Better late than never!
I started this book just last night based on a few of your recommendations and already I can’t put it down! I’ve never read anything by Kristin Hannah before and can already tell a new author obsession is on it’s way. (note: once I determine that I like a certain author I will go balls to the wall and read read every single thing that author has ever published)
The book is about two very different sisters and the relationship they have with their mother, who all through their life had always been an ice queen. It’s also about family secrets and blends in a little Russian historical fiction to boot.
You must read it—it’s keeping me up at night!
Margaret
April 14, 2011 at 1:38 pmI am exactly the same way about overloading on a new author. Its always so exciting when I start a new book and know that its going to be an author that I will obsess over. Best high ever but I also get really sad when I finish everything by an author that I like.
TrishR
April 14, 2011 at 1:39 pmHAHAHA!!! “…balls to the wall…”!!! I’m a new reader and enjoying your blog immensely, but reading that I just may have fallen in Love!!! Classic!
Vanessa
April 14, 2011 at 1:40 pmYaaaaaaaaaaay! I’m so glad you picked that book….can’t wait to hear what you think about the rest of it!!!
Melissa P.
April 14, 2011 at 2:02 pmYeah! So glad you took the recommendation. The book truly shook me to the core!
LindseyK.
April 14, 2011 at 2:11 pmKristin Hannah is a wonderful author! I highly recommend Firefly Lane as another follow-up book. Great story about best friends (“sisters”) growing up, each taking their own unique path and the importance of facing life’s challenges together. Grab your Kleenex too (-:
H
April 14, 2011 at 3:16 pmThis is the best Kristin Hannah book out there, I read it in one day!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas
April 14, 2011 at 2:29 pmLooks like a good one! I am going to have to start making more time to read! I have a pile of half started books.. then life got in the way!
Laura
April 14, 2011 at 2:31 pmI’m sure you are going to get a ton of people recommending Firefly Lane. And you should listen to them. It’s good. Real good.
Natalia - a side of simple
April 14, 2011 at 2:36 pmI do the same thing with authors! Once I like one, I have to go through their entire library 🙂 Thanks for the review and recommendation, Jenna!
Heather @ sideofsneakers
April 14, 2011 at 2:37 pmLove love love that book. As soon as I was done I said ‘if only all history lessons were this interesting- I would have learned SO much more!”
Molly
April 14, 2011 at 2:37 pmSouthern girl saying “balls to the wall” hahahaha
Dee
April 14, 2011 at 2:47 pmomg, i am absolutely the same way with authors!
and oh, I saw this book over at B&N over the weekend and was this close to buying it! Sounds like a return trip might be needed!
megan
April 14, 2011 at 2:53 pmI can not wait to read this book! i love kristen hannah. I read firefly lane a (which i higly recommend) nd literally could not put it down!!! i recommended it to my sister (who is not usually a reader) and she read it in like 3 days!
Kristina
April 14, 2011 at 2:54 pmI haven’t yet read this one, but I have read everything else by Kristin Hannah, I’m pretty sure. After reading the first one I did the same – found all of her others and read them! Gripping reads that you miss as you’re getting to the end… 🙂
mi
April 14, 2011 at 2:59 pmjenna, i always look forward to your book reviews, since it seems we have similar taste in fiction! i love war time epics and also have a slight obsession with the holocaust (not in the creepy way it sounds!). i have a feeling you would really enjoy “the bronze horseman” by paullina simons – http://www.amazon.com/Bronze-Horseman-Paullina-Simons/dp/006185414X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302818282&sr=1-1
it’s set in WW2 and is an epic, romantic story (a trilogy). it’s one of my favourite books of all time, and i would be so interested to hear how you like it!
Blog is the New Black
April 14, 2011 at 3:32 pmJust finished that and LOVED IT! Even better by her- Firefly Lane!
Baking 'n' Books
April 14, 2011 at 3:36 pmIs fiction your primary interest?
Would YOU want to write fiction?! You must have some great ideas there after your “memoir” coming up! (How is the book writing going anyways?!).
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
April 14, 2011 at 4:22 pmI read this book about a year ago!!! INCREDIBLE story!!! So glad you’re enjoying it! 🙂
Michelle
April 14, 2011 at 4:29 pmLOVE this book! She has some awesome other ones written 🙂
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
April 14, 2011 at 4:54 pmI am so glad you chose to review this book! I saw it recently and debated buying it but wasn’t sure it was worth the money. Now I am off to purchase it on my Kindle 🙂
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
April 14, 2011 at 4:55 pmFirefly Lane by Kristin Hannah is AMAZING. I could not put it down – and have now read a few of her other books. I just like her style – easy to read, but she really develops great characters.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
April 14, 2011 at 5:12 pmJust based on the description of this book, it sounds like I could realllllly get into it. Thanks for the review, Jenna!
a thursday book review — Eat, Live, Run Books Empire | Books Empire
April 14, 2011 at 5:23 pm[…] a thursday book review — Eat, Live, Run […]
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
April 14, 2011 at 5:32 pm::gasp:: I just started my first Kristen Hannah book two nights ago! I’m in the process of reading Firefly Lane by her. I also got Magic Hour, which is next on my list. I love the way she writes!
