Thursday, September 20, 2012

Book Beginnings on Friday and Friday 56: Coming of Age ... Again


Coming of Age...AGAIN

COMING OF AGE ... AGAIN by Carol Mizrahi is my featured book this Friday.

Genre: Women's Fiction
Length: 234 Pages
Amazon Link: Kindle & Paperback

BOOK BEGINNING:
It is quite possible that if Miss Thompson had been an altogether different kind of person, Irene, Sylvia, Barbara, and Rochelle would not have become lifelong friends. One can only guess about that, but what we do know is that the kindergarten teacher's autocratic style and stern demeanor brought them together and created a bond that lasted for over fifty years.

FRIDAY 56:
The throw pillows never moved, and her collection of Nancy Ann Storybook dolls, standing on bookshelves, never changed position. Day after day, year after year, nothing new was added and nothing old was subtracted.
(This book is on my Kindle, so I estimated where the 56th page might be.)

MY IMPRESSIONS:
There were lots of funny scenes in this book, and I loved the characters. The idea of lifelong friendship between four women -- from kindergarten to their early sixties -- really appealed to me. I'll admit that sometimes I'd get impatient when one of the women let her children take advantage of her, but I also understood how that could happen. I came to care about the characters and cheered when they took charge of their lives.  


Anybody can participate in Book Beginnings and Friday 56. 
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- Sandy Nachlinger

23 comments:

  1. Loved this book!And though I don't review books, made an exception for this one. Good to see it here and glad you liked it too!

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    1. I saw your book review, and that's why I decided to read this book. Thank you!

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    2. And am I glad you (both) did.

      And, Sandy, besides a TY for the fine review of my novel, "Coming of Age...AGAIN," reading the synopsis of "I.O.U SEX" made me wax nostalgic and think fondly back on what we labeled "P.T." That was as much fun as a girl could have -- back then.

      Carol

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    3. Thanks for stopping by, Carol. It's always fun when an author leaves a comment too!

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  2. I hadn't heard of this book but I do love the synopsis! Also, that must have been one hell of a teacher if they stayed friends that long! Thanks for sharing :)
    http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/vonneguts-friday.html
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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    1. Miss Thompson definitely made an impression on those young girls, and I think they affected her too (especially one of them!)

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  3. This sounds like my kind of read...maybe because I'm old enough to have had friends for many, many years...lol

    Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST

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    1. I could definitely relate to the friendship between these women. We're lucky to have had lifelong friends, aren't we?

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  4. This looks like a good book, I will have to check it out.

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  5. The 56 sounds like she is content with her life. Some say monotony is boring, I say monotony is contentment.

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  6. Hi Sandra,

    I have to get my hands on a copy of this book, I love everything about it, including that lovely cover art, a fantastic debut novel, judging by all the five star reviews it has been amassing!

    I can remember my first infant school teacher, Miss Clarke, however I can honestly say that I have never kept in touch with any of my old schoolfriends and after 40 years+, I probably wouldn't recognise them if I passed them in the street!

    I love books, where several characters individual stories are told independently, then come together for the finale.

    Thanks for the recommendation,

    Yvonne

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    1. Although I was raised in the South, have never attended a bar mitzvah, and have never played a game of mahjongg, I got a kick out of these characters and their lives. Their stories are universal.

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  7. I can't tell whether the opening is viewing Miss Thompson as a good or a bad teacher, but I suppose it's good if it caused those girls to have lasting friendships.

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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    1. Good point, Chris! Actually, she was a rigid, unyielding teacher and that caused the girls to bond.

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  8. I really like the beginning and I think I would like this book. Female bonding books are usually a fun read. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.

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    1. In several comments people have said they like books about female friendships. So I can't resist a plug for my own book, I.O.U. SEX. The three women in it have been friends since 8th grade.

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  9. This is the kind of book I love and I'm going to have to check it out. Thanks for letting us know about it!

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    1. I think it will make you laugh -- and that's always good!

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  10. This one sounds interesting even though it is in a genre that I almost never read. I'll have to keep it in mind. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. The title just made me laugh! Sounds like a nice chatty book ...

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  12. Sandy,
    I love it and it seems you find these stories and have written one with bonding relationships. In fourth grade I had a teacher whose name was Mrs. Means and she appeared to be mean but she actually taught me the meaning of friensdship bonding.
    Thanks for the memories.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad I could bring back some good memories for you.

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