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.
***********
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
Ruby sounds great! Sign me up!
Book sounds great! Enter me in the drawing!
Sounds like a great read. Sign me up!
Oops. I had one too many n’s in my URL in my last comment. Here is the correct one:
http://www.tinaannforkner.com
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.
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Looks like I great book. I’d love to have a chance to read it.
I’m always looking for a good book to read!
Seems like this is an interesting read!
I’m always searching for something new to read!
I love reading books like this, it sounds really good. Thanks for having the contest!
Sounds like a wonderful book to add to my summer reading list. Thanks for the contest.
Looks like a good read!
I love to read!
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.
My favorite thing in the world is a new book and time to read it!
I love to read and this sounds like a great book!
count me in please 🙂
I’d love something new to read.
I,ve been trying to fill my daughter in on her younger years, so she doesn’t just have a blank slate there.
Sounds like a great read! Count me in! Thank you for the contest!
I love to read! New books are exciting.
This sounds like a great book. I would love to win it.
I’m intrigued sounds like a great book.
This sounds like a very interesting read and I would love to have a new summer book to read.
I like books with good character development and strong female characters – looks like this one will fit the bill!
Please enter me!
Sounds like a great book.Something I’d like to read. Please enter me and thanks for the contest.
always looking for a new read!
I would like to read this.
I would love to win this book. It looks great!
I would love to win this prize.
Thanks so much!
I love to read!! Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance!!
Please enter me. Thanks!
I would like this!
my daughters always like to learn more about new books and authors.
herry123_us@live.com
enter me please
Seems like this would be a great read.
This sounds like a great book!
Thanks for the chance, I’m always looking for new books to read, and this one has caught my eye!
Sounds like good reading!
Sounds like a really good book!
what a great prize!!!!!
Sweet niblets!
Love to read this!
Looks like a great book!!
Please enter me!
just to cool
Many thanks for the possibility for relaxation and entertainment between the “hard covers”!!!!!! SW
I’d love to have a copy!
LOOKS LIKE A GREAT READ
I’ve been searching for new books to read this summer, this looks great!
Wow this sounds soooooooooooo good, hope I win so I can read it.
Nothing wrong with a good book! Thanks for the contest!
indyfree07@hotmail.com
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.
Sounds like a good one. Thanks.
Great prize.
Sounds like a great book! Count me in!
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 🙂
Sounds like a good book!
the book sounds great
I would like to win this. I love good books.
Sounds like a wonderful book. I’ll have to add that to my list!
Love reading! Looks like a great read!
I would love this! Thanks for you great site!
thanks for the chance to win
This would be a perfect ‘end of summer’ read for me!
You’ve convinced me that this is definitely worth reading. I’d love to win it!
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
I love to read and would love this book.
I love to read. i would really enjoy this!! Thanks for the chance!!
This would be a wonderful read for my sister-in-law and I.
i would love this
love 2 read
Love to win it. thanks
hope I win
would love to read this, love books, thanks.
wheeeeeee hope I win.
enter me
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!
My husband says that my reading addiction is breaking the bank. Please feed it.
I would love one. 😀
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!!
please count me in
This sounds like a good book.
So many people are getting away from reading.. it’s nice to see that others love to read as much as I. Wonderful prize
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).
I would love to win and read this book! Thanks!
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
sounds like an interesting read…please count me in!!! thanks :O)
Sounds like a good one!
i just finished my midnite book and i am ready for a new one
I would love to win a nice summer read. 🙂
Terrific
wow i can always use another book for when I travel
Looks great! I’d love to be entered!!
I love to read!
Sounds good to me !
like to win this
I love to read and this book sounds interesting! I hope I win!
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.
This sounds like a great one!
please enter my name – this sounds like a good summer read
I’d really like to read this interesting book!
Sounds like a good book!
I’d like to read a good book! Thank you for the chance.
Sounds like a really good book, one I would enjoy reading. Please enter me, and thanks!
This looks like a great summer read!
