Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: The Bird House by Kelly Simmons & Giveaway

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The Bird House by Kelly Simmons is a terrific novel and yet another of my favorites for the year! As I said in my Sunday post I’m probably going to gush a bit because I so loved this book! I really have to mention the cover as well – it’s so serene and beautiful and I kept imagining myself sitting in that chair while I was reading. The Bird House by Kelly Simmons is such a beautiful novel of heartbreak, fading memory, hope, and the uncovering of the family secrets and the forgiveness that must go with them.

Ann Biddle is a seventy year old woman who is starting to experience, more and more often, the loss of memories she was sure she once had. From the beginning though we know that Ann has done something horrible in her past; something she is still running away from. Her eight year old granddaughter Ellie, who she really hasn’t had a relationship with up to this point, asks her to help her with a school project. They have to put together a report chronicling something in their family that spans the years past. Ann has an attic full of such memories but she’d really rather avoid most of them. However, sharing this past with Ellie pulls Ann out of herself and leads her on a journey to face that troubling past.

This novel is told by weaving the past and present and it is done so well that you move seamlessly between the two which are forty years apart. Usually when I read a novel told in this way I much prefer one story to the other but not in this case. I looked forward to delving into Ann’s past as much as watching her struggle with her memory in the present to enjoying her time with her granddaughter. We feel Ann’s pain when she looks back into her memories of being a young mother and trying to cope with kids, an inattentive husband and breast cancer. Our hearts break when we journey with Ann through a tragedy that will reshape her life.

As a woman fighting dementia, Ann is always second guessing herself. Did I say that? Did I do that? Ellie keeps her on her toes though helping her to remember things as they go through the trunks in the attic and bring the past back to life. However Ellie’s mother, Tinsley seems to have quite a few concerns about Ann and her memory and has Ellie keep an eye on Grandma. Yet Ann has some issues with Tinsley as well and eventually confronts her. There is a battle of wills though but while Ann may be losing her memory, she certainly isn’t losing her spunk.

I loved Ann. Sure she had her flaws – who doesn’t? The way in which she handles some things in her past may not have been the way I would have but we do what we do in any given situation and it’s too late to turn back once it’s over. Ann was full of spunk and sass and she had me laughing more than once with her ingenuity. Ellie was also a fantastic character who you couldn’t help but love. She was curious in the way only kids can be and would very bluntly ask Ann questions. By doing this she made Ann look deeper into a life that she had been trying to keep buried for years.

This is a beautifully written novel and I don’t want to say much more than I have – this is one you need to experience for yourself. All I know is I picked this novel up one day and finished it the next. Kelly Simmons tells Ann’s story in such an intimate fashion that I found myself completely immersed and captivated by it. I felt Ann’s pain and I felt her triumphs. I felt her joy over spending time with her granddaughter and loved how Ellie helped her Grandma move on from the past.

The Bird House by Kelly Simmons is a look into a life being affected by demenia and so much more. It’s a look into a past that you may have preferred to have kept buried. It’s a story of love as well – the love of a child that can bring you a new lease on an old life. I loved this book! I couldn’t read it fast enough and it’s still so much on mind. It would make a great book club selection because there is so much to discuss from family, children, marriage, infidelity all the way to the devastating effects Alzheimer’s can have on a family. It’s definitely a must read in my books!

I read The Bird House by Kelly Simmons for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can see what everyone else thinks about the novel on the other tour stops here. Be sure to pop into Kelly Simmon’s website as well! You can purchase your own copy of The Bird House by Kelly Simmons here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one autographed copy of The Bird House by Kelly Simmons to share with my readers. 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, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry along to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, April 2, 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 The Bird House by Kelly Simmons was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

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Comments

  1. OOOHHH I tried to win this from someone else but didn't get it.

    Please enter me!