Jessica @ How Sweet
April 14, 2011 at 6:45 pmkristin hannah is my FAVORITE author!! love every single one of her books, have read them all. you MUST read firefly lane jenna. it’s my favorite book!!
Kristen @ Chocolate Covered Kristen
April 14, 2011 at 6:53 pmDownload Firefly Lane and buy a box of tissues! Read it in a day.
Maura
April 14, 2011 at 7:01 pmDid you ever end up reading Prep? I read it years ago and loved it, and when I saw you rave about American Wife, I ran out to pick it up, and I’m loving it so far! I’m the same way with authors, have read almost every Jodi Picoult book – by far my favorites are The Pact and My Sister’s Keeper, both which made me bawl like a baby.
The Red Velvet Wife
April 14, 2011 at 11:03 pmI’m intrigued! And I love all things Russia since I used to live there. 🙂 I might have to download this on my kindle tonight! I’m finishing Pioneer Woman’s love story Black Heels to Tractor Wheels right now, lol!
Ruth
April 15, 2011 at 1:46 amSounds fab – and I’m looking for something to buy with Amazon vouchers at the moment. Perfect!
Jessica
April 15, 2011 at 2:28 amI love Kristin Hannah!! Firefly Lane is another good book. They’re all fast reads with good plots.
Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down)
April 15, 2011 at 3:39 amMmm..and just in time for the weekend too. Thank you! I’ll be making a pitstop at the bookstore today. 😀
Christine @ Burning It Off
April 15, 2011 at 4:16 amThanks for the review! I’m always looking for new books/authors to get into 😀
Misty
April 15, 2011 at 7:09 amI am obsessed with Kristen Hannah!!! I read Winter Garden about a month ago. It was very good; but it haunted me. The story is so very heartbreaking for a mother!!
I just finished Night Road by Kristen Hannah. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT!!!! I could NOT put it down. I read it in 2 days(and I never do that). I am on my fifth Kristen Hannah book and I am trying to make my way through all of her books. ENJOY!!!!
Katie
April 15, 2011 at 8:15 amyou have to read firefly lane next! it’s the best one i think!
Neha
April 15, 2011 at 8:28 amSo random – I JUST finished reading Winter Garden this morning on my way to work and loved it!!!
kelly
April 15, 2011 at 11:40 amRead Firefly Lane!
Raya
April 15, 2011 at 12:05 pmI read it and LOVED it-I literally started reading at about 9pm and stayed awake until 4:30am to finish it because I could. not. put. it down. She’s an amazing author-check out Firefly Lane next!! SO. GOOD.
Heather
April 15, 2011 at 12:59 pmI’m the same way with authors I love! Once I start I just can’t stop! haha
katie
April 15, 2011 at 3:09 pmI am finishing up listening to “Distant Shores”, and it’s pretty good as well. Started listening to it in the car on the way home from Charleston last weekend. I would be interested to see how it would “read” vs. how it “sounds being read”. I agree, though, that Firefly Lane is a great one!
Kate
April 16, 2011 at 6:11 amNever read this one, but you MUST MUST MUST read Firefly Lane, one of my favorite books. And this is now on my amazon wish list, thanks!
Lori
April 18, 2011 at 9:48 amYou have no idea what you have gotten yourself into. Kristin Hannah is addicting…you will want to read everything she has written when you finish Winter Garden. I suggest Firefly Lane or True Colors next. Happy reading!
Mary
April 24, 2011 at 9:25 pmLove Kristin Hannah, we had a great “girls night” surrounding one of her books, and she kind of got me out of my habit of only reading “happy” fluffy novels. She is a women-centric novelist who I really enjoy.
Kirstin
May 12, 2011 at 4:11 pmI wasn’t a fan of Firefly Lane, although I did finish reading it. I suppose it bothered me that Kristin Hannah tried to evoke the decades by writing laundry lists of every single fad, hairstyle, fashion, popular TV show, popular song, news event, etc., etc., of the time. So forced, and the characters were unbelievable too. ; )
Have you read One Day by David Nicholls? It’s excellent. The movie with Anne Hathaway is coming out this summer. The Book Thief is wonderful as well.