I love hearing about and finding new authors! Thank you for passing along another one!
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!!!
This book sounds like it would be a joy to read.
Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it.
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
Your description of the story made me want to read it. Hope I win! 😀
I’d love to win this. It sounds like a good read.
Sounds like a wonderful book!
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.
I would love to in this book!
I’ve heard this is a GREAT book!! 🙂
This sounds like a good read. thanks!
Thanks for the review. Would like to read this. =)
i love to read and this sounds good.
sounds good thanks for entering me
Add me! I’m always looking for a new book to read.
Sounds like a very good book! I’d love a chance, thanks!
I really need something good to read and this looks perfect…thanks for great contest! 🙂
Looks like a lovely book.
yes I need a new book desperately. Thanks for the giveaway.
This looks to be a good read.
Please enter me.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for offering it!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
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!
I would love to read Ruby among us.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win! (njeosys@juno.com)
Sounds like a great book!
Sounds intriguing.
Looking forward to reading this book! Sounds like a winner!
Hearing wonderful things about this book. Would love to read it. Definitely will need to get it if I don’t win it.
I would love to read Tina’s new book.
Sounds like a very good book and I love to read.
Love a good book. Count me in!!
Sounds like an interesting book!
Sounds fascinating!!! Would love to win!!!
Can’t wait to read this!
The story sounds really good! Please count me in to win.
Pick me
love to win this
this is a great contest
Sounds like a good story.
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.
Please enter me
What a wonderful prize!
I’d love to read something by an author I’ve nopt read before!
please enter me thanks, freebiegoddess03@aol.com
I would love to win this! Please enter me
Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
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.
I’ve been eyeing this book and would love to win it.
Yes please! I love a novel with well fleshed-out characters.
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
I need to read. It’s been a long time since I read anything for pleasure.
It sounds like a great read. I would love to win!
I’m a book freak and would love to read this!
I sure hope I win thanks
Very nice prize!
Count me in!
I love reading! This book sounds like a treasure! I would be so happy to win this!!!
Thanks for your fun site!
I need a good read. Would love it.
This sounds like a lovely sentimental story. I’d love the chance to read it.
Looks great, thank you!!!
This looks like a fantastic book.
Please enter me in the contest.
Thank you so much.
Becky Carden
This looks like a fantastic book.
Please enter me in the contest!
Becky Carden
rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net
Ruby Among Us sounds like such a touching and heartwarming story. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Sounds like a touching story. Count me in!
Enter me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Count me in!
This sounds like an intriguing read and I would love to add it to our book collection. Thanks for offering it.
Angela
I would love to be entered. Thanks!
this looks like a really good book!
Sounds like a great book. Everyone loves to hear stories about their grandparents and from their grandparents.
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.
Enter me in the drawing. I would love to win.
spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I would love a new book. Having lost a parent it also looks like a good read!
i like it. neat prize.
i could use a new book
very nice
Please enter me! Sounds like a great summer read.
What a great review – i’d love to read this. Thanks.
just send it
Sounds like a fun read!
Of course I would love to win, but even if I don’t I’m definitely getting this book. Thanks for reviewing it!
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.
I am always looking for a good read. Thanks for a great contest!
I’d love something new to read
I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
This is my favorite type of story-please enter me.
I’d love to read this
I would love to win!
I would love to win and read this book
This sounds like a great story. Please enter me.
Nikki
would love to win this ~ nice gift.
This sounds like a touching book – thank you for the contest
Aw, man…first commenters never win. *wink* But, if I don’t leave one now, I’ll forget! LOL You can count me in!
This would be so fantastic and would capture my heart.
Looks good, I’d like a chance to win, thanks!
I’d love to own this book! Sounds like a great read.
This book looks wonderful! And I have a US address.
sounds like a great story
Please enter me…sounds like a great read!
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.
This looks like a good read. Not what I would normally read but I’m up for a change.
Enter me to win, please. I’d love togive this to a friend for a RAK! =)
I’d love something new to read:)