ChristyJan says

    May 27, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Sounds like a great read ~ please enter me.

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

  62. ChristyJan says

    May 27, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    I don't really have a group of friends, but I do have 3 wonderful sisters.

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

  63. Elisabeth says

    May 28, 2010 at 12:57 am

    New to your blog, like it a lot!! The Girls From Ames looks like a great summer read.

    ladybook21@yahoo.com

  64. Tina says

    May 30, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    Phew==just made it!! Please enter me.

    tbranco(at)hughes(dot)net

  65. Liz says

    July 30, 2010 at 4:36 am

    I just ordered this book and can't wait to read it! I can totally relate, I have a group of seven girlfriends who have been friends since childhood. One of the girls mom was the kindergarten teacher to 3 of us, that's how it all started. How many women can say their kindergarten teacher attended their wedding? I can think of at least three! We even have a collaborative blog together: http://www.lylasandco.com/

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