Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: Every Last One by Anna Quindlen & Giveaway

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Every Last One by Anna Quindlen is a tragically beautiful novel that will tear at your heart and have you wondering if you ever really know the people who surround you in life and how it is that often we manage to miss what is in front of our very eyes. I’ve been a fan of Anna Quindlen’s since reading Black and Blue years ago and loving it and then One True Thing which was another that I absolutely adored. Every Last One will be another of hers that goes on my favorites list. This book captivated me from the very first page until the very last and what I remember most is how sad I was to see it end.

This novel is centered around the Latham family who are a pretty average family – happy, but with their issues. Mary Beth and Glen have three children: the beautiful and talented Ruby, the twins – the confident Alex and the not so confident and seemingly depressed Max. So when Ruby casually mentions that she’s going to stop seeing her boyfriend Kiernan, Mary Beth really doesn’t think much of it. It’s hard though to push someone away who has been a part of your family since the kids were young children and Kiernan is still friendly with the boys and even Mary Beth and Glen. Mary Beth notices that he seems to be much too focused still on her daughter but with the issues they are having with Max and his moods, she really doesn’t pay it the attention it deserves.

This is one novel that is difficult to review without giving anything away so I’m going to kind of skirt around the plot in a way. Suffice it to say you know early on that something terrible is going to happen. You can see it coming a mile away but you have no idea what it may be. I had several scenarios floating around and ultimately I was only half right. When tragedy strikes, it’s with such force that, as the reader, I had no idea what to do with myself. I was shocked, saddened and horrified by what had befallen this family. As Mary Beth tries to pull her family from the despair they are in you can feel all the emotions and pain she is experiencing. You can only hope they will make it through…

I find with Anna Quindlen’s books they all leave you asking questions of yourself and this one is no different. In Every Last One you are left wondering if you really know the people around you – even those you’ve known practically their whole lives. You wonder about your children; often what is going on in their minds isn’t what you thought it was and how, as a parent, do you keep on top of it? Mostly you are left thinking, long after you’ve closed this novel, how it is that a family, once torn apart, can ever possibly move on and rebuild their lives. Reading Every Last One will leave you feeling very emotional but it is with hope that you will turn the last page of this novel.

I read Every Last One by Anna Quindlen for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to see what others on the tour have to say about Every Last One. Stop in and visit Anna Quindlen’s website as well as like her on Facebook. You can purchase your own copy of Every Last one here in the US and here in Canada.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Every Last One by Anna Quindlen to share with my readers. This giveaway is open to US residents only. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, let me know and the extra entry is yours as well.
  • For 3 entries, tweet or blog this giveaway to spread the word.

Again this giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will be drawing for the winner on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of Every Last One by Anna Quindlen was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wow! This sounds like an amazing read! I've read a couple books by this author and enjoyed each of them. I'll have to check this one out as well. Great review!

  4. This sounds like a great book. I never read an Anna Quindlen book.

    Amy // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

  7. I've never read a book by this author, but I'd love to try this one. Thanks for the giveaway, and I am a follower.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. I am looking forward to reading my first Anna Quindlen book!

    I follow.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

  10. It's hard to live with a depressed family member. I luv Anna Quindlen too. She is one of the great authors.

    teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

  12. It sounds like this one just pulled you in and never let you go! It seems like it would be a book that I would love, so please do enter me in your giveaway. Great review, Dar!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  14. Thanks for the review and giveaway. I'd love to win this book.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  15. I follow your blog via GFC & Google Reader.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  16. Yay! Please enter me!
    I am a follower
    I posted it on my sidebar.

    forevereading at gmail dot ocm

  17. Would love to read this book! Also–a blog follower!

    –Shannon

    sdlind(at)fiberpipe(dot)net

  20. Sounds like every parent will be able to relate to this book.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  22. I'm really quit excited about this book and can't wait to read it! Terrific review, Darlene.

    I'm a follower. 😉

  23. Would love to win this book and it is emotional and makes you think!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  24. I am a long time follower via Google Friends Connect and an e-mail subscription.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  26. Wow, that sounds like a captivating book that would leave you drained. No need to enter me.

  28. I love her writing and will be reading this one, I'm sure! You have such an interesting way of reviewing a book that I always get inspired when I visit here!

  32. Awesome giveaway! I want to read this book SOOOO badly!!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  37. Yours is the 2nd great review of this one that I've encountered….I so must read it!!! I think families are harder on each other than friends and that sometimes there is no way to mend those fractures…these are the kinds of books that I really enjoy!!

  44. I'm a follower =D
    wanted to tweet but twitter is being slow =/ maybe later It'll work

  45. I'm a follower under my name Brenda Rupp GFC, and I subscribe. dancealert at aol dot com

  47. This looks like a great book!
    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com
    I made sure to tweet the giveaway.
    twitter.com/kdaze10
    I also am a GFC follower of your blog!

  48. Sounds like a great read! I am a follower, and you can contact me at whipanne at yahoo dot com if I win! Thanks!!

  51. Great review! I adored this book too and pretty much felt as you did after the "event". I had a hard time catching my breath. Nice job of skirting around the plot. No need to enter me.

  52. I've never read Anna Quindlen, but I've certainly heard a lot about her. This one sounds fascinating.

    I follow you on google reader.

    je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com

  53. My coworker raved about this one!! Thanks for the chance to win!!

    I also follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  58. thanks for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel 🙂

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

  59. Wow! Great review, I can't wait to read this myself. Thank you so much for being on the tour!

  62. I haven't read a Quindlen book yet but after hearing so much about her books, I'm really eager to try one. I'd love to enter the giveaway.

    ReadingOnARainyDay AT gmail DOT com

  70. I love Anna Quindlen! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

    theroundfile at live dot com

    +1 I am a follower.

  71. Thank you for the giveaway. I have always loved Anna Quindlen.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

    I follow via good reader if that counts 🙂

  72. I too was a fan of Black And Blue. This author has been writing for a long time. I'd love to see what they're up to now with this latest novel.

    My e-mail is wakeupangel at googlemail dot com

  75. I like the sound of this book and have been paying a lot of attention to reviews on sites I've seen it featured on.

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

  84. Sounds like you enjoyed this one as much as I did. It was such an emotional read for me!

  86. Sounds really interesting. I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net