Review of "The Knitting Circle" by Ann Hood

Ann Hood's "The Knitting Circle" was such a heartbreaking, but hopeful book. After the death of her young daughter, Mary is having a heard time getting back to life. Her grief is so overwhelming that it's destroying her marriage and affecting her career. In the midst of her grief, her normally absent mother sets her up with a friend who proceeds to teach her how to knit.

As Big Alice embraces Mary and brings her into her knitting family, Mary soon realizes that despite her grief, she is still able to feel compassion for her fellow wounded. She starts to realize the impact her grief is having on her judgement and that looks can be very deceiving when it comes to perfection.

I love the way each character unfolds and gives you the opportunity to get to know them, their grief, and how they knit their way into a less unhappy, almost happy, place.

If you have a small child, this book will break your heart. I can't imagine the depth of grief a mother feels when she loses her child. Hood does a phenomenal job of exploring grief, friendship and relationships.

Chick Lit Review 1--P.S. I love you by Cecilia Ahern

I watched the movie P.S. I Love You, and while I loved it, the general rule is that the book is usually better than the movie. And that's the case with this story. The movie basically rented the characters' names, but the story in the book is much better. I'm not a literary critic--if I like the book, I like it. If I don't, I don't. I'm not looking for subtle inferences and a dramatic denouement--I want a book that will keep me interested, make me cheer for the characters, and leave me wanting more at the end.

This story was Cecilia Ahern's first novel. She was in her early 20s at the time. Considering how young she was when she wrote the book, it's amazing how well she grasped the nuances of a young grieving widow. I also appreciated that she doesn't tie things up with a pretty bow, but addresses issues without preaching.

I'm definitely keeping this book in my library to reread. It's not the best I've read, but it's worth a second look.