Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister & Giveaway

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Joy for Beginners is Erica Bauermeister’s newest novel, releasing on June 9, 2011 and it is a treat for the senses! I read The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister a few years back and I absolutely adored it. I find that a lot of the time the author simply can’t write another one that is just as good or better but Erica has done just that! Joy for Beginners is a beautifully written novel that, with every page turned, evokes your sense of smell, taste and sight. It is delightful!

Kate is a breast cancer survivor. She’s had a rough go of it with treatment but she’s on her way to being whole again. Her college age daughter Robin just wanting things to be normal again talks Kate into taking a white water rafting trip with her. While this isn’t exactly what Kate would consider normal, she doesn’t outright say no to the trip either.

Meanwhile, her six best friends arrive to spend an evening celebrating Kate’s victory over the cancer. Kate, thrilled to have a second chance at life, decides to challenge them all; she will do something that terrifies her – white water rafting – but, they too have to agree to do something they have always swore to never do. The catch is though that Kate will be choosing what that adventure will be for them.

Each chapter of the novel is devoted to each of the women as they tackle whatever adventure Kate has chosen for them. Unbeknownst to them is that Kate hasn’t thought these adventures up on a whim. She chose them after careful consideration and countless hours of listening to her friends when they were all busy taking care of her during her treatment. It’s funny how a person will open up and really reveal more intimate details of themselves when they feel as though that person may not be there in the future to share these things with. That being said these tasks that Kate sets out for the other women are all things that will ultimately teach them something about themselves and what they may have been hiding from.

This novel really takes us into these women’s lives through their own portion of the story and then that of their friends. While there are six other women, I really connected with only a few of them. The biggest one being Kate. While reading her portion of the story I shed a few a tears in remembrance of one of my best friends that passed from breast cancer. While on the trip with her daughter, all the women decide to skinny dip. At first Kate is scared because she’s had a mastectomy but she pulls down her walls and removes her clothes as well and joins in. The author did such a good job of portraying those feelings that go along with having such a big part of you changed forever.

The other character that I really liked was Hadley. She lost her husband in an accident after being married for only eighteen months. The task she was given essentially was one that would force her to bring down the walls she has built up around herself trying to hide from the pain of her loss. Hadley just really spoke to my heart although I can’t pinpoint why. Maybe it’s because I can relate to those feelings of just wanting to hide after a loss of a loved one takes you and knocks you down.

What I loved about this novel is the friendship that these women had. When one of them had twins the others all got together to help her and then when Kate was diagnosed with cancer they were all there to help her with everything from taking her to her treatments to just sitting with her. The author takes us on a journey through these women’s lives that really shows us how each of them has had a part in each of the others lives and enriched it in their own way. We can see how the power of friendship – just having that love and care – can go a long way to healing a body and a heart.

As with Erica’s first novel that was deliciously descriptive, Joy for Beginners follows suit. The descriptions of books, scenery, tending a garden, getting a tattoo…to the simple act of placing something yummy in your mouth is related to us in such a way that you feel sure you are right there in the moment and it’s wonderful. Erica Bauermeister won my heart with The School of Essential Ingredients and she’s done it again with Joy for Beginners which is such a beautiful novel that you will want to sit back with a cup of tea and just relish the words on each page.

There are so many passages in this novel that would be lovely to share but you’ll just have to read it for yourself to experience those. I will share one of my favorites though here with you…

‘But life is persistent, slipping into your consciousness sideways, catching you with a fleeting moment of color, the unexpected and comforting smell of a neighbor’s dinner cooking as you walk on a winter evening, the feeling of warm water running between your fingers as you wash the dishes at night. There is nothing so seductive as reality.’ (page 1, uncorrected advance copy, final print copy may differ)

I read Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. I’m the first tour stop so be sure to check out the other tour stops featuring Erica’s book after mine. Take a look at Erica’s website and find her on Facebook. You can read an excerpt of the novel here and since this would make a fantastic book club pick there is even a Reading Guide to help your group along. Your own copy of Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with your email address to contact you should you win (no email, no entry).
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thanks, and please let me know so I can pass on the extra entry to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will be drawing for the winner on Saturday, June 25/11. 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 Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher.

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Comments

  1. This sounds like a wonderful book! That excerpt sounds like a poem and, you know me and poetry! Oh, yeah, I'm definitely going to download this one.

