Fiction Book Club PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern Buy book: $13.83
Two months after her soul mate's death, Holly receives a mysterious package. Gerry was true to his word--he's left her "the list," a letter for each of the ten months following his death, gently urging Holly to heal and to begin looking to the future.
I can relate to Jo, and I'm sure other readers, when I say this book is going to be a comfort in some way. I too lost my husband to brain tumors 5 years ago when he was only 43 years old. We have a beautiful daughter who is now 6 years old and the light of my life. Everyday when I look at her I'm reminded of the wonderful gift that was left to me. I have enjoyed this first installment and will definitely be buying this book.
I cannot say I relate to this type of sadness but I just shows how many people have to go through that. I can't imagine what it's like. I can't wait to read the rest.
This book just reaches out and grabs your heart. I am looking forward to this book even though the first installment made me cry. Very interesting concept--looking forward to the rest of the week. I am so curious about them. I might just order this online, and I have never ordered a book after only the first installment.
After reading the first installment and posting a message yesterday, all I could think about all morning was this book. So I went to the library at lunchtime and picked it up. I read 20 chapters just last night. Now I must buy this book. Normally, I don't read a book more than once (because my list is just so extensive) but this is one that I will be reading over and over. Thanks Suzanne for one of the best books I've read in a long long time.
I will read this book until the end of the week in the hope that it might get better. It's so childish, so emotionally contrived, so full of unnecessary language in an attempt to appear "with it". It reads as if written by a fourteen year old schoolgirl, not a (supposedly) woman in her thirties. (Yes, I know the author is young; but surely she should capture the voice of her subject?) But, perhaps the readers who love it are just a lot younger than I!
I agree with previous comments in that yes, the language and notions can appear quite contrived BUT I can't get away from what a meaningful excercise this would be: to leave your loved a letter a month...I underwent some very difficult surgery a few years ago and almost didn't make it....the thought of leaving my dear husband alone chills me still and this notion of trying to lift him under such circumstances certainly brought me pause. I'm really enjoying the read.
I am not impressed with this book so far either. I find myself thinking that this book is a little childish. Theres nothing to think about. Its all there, the writer left no greater meaning to the words. Writing should be an art. The words should pull you in, you should feel like you know the characters personally. Im not connecting with the book at all. I am only 16 years old, I dont think any of the readers are younger than me!
I agree that this is not the most elegant prose or complex dialogue, but I'm intrigued by the premise. I have the book and will try to continue. I also have the audio version of hold at the library and if the RUDE patron that has kept it 2 weeks past the due date would just return it, I think I would enjoy listening while taking care of the unending holiday chores.
I've given this book my best effort. But when you realize what an effort it is to read each page, you have to decide it's not the read for you. Sorry, Ms. Ahern....but do try again.
After 3 horrible relationships--one divorce and 2 engagements--by the age of 29 this book gives me hope. Although some think that the language sounds contrived, I find it amazing to think that some couples worst fights are over who is going to get out of bed to turn off the light. I'm sure one day I'll probably find my soul mate, as the couple in this book have. Yet I'm in no hurry! I'm going to enjoy being single for a long time... as I will enjoy reading the rest of this book.
I lost my dad last year and can relate to my mom's grief though I seem to have accepted the fateful fact of life.
This book I am sure will change my own attitude to life that nothing is to be taken for granted.
I started this book recently and could not finish it. I thought it was really contrived and simply written. I lost my husband 14 months ago at 42, and for some strange reason find comfort in books about widows or loss, but this one I did not like. A really good book that I would recommend is Good Grief by Lolly Winston. I re-read it as soon as I finished it, probably becasuse I cried alot the first time through. It is also about a young widow.
For those of you who are not as enthralled with this book - I read a review and excerpt from one who - comparatively speaking - preferred this one - both first novels - "On a night like this" by Ellen Sussman, a more mature writer -
After reading several women's comments here about losing their husbands at such early ages -- I'm inspired to suggest two other books, both memoir-ish, both very short:
"It Must Have Been Moonglow" by Phyllis Greene
"Evenings at Five" by Gail Godwin
I read both of these last year when my dad died and I wanted a sideways look into what my mom may have been going through. Both are about older-age widowhood but both have stuck with me since I read them.
At first I was a bit put off by all the swearing. As I kept on reading, this story captured my heart. I'm going to read the rest of this book because I love the idea of it. I want to leave something like this for my daughters to read after I die. To live life to its fullest because you never know when your time will be up.
I am really enjoying this book. I have never been in this situation personally, but the way it is written has made me laugh and cry. For those of you who are continuing to read I would love to know what you think closer to the end. I really like the karoke bit. I thought it was quite funny. I am about the age of the character and do often think about what would happen if I lost my significant other. For me this is an easy and entertaining read.
I didn't care for this book...not sure why....and don't plan on reading it but this week check out the pre-pub selection "Like a Watered Garden"...also dealing with a husband's untimely death and the writing is absolutely *beautiful*. To me it already has more depth in 2 installments than this book had in 5.
It is probably insensitive of me to describe it as a cute story (as in fact I did to my wife, she having read it first, and found my characterization rather condescending), but this is nevertheless how I reacted to it. Yes, it was an enjoyable read, and Ahern, I think, has a bright future ahead of her, but it was rather tame in many ways. Holly's ups and downs were undoubtedly realistic for one whom significant tragedy has come upon her, and the range of emotions has, in many ways, been captured (we too have suffered a tragedy), but there is something about Holly's friends as well as the others in the story that leave me wondering what to make of them. I'm particularly critical of Ahern's characterization of Daniel, who on the one hand is vying for Holly's attention, yet on the other hand he (presumably duplicitously) is apparently maintaining a signficant relationship toward his girlfriend, who just happens to be someone of dubious worth. All this shows up at the precise time that it needs to be to make Holly's life a lot easier. In the way it was portrayed, I found it annoying that Ahern would resort to such a happy coincidence. Other coincidences come in equally handy. Of course, I suppose, Ahern had to find a way of preparing for a happy ending to such a tragedy, but I'm not sure a reliance on these maneuvers is what those of us who have suffered are looking for. Indeed, there is something about the entire plot that is forced, just to make everything fit together neatly.
Even so, Ahern tackles the important topic of personal tragedy that some believe (as I do) each of us are somehow equipped to deal with, though each in our own way. (I believe it was Nietzsche who said: "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." And of course, whole novels have been written showing how wrong he was!) Ahern tells us in a rather interesting way how Holly successfully dealt with it.
I have already read this book and let me tell you, it was the most wonderfulest book I have EVER read (except for Stone Fox, my fav) !! When the character Holly cried I cried, when Holly laughed I laughed. This book was very emotional and very wonderful!! Cecelia Ahern did a magnificent job on this book and I am looking forward to reading anymore books she will write!! If anyone feels the opposite about what I feel about PS, I love you...I will beg a differ!!!
