I finished reading this a couple of days ago. It's been on my bookcase for awhile but since my unofficial rule for myself when buying books is "a book in the bag is worth two on the shelf", it was a good one to go back to, after purchasing it a few years ago.
A departed mother's journal, four daughters, lots of angst - you get the picture. Like all her books Elizabeth Noble's style is effortless and comforting. Like conversation with an old friend. No cliches, no spelling out of the obvious, she knows you get it and doesn't waste time explaining the arcane. I was crying as I turned the pages towards an inevitable ending. I actually love dragging out the last chapter of a book, not really wanting it to be over (for one thing that would mean hopping out of a warm bed and tending to the day) but mainly because I've enjoyed the ride so much I really and truly don't want to say goodbye to everyone on it! It feels good to be moved by a book and I won't tell you whether it was happy or sad crying lest you have the chance to one day read it.
I loved it as much as any of her earlier books (though
The Reading Group is still my favourite) so I popped straight onto
Book Depository and ordered another,
The Girl Next Door. I should really have bought
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen for book club but I've got until the end of June to knock that one over so surely I can sneak a couple more pieces of comfort-lit before then. I don't know if
Freedom is going to slide down as easily but I'm up for the challenge...
You can buy
Things I Want My Daughters To Know for $12.81 (to your door!)
here or if you're a local yokel borrow my copy!
Nicolex