  2. I do have a copy of this one; it sounds so good, and I loved her first book! Nice giveaway Dar.

  9. Thanks for the giveaway; this one in on my TBR list. I follow you on Google Reader.
    cdirks1(at)sbcglobal.net

  10. I loved The School of Essential Ingredients too so I've really been looking forward to this book. I'm glad to see Bauermiester doesn't suffer from sophomore slump! No need to enter me.

  16. Lovely review Darlene!
    I have not read this author, but she sounds like a wonderful writer. I like the idea that Kate shapes each dare based on the womens' life experiences…

  17. No need to enter me, but I enjoyed this book as well! I felt like Bauermeister did what impressed me in Essential Ingredients again, which is develop characters fully with just a few pages.

  20. My review for this one goes up tonight, and while I really liked the book, I didn't like it as much as her first. I thought that the way the book was structured and arranged was very clever though, and I agree with your assessment of not liking all the characters equally. Great review, Dar!

  21. I'm really looking forward to reading this book, Dar. Loved your review! Don't enter me as I plan to buy the ebook.

  23. I can imagine that beating cancer must feel like getting a second chance at living. It makes sense that Kate would want to start off with a bang, doing something that terrifies her but announces in a big way that she's back and ready to celebrate life again!
    The characters sound engaging and I like that we get to know many of them very well!
    I love the passage you included in your review and would like to be included in your giveaway.

    Thank you for another great book, Dar!
    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. I loved The School for Essential Ingredients and would love to read this one too.

    mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

  27. I adored The School of Essential Ingredients. It is one of my all-time favorite books. Please enter me for this one!

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  28. So glad to hear this is as good as her first novel! I loved School of Essential Ingredients on audio and will probably listen to this as well – no need to enter me.

  32. What a terrific review, Dar. I will definitely add this to my list! No need to enter me, I'll be glad to purchase the book

  33. This sounds like a wonderful book to read with a book club. I know my own club would end up discussing what sort of adventures we'd send each other on!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour. I'm glad that this turned out to be such a fantastic read for you.

  34. This sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for the great review.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  41. This sounds like an amazing book Dar! I hadn't heard of it before now but I do remember hearing about this author's other books. Looks like I should check her out!

  42. Thanks for this great giveaway. It sounds captivating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. An unforgettable book which I would enjoy reading this summer. Many thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

  49. Don't enter me because I'm reviewing it too. Wasn't this wonderful? I absolutely loved it.

  51. I would love to read this book it sounds really good. Thank you for the review.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  55. Thank you for the giveaway. I'm following on GFC w/ @headlessfowl.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

  56. Thank you so much for hosting a giveaway for yet another amazing book. I was so excited about "The Midwife's Confession" – but being as it was so close to my heart, I got myself a copy. But this book, I've been pining away for it since I first saw it on Goodreads – even entered the giveaway for it there, but didn't win. Hoping this time, i will! 😀

    ~Hira~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

  57. I'm a GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~

    and a confirmed email subscriber.

    ~Hira~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. I just discovered you through twitter. I 'test-read' one review (this one) and I'm hooked! I've signed up to follow your blog. This is one book I'd love to read, and I'll happily retweet your review.

    e-mail: rhuss(at)willowgables(dot)com

  63. No need to enter me; I'll be reading the book very soon. Just wanted to say I'm glad you really enjoyed this book. It sounds fantastic. I loved her first novel, so I can't wait to get lost in this one.

  66. I have a good friend that battled cancer a few years ago and she has the same kind of outlook that Kate does – live it up! Thanks for the giveaway – this sounds like a great book. I am a follower.

    suzebomb(at)gmail.com

  70. Great review!! Thanks for the chance to win!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  73. No need to enter me in the giveaway; I'm on the tour. I was eager to read this one and now that I've read your review, I'm going to have a hard time focusing on the book I'm reading for book club!

  76. I would love, love, love to read this one!
    I follow via GFC.
    schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

  79. This sounds like a great book — please enter me in the giveaway!

    shereadsandreads(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thank you!

  80. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  87. I've read a number of great reviews for this book and would love to be entered. Thanks for the giveaway.

    savvyverseandwit at gmail

    I follow as you know. I hope all is well with you!