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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “So, I'm in the bookstore the week before Christmas. There's a few bucks of my shopping allowance left and Jeannie likes to read, so let's see what's available. I scan the shelves and my eye stops on a really classy cover design. It's got old books on it--which I'm a sucker for--so it's at least...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “not the greatest book I've ever read. the story was "Okay". I didn't get the title at all as I read this story and if I hadn't read the author's notes or maybe it was the discussion questions in the end I wouldn't have seen the connection at all. I really disliked the main female character...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Not as interesting as I hoped it would be. I liked all the other Liz Curtis Higgs books that I've read before, but this one was rather weak compared to all the other ones. The plot was a no-brainer and annoying, merely because the main characters were annoyingly unable to communicate with one another before jumping to conclusions that made life difficult. I did like the ending, though, how everything was resolved (kind of) with Nathan. It wasn't the usual happy-go-lucky conversion scenario, but it left hope.”
Katie M wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“so far this book has got me wanting to read more...I am enjoying what little I have read”
Kelly R wrote this review Thursday, July 8, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“not the greatest book I've ever read. the story was "Okay". I didn't get the title at all as I read this story and if I hadn't read the author's notes or maybe it was the discussion questions in the end I wouldn't have seen the connection at all. I really disliked the main female character because while I don't begrudge a woman her successes in life I despise how they flaunt it like this character did. Not one I'd recommend to my friends.”
Leslie F wrote this review Monday, July 5, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Candy's edition”
Cindy T wrote this review Wednesday, June 2, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“So, I'm in the bookstore the week before Christmas. There's a few bucks of my shopping allowance left and Jeannie likes to read, so let's see what's available. I scan the shelves and my eye stops on a really classy cover design. It's got old books on it--which I'm a sucker for--so it's at least worth pulling off the shelf for a look-see.
BruceJ wrote this review Wednesday, December 2, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Hmmm...Bookends. Clever title (I think). Let's see what else it's got going for it
Top endorsement reads, "Witty, charming, delightful". I cringe. All the testosterone in my hand and halfway up my arm jumps ship.
Backmatter leads with, "Opposites attract? Maybe not." Okay, I've got this one nailed: "relationship book."
Jeannie'll like that; I won't have to. My 'guy card' is still recovering from an earlier review, but I think I'm safe having it in the house.
Jeannie finishes the book after Christmas around the same time I finish the book I just reviewed, a real guy's book—sweaty and everything.
"You want to try this one?" Jeannie smiles. “It’s good. Witty. Charming—“
“Yeah, I know. Delightful.” I just look at her.
She lays it on my bedside table.
That night at bedtime, I reach over a pick up the top book on my stack of 'to-reads'. Bookends. “Oh, well,” I sigh. “Let's give it a shot.”
I finished it today.
I know my guy card is in for another major hit, but, my goodness, people! This book was fantastic! I’ve never read a story penned with more wit, charm and—wait. Let me back up.
Ms. Higgs has got to have the most clever writing voice of just about anyone I’ve ever read. She snagged me in Bookends from the first chapter to the last as much with her writing style as with her characters and story line. How she was able to deliver the innermost thoughts of two so entirely different people—the Bookends—with such acute insight, pathos, and humor, is nothing less than a work of art.
Oh, yes. The story.
Bookend #1 is Emily Getz. Historian. PhD. Petite. Prim. Proper. Thirty-six years old. Inextricably immersed in an orderly, comfortable, predictable, safe life of academia from which she has no desire to come up for air—nor would she even know how to, if the desire were there.
Did I say “inextricably”?
Enter Bookend #2. Jonas Fielding, land and community developer. Cleverly brash, infuriatingly masculine, and playfully spontaneous. Mr. Fielding is a visionary who approaches his excavation of undeveloped land methodically, with exactness and unwavering purpose. The same Mr. Fielding decides to approach the extrication of drum-tight (and, in his estimation, undeveloped) Dr. Emily Getz in like manner.
Emile has returned home to Lititz, Pennsylvania, on a mission of the greatest personal and professional importance. Key to its success is a quarter-acre patch of ground under which she is certain rests a profoundly important archaeological artifact. Jonas has come to Lititz to develop a top-notch, professional-grade golf course in which both the community and he have invested a considerable amount of money. Key to its success is a quarter-acre patch of ground ideal for the all-important eighteenth green. You see where this is going, right?
Needless to say, Jonas’ intent to extricate Emile—along with his growing, albeit awkwardly expressed, love for the woman—collide with his intent to excavate that quarter-acre of ground. Emile’s intent to remain snuggled in her cozy academic cocoon—along with her own intentions for that patch of ground—collide with a growing, albeit stubbornly resisted, interest in Jonas. The result is a hilarious, poignant, and thought-provoking comedy of connects and disconnects, communications and miscommunications, that provokes out-loud laughter on one page and somber head-shaking on the next.
Ms. Higgs buffers her story delicately with the lives and influences of family and friends in and outside Lititz, each bringing their own strengths and weaknesses into Jonas’ and Emile’s blossoming relationship. You also learn loads about the Moravian Church community of Lancaster County in which the story basks. But mostly you learn a little more about life, love and the role faith plays in both of them.
Wow, I can’t recommend this enough! Great book, wonderful read. I’d even go so far as to say it’s witty, charming, and—(stop it!).”
“Hilarious!”
Candy Y wrote this review Saturday, November 28, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoyed this book. Pure romance, very little outstanding plot besides boy meets girl. An interesting twist on opposites attract. It had alot of good, non-preachy God moments. The only thing I didn't like was that I really didn't believe in the end that they would like each other. They had very, very little in common.”
Kat wrote this review Thursday, April 17, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A fun easy read with interesting characters with the inevitable romance. A slight education into the background of Moravians.”
Lisa M wrote this review Tuesday, February 26, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I was so bummed out by this book :( Characters are so shallow that I didn't care what happened to them and was so happy when it was over (I've never abandoned a book in my life!) I was excited to read this since I fell in LOVE with Leana, Rose, Jamie, etc. in her Scottish trilogy. I could live in those books! As I said, I was greatly disappointed with this one, mainly because I have experienced amazing writing with four of her other books!”
Debbie P wrote this review Sunday, November 11, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