    I am a follower

    I will post it on my sidebar.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  2. I'd love to win this book!
    jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

    Iam a follower
    Thank you for the give away

  3. The first time I saw this cover I just felt it would be a wonderful story. I'd love a chance to win a copy.

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

  6. I have seen several reviews of this book and they were all good so include me. Thanks.
    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. Dar, sounds like a wonderful story! Count me in for the giveaway!

    I follow your blog faithfully!

    cmcdermitt at carolina dot rr dot com

  9. I would LOVE to win this, I have had my eyes on it for a while now 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  12. Sounds like a great story, and I agree, the cover is beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway.

    extra entry – Google follower

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  13. Sounds like you really enjoyed it. I'd love to try it out.

    I follow.

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

  17. Dar, it sounds like this book really handles a lot of different issues within it, and does it beautifully. I loved the review you wrote for this one, and would love to be considered for your giveaway!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    I also follow your blog!

  21. This book sounds wonderful, Darlene!

    I'm a follower; thanks for the great giveaway opportunity.

  24. I have had this book on my wishlist for sometime and would love to win a signed copy!

  31. thanks! for the giveaway.

    I am a gfc follower

    tributebooksmama at gmail dot com

  35. I love the cover! I would love to win it just for that alone! Just kidding , I want to read it too! Am a devoted blog follower!!

    ladybook21 at yahoo dot com

  36. WHOOT!! Thanks for the chance to win!! I also follow your blog!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  37. This sounds like a great book!

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  39. After that fabulous review, how could I not enter your great giveaway!

    I subscribe in Google Reader.

    kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

  44. This does sound like a great book! I'd love to be entered. I am a follower as well.

    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

  45. I would love to win a copy of this book! I am so eager to read it!

    Suzanne
    quzy(at)mac(dot)com

  49. I posted about your giveaway on my blog! You can find it in the sidebar on the left @ http//chickwithbooks.blogspot.com

    Suzanne
    quzy(at)mac(dot)com

  52. My grandmother had dementia, so I would be very interested in reading this book.

    +2 GFC Follower

    Amy Sondova // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

  53. Another gushing review has me wanting to read this book! I love gushing reviews by the way.

    I am a follower.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

  54. I would love to read this book. It sounds like such a great read.

    dancealert at aol dot com

  57. I have a copy already and it does sound awesome. Great giveaway! Hope to get to my copy soon.

  58. I often have difficultly when a book is told in two different time periods. Like you, I usually find myself more interested in one than in the other. I'm happy to see that this book balances the two parts of the story so well.

    Thanks for being on the tour!

    (no need to enter me)

  59. Kelly Simmons book sounds fascinating, poignant and inspiring. I would love to be entered into your giveaway for The Bird House.

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  64. I loved this one as much as you…your review was wonderful Dar!! I want to read more from this author.

  68. I am sooo interested in reading this one!! Please count me in! Thanks!
    schaefer7382 at aol dot com

  77. I would like to enter this giveaway….I have read some good things about this book and would love to read it….

    +2: I also follow your blog

    Thanks
    Arch

    archanaskorner(at)gmail.com

  85. Oh, this sounds like such a great book. I have an 8 year old granddaughter and would like to think how she and my mother would do a project like this. Sounds like such an enjoyable book!

    I am a follower.

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  94. I am already curious to find out the main character's secrets. I would love to win this book. I am a follower and can be reached at kelly(dot)baker92 (at) gmail (dot) com.

  102. I would love to read The Bird House! Please enter me in this giveaway.

    bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com

    Sarah E

  109. Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  118. Such an appropriate story in this day of dementia awareness. Thank you for the giveaway.

    sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

  119. Loved your review. Sounds like a very touching and interesting book. I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  125. Sounds like a book I'd like to read.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    brc668 (at) gmail (dot) com

  126. Following you on GFC and signed up for your newsletter by email. #1

    brc668 (at) gmail (dot) com

  127. Following you on GFC and signed up for your newsletter by email. #2

    brc668 (at) gmail (dot) com

  136. i love your blog and read it all the time. Love to read this! I am still learning how to post right and get comments in.
    kathy