Sunday, July 8, 2007

Review: The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

This will be a relatively short review. This is a great book. There was nothing that I didn't like about it or that dragged, etc. But somehow, it probably won't be on my "greatest books I've ever read" list. The story was good, the subject matter was sufficiently disturbing to keep me interested, and the characters were well developed. I'd recommend the book to anyone looking for a quick, satisfying literary read. I'll definitely look for more from Kim Edwards and will pick up her next book without hesitation. I read the book in just a few days and liked it.

There seemed to be something missing, something that would have made it unforgettable; and yet, I just move on to the next book and go on. I can't put my finger on what that might be...

In another note, I'll be reading a lot less over the next few months. I know that sounds crazy, what with me sponsoring the Something About Me challenge and all. Something I hadn't considered when I started that challenge was that I was going to be (and now am) in full study mode for the State Licensing exams in California for my profession. There are two exams in order to be a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, and I'm hoping to take the first one in September and the last one just before Christmas. I will select a book per month for the Something About Me challenge (can't study all the time!) and choose alternates in case I have more time to read than I think. Still, my main focus will be elsewhere until the end of the year. I do still want to read Suite Francaise before the challenge starts in August, since that is my last book for the NYT Notable challenge.

Wish me luck!! (I'll need it, if the stories I've heard are any indication)

8 comments:

kookie said...

Good luck and keep us updated. :)

Bookfool said...

Good luck! And, I sure hope you check your messages because you've won two bookmarks in the Chunkster Challenge drawing. Please send your snail address to me at:

nancytoes @ bellsouth dot net

(no spaces, of course). Thanks for participating and congrats!

alethe16 said...

I know what you mean about this book. I read it and enjoyed it, but it wouldn't be one that I would recommend to another person unless they directly asked me about it.

Literary Feline said...

I don't envy you having to take those exams! One of my coworkers is studying for the LCSW right now. She hopes to take the test in December. Good luck!

tanabata said...

Good luck!! :)

email said...

I felt the same way about this book. Good, but... something.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Good luck with all your endeavors. For me its a little frustrating not being able to read all I want to, but you're right that you can't study all the time!

Glad you liked the book. I thought it was good, but I didn't think it was great... Like you there was just something, but not sure what.

Chelsea said...

I agree with you on this book. It was really good, but again, something missing. I think the "missing" thing (for me) was the ability to make me feel emotion. It was a depressing subject matter, but I never felt sad while reading it. Is that just me?

I think it could have been so much better if the author had added a little emotion to it. Like with a book like My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult -- THAT was an amazing novel, and the reason (again, for me) was because I felt exactly what the characters were feeling.

Anyway, it was still a good book. And I'm glad you liked it!