Latest Book Read - Summer Sisters

Our book club selection this month was Summer Sisters by the author Judy Blume. For those of you wondering, YES, this was the same author who wrote the famous book Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

This month's read was basically about how a young girl, Vix, grows up through the years with a wild, selfish friend, Caitlin. While early on, Vix saw it as more of a magical time that took her worlds away from the life she started with, years later she tries to figure out how Caitlin still has the power to break her heart.

I had reservations about reading this book, since I read her other book way back in grade school. How could this book be all grown up? After reading it, I confirmed I was right in thinking that way. At least for me, this book was on the juvenile side, and while it held my interest at times, it was not one of my favorites.

Yet overall, from the 10 people present at book chat, the final rating was a 3 out of 5 -- so half the people liked it, and half were not crazy about it. It's about 400 pages and, for me, was a very quick read. If you liked Judy Blume back when, you might be intrigued to read Summer Sisters--a more recent Blume book written in 1998.

Comments

[Michelle Bullen]

Maria,
This book is one of my favorites! I highly recommend it. Maybe not for a book club, but I think it was wonderful.

[shannon]

I loved this book. Read it a few years ago and still have it, so I read it again, great summertime book to read.

[Antonia]

Maria,
I listened to this on cd as I was moving fron Eastern Washington to Seattle--many times of nearly 500 miles round trip--five years ago. I didn't like it all that much, either. The premise seemed contrived.

Isn't it great, though, that there are so many authors and books...so we can all find things we like? I'd be lost without fiction in the summer!

[Kerri]

Summer Sisters was not my favorite either. May I recommend a book? I found "Good Grief" by Lolly Winston to be one of my favorites this summer. It is about a young woman re-building her life after the death of her husband. While this description may sound depressing, the book is full of spirit. I would not recommend this author's second book, but this book I will keep to re-read again one day.

-------------

NOTE FROM MARIA GRACIA:

Thanks for the recommendation. It's timely because we're starting to choose our books for our book club for 2009. We each get to suggest 3 books (there are 15 of us) and then everyone votes. This will definitely be one of my picks.

[Marcia, Organising Queen]

I also loved Summer Sisters. I read all Judy Blume's books when I was a teenager and she's still got that great story-telling gift :)

I've just finished a great book - The true and outstanding adventures of the Hunt sisters - Elisabeth Robinson and another I recommend is Mother's Day - Kirsty Scott!

Enjoy

[Laura]

I read this book a few yrs. ago. It's a great summer read. I haven't read Judy Blume, since Jr. High School. That was many years ago.