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5 Minutes for Books — Ruby Among Us

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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

Reader Interactions


217 Comments

  5. 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.

  11. I love reading books like this, it sounds really good. Thanks for having the contest!

  12. Sounds like a wonderful book to add to my summer reading list. Thanks for the contest.

  15. 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.

  20. I,ve been trying to fill my daughter in on her younger years, so she doesn’t just have a blank slate there.

  25. This sounds like a very interesting read and I would love to have a new summer book to read.

  26. I like books with good character development and strong female characters – looks like this one will fit the bill!
    Please enter me!

  27. Sounds like a great book.Something I’d like to read. Please enter me and thanks for the contest.

  39. Thanks for the chance, I’m always looking for new books to read, and this one has caught my eye!

  48. Many thanks for the possibility for relaxation and entertainment between the “hard covers”!!!!!! SW

  54. 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.

  58. 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 🙂

  67. You’ve convinced me that this is definitely worth reading. I’d love to win it!

  80. My husband says that my reading addiction is breaking the bank. Please feed it.

  82. 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!!

  85. So many people are getting away from reading.. it’s nice to see that others love to read as much as I. Wonderful prize

  86. 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).

  88. 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

  100. 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.

  106. Sounds like a really good book, one I would enjoy reading. Please enter me, and thanks!

  108. I love hearing about and finding new authors! Thank you for passing along another one!

  109. 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!!!

  116. 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.

  125. I really need something good to read and this looks perfect…thanks for great contest! 🙂

  130. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for offering it!
    ~Tanya
    the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com

  131. 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!

  137. Hearing wonderful things about this book. Would love to read it. Definitely will need to get it if I don’t win it.

  149. 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.

  156. 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.

  159. 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

  166. I love reading! This book sounds like a treasure! I would be so happy to win this!!!
    Thanks for your fun site!

  168. This sounds like a lovely sentimental story. I’d love the chance to read it.

  170. This looks like a fantastic book.

    Please enter me in the contest.

    Thank you so much.

    Becky Carden

  171. This looks like a fantastic book.

    Please enter me in the contest!

    Becky Carden
    rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

  172. Ruby Among Us sounds like such a touching and heartwarming story. Please enter me in the giveaway.

  176. This sounds like an intriguing read and I would love to add it to our book collection. Thanks for offering it.

    Angela

  179. Sounds like a great book. Everyone loves to hear stories about their grandparents and from their grandparents.

  180. 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.

  190. Of course I would love to win, but even if I don’t I’m definitely getting this book. Thanks for reviewing it!

  191. 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.

  202. Aw, man…first commenters never win. *wink* But, if I don’t leave one now, I’ll forget! LOL You can count me in!

  209. 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.

  210. This looks like a good read. Not what I would normally read but I’m up for a change.