Friday, May 8, 2009

[F]oto Friday

Good fiction is hard to find lately. At least, it has been for me, as I've torn apart my shelves for that next book to sink my teeth into.
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First, I tried this novel. Certain content did not sit well with me.


I'd had high hopes for the next one; the author is one I've enjoyed before, and the premise sounded exciting! Yeah...
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How's this for excitement? (Watch out, I drool.)


And then this one! This one seemed so original, with a main character I could potentially relate to.
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*sigh* At least I got some good daydreaming done.


But wait! What's this? Why, I believe it's Kathryn Magendie's new release, Tender Graces, in my mailbox, of all places!

Color me giddy!



So, good fiction? I found it, in Kathryn's story of Virginia Kate. The back cover blurb is this:
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The death of her troubled mother and memories of her abused grandmother lure a woman back to the Appalachian hollow where she was born. Virginia Kate Carey, the daughter of a beautiful mountain wild-child and a slick, Shakespeare-quoting salesman, relives her turbulent childhood and the pain of her mother's betrayals. Haunted by ghosts and buried family secrets, Virginia Kate struggles to reconcile three generations of her family's lost innocence.
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Virginia Kate's story, so heartrending, snatched my attention up immediately (and still holds it hostage). And Kathryn's writing? Powerful. Each sentence, so fresh and full, lifts from the page to swirl around me, so I feel it.
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Are you looking for good fiction?
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I recommend this book. Get you a copy.

38 comments:

Kristin Callender said...

Great photos Janna. Now what color is giddy exactly? :) The book looks and sounds interesting. I can't wait to hear more from you about it.

Kristin Callender
The Truth Lies in the Dark
http://kcsbooks.blogspot.com

Terri Tiffany said...

You did a GREAT job for a book review!! Loved it as I loved the book:) You can review mine if I ever make it there!

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

I was just saying that it has been a long time since I have read a GREAT book!! Maybe I'm too critical. I'll look for this one. Thanks!

Rebecca Nazar said...

A shinning recommendation indeed.

Kristen Painter said...

You're funny. lol

Kathryn Magendie said...

OMG LAUGHING at those photos of you and the books! haw!

Then, I get to you and TG and Vk and laughing turns to ...what is it Vk says? Something like, sometimes laughing and crying feel the same, so it's hard knowing which one you are doing?-except she says it better than I can....

Thank you Janna - for this smile and this ...feeling....

Dang! I feel special! :-) (when all along, it is Virginia kate who is special...)

I hope you love her to the end of this book and beyond.

Angie Ledbetter said...

YES! So glad you and VK have found one another. :)

WendyCinNYC said...

I know what you mean about the zzzzz books. I'm going to have to pick Kathryn's up--it sounds great.

Barb Davis said...

Janna, I'm so glad you finally got your copy. Isn't it wonderful? I fell in love with it.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, you are so freaking cute! Thanks for the recommendation.

I've been on a role with good books lately:

1000 Splendid Suns
Water for Elephants
The Time Traveler's Wife
and now (Picoult's) Plain Truth

Woot! I got those black books almost out of my head. :P

Jewel Allen said...

I saw the trailer. Wow. Sounds like an amazing book.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Anonymous said...

That book does sound good!

-FringeGirl

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kristin - If giddy was a color, I'd wear it all the time. ;)

Terri - So you finished it? I knew you were close yesterday. But I'm like you, drawing it out so it will last. Thank goodness for VK2!

Capri K - I had that trouble, too, and it IS because I'm too critical. But Tender Graces is just phenomenal.

Rebecca - She deserves it!

Kristen - No, YOU ah. ;)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Your pictures are great. I have been hearing wonderful things about this book. Good thing it's my birthday soon, I have a book wish list that keeps growing and growing.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kat, you have to take some credit here, lady. VK was born of you, after all.

Angie - Me, too. She is somethin' else.

Wendy - I think you'll really like this one, given your draw to family drama.

Barbara - You said it!

Melanie - What can I say? Cute is my middle name. *wink and snort* Okay, more seriously... I think I saw someone else make mention of The Time Traveler's Wife this week. (Then again, maybe it was you?) I have several on my list to look for at the library, and I'll add that to it! AND I introduced my sis to Picoult over the weekend. She hasn't started the title she bought yet, but I can't wait to see what she thinks!

