JOY FOR BEGINNERS by Erica Bauermeister is a wonderful
story about
seven women who are friends. Each chapter is about one of
the women.
The beginning of the book finds all the women together for a
victory party.
Kate has just done battle with breast cancer and has been
given a clean bill
of health. Right before dinner, Kate's daughter suggests
they go on a trip
white water rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. This is
something Kate
would never do. It just seems so reckless. With the urging
of her friends,
Kate agrees. But with only one condition. Since she didn't
get to choose
her challenge, she gets to choose a challenge for each of
her friends.
The challenges aren't really physical or adventurous, but
they do challenge
each of them to face their deepest fears. Each chapter
introduces you to
one of Kate's friends and it tells some of their life so you
can understand
why Kate has picked the challenge she has for them. The
challenges
make them face life, head on and while there are no story
book endings for
each of them, you understand why they are doing what she
suggested.
The stories of each of them aren't all tied up with a pretty
bow at the end of
the book either. Erica leaves it up to you to think about
what happens next.
I was so taken with this story. Erica pulled me right in
and never let me go.
I was so wound up in each of their lives and while I didn't
connect to every
one of them I couldn't wait to finish the book to see how
they all fared. I
found the story very comforting and warm. If you have ever
had girlfriends
like these ladies, consider yourself very lucky. JOY FOR
BEGINNERS is a
story of hope, joy, love, friendship, facing your fears, and
getting second
chances. This is the first book I have read by Erica but
after reading JOY
FOR BEGINNERS, I feel like I made a life long friend in her.
She definitely
leaves you with so much to think about as far as your own
life goes and
facing your fears.
At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women
gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from
cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them.
To celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing
that's always terrified her: white-water rafting. But if she
goes, all of them will also do something they always swore
they'd never do-and Kate is going to choose their
adventures.
Shimmering with warmth, wit, and
insight, Joy for Beginners is a celebration of life:
unexpected, lyrical, and deeply satisfying.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy