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Friday, August 7, 2009

Review: Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

Title and Author of book: Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
Fiction or non-fiction: Fiction
Genre: YA- One of the Best Books Written This Year!
Where did I get the book: My public Library
Challenges that this fulfilled: YA Challenge
Who recommended this book to me?: Lenore and Amy



My Thoughts:

Beth Kephart is easily becoming a must-read author for me. Her newest book was such a pleasure to read. Katie is a girl that any parent would be blessed to have as their daughter. She is dealing with the loss of her mother which has left a huge hole in her life. I loved her dad. His work as someone who restores old art was very fascinating. I loved reading about what he felt was underneath all of the dirt as he worked at removing the layers little by little. Katie and her dad really tried their best to keep the lines of communication open ,but they both were reserved when it came to talking about the death of their parent/spouse. Katie dreams about her mother nightly and her dad has locked up their bedroom and sleeps on the couch. Worked into this storyline is a mystery that was fun to try to figure out with Katie and the oh-so glamorous librarian. The added bonus of a budding romance makes this story complete. Sounds like a very simple storyline, right? But it's not because Kephart has a magical way with words, she touches places deep in the heart. She doesn't do anything fancy, but instead she stays so true to the human condition and it shines throughout these pages. I feel blessed to have read this book and this is one that I stand on top of the rooftops shouting to the masses, "READ THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!"


One of my favorite passages from the book:
I lost Mom until the parade moved on, wound itself away from the harbor and up into the crooked streets. I turned and saw her standing on the edge of things--too thin, I realize now, and frail, the wind caught up in her hair. She'd kept her secret the whole trip long. She stood in that strange, chilled mist, alone, alive , but knowing what would come. History is never absolute truth. It isn't just the thing that was. It's the thing that could have been.
p.210

Others who have read and reviewed this beautiful work of art:

Things Mean A Lot
Presenting Lenore
My Friend Amy
Bermuda Onion

19 comments:

  1. everyone seems to be enjoying this book. I may have to see if the library has it and put myself on hold.

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  2. Sounds like one I'd really like. Many of the things you highlighted sound very intriguing to me.

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  3. You are so right - this is a beautiful work of art. I absolutely loved it! The writing was magical and the story and characters were wonderful too.

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  4. That sounds beautiful!!!! I got my package last night!!! Thanks soooooooooooooooooo MUCH!!!!!! The book looks AWESOME and I LOVED the goodies U sent with it!!! Thanks AGAIN! U ARE THE BESTEST! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  5. I have heard nothing but praise for this one. Appears it was well worth the internet push and now I'm really wishing I would have gotten on the bandwagon. Better late than never, I guess!

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  6. This is already on my list, but reading your review has made me determined to get to it sooner than a few others. Thanks for the great review :)

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  7. the cover art alone pulls me in, the book arrived today :) thanks again.

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  8. yay, I'm so glad you loved it too! Thanks for including my link :)

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  9. Thanks for the link Staci and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Beth is such a treat, I absolutely adore her and her writing is a gift to me. It's always nice to see others feel the same way.

    I love that passage too. Did you watch the reading she did of that with the photos and music? I love it. Always gives me chills.

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  10. I swear I'm not visiting your blog anymore or could you just stop reading such beautiful books that I just have to have!!
    This one is all your fault and I'm telling everyone LMAO

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  11. Ok, if you feel the need to yell from the rooftop to get me to read it then I will read it. :D It's going on my wishlist right now!

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  12. Ok I heard that scream, will check my local libraries at once :)

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  13. Great review. I loved this book too, and you're totally right that Beth has a way with words. She is such a beautiful writer. I can't wait to read more of her work.

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  14. I'm looking forward to reading this!

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  15. Wow...that reading is very beautiful. Thank you for the sneek peek.

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  16. Staci....I LOVE your 6 sentence reviews. It's perfect for me when my google reader is back-logged (like it usually is).

    I enjoyed Shop on Blossom Street and Olive Kittridge.

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  17. Another one I really need to read. It's been getting some great reviews lately. Great review and I'm glad you liked it.

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  18. That is beautiful writing. Thank you for sharing it. I want to read this book, too.

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  19. This is an author I am going to start reading! I've hears so many positive things about her and her latest book sounds wonderful. I want to get to know Katie. Great review! Thanks for the recommendation!

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