Book Cover
APPEAL FACTORS
This story shows the power and beauty of what it means to have family and friends that care for and support one another. It tells of forgiveness, new starts, and leaving a legacy of love. It follows the story of a woman who has everything-except time.
BOOKTALKING
One of the more subtle moments in the book is when the author speaks about how when you see a white feather it is a sign that your guardian angel is near watching over you. This is significant, because it plays into the relationship between Callie and Steffi in that Callie has always been a type of guardian protecting her younger sister, Steffi.
The significance and uniqueness of having recipes in the book at the end of every chapter.
Trials bring people together.
Forgiveness never comes too late and is always possible.
Happiness is found in being authentic to ourselves and not in living according to the expectations of society or others.
At the end of the day-and this life-menial and superfluous things fall away and all that is left are family and friends, how you loved, and how you are loved.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Several characters struggle with social expectations and being authentic to who they are. What situations do you see this happen in the book?
What significance does the name of Callie and Steffi's mother, Honor, have?
Why do you think the author added recipes at the end of each chapter? Did you like this? Which ones were the most appealing to you?
What affects does the return of Callie's cancer have on her sister, Steffi? Her husband? Other characters?
What parts of the story did you find moving?
Many of the characters show their personal ways of coping with the situation of Callie's cancer. What coping mechanisms do you rely on in difficult times?
WHY THIS BOOK?
This is not a genre of book I am prone to read, because it is extremely predictable for me, and I find this irritating. I get bored with these types of books quickly. However, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to expand my reading horizons and the reviews of this book were very positive overall, so i wanted to give it a chance.
THE AUTHOR
Jane Green Biography
Interview with Jane about the book
SIMILAR TITLES/AUTHORS
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
Thin, Rich, Pretty by Beth Harbison
Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick
AWARDS
New York Times Bestseller
POINTS TO REMEMBER
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Green, J. (2010). Promises to keep. New York NY/USA: The Penguin Group.
Green, J. (2010). Promises to keep. New York NY/USA: The Penguin Group.
PAGES
342
342
PURCHASING OPTIONS
Hardcover $24.00
Paperback $14.83
Paperback $14.83
NOOK $12.99
Audiobook $35.95
Audiobook $35.95
Kindle $12.99
Hardcover $10.49
Hardcover $10.49
Paperback $7.69
Audio CD $12.95
ANNOTATION
SUMMARY *Spoiler Alert*
Callie Perry is in her early 40's. She lives the dream life in a New York State suburb in a beautiful house with a loving husband and two wonderful children. She has a successful and growing photography business. She has dear friends and is close to her sister and parents.
Her friends and family however, seem to struggle. Her sister, Steffi, is adjusting from switching to a fast-paced life in New York City to a quiet life in a rural community and may even have found someone to truly love. Her parents, Walter and Honor, haven't spoken for years after the divorce. Lila, Callie's best friend, has met the man of her dreams, but can't seem to shake the antagonistic and controlling ex-wife. Callie is the glue that keeps them grounded and held together.
However, the tables are turned when Callie is informed that her cancer has returned after being gone for almost five years. Now, it is her family and friends' turn to support Callie as she begins the battle of her life. As her health deteriorates, her family and friend's lives start to take shape for the better. Callie's dying wish is the happiness for all those she loves, and she will not let anything, even a terminal illness stop her from accomplishing this goal.
MY REVIEW
This is one of those feel good reads. It is completely predictable (down to the last page), the characters are shallow and stereotypical, the plot one that has been told a thousand times, and nothing extraordinary or even artistic about it. But nonetheless a good read. If you are looking for a book to simply enjoy and that doesn't present any requirement to think than this is the book for you.
Though I won't say that it was a complete waste of my time reading this book, I can confidently say it is not one that I will be picking up again any time in the foreseeable future.
RATING
Quality: Bronze
Popularity:Ruby
Family and friends rally together to help Callie as she faces her toughest challenge yet.
Callie Perry is in her early 40's. She lives the dream life in a New York State suburb in a beautiful house with a loving husband and two wonderful children. She has a successful and growing photography business. She has dear friends and is close to her sister and parents.
Her friends and family however, seem to struggle. Her sister, Steffi, is adjusting from switching to a fast-paced life in New York City to a quiet life in a rural community and may even have found someone to truly love. Her parents, Walter and Honor, haven't spoken for years after the divorce. Lila, Callie's best friend, has met the man of her dreams, but can't seem to shake the antagonistic and controlling ex-wife. Callie is the glue that keeps them grounded and held together.
However, the tables are turned when Callie is informed that her cancer has returned after being gone for almost five years. Now, it is her family and friends' turn to support Callie as she begins the battle of her life. As her health deteriorates, her family and friend's lives start to take shape for the better. Callie's dying wish is the happiness for all those she loves, and she will not let anything, even a terminal illness stop her from accomplishing this goal.
MY REVIEW
This is one of those feel good reads. It is completely predictable (down to the last page), the characters are shallow and stereotypical, the plot one that has been told a thousand times, and nothing extraordinary or even artistic about it. But nonetheless a good read. If you are looking for a book to simply enjoy and that doesn't present any requirement to think than this is the book for you.
Though I won't say that it was a complete waste of my time reading this book, I can confidently say it is not one that I will be picking up again any time in the foreseeable future.
RATING
Quality: Bronze
Popularity:Ruby
GENRE & SUB GENRES
Women's Fiction
Fiction
Romance
Fiction
Romance
APPEAL FACTORS
This story shows the power and beauty of what it means to have family and friends that care for and support one another. It tells of forgiveness, new starts, and leaving a legacy of love. It follows the story of a woman who has everything-except time.
BOOKTALKING
One of the more subtle moments in the book is when the author speaks about how when you see a white feather it is a sign that your guardian angel is near watching over you. This is significant, because it plays into the relationship between Callie and Steffi in that Callie has always been a type of guardian protecting her younger sister, Steffi.
The significance and uniqueness of having recipes in the book at the end of every chapter.
Trials bring people together.
Forgiveness never comes too late and is always possible.
Happiness is found in being authentic to ourselves and not in living according to the expectations of society or others.
At the end of the day-and this life-menial and superfluous things fall away and all that is left are family and friends, how you loved, and how you are loved.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Several characters struggle with social expectations and being authentic to who they are. What situations do you see this happen in the book?
What significance does the name of Callie and Steffi's mother, Honor, have?
Why do you think the author added recipes at the end of each chapter? Did you like this? Which ones were the most appealing to you?
What affects does the return of Callie's cancer have on her sister, Steffi? Her husband? Other characters?
What parts of the story did you find moving?
Many of the characters show their personal ways of coping with the situation of Callie's cancer. What coping mechanisms do you rely on in difficult times?
WHY THIS BOOK?
This is not a genre of book I am prone to read, because it is extremely predictable for me, and I find this irritating. I get bored with these types of books quickly. However, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to expand my reading horizons and the reviews of this book were very positive overall, so i wanted to give it a chance.
THE AUTHOR
Jane Green Biography
Interview with Jane about the book
REVIEWS
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
Thin, Rich, Pretty by Beth Harbison
Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick
AWARDS
New York Times Bestseller
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Family
- Breast Cancer
- Forgiveness
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