Jewel - If you read it, let me know what you think!

FringeGirl - I really don't even konw how to begin to sing its praises. It's that good.

Cindy - Birthday wishlists are the best, aren't they? :D

Joanne said...

I haven't read Kathryn's book, but have been seeing many amazing things about it! Great review here, love your photo rating system!

Jody Hedlund said...

I loved your pictures!! You just cracked me up! It is hard to find a good book, isn't it? The longer I write, the harder it gets! I just wish I could turn my editor off when I read!

JLC said...

Looks like an interesting book. I am currently raiding my Jane Austen shelf and reading Persuasion. :)

Tana said...

How fun! The books sounds great. I must invest. Thank you!

Janet said...

LOL Janna. You're a hoot.

I second A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Jan Cline said...

It's nice to have a recommendation for a good book! It's discouraging to buy a book and then want to throw it in the trash! Thanks for the heads up.

BiPolar Wife said...

I'll put that title on my "Would Like for Mother's Day" list!!!

Happy Mother's Day to you, Janna!!!!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, it was probably me. I finished it last week. Warning: there was some crying. :)

scarlethue said...

Sounds like a good one.

I'm finishing up The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty tonight. If you haven't read it or anything by her, you should pick something up. She's excellent at drifting you off to another world. Another one I enjoyed lately was With by Donald Harington. Strange book, but I couldn't put it down!

Melissa Amateis said...

I hate it when I can't find a book to sink my teeth into. It makes me feel lost and adrift.

I've heard such good reviews about this book - will need to check it out!

cynthia said...

Isn't this so often the case? Book after book after book. Good fiction is often so very hard to find. Thanks for the recommendation, Janna.

cynthia newberry martin
http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com.

Ana said...

What a nice day! I love reading about what you get up to, and your a joy in pictures. Sounds like an interesting read. Enjoy it, and Happy Friday. xxx

Janna Leadbetter said...

Joanne - I think Kathryn's really got something with this book.

Jody - Thanks! And I'm the same way - I can't turn off that critic/editor, and it hurts me in the long run. :(

Turkey - I know you enjoy 'em!

T. Anne - I don't think you'll regret it.

Janet - My sister and I eyeballed that title last weekend, but I just can't decide. And thanks! ;)

Janet - I know just what you mean! I never have thrown one away (just can't bring myself to do it), but I've sure felt like it before.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Whoops! That second Janet was supposed to be for Jan. My fingers got carried away, says the Janna. ;)

Janna Leadbetter said...

MichaƩle - A most excellent idea! And Happy Mother's Day to you, too. :)

Melanie - I was thinking it was, and duly noted. *stuffs tissues in pocket*

scarlethue - I'll write them both down. Thanks!

Melissa - I know, right? A writer has to have a good book on hand, at all times, I think.

Cynthia - Thanks for stopping by! And I hope you get to check out the book.

Ana - Thanks so much for the kind words. *hugs*

Jeanette Levellie said...

Janna:
I love this post! What a clever idea for a book review.

I noticed you used the word "splendid" on Jessica's blog. "Splendid" is my word of choice, therefore I HAD to pop over to your blog and chat.

Thank you for the splendid visit,
Jen

Janna Leadbetter said...

Jen - Thank you! What a pleasant comment. :)

Lori said...

Oh, that is such a cute post. Beautiful. So personal and catchy. You come up with great ideas, Janna.

Woman in a Window said...

Thanks for the reccomendation. I was ruined by a good book a few months ago and have put down a dozen since then. No tolerance for the bad now, it seems.

Jessica Nelson said...

Janna,
What a completely adorable post!!! I loved it. ;-) LOL

Deb Shucka said...

I couldn't agree more!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Lori - I feel like I have my own personal cheerleader in you. Thanks for, as always, your awesome words of encouragement!

Woman - Indeed. I've been feeling much the same.

Jessica - Thank you! Hope you made it home safely. :)

Deb - She gets high ratings, right? :D

colbymarshall said...

So proud of Kathryn! Yay!