'The Bird House' by Kelly Simmons (TLC Tour Book) + Autographed Copy Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Synopsis: This is a story of one woman's inexorable slide into dementia and her growing bond with her granddaughter. Together, they uncover family secrets of both the past and the present that have the power to either destroy---or heal.

 

 

 

 

 

 "Beneath the surface of any problem, if you scrabble a bit, you'll find a secret. 

  It may take a while-decades perhaps-not for your excavation, mind you, but for your desire to appear; for that childlike curiosity to float up again. Indeed, you may need an actual child to summon it, as I did.

  But this is what drives us--the historians, the trash pickers, the gossips, the shrinks. And yes, the readers of books. We're all rooting around, teasing out other people's hidden reasons." [p.1]

......I absolutely fell in love with the opening sentences of The Bird House. Why? Because as a reader I do want to find out that deep, dark secret someone is hiding or learn what motivated someone to betray a friend or a lover. This is one of the biggest reasons why I love to read. The other reason? Is to find wonderful gems that touch me emotionally as this one did. I could go into detail about the book and why I found it to be a stellar read, but I really feel that would be robbing you, the new potential reader, of experiencing this one without knowing much beforehand. Suffice it to say that you will come to love Ann and her granddaughter Ellie. I really enjoyed seeing this story unfold through Ann's eyes because you were never quite sure if what you were seeing had actually taken place or not, due to her dementia. Ellie became the grounding force for me. She was sort of the guiding light in the story and helped fill in the gaps or missing pieces. I thought the author's use of a family project was genius in bringing two generations together. The author took this plot device and really worked it seamlessly into the story. I finished this book over the period of 24-hours. In fact, I had a hard time turning the light off Sunday night to go to bed and couldn't wait until my free time on Monday to finish the book. 

Recommend? Oh yes!! I know that my review really didn't go into depth and honestly I hate to tell a reader too much about any book I read. I will say this, I loved the characters, even the ones I didn't care for very much (daughter-in-law) because the author made them REAL. The story could happen and has happened to many, many people. I was intrigued, captivated, and couldn't put this one down!! 

Rating: 9/10

 Giveaway

*** Let me know in the comment section if you would like to be put in the hat 

for the chance to win an autographed copy of "The Bird House." 

Please leave me your email address or a way to contact you!! 

** Open to U.S. and Canada only

Closes March 16th

About Kelly Simmons

Kelly Simmons is the author of the critically acclaimed Simon & Schuster novel, Standing Still, and coming in February, The Bird House. She is a former journalist and advertising creative director who lives in the Philadelphia area with her family, and divides her time between writing, teaching, public speaking, and vacuuming up dog hair. She was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois, and credits weekly visits to the Waukegan Public Library for her literary prowess. (Her determination to succeed, however, could only come from being a Cubs fan.) Visit her website at www.bykellysimmons.com.
Connect with Kelly on Facebook and Twitter.

Kelly’s Tour Stops

 

Published: 2011

Publisher: Washington Square Press

Pages: 272

Genre: Family Drama in a good way

ISBN: 9781439160930

 
Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

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 Winner has been notified 3/20/11