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Sunday, July 26, 2009

TLC Book Review: Two Years, No Rain



From the author's website:
In San Diego County, it hasn't rained in 580 days. But for weatherman Andy Dunne, everything else is changing fast...Only a few weeks ago, he was a newly divorced, slightly overweight meteorologist for an obscure satellite radio station, hiding his secret love for a colleague, the beautiful--and very much married--Hillary Hsing. But nearly overnight, Andy has landed a new gig, flying a magic carpet in a bizarre live-action children's TV show. So what is affable, basically decent Andy Dunne going to do now that he can do practically anything he wants? With a parade of hot moms begging for his autograph and a family that needs his help more than ever, Andy has a lot of choices. First, though, there's this thing with Hillary, their heated text messages, a long-awaited forecast for rain - and a few other surprises he never saw coming...





My Thoughts:

I adored this book from the very first line to the last page. I was engaged with Andy's story and somewhere during my journey I fell in love with him. He is such a vulnerable character and for some reason I was drawn to that aspect of his personality. As you get to know him you realize that he's sweet, sincere, funny, but not totally happy. Something is missing. That missing part is his identical twin Jason. I believe the author painted a very realistic picture of twins and how they feel at times as if they are one person. As Andy explores a new job opportunity he starts to transform his outward appearance. Everyone is all amazed at how great he looks and women are fawning over him. But truth be told, you can change the outside, but without some real hard questions and inner reflection, the inside stays the same. There were a few choices that Andy made in his personal life that I did not agree with at all, but we as humans make mistakes, so I'll give him a pass this time! Overall, I felt that this was a story of being human. How we compare ourselves to others, thinking we don't rate. How anger can blind us to the facts that everyone makes mistakes. How holding a grudge against someone can cripple a person emotionally. Those are represented by the two years of no rain. When Andy decides to take control of his life, release himself from guilt, and to feel worthy of love is when the drought ends. The one thing I walked away from after reading this book is that I tend to take life for granted, assuming there will always be a tomorrow. That is not true....so live for today, love for today, and forgive for today.

Then it happened, he was gone, and I never got to say it. And now I feel like, really, what's the point of being angry? What's the point of being angry at anything, because what if you're wrong about it, and you don't ever get the opportunity to admit it? I'd rather not take that chance."
p.290




I would like to thank Shawn Klomparens for
sending me his book to review for TLC Book Tours.
If you would like to know more about Shawn visit his website: www.shawnklomparens.com







And as always a huge thanks to Lisa for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book for Shawn's book tour!!
For a list of other tour stops please visit:
TLC Book Tours: Two Years, No Rain

20 comments:

  1. This one sounds great! I always wanted to be a weather person when I was younger, and reading your review brought a smile to my face. Another book on my ever-growing list!

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  2. AWESOME review....but the REAL question is ..... with 580 DAYS with NOOOOOOOOOOO RAIN....were they living in Phoenix??? LOL! :):):):):):):):):)

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  3. Sounds great, I really like the storyline. Nice review :)
    I will have to keep it in mind

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  4. Sounds like a really lovely read, not sure that it's for me but I enjoyed your review :-)

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  5. I love those books that explore humanity and our efforts to get it right. Sounds good.

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  6. I thought Andy was a great character. It was fun to read about a male struggling to find himself for a change!

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  7. Any book that makes you appreciate life just a little bit is a keeper. I've added this to my list!
    Great review!

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  8. Hi Staci, I'm so happy you enjoyed this book! Thanks so much for all the time and energy you put into reading and reviewing Two Years, No Rain!

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  9. It sounds like you got a lot out of this book. :) I love books where you connect with the characters and that really make you *think*. I think in that way books help us grow as people. :)

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  10. Great review Staci! I agree, Andy was such a likable character. I came to really care about him as well. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. I'm glad holding a grudge can't really produce a drought! Sounds like a really great book.

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  12. Sounds like a cute little novel that explores a man's life at crossroad.

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  13. Great review! I actually found this book to be deceptively substantial (it *is* almost 400 pages!) and I think it draws you in with how funny the main character can be. My mom felt the same way. We both liked it a lot.

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  14. Two years without rain sounds unbelievable! What an interesting story and it sounds like it is one that make you think.

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  15. Terrific review Staci! This sounds like a great book! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've added it to my list!

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  16. Good review! It's interesting how different people "get" different things from the same book.

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  17. Staci...This one sounds great; thanks for all the info.

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  18. Fantastic review Staci! You hit all the high points and your insights were interesting. Brilliant!

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  19. it depends, the books we get we get quickly. But those are the ones that sell well.
    And the library takes in book when they order them so that takes a while

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  20. I love the quote you included from the book! I've been missing my dad a lot tonight and I think the quote spoke to me. Even though I wasn't angry with my dad when he died, I did spend a lot of my life not understanding him and him me. I am glad I got the chance to be his daughter again and friend before he passed away. I would hate to think of not having the opportunity to make things right with someone. I try very hard not to get angry now and I have not had a fight with anyone in almost 2 years (with the exception of a couple right after he died, but that's grief, you know?) and I feel so much relief discussing things and empathizing than being angry all of the time. It is such a weight off of my shoulders.

    Okay, sorry to go into all that. The quote just really hit home. Thanks for humoring me. :)

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