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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Bloom- Bookish Thoughts #53





What Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected is about:
From the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life: a beautiful two-year-old daughter, a loving husband, a thriving photography career, and great friends. When she learned she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband, Brett, were ecstatic.
But when her new daughter was placed in her arms in the delivery room, Kelle knew instantly that something was wrong. Nella looked different than her two-year-old sister, Lainey, had at birth. As she watched friends and family celebrate with champagne toasts and endless photographs, a terrified Kelle was certain that Nella had Down syndrome--a fear her pediatrician soon confirmed. 

Six Sentence Saturday Tuesday Version:
I watched the video that the publisher made about this book and instantly knew this was one I was interested in. Little did I know how hard it would be to swallow Kelle's incessant need to be perfect in every single aspect of her life. Little did I know how hard it would be to like this woman who just gave birth to a child with Down's Syndrome. She sure did her best to come across as a diva, a complainer, and acted as if her world was shattered because of that extra chromosome. The very last chapter was the one that I truly enjoyed. The one where she actually celebrated who her daughter was and accepted her as beautiful and perfect.

Recommend? I'm not sure if I would recommend this one to my friends. In fact, I have a good friend who has Down Syndrome and I've never looked at him any differently than any other person. His view on life and friends is simple...love and be loved. Kelle didn't come across as a genuine person at the beginning of the book and frankly, that was a huge turn-off for me.  The pictures were beautiful, but honestly it almost felt as if she knew she wanted to write a book about HER and the baby before the baby was even born. It felt scripted. I don't think I've ever met a mom-to-be that planned out her delivery with friends, music, perfect clothes to wear, makeup perfect, camera ready, ambience saturating the room in a perfect glow......the only time I thought she was real was towards the end.

Source: Public Library

Bookish Thoughts #53
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

14 comments:

  1. I have this one on my shelf and thought about gifting it to a mom I know. Thanks for an honest review.

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  2. Sounds like an interesting memoir(?) that would probably frustrate me more than inspire. I've read a few like that (frustrating rather than inspirational) and it really makes me wonder...

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  3. Wow...I think I would have a hard time reading this one ... I couldn't stomach a personality like that...

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  4. I really don't like books that read as if they are scripted!

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  5. Oh, what you said about it being scripted is why I've held off on this one. The trailer was touching but it too, felt a tad off.

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  6. I do not think this one is for me then either

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  7. A friend read this book and agreed with your thoughts.

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  8. I think I read something similar about the mother elsewhere. I know I wouldn't enjoy it for that reason. I don't know anyone who planned their delivery like that either!

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  9. Sounds like there was some potential here, but I don't think this is a book for me.

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  10. I was keeping an eye out for this one but after reading your review it's coming off my wishlist. I know I'd feel exactly the same way you did, no tolerance for that type of behaviour/personality. Thanks for your honesty :)

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  11. This one would not be one I'd pick up. I appreciate your honest review though!

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  12. Thanks for the honest write up. Doesn't sound like a book I would want to read.

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  13. Sounds like somebody exploiting their child for 15 minutes of fame. Such a shame.

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