Chick Lit with Death?

When You Read This is about a woman who has died from cancer.  So it isn't a happy, funny, light book.  Okay so maybe it is happy and funny but it isn't light.  But yet it is light...as in a quick read.  It has a good premise.  And if women's literature/chick lit is one's thing, then is one at that should be at the top of one's list!  It does have meat.  It just isn't my cup of tea. 

If you have ever been there....

Joanie Deluca and me :) 

If you have ever had a close friend with a life-threatening illness, you will be blown away by Melissa Kantor's Maybe One Day.  That doesn't mean that won't enjoy the book if you haven't been there.  In fact, I think this is a book that everyone can relate to in some way.  And even if they can't, they will be moved by it.  I've enjoyed every book by Kantor that I've read and was disappointed when I learned that she wasn't planning on another book about The Darlings.  I had emailed her to see if there was another one in the works and she kindly took the time to write back to me.
Zoe and Olivia are best friends and have been forever.  They were ballet students together and had planned to make it their career, but didn't make the cut.  Olivia has dealt with it, but Zoe is still grieving.  Then Olivia learns that she has leukemia.  What follows is just so real and so painful and hopeful and horrible and beautiful.  Books don't usually make me cry.  But man, having gone through this with my own best friend...the waiting for tests, the treatments, the hanging on every word of the doctor.  It brought back a lot of memories.  So well done.  So very well done.

Another Cover

The cover of Christmas Sonata isn't on the goodreads website and in this case, I can see why.  Although I still think it isn't as bad as some of the other ones.    It is still pretty bad though, huh?  The story isn't, though.  It is wonderful and again shows the kind of thoughtful and loving man that Paulsen must be.  Set in Northern Minnesota, once again, The Boy has traveled with his mother to see his cousin who is dying.  The Boy is much too old to believe in Santa.  But something happens and maybe he isn't too old after all.  Lovely.