From the Kitchen of Half Truth is the debut novel of Maria Goodin and what a debut it is! I adored this novel and read it in a day as I just could not put it down. I was captivated by this whimsical story from the very first page to the very last. This absolutely beautiful novel is a tale of love, loss, and the stories we tell to hide from the ghosts of our past. It is sad, happy, funny, and quirky – it is fabulous!
What is real and what isn’t? That’s a question that Meg has been asking herself for many years. Meg and her mother Val have been on their own for as long as Meg can remember. Meg’s mother has always been different from other mothers but when Meg was young and would tell her friends all the outlandish stories her mom told her like taking hot dogs out for a walk or the runner beans jogging around the kitchen they liked her for it. As she got older though they started to laugh at her instead and she built very up very strong walls to protect herself. Meg knew that these fantastic stories of her birth and upbringing couldn’t be true but her mother stuck to them. Ultimately Meg decides that she wants no part of a make believe world and she puts her focus on science instead – something concrete – something believable and she never looks back.
That is not until her mother becomes ill and she comes home to care for her. Meg’s mother lives in a fantasy world and has always preferred stories of fairies and such to the rigors of the real world. This has left Meg lost though and not knowing really who she is. She hopes that this time spent with her mother may bring to light the truth of her past so that she can truly know who she is. Her mother refuses to talk though but while rummaging through some of her mother’s things Meg finds something that could quite possibly open some doors that may have been better left closed.
I really liked Meg. From the very beginning you feel drawn to her just because of all the uncertainty she feels over her past. As the novel progresses and she learns more about her mother and they spend this special time together Meg realizes that her mother may have had her best interests at heart all along.
From the Kitchen of Half Truth isn’t a novel that can be easily summarized. It is one you need to experience yourself. It’s beautifully written and you find yourself lost in the vivid descriptions of food and the gardens that Meg’s mother so loves. While at times sad this novel really shows the beauty of the human spirit that some people carry within themselves and it warmed my heart. I laughed at the quirkiness of this novel and I cried at the trying times but one thing is for certain and that is that I loved this book! You know a book is special when you turn that last page and you want to go back to the beginning and experience it all over again. I highly recommend this wonderful debut novel!
Buy at: Sourcebooks, Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N
GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)
I have one copy of From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria Goodin to share with my readers. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
- Tweet, like on Facebook, or Blog for 3 entries.
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 4/13. Good luck!
Source: Review copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
This does sound like one I would want to read. Am feeling sorry for both Meg and her mother. Please enter my name in the drawing. ( Maxie mac262(at0me(dot)com)
I am a follower of your blog and have liked your page on Facebook. This should give me 3 entries. Thanks!
This sounds like a book I enjoy, especially since you liked it so much! Thanks!!
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Sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway
I follow your blog through feedly.com
Count me in. Sounds very interesting.
I am a follower – gfc and email.
You’ve made this sound truly captivating! Thanks for the giveaway. I subscribe to your blog via RSS feed.
Thanks for this wonderful novel feature which sounds memorable. I am an e-mail subscriber.
What a wonderful story and giveaway. Thanks for this chance. I subscribe via e-mail.
I am a follower.
Follow you on FB and Twitter.
Sounds like a bittersweet, delightful story that I would enjoy reading.
I follow you via email
Sounds great. I follow you at my e-mail account and have tweeted.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I follow on GFC
I WANT to read this book! I loved your review and can’t wait to get my hands on it. I follow by email and have liked on Facebook.
The book sounds great and I love the title
Liked you on facebook and also shard this on facebook. Thank you for the give away
Thanks for review would love to read it.email follower Twitter follower@rhondareads.Will tweet.
Thank you for the giveaway.
Liked on Facebook
Please enter me in the #giveaway!
I follow your blog and tweeted the contest at susieqlaw!
I’ve read some mixed reviews about this one, but what all the reviews seem to agree about is this one is unique! I think it sounds wonderful and would love the chance to win a copy. Thanks!
I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner) and email subscriber.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/candc320/status/324570020376096768.
Wow! Your effusive review prompted me to comment in hopes of winning a copy. I am already a subscriber to your posts. Well done!
hmm, sounds like a book I would love! thanks for the giveaway.
i follow you via Taptu, and here is my tweet:
https://twitter.com/wordsandpeace/status/324573032083488768
Emma @ Words And Peace
ehc16e at yahoo dot com
As my family genealogist,I have 5 trees going) I am intrigued. Would love to win this. I follow by email. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love discovering new authors. I subscribe by email.
I just read the wonderful excerpt on Amazon and this sounds like it will be a great read. How do you keep getting such cool books? I’d love to win a copy, please enter my name in the draw.
I follow your blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/324598753631821824
Thanks again!
I do think I’d like this one
Oh, I so love debut novels. Love to see an author get published.
I follow your blog and I tweeted the giveaway.
Your review is telling me to read this novel.
A wonderful storyline and thanks for the chance to win and read it.
I follow by facebook, email and google.
sounds like a fun read!
I just read a glowing review of this book, and then I come here to see you really enjoyed it, too. I’ll have to add this to my wish list. It sounds fantastic.
Sounds like a sweet story.
Im a email and GFC subscriber. Thanks!
Fun and quirky are always winners for me!!
The cover drew me in, but the story sounds good. A bit of mystery. Thanks for the review.
Feedly follower
What a beautiful cover! I am drawn to the summary you posted and your recommendation for a reader who loves gardens and recipes. It sounds delightful!
I am an email subscriber to your blog. (riverboat38(at)hotmail(dot)com)
Mentality ill people can be fun and entertaining at times. Living with them is difficult though, especially for a child.
I follow by email
I tweeted
From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria Goodin & Giveaway (US/Canada)
Would absolutely love to read this.
I follow the blog
I’ve liked on Facebook
Thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway! What a sweet cover!
mestith at gmail dot com
I follow via email: mestith at gmail dot com
I liked this post on FB: Meghan Stith
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That’s a pretty tempting review. thanks for the giveaway. I’m an email follower.
nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com
This really sounds quite mesmerizing. Please enter me in this wonderful giveaway. I will post it in my blog’s sidebar. I’m a faithful follower.
suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Darlene!
I am definitely wanting to read this one!
I follow your blog!
From your review – it sounds like a wonderful read, well written with a story you just can’t quite explain to others in words – you have to read it to appreciate it, I guess.
I’d absolutely LOVE to read “From the Kitchen of Half Truth” after reading your review of Maria Goodin’s debut novel! I lost my mother 12 years ago, but I was fortunate to be able to care for her, with help from my father and brother, during the last years of her life. Since her death, I’ve found comfort in books that focus on the special, unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter.
P.S. I’m a follower of your blog and have liked it on FB. Thanks!!
I’m also a GFC follower. Thanks!!