I finished a library book last night, “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” by Kim Edwards. I have heard a lot about this book over the last year or so and was really looking forward to reading it. While I can’t say it was everything I hoped it would be, it was a good book and I did enjoy it. I am not completely sure why I didn’t love this book as much as others have. My possible reasons include:
1) I had very high expectations for this book. I had heard and read so much about it, and I know it’s a really popular book club choice. I think my expectations might have been a little too high. I think I expected to be totally engrossed and find it impossible to put down – and while it was easy to read and kept my interest, I didn’t experience that “can’t-put-it-down” feeling.
2) This book was harder for me to relate to because I’m not a parent. This book was so much about parents and their children and I had a little harder time relating to it because I’m not a parent.
3) The author’s writing style was a little… long-winded for my taste. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about the overall writing seemed really over-done. I think she could have said things in a more succinct manner and a lot of the passages and descriptions were too verbose for my taste.
That said, I really did enjoy the book. It had a good plot, and followed the characters through to the end, which is always really important to me. In case you don’t know the premise, the book opens with the main characters, David and Norah. Norah is pregnant and in a blinding snowstorm, David can only get her to his clinic in time to deliver the baby. His trusty nurse Caroline is there to assist, as another doctor can’t make it through the blizzard. The baby is born healthy, a boy, and then, they are surprised to learn that Norah is carrying twins. The second child, a girl, is born next, and it is apparent she has Down’s Syndrome. David gives the baby to the nurse, to take to an institution in another town, while he explains to Norah that their baby girl has died. The story goes from there, with Caroline unable to leave the baby in that horrible place, and Norah and David trying to cope with the “death” of their child.
I’d recommend the book to others to read, especially if you are a parent. But, I won’t give it my highest recommendation, as it wasn’t my favorite book I’ve read lately. If you’ve read it, and loved it, liked it or whatever, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book.
For the record, that makes 17 books so far this year, with a total of 5,725 pages read. Up next is another book I got from the library last week, the third book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. It’s called “Morality for Beautiful Girls” and I expect it to be very similar to the other two I have read. More like little short stories, easy to read, and comforting in an odd way. Happy Reading!
P.S. I’ve changed up the way I list books on my sidebar. I’m trying to pare down the sidebar so that my blog will load faster for everyone. Rather than listing some of the ones on my TBR shelf (“to be read”), I set up a separate page for them. Then, I started going through my bookcases and realized just how many books I have here to read. It’s a sickness, buying books and checking them out of the library, when I already have so many readily available at home. A sickness, I tell ya, a sickness. 
We’ll see if I can make it through the rest of March without buying a book (I’ve bought 2 or 3 already, hehehe!)
I wasn’t as blown away as I thought I’d be by that one, either. I think the premise is fascinating, but I wasn’t riveted. I actually have been gifting “How to be Lost” to people. I enjoyed that one a lot – have you read it?
I’ve wondered about this one. Thanks for sharing your review; I think I’ll pass on this one for now.
I’ve never heard of this book. Sounds kind of good, but I too hate it when authors get too verbose. I already want to slap the character of David upside the head. So maybe I should pass on it. It’s not like I don’t have literally hundreds of other books on my shelves to read anyway.
I’d like to read that book myself. I am so far behind in my reading…you make me want to stop everything and read, read, read!!! 🙂
Where did you get all those books on your TBR page! I’ll just come borrow from you next time I want books!
This book has been on my TBR shelf for ages (along with about 80 other TBR books!). I think it sounds interesting, but there’s always another book that I feel more inclined to read.
Sounds like a great book! I just started “The Monk Downstairs”
I thought the book was a little too long and it was like the editor said hurry up and finish it. I wondered about the girl that he took in and wasn’t there more of a story to her. It was an ok read–not my favorite book by any means.
I have been looking for some books to read to help me recover from my TV-aholic ways:) I have ordered two books, one is “Flee the Night” by Susan May Warren (Christian fiction). The other is “Once Upon a Day” by Lisa Tucker, which Write for Karen recommended on her blog. Wish me luck because sometimes I start books and never finish them. If you have any recommendations for me, I’d love to here. I’m not sure what genre I like the best. I used to read horror books like Stephen King, but I’m over that phase. I like suspense/drama with a little romance.
Good to know what you thought of it. I’d seen a book review for this and the premise looked interesting. I may try to see if my library has it.
I haven’t bought any books yet in 2007! I’m so proud of myself. I’ve gotten 4 through paperbackswap though. But at least with reading 18 and only bringing in 4 I’m making progress in the right direction! LOL!
Oh I have the buying books sickness too. I have SO MANY to be read. I am intimidated by the amount. I think that is why I just go get one and read it right away. It seems easier than trying to decide from the monster selection I really need to be reading from my bookcase. I know…I am retarded.:)
It was a book that I finished while I was on vacation. It was hard for me, given that I have a disabled child and it was really hard for me to read what he did, and to follow it to the conclusion. I had to put it down for several days more than once. But finish it I did. She is long winded, but it is worth the read. Human nature at its best, worst, makes you wonder what you would do id you were in that situation.
Not reading the comments, because that’s the next book I’m reading. I have to finish Julie and Julia, first, but I’m almost done with it! It’s about a woman who decided to cook every recipe in the Julia Child book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” It’s been very interesting so far. She has a blog, too. http://juliapowell.blogspot.com
I just finished the book last night, and I really enjoyed it. I did have the “can’t put it down” thing, because I wanted to see how it resolved itself. I think she should have made David have to tell Norah, about Pheobe, because Norah never got to have a chance to get angry at David, for depriving her of her daughter! He wanted to protect Norah, but I think he really wanted to protect himself! I think she was far stronger, than he gave her credit for. Now, I’m off to update my book page!
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