So here I am, excited to be on the blog! If anyone wants to read a book that will make you examine your own relationships, especially intergenerational ties, Lisa Wingate's 'Tending Roses' is wonderful. I loved this book, not only because it's well written, but because I think everyone can relate to it on some level. My mom, Martha Tew, has given this book to several people, and each has accused her of an alterior motive because it related to a personal struggle or experience. It helped me to refocus on my family and the things that really matter in life. It's really about loving each other.
Book: Tending Roses
Author: Lisa Wingate
Type: Adult fiction
A review from Amazon.com:
First-time author Lisa Wingate drew upon her relationship with her grandmother for inspiration in writing Tending Roses. Her sensitive and able crafting of language, character, and situation pierces through the turmoil and stress of everyday life, illuminating its message with almost painful intensity: "Maybe you should start wanting less." Wingate's words resonate as readers are introduced to Kate Bowman, her architect husband Ben, and their infant son. Kate, on maternity leave from her high-profile Chicago job, has been given the unenviable task of convincing her increasingly frail and forgetful grandmother that she can no longer live alone on the Missouri farm that has been her home for almost half a century. Kate and Ben are struggling to deal with mounting debts and medical bills as they strive to build a lifestyle, rather than a life. Frustrated by dealing with her stubborn, if well-meaning, grandmother, Kate finds solace and clarity in Grandma Rose's handwritten journal. The simple stories of earlier, less complicated times renew Kate's understanding of the truly important things in life. Through the journal, Kate discovers the essence of the remarkable Grandma Rose and is forced to reevaluate her priorities and those of her family.
Simply put, Wingate's aim is to exhort readers to "stop and smell the roses." The daily race to achieve and have more, more, more is clearly and all-too-accurately portrayed in these pages. I guarantee readers will stop to think of their own lives and where they are spending their energies. Let's hope Lisa Wingate has other relatives as inspiring as Grandma Rose for future novels. --Alison Trinkle --
Lisa Wingate also has 3 more books in the series that I just discovered while writing this blog. So if anyone's read them, or wants more info, you can visit her website at LisaWingate.com. I'm going to also be reading these books when I get a chance and will let you know how they are.
Abby Beattie (the idea behind this page, and Devony's friend...oh and Aaron's cousin...and Sarah's sister...and Laura and Eden's Mom...and of course Brent's best friend)
3 comments:
Ooh guys I love this book. I haven't finished it but it is so so good. It makes us all reevaluate our own lives and desires. Abby your mom said that she had read some of Lisa Wingate's other books and didn't really care for them, but I completely agree that this one is FANTASTIC!
If you haven't read this book, GO GET IT NOW! You will laugh AND cry AND mostly think deeply about your own life.
I admit I did accuse my mother, Martha, of lending me this book with ulterior motives, as the main character has to deal with my all too familiar choice of balancing career & children. However, I think that we can all draw from the life lessons presented - not just the working moms. Ah, just thinking about this book makes me what to add it to my library, so that I can re-read it.
I went and got this book after reading the blog--I really loved it. It made me stop and think about what my motives are and what really matters. Thanks Abby for the suggestion to read the book!
Katie Kirkham
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