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A review by thegeekyblogger
Coming Up for Air by Patti Callahan Henry
4.0
Bought for Myself
Overall Rating 4.25
Character Rating 4.25
Story Rating 4.25
NOTE: I admit I picked up this book because I met Patti Callahan Henry at a Book Signing. She was funny, genuine, and personable---all attributes that come across in her writing. It was a great venture outside my normal reading comforts!
What I Loved: This book was written for every daughter that isn't/wasn't/can't be sure they have/are/could live up the perceived expectations of their mothers. Even though this book is set in the south, I think everyone who has been a daughter and/or has a daughter could identify with the story. The most wonderful thing in Coming Up for Air is the connection formed through a few journal entries that Ellie finds in a journal that her mother Lillian kept. Even though there is only one entry a year (every New Years Eve), the story that unfolds is richly told and very emotional. Grab a hanky, you will need it at points. I don't want to give away any plot points but there are several interactions that tugged at my heart.
What I Liked: So many of the questions that Coming Up for Air asks are built to make you think! I don't think it was probably done on purpose but the story is a good catalyst for remembering to live your life fully and truly.
Complaints: None
Why I Gave it a 4.25: Contemporary Fiction is not something that general lands on my reading radar. I am glad that this book did because it was fantastically written.
Overall Rating 4.25
Character Rating 4.25
Story Rating 4.25
NOTE: I admit I picked up this book because I met Patti Callahan Henry at a Book Signing. She was funny, genuine, and personable---all attributes that come across in her writing. It was a great venture outside my normal reading comforts!
What I Loved: This book was written for every daughter that isn't/wasn't/can't be sure they have/are/could live up the perceived expectations of their mothers. Even though this book is set in the south, I think everyone who has been a daughter and/or has a daughter could identify with the story. The most wonderful thing in Coming Up for Air is the connection formed through a few journal entries that Ellie finds in a journal that her mother Lillian kept. Even though there is only one entry a year (every New Years Eve), the story that unfolds is richly told and very emotional. Grab a hanky, you will need it at points. I don't want to give away any plot points but there are several interactions that tugged at my heart.
What I Liked: So many of the questions that Coming Up for Air asks are built to make you think! I don't think it was probably done on purpose but the story is a good catalyst for remembering to live your life fully and truly.
Complaints: None
Why I Gave it a 4.25: Contemporary Fiction is not something that general lands on my reading radar. I am glad that this book did because it was fantastically written.