Tuesday, September 28, 2010

THE GOOD DAUGHTERS: REVIEW AND BONUS ENTRIES


GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE GOOD DAUGHTERS
BY JOYCE MAYNARD
MY REVIEW: 
THE GOOD DAUGHTERS by Joyce Maynard is the second of her books I have read and I really enjoyed it maybe even more than her earlier LABOR DAY. It is the kind of book you will want to read and not put down, so plan ahead. Although Ruth Plank and Dana Dickerson were born on the same day in the same hospital, that is just about all the girls have in common as far as their families and lifestyles go. 

Ruth is a good girl and grows up to be an artist with a deep artistic flair and imagination. Her home area is about the only thing she has ever known as she remained near home and family for most of her life. Dana, on the other hand is a scientist and her family were always on the move so her dream would be to have some place to permanently call home. That being said, Dana yearly spends time near Ruth, and their families get to know one another and the girls interact throughout their lives.

Although they are different in most every way, they both want to find out where they truly belong as they both have always felt they were different and didn't quite fit in where they were. One other thing they have in common is their love (albeit a different kind for each of them) for Ray, who happens to be Dana's older brother.

Maynard tells their story by alternating who is narrating every other chapter. The comparison is interesting as it followed them as young children to their adulthood. The girls both relate about times of happiness and sadness alike. Neither is close to their mother and although one comes from a large farm family and the other a largely dysfunctional one, they both have more in common then you might think. Their search for peace and their place in the world leads to a story that pulls you in and most importantly makes you care for these finely drawn characters. 

The story winds around and without giving much more away, leads readers to a satisfying conclusion that I am fairly sure you will figure out early on, or at least suspect. However, it doesn't make the read any less compelling as you want to follow along just to watch how the climax of the story does come together. THE GOOD DAUGHTERS makes for a good story that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND MY FRIENDS 
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 2 COPIES OF THIS WONDERFUL
NEW BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
READ MY REVIEW AND COMMENT ON ONE REASON YOU MIGHT LIKE TO WIN AND READ JOYCE MAYNARD'S NEW BOOK THE GOOD SISTERS


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU ARE NOW ENTERED IN FROM MY BLOG

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON IF YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG AND HOW. EACH WAY YOU FOLLOW MUST BE ENTERED SEPARATