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My grandmother likes to tell stories. I relish the memories she shares about my younger self, fleshing out the memories of my childhood as seen through the loving eyes of a grandmother. Her tales of her own youth always surprise me, bringing to life the girl and young woman I never knew. She tells me a lot of stories, but I know that there are facts that aren’t as easy to discuss even though they are common to us all–strained relationships between mother and daughter and husband and wife, fears, loneliness.
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When Lucy DiCamillo is eight years old, her mother Ruby dies in their garden. Lucy was there, and she has carried the burden of responsibility all these years. Her grandmother Kitty comes to live with her. Eleven years later, Lucy’s memories of her first eight years are still cloudy and incomplete. She has her mother’s paintings–mostly self-portraits–her rose garden, and a few familiar rituals that tie her to her past. Kitty shares some memories of Ruby, but now that Lucy is a woman herself she wants to hear more about her mother, the woman, instead of rehashed memories of Ruby that Kitty tells like stories. She wants to know more about the absent men in her life–both her father and Kitty’s estranged husband.
As Kitty begins to divulge her secrets, and Ruby’s as well, Lucy gains a bigger understanding of her mother and grandmother. Bits and pieces of her own memories begin to come back. Using them and the new information Kitty has provided, Lucy tries to fill in the blanks on the canvas of her life that she has tried to paint with the help of new friends Max and Susannah.
Reading Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner caused me to reevaluate my own history and the men and women in it. The characters are so well-developed, and so perfectly human, that they become friends by the end of the novel. As Lucy’s story was revealed gradually, I hungered to know more. The ending wraps up most of the story lines (as I prefer), yet leaves a few things unstated, allowing room for the characters to live on and grown in my mind as well.
If you’d like to win one of four copies of Ruby Among Us, leave a comment here. The winners (U.S. addresses only please) will be posted in next week’s column.
The winners of last week’s book, Under Pressure, are
#14 Amanda D.
#11 Refresh Mom
#19 Courtney
Cynthia Hickey says
Ruby sounds great! Sign me up!
Cynthia Hickey says
Book sounds great! Enter me in the drawing!
Kay says
Sounds like a great read. Sign me up!
Tina Ann Forkner says
Oops. I had one too many n’s in my URL in my last comment. Here is the correct one:
http://www.tinaannforkner.com
Tina Ann Forkner says
Hi everyone. Thanks for all your nice comments. I hope you all have a chance to read the book, and for those of you who have mentioned your lost loved ones (and those who thought about them), take heart. You have a chance to pass their stories on to the younger relatives in your family. Don’t wait.
Lily Kwan says
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Shania Duncan says
Looks like I great book. I’d love to have a chance to read it.
Susanne Troop says
I’m always looking for a good book to read!
Debbie Hornyak says
Seems like this is an interesting read!
Sand says
I’m always searching for something new to read!
Beverly Metcalf says
I love reading books like this, it sounds really good. Thanks for having the contest!
Sharon Fairclough says
Sounds like a wonderful book to add to my summer reading list. Thanks for the contest.
Jillian Sorenson says
Looks like a good read!
Terry Rollins says
I love to read!
LEONIE CESVETTE says
I lost my dad this year and even the birthday cards he sent with the personalized messages have become part of the memories I treasure.
Renee Turner says
My favorite thing in the world is a new book and time to read it!
Jennifer S. says
I love to read and this sounds like a great book!
kathy pease says
count me in please 🙂
Timothy Sternberg says
I’d love something new to read.
John Deal says
I,ve been trying to fill my daughter in on her younger years, so she doesn’t just have a blank slate there.
Jennifer Schroeder says
Sounds like a great read! Count me in! Thank you for the contest!
Cheryl says
I love to read! New books are exciting.
Veronica Garrett says
This sounds like a great book. I would love to win it.
Amy Lutz says
I’m intrigued sounds like a great book.
Pamela White says
This sounds like a very interesting read and I would love to have a new summer book to read.
Kristi Gilleland says
I like books with good character development and strong female characters – looks like this one will fit the bill!
Please enter me!
Ann Marie Walker says
Sounds like a great book.Something I’d like to read. Please enter me and thanks for the contest.
marybeth i. says
always looking for a new read!
Sherri Siler says
I would like to read this.
Donna W says
I would love to win this book. It looks great!
Susan White says
I would love to win this prize.
Thanks so much!
Beth Allen says
I love to read!! Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance!!
Linda Howard says
Please enter me. Thanks!
Denise says
I would like this!
Hetal Gandhi says
my daughters always like to learn more about new books and authors.
[email protected]
philip halter says
enter me please
Amy Phillips says
Seems like this would be a great read.
Melissa says
This sounds like a great book!
Tammy says
Thanks for the chance, I’m always looking for new books to read, and this one has caught my eye!
loki says
Sounds like good reading!
shawna f says
Sounds like a really good book!
Carol Drury says
what a great prize!!!!!
Ed Nemmers says
Sweet niblets!
Dorothy R. says
Love to read this!
Chrystal says
Looks like a great book!!
Jodene Gildea says
Please enter me!
jan koontz says
just to cool
sarah woods says
Many thanks for the possibility for relaxation and entertainment between the “hard covers”!!!!!! SW
Angela says
I’d love to have a copy!
Kathy says
LOOKS LIKE A GREAT READ
Lara Aleff says
I’ve been searching for new books to read this summer, this looks great!
Bonnie says
Wow this sounds soooooooooooo good, hope I win so I can read it.
Kyle Banderman says
Nothing wrong with a good book! Thanks for the contest!
[email protected]
K. Cleaver says
My children are so interested in stories their grandparents tell about their dad when he was little. I’ve been doing journals for each of my boys for them to have when they are older.
Kristie Noguera says
Sounds like a good one. Thanks.
Tara says
Great prize.
Marla says
Sounds like a great book! Count me in!
Eryn says
This looks wonderful, and I love what you shared about your grandmother. I miss mine so much. Thanks for the hard work you do on the blog 🙂
Cassandra says
Sounds like a good book!
Karrie says
the book sounds great
kathleen Yohanna says
I would like to win this. I love good books.
Ren says
Sounds like a wonderful book. I’ll have to add that to my list!
Jamie says
Love reading! Looks like a great read!
Julie says
I would love this! Thanks for you great site!
israel y says
thanks for the chance to win
Wendy C. says
This would be a perfect ‘end of summer’ read for me!
Elizabeth M. says
You’ve convinced me that this is definitely worth reading. I’d love to win it!
Gary Osborn says
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
Tina Rath says
I love to read and would love this book.
Beth allen says
I love to read. i would really enjoy this!! Thanks for the chance!!
lori walker says
This would be a wonderful read for my sister-in-law and I.
rachel burke says
i would love this
Adrienne Gordon says
love 2 read
Nancy says
Love to win it. thanks
Arlyne McGregor says
hope I win
Noelia Gutierrez says
would love to read this, love books, thanks.
Stephen Saunders says
wheeeeeee hope I win.
Anthony Hedden says
enter me
Tara Hill says
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!
Kathy Scott says
My husband says that my reading addiction is breaking the bank. Please feed it.
Adrienne! says
I would love one. 😀
Sabra M says
I need a new read. I’m in a place in my life right now where I can’t do too much. Reading is a great pasttime and alot better than starring at the tv!! Thanks for the contest!!
william causey says
please count me in
Amy from Occupation: Mommy says
This sounds like a good book.
Lordes says
So many people are getting away from reading.. it’s nice to see that others love to read as much as I. Wonderful prize
Andrea says
Sounds like a great book! My grandma is full of stories. I keep telling myself that I need to sit down with her and write them down before it’s too late (she IS 83 years old).
Jaime says
I would love to win and read this book! Thanks!
Carole Jarvis says
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Sandy F. says
sounds like an interesting read…please count me in!!! thanks :O)
Heather says
Sounds like a good one!
djp says
i just finished my midnite book and i am ready for a new one
Jill Miller says
I would love to win a nice summer read. 🙂
Leslie says
Terrific
Catherine copeland says
wow i can always use another book for when I travel
kristi blackstone says
Looks great! I’d love to be entered!!
Catherine says
I love to read!
Karen Gonyea says
Sounds good to me !
Tonya Froemel says
like to win this
Mary says
I love to read and this book sounds interesting! I hope I win!
Cindy says
I’ve read this book and it is wonderful! I’d love to get enough copies to share with my grand daughters. I could see myself in this book and Tina has a beautiful talent for painting pictures with her words.
Kathy Conley says
This sounds like a great one!
Vicki Wurgler says
please enter my name – this sounds like a good summer read
Belinda Shaw says
I’d really like to read this interesting book!
Brooke Allen says
Sounds like a good book!
Anna says
I’d like to read a good book! Thank you for the chance.
Anita Yancey says
Sounds like a really good book, one I would enjoy reading. Please enter me, and thanks!
Tarah says
This looks like a great summer read!
Deanne says
I love hearing about and finding new authors! Thank you for passing along another one!
Cyndi in Colorado says
I borrowed this book from the library recently but just got started reading it. I would love a copy to add to my personal library. So far, it’s really good! I had the pleasure of meeting Tina in Cheyenne at a book fair late last summer before the book was published. She was so gracious as we asked her questions and it was obvious she was so proud of the book and excited for it’s release. I’ve been anxiously waiting for it to be published, too! Congratulations to Tina on her first published novel!!!
Donna Vance says
This book sounds like it would be a joy to read.
Patty says
Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it.
tim brown says
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
Deborah R says
Your description of the story made me want to read it. Hope I win! 😀
Leah says
I’d love to win this. It sounds like a good read.
Barbara Fox says
Sounds like a wonderful book!
clenna in NH says
Both of my parents told wonderful tales of their youth. It was wonderful to imagine them when they were little kids, or teens, or when they fell in love.
Please enter me in the contest.
diana says
I would love to in this book!
stampedwithgrace says
I’ve heard this is a GREAT book!! 🙂
Tobye says
This sounds like a good read. thanks!
Amy - Essential Family Living says
Thanks for the review. Would like to read this. =)
Vicky Boackle says
i love to read and this sounds good.
david basile says
sounds good thanks for entering me
Annie says
Add me! I’m always looking for a new book to read.
Kari Follett says
Sounds like a very good book! I’d love a chance, thanks!
Sharon Jones says
I really need something good to read and this looks perfect…thanks for great contest! 🙂
LAUREEN SULLIVAN says
Looks like a lovely book.
Jodi says
yes I need a new book desperately. Thanks for the giveaway.
Terra Heck says
This looks to be a good read.
Janet F says
Please enter me.
Tanya Moyer says
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for offering it!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
Beth Ann says
This sounds like a great read! I finally got back into reading last week after over 7 years of being ‘too busy’! Please enter my name in this give-away!
Thank you!
Stacey says
I would love to read Ruby among us.
Joy says
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win! ([email protected])
Jen B says
Sounds like a great book!
Hillary says
Sounds intriguing.
Rebekah says
Looking forward to reading this book! Sounds like a winner!
Jill L says
Hearing wonderful things about this book. Would love to read it. Definitely will need to get it if I don’t win it.
Jennifer Bartlett says
I would love to read Tina’s new book.
Peggy Doty says
Sounds like a very good book and I love to read.
The Diaper Diaries says
Love a good book. Count me in!!
Lisa (Morning Rose) says
Sounds like an interesting book!
Sherri B. says
Sounds fascinating!!! Would love to win!!!
Dawn G says
Can’t wait to read this!
judy brittle says
The story sounds really good! Please count me in to win.
Linda Moeller says
Pick me
christopher h says
love to win this
valerie mabrey says
this is a great contest
Bernadette says
Sounds like a good story.
Judy J. says
Watching how authors develop characters helps me develop my “character”. I look forward to reading this book! Thank you for the opportunity to win it.
Susan Smith says
Please enter me
Valerie Mitchell says
What a wonderful prize!
Beth says
I’d love to read something by an author I’ve nopt read before!
Miranda Allen says
please enter me thanks, [email protected]
Ann Fantom says
I would love to win this! Please enter me
Cynthia says
Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
Robin Schick says
This book sounds like my type of read! Please enter me.
I would love to review books and give them away, making people happy puts a smile on my face.
Kim says
I’ve been eyeing this book and would love to win it.
Belinda A. says
Yes please! I love a novel with well fleshed-out characters.
Cindi says
Hello, I have been reading many good things about this book. I think the relationship between the three women would be interesting. Please enter me in your delightful giveaway. Thanks, Cindi
JUDY NO says
I need to read. It’s been a long time since I read anything for pleasure.
Marion says
It sounds like a great read. I would love to win!
Mya Brooks says
I’m a book freak and would love to read this!
Rodney K says
I sure hope I win thanks
Thomas Gibson says
Very nice prize!
Denise says
Count me in!
cathy says
I love reading! This book sounds like a treasure! I would be so happy to win this!!!
Thanks for your fun site!
Terri says
I need a good read. Would love it.
Flora Presley says
This sounds like a lovely sentimental story. I’d love the chance to read it.
Megan B. says
Looks great, thank you!!!
Becky Carden says
This looks like a fantastic book.
Please enter me in the contest.
Thank you so much.
Becky Carden
Becky Carden says
This looks like a fantastic book.
Please enter me in the contest!
Becky Carden
rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net
Linda Pinto says
Ruby Among Us sounds like such a touching and heartwarming story. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Megret says
Sounds like a touching story. Count me in!
c. clemens says
Enter me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Desmond says
Count me in!
Angela says
This sounds like an intriguing read and I would love to add it to our book collection. Thanks for offering it.
Angela
Michelle says
I would love to be entered. Thanks!
Amanda D. says
this looks like a really good book!
charline s says
Sounds like a great book. Everyone loves to hear stories about their grandparents and from their grandparents.
Bethany G. says
I have really been wanting to read this book, especially since I found out that Tina lives in WY. I lived there for 10 years and have many fond memories, and hope to go back someday.
Please enter me in the drawing! Thank you.
luv2read says
Enter me in the drawing. I would love to win.
spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Jessica says
I would love a new book. Having lost a parent it also looks like a good read!
Maja says
i like it. neat prize.
Angel says
i could use a new book
Ana says
very nice
Julie says
Please enter me! Sounds like a great summer read.
Doll Clothes Gal says
What a great review – i’d love to read this. Thanks.
susan varney says
just send it
Mama Zen says
Sounds like a fun read!
Wendy says
Of course I would love to win, but even if I don’t I’m definitely getting this book. Thanks for reviewing it!
Laurie Moudy says
Once you have children you realize that we all have a legacy to leave behind and I am trying to start journeling/writing letters to my twins. One day I will be gone and I want them to have stories to read to remember our life together. Another great book is The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright. It will inspire you. Thank you for the give-a-way.
Jenn S says
I am always looking for a good read. Thanks for a great contest!
Erma Hurtt says
I’d love something new to read
Cheryl Free says
I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Susan C says
This is my favorite type of story-please enter me.
Louise Brouillette says
I’d love to read this
melissa says
I would love to win!
Evelyn Murray says
I would love to win and read this book
Nikki says
This sounds like a great story. Please enter me.
Nikki
john a iavarone says
would love to win this ~ nice gift.
Marilyn says
This sounds like a touching book – thank you for the contest
Beth/Mom2TwoVikings says
Aw, man…first commenters never win. *wink* But, if I don’t leave one now, I’ll forget! LOL You can count me in!
Nora Scott-Platt says
This would be so fantastic and would capture my heart.
Dayna says
Looks good, I’d like a chance to win, thanks!
KGI says
I’d love to own this book! Sounds like a great read.
Mozi Esme's Mommy says
This book looks wonderful! And I have a US address.
Noreen says
sounds like a great story
Michele says
Please enter me…sounds like a great read!
Laurie says
I loved my Grandmother’s stories as well. She died a fews ago at age 89, when I was pregnant with my now two and a half year old son.
There is something about Grandparents with their stories and how things were back when they were younger.
Ruby Among Us sounds like it would be a great read.
Kisha says
This looks like a good read. Not what I would normally read but I’m up for a change.
tnchick says
Enter me to win, please. I’d love togive this to a friend for a RAK! =)
Ashley says
I’d love something new to read:)