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Where You Left Me, a 5 Minutes for Books Review and Giveaway

August 28, 2011 by 5 Minutes for Books

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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It’s difficult to believe that the ten year anniversary of 9/11 is approaching. I’m sure that all of us remember the events of that day like they happened yesterday. I was working with a first grade student. When we came out of the room, I saw the guidance counselor and nurse glued to the television, watching the towers fall and the pentagon burn. I immediately gave thanks that my father had left an assignment at the pentagon months before. It was surreal, and I remember feeling like the world had turned upside down. I was twenty weeks pregnant and two days away from finding out the gender of my first baby. For weeks, my stomach was in knots, worried about bringing a precious little one into such uncertainty.

Of course, my experience pales in comparison to the nightmare of those who lost loved ones that day. While all of us grieved, we can only imagine the heartache of those who said good-bye to husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and children on the morning of 9/11, and never saw them again. In Where You Left Me, Jennifer Gardner Trulson tells her story. Madly in love with her husband, and blessed with of two beautiful children, Jennifer’s life was perfect. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Jennifer’s husband Doug kissed them all good-bye, and then he was gone. As Jennifer dropped her son off for his first day of preschool, she was blissfully unaware when the planes hit the towers. After being told that something had happened at the World Trade Center, Jennifer watched the towers collapse on television, and she knew immediately that Doug was dead.

Doug Gardner worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower. He was one of 658 Cantor employees to die that day, so Jennifer lost her husband as well as many, many friends. In the pages of Where You Left Me, Jennifer relates the details from the days and months that followed the attacks in a touching and poignant manner. She vividly shares the range of emotions she experienced: despondency, grief, anger, love, and even moments of joy and laughter. Ultimately, Jennifer finds hope and a new life. I was initally jarred by the timing of her new relationship, but Jennifer manages to move forward while continuing to honor the memory of her beloved husband.

I couldn’t put this book down. With her direct and honest style, Jennifer writes as though she is sharing this story with a friend. I laughed, cried, and remembered. This is a memoir worth reading, and I highly recommend it. With the anniversary approaching, we can’t help but recollect our feelings and experiences, and I am thankful that Jennifer took the time to share her story of loss, her story of resiliency, and her story of hope. We should never forget.

This memoir is so touching and relevant that I am adding it to the 5 Star Reads list at 5 Minutes for Books. Click over to see other titles that have earned this position, as our best of the best recommendations.

We have one copy of this book to give to one of our readers (U.S. addresses only). Please leave a comment on this post if you are interested. We’ll announce the winner on September 12.

The winners of Amish Values for Your Family are #46 Mirissa and #24 Marjorie.

5 Minutes for Books reviewer Lauren is a wife, mother of two, and an avid reader. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows.

Please read our interview with the author Jennifer Gardner Trulson if you are interested in why she decided to share her personal story in this memoir: On Reading: A Memorist Tells All at 5 Minutes for Books.

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About 5 Minutes for Books

5 Minutes for Books is the 5 Minutes for Mom sister site devoted to reviewing books for adults -- fiction, memoir, and nonfiction -- and kids of all ages.

Managed by Jennifer Donovan, other contributors are Dawn, Lauren, Nancy, and Elizabeth.

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55 Comments

  1. Ae says

    September 10, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    I read the first 40 pages while I was waiting for my daughter at B&N today. I was in tears reading Gardner’s story about her lated husband, ‘ the love of her life’. I ended up not buying the book, thanks anyways Barns&Noble.

    Reply
  2. Lynn Mayer says

    September 10, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Oddly enough, I am browsing some books links and found this while watching the memorial service on unveil the ‘Wall of Names” in Pennsylvania.

    Reply
  3. Christine says

    September 7, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    I would love to read her story.
    Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  4. Erika says

    September 7, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    I would love to read this story!

    Reply
  5. Staci A says

    September 7, 2011 at 10:09 am

    It sounds like a very emotional book. I’d love to read it.

    Reply
  6. Ellen C. says

    September 6, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    I’d like to win this book. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  7. Maureen says

    September 6, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    This sounds like a good book. Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)

    Reply
  8. Kayo says

    September 6, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Can’t wait to read this one. Definitely something to think about as 9/11 approaches.

    Reply
  9. semi-crunchy momma says

    September 5, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    I’d love to win this!!

    Reply
  10. Some Lucky Dog says

    September 5, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    I’d love to read this story, thanks for the chance to win!
    someluckydog at gmail dot com

    Reply
  11. Sharyl says

    September 5, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I would love to read this book.

    Reply
  12. Natalie says

    September 5, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    This book sounds touching. I will be reading this book, until the end. I usually don’t make it thru an entire book.

    Reply
  13. Missional Mama says

    September 5, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    I would be interested in reading her story!

    Reply
  14. welcome to our wonderland says

    September 5, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    this book looks great

    Reply
  15. Sandra K321 says

    September 5, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    I would definitely like to be included for this book. Thanks.

    Reply
  16. Stacie Gorkow says

    September 5, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Ive been wanting to read this too. If I don’t win I plan to purchase it.

    Reply
  17. Colleen Turner says

    September 5, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Wow, what a poignant memoir! As everyone else I can remember exactly where I was when the towers fell and it will always be with me. I cannot imagine what all the widows and widowers, orphaned children and parents who lost their children went through after this tragedy but I really do feel for them. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  18. riTa says

    September 5, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    I heard about this book!~ wow!

    Reply
  19. Bobbie Bevins says

    September 2, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Sounds like a very touching and inspiring story. I would love to read it.

    Reply
  20. Heather Allen says

    September 2, 2011 at 10:29 am

    I would love to read this book! To read about her strength and how she got through everything shows how much of a strong woman she is!

    Reply
  21. Carla says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    I would love to read her book. The more we learn from this tremendous tragedy, the more we can work to live and love better. It must take tremendous courage to share such personal feelings, and her work is a tribute to all of those who died in and suffered terribly as a result of that day.

    Reply
  22. Karen Propes says

    September 1, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Would love to read her story, so many people loss their loved ones, That would be an experience that you would have to be strong to contine their lives. Please enter me in to win this book.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  23. Natalie Krusemeier says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    Each story I read about 9/11 is both horrific and heartwarming. Each person experienced the horror differently and took something unique away. I can’t wait to read this.

    Reply
  24. MIaDenticeCarey says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    I’m very interested in reading this book! (Thanks for sharing…I’ll have to put this on my library list!)

    Reply
  25. mona says

    August 30, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    I like to read at lease One novel a year, (may not sound like much to some but that is my life). I have read that one, a fiction. I would love to read a true story and this book sounds good enough to make it two. I agree, WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET! Thank you for the such a nice Givaway.

    Reply
  26. melissa n says

    August 30, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    this sounds like a wonderful read, thanks for thechance

    Reply
  27. Erin says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:33 am

    I would love to read her story….I’m already deeply moved.

    Reply
  28. June says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:51 am

    This would truly be an interesting story to read about, I still cry and pray for all of the people that were lost on that horrible day. God Bless America-

    Reply
  29. Terumi says

    August 30, 2011 at 4:27 am

    Yes please-I would love to read this book!

    Reply
  30. Idaho Jill says

    August 29, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Just reading the review gave me goosebumps, so I would love to win her book, thanks!

    Reply
  31. Shannon says

    August 29, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    I’d love to win this book

    Reply
  32. Liz says

    August 29, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    This sounds like it would be an amazing read.

    Reply
  33. Tina says

    August 29, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I look froward to reading this memoir. Touching and heartfelt.

    Reply
  34. Maureen says

    August 29, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Love your reviews… would enjoy reading this book! Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)

    Reply
  35. Vilmarys says

    August 29, 2011 at 9:01 am

    I would love to read her story. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  36. hollowsins says

    August 29, 2011 at 3:45 am

    I would love to read this story-thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  37. Liz says

    August 29, 2011 at 1:02 am

    One of the most touching 9/11 books I’ve read is Love You, Mean It. Jennifer’s Where You Left Me sounds a similar note of hopeful survival in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

    Reply
  38. Susan P. says

    August 29, 2011 at 12:47 am

    Thanks for the giveaway of this book. Even if we do not know anyone personally who died that day, we can all relate.

    Reply
  39. Barbie says

    August 28, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    I would love to read this book!

    Reply
  40. Erin says

    August 28, 2011 at 9:45 pm

    This would be a great read

    Reply
  41. Tonya says

    August 28, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    This sounds like a great read!

    Reply
  42. MariaS Handmade Love says

    August 28, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    I forgot to leave my email: [email protected] Thank you!

    Reply
  43. MariaS Handmade Love says

    August 28, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    My husband lost his best friend on Sept 11. He also worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. He left behind his wife and a young daughter. Not one day goes by that he does not think about his friend. Like Jennifer, his wife knew when the towers fell that her husband was not coming back. I would absolutely LOVE to read her story. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.

    Reply
  44. Anita Yancey says

    August 28, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    I would love to read this book. Thanks for this chance.

    Reply
  45. Amy says

    August 28, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win. I’ll never forget that day. It was so surreal, walking around my college campus and seeing all the people who didn’t know yet – feeling like I should tell them something, but not knowing what to say.

    In my geology class, someone said what had happened, and a girl screamed, “My dad works at the World Trade Center!” as she ran out. We didn’t all have cell phones, then. I don’t know what happened to her, or to him.

    Reply
  46. Robin george says

    August 28, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    As I wrote on Jennifer’s Facebook wall, as a middle school teacher in the mountains of Maine, one could not seem farther away fromnyc. But on that day, I wanted to be home with my kids and husband around me. That night, as we sat glued to the tv – horrified but unable to turn away – I saw an interview with Jennifer. Her pain pierced me. She called her husband, Doug, “a delicious man.” my heart ached for her, and I did not forget her. Over the past ten years, I’ve thought of her and hoped she again found peace and joy. I am so happy to learn that she has and I look forward to reading this memoir. I know I will find it inspiring.

    Reply
  47. Kim says

    August 28, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    This sounds really good, I would love to win.

    Reply
  48. Tiffany M in MS says

    August 28, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    Sounds like a lovely book. Would love to read it.

    Reply
  49. Gail says

    August 28, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Sounds interesting, I would love to read this.

    Reply
  50. Elizabeth Mahlou says

    August 28, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Thanks for pointing out what sounds like an interesting read. I will be traveling on 9/11 this year. Hope it is a boring experience.

    Reply
  51. Shelley Tomich says

    August 28, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    I would love to read her story.

    Reply

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