Monday, August 24, 2009

blog tour: The Route by Gale Sears

I read this book as a tour for Walnut Springs Press.

genre: fiction

This is not the sort of book I usually read. But I took a little step out of my young adult/fantasy/apocalyptic-fiction comfort zone to try this feel-good story of a 50 year old woman who decides to try being a driver for a Meals on Wheels program. Carol is an empty-nester looking for some purpose and a way to just do something more. Her meal delivery route gives her even more than that: a chance to interact with some interesting and colorful characters, some of whom eventually make their way into her heart.

And they ARE colorful characters - you get the whole gamut of personalities and I appreciated the list at the front of the book that reminded us of who everyone one was, although, some people were so special they just stuck out in my mind as I read. Carol was a sensitive narrator and I could empathize with her as she took these elderly folks their meals and slowly became a part of their lives. I think part of what made me want to keep reading this book is my own dearly-loved grandparents - I saw little pieces of them throughout. Sometimes Carol got a bit too didactic for my taste and spelled out a life lesson for me that I could see for myself. Other times, though, she was witty and you could tell she was looking for meaning in her experiences, which can only be a good thing.

Is there an gripping plot? No. The pace is slower, as it should be. Are there moments that might feel cheesy? Yes, but I think that comes with the territory in this sort of story. I think anyone who has worked with or loved anyone who is in this stage of life will find something to appreciate in this book.

To learn more about the author, you can visit her blog here. To purchase the book, it is available at amazon or at Desert Book.

PLUS, if you leave a comment, you'll be entered into a drawing to read the book!! So, make sure to leave me your email address!

The tour will be going on through September 14th - if you're interested in some other opinions, please follow along!! Here are the stops :

August 24
The Book Nest

August 25
Mormon Hermit Mom's
Book Habit


August 26
Boojoos and Aprilcots

August 27
Of Good Report

August 28
Blog the Day Away

August 31
Reading for Sanity

September 1
Lu Ann's Book Review

September 2
*Tristi Pinkston, LDS
Author


September 3
Amesbury Reads

September 4
Tangled Words and Dreams

September 7
Labor Day

September 8
Not Entirely British

September 9
Jewel's World

September 10
Rebecca Talley

September 11
Of Writerly Things

September 14
Walnut Springs Press

5 comments:

girlsmama said...

I love the idea of a book tour! I would love a shot at reading this book too! Thanks for your site, I've enjoyed reading many of your choices.

Heather Justesen said...

This sounds like a great story. Thanks for the review!
Heather (at) Heatherjustesen (dot) com

Gerbera Daisy Diaries said...

Count me in!
melmccurdy (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

The Reading Momster said...

Sounds good. I know what you mean when you say everyone will find something to appreciate in the storry.

Enter me too - veena[dot]h[dot]regitATgmail.com

Jblanton said...

sounds like a great book, very interesting I'm sure.

ejxd95@gmail.com

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