Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister is a quiet pleasant read. Kate has a second chance on life after surviving cancer. In this book she reflects on the friends she has gathered and the joy of truly living in the moment. Her friends united to help her through the dark days. What they didn't know was how much she was thinking of them.
At a celebration dinner, she tasked each with a fresh joy - something they wouldn't think to do themselves, but from her observations is necessary. Each woman - Robin (her daughter), Caroline, Marion, Ava, Daria, Sara, and Hadley - questions this opportunity, but in each of their chapters, we journey with them to a satisfying conclusion.
Robin signs her and her mother up for a white water paddle trip in the Grand Canyon. Caroline needs to clear the bookshelves of her exes books. Daria must learn to bake bread. Sara (mother of twins) has to travel overseas on her own. Marion gets a tattoo. Hadley has allowed her cottage to be swallowed by overgrowth - she must clean out her greenery - and thus emerge from her hiding. Ava had to fund raise and do the sixty mile breast cancer walk with Kate.
Joy For Beginners sheds a light on stepping out of the box and finding new joys, discovering oneself, and testing boundaries. This is not a preachy book and the characters are fully formed. These are women who celebrate their friendship and grow stronger from their center, Kate.
Sounds like my kinda book, and kinda my story, too. For sure, I've dared to step outside of my comfort zone, and I've definitely found new joys and discovered new things about myself. Life is good!!! I hope you get to visit your dad soon. Take care, sweet lady, and thank you so much for all the cards you've sent me. You always reminded me that life goes on, and that I hadn't been forgotten. :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am going in July for 3 weeks to see Dad - turns 90!!! Wow.
DeleteI'm just happy for you. But you'll have to email me a forwarding address. And we'll need to find a bench large enough for us all to visit - new man included! Take care
YAY!!! I can imagine how excited you are about going to PA... and for 3 weeks, yet! I hope you have a fantastic time... wait, no... I KNOW you will. My current address will work forever, since Sunshine will be living there, but I'll email the new address before I relocate altogether. :)
DeleteI like the sound of this one. I may gift a friend (who's surviving the big C) with this one. Woohoo. Thank you, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs.
I think it's the perfect book for your friend. It's very positive but in a calm way. Take care
DeleteHi Joanne - sounds an ideal book for many reasons - fascinating find and thanks for telling us. Great you're visiting your Dad for his 90th next month ... something special to look forward to - sharing with him and other family members. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThe author has a light touch. I like her kind of writing.
DeleteHave a good day and week.