I had great anticipation for The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen. Rebecca has been a huge supporter of Great Thoughts. I met her on Twitter through Beth Hoffman, the amazing author of Saving CeCe Honeycutt. Rebecca and I have corresponded via Facebook, Twitter and email several times a week. There has been a lot of hype about her upcoming book. I was nervous though- what if I love the author and didn’t like the book? Alas, I had NOTHING to worry about. By page 3, when I read the following quote, I was hooked-
“People who drive minivans usually know where they are.” (p.s. I drive a minivan!)
The Bird Sisters is the story of two amazing characters Twiss and Milly. If you have or had an eccentric old aunt in a small town, you will immediately love these sisters. As they get older, they are known as The Bird Sisters as they heal or bury hurt or deceased birds. (Told you they were eccentric!) The story alternates from their youth to their old age. The character development is SO good that you feel as if you know all of the nuances of Twiss and Milly, and there are oh so many nuances. When they are young, their family is falling apart. Their father is a golf pro who loses his touch and no longer can play golf. Their mother was from a well to do family and has trouble adjusting to her ne’er do well husband’s lack of income.
Then, Milly and Twiss’ cousin Bettie comes to visit. Despite Bettie’s health issues, her visit causes a series of incidences that mold the family’s future. I really wish I could tell you what happens because the plot thickens so dramatically but I won’t ruin it for you. RUSH to buy this book when it comes out on April 12, 2011 so we can discuss what happens. This book will be a book club’s delight as there are SO many things to discuss.
Since I won’t ruin the story for you, the following are words/phrases that come to mind with this book:
-Poignant
-Funny
-Selfless
-Unrequited love
-Tearjerker (I never ever cry in books and I teared up in Chapter 30 on page 277.)
A few of my favorite quotes:
“The book I’m reading says if you want to be as thin as a stalk of celery, then that’s what you should be eating. I’m not sure I want to look like celery, but I know I don’t want to look like a biscuit.” (Maybe Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers should license this statement!)
“Bone china is like your heart. If it breaks, it can’t be fixed.”
“That was one of the few marvelous things about aging- Twiss could travel from here to there without having to go anywhere at all.”
“..Mrs. Bettle’s aloneness made her more annoying and more ottoman shaped than she would have been.” (I love ottoman shaped!)
My dear friend Rebecca has written one hell of a book. I can’t wait for you to read it.
What are you reading and where are you going?
Oh Andrea, this absolutely captures the heart of the book and I am so thankful to you for reading the book and writing about it in such a lovely way. Thank you. You are such a wonderful reviewer and now friend.
Your Comments
Oh, this book sounds wonderful! The sisters remind me of two eccentric old women in our small town when I was a kid…my mother and grandmother called them “the old maids.” They were definitely unique and eccentric.
This book is going on my wish list.
Here’s MY SUNDAY SALON POST
I cannot remember the last time I have anticipated a book more.
I just knew you’d love it. It’s one of my favorites!
Your Comments
I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the review.
Yay! Rebecca is the absolute sweetest, and I’m so glad you loved this one. I’m anxious to hear more about Twiss and Milly — sister books are often my favorites. So excited to start The Bird Sisters!
Like everyone else, I cannot wait to read this book! I’m so excited that Rebecca is coming to give a reading in Columbia, MO on May 1, and I am really looking forward to meeting her.
[...] pies. Visit Rebecca at http://www.thebirdsisters.com. My review of The Bird Sisters can be found here. Loved, loved, loved [...]
Can not wait to pick one up .I have wine:)
[...] I have been reading The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen for an online book club and I got to say that I love it. I have not finished it yet, so I will not have my review on it until next week. However, if you want a sneak peek, a good review on it can be found here. [...]
I’m loving this book. On one hand, I feel like I should hurry and finish it by the 9th. On the other hand, I’m languishing because I never want it to end.
It’s a conundrum.