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Normally I would never rate a book in the "chick lit" genre more than 4 stars. But, this book made me do something I've never before done; I re read it the same week I finished it. I felt like the characters were calling me back to get to know them better. And, when I read about the six women again, I realized that they all had something to tell me. Each chapter is about one of six friends who are in a pact to complete a personal challenge. Caroline is recovering from a husband who traded her in...
A few years ago, a new phrase burst into our vernacular: the bucket list, based on a movie in which two men confront their limitations and prepare a list of things they must do. The list is predictably exotic: skydiving, flying over the North Pole, eating dinner at Chevre d’Or in France.In Joy for Beginners, it’s the women’s turn to enact that list. On an uncharacteristically sunny day in Seattle, six women assemble to celebrate their friend Kate’s clean bill of health from breast cancer. Unbekn...
I must preface my remarks by saying that I read this book AFTER having just finished Les Miserables, Jesus Land and Love and Other Demons. So, it can't really hold a candle to ANY of those really wonderful works of literature. This does get FIVE stars for being the chickiest chick lit I have ever laid eyes on. It's about seven women living very conventional woman-y lives--all in or just out of relationships, or suffering from woman diseases (breast cancer), or doing woman-y things. Not that ther...
This book was too predictable and too perfect. The character, Kate, chooses challenges for each of her friends who had supported her through a bout with cancer. Magically, she manages to choose just the perfect challenge for each friend, even though some of them were secret longings within a friend's own mind. How could she have known these so perfectly?Of course, each challenge resulted in just the right amount of work, introspection, revelations, and empowerment. Too cliche, too perfect, and e...
Joy for Beginners follows seven women - Kate, Caroline, Ava, Daria, Marion, Hadley, and Sara. Kate has recently beaten breast cancer and is celebrating with her six best girl friends. As part of her celebration Kate has agreed to go with her daughter white water rafting down the Colorado river, something that completely terrifies her. So, Kate assigns each of her friends a task to complete as well - either something that scares them or something very outside their comfort zone. The premise of th...
Post Listen Review: Can I give this one negative stars? I complain a lot about the romance books I have to hear to listen to all the audiobooks in the library but at least those don't take themselves as seriously as this one does. It is called Joy for Beginners but it gave me pretty much the opposite emotion. People in my generation tend to get a lot of flack for being self absorbed but I have to tell you that we have nothing on these women in this book. I will give a short plot summary and poin...
A group of friends amassed over the years by circumstance with as much diversity as similarities jump over one more hurdle in life. The conquering of Breast Cancer is no small feat and the journey not solitary, so on the night of her victory dinner Kate gives each of the friends that brought her to this destination the gift of a challenge. Each challenge is designed especially for it’s recipient, and like many gifts not always appreciated at the time of it’s giving. At the onset these women view...
I am really surprised at all the rave reviews this one received. I found it a bit dull and slow. None of the characters were that interesting or compelling.
3.5 Stars Loved the author’s writing, so touching! Just wished there were a few less characters to keep track of, but really good overall!
This novel has also been published with the title "Joy for Beginners".I enjoyed it very much; read slowly towards the end because I didn't want it to be over - it was one of those books that make you think "this is why I love to read".The theme of the book is women being empowered through acceptance and encouragement by their friends. It inspires you to be a better friend and to appreciate your friends more!
I love this author! I read The Scent Keeper and loved Erica’s writing style so much that I wanted more! Joy for Beginners is such a wonderful story of women. They are moms, wives, friends, artists, professionals, and much more. In this book their lives intertwine together and they are stronger because of it!! So many life lessons and uplifting sentiments packed in this quick read, its of my favorite books!!
The story line might qualify as chick-lit but more mature. Hen-lit? Many elements of the story were things that feed womens' souls ... gardening, baking, babies, pottery, good men and most of all, women friends. Less about striving and worldly success. The end was too over the top ... but generally, nice cozy read for women of a 'certain age'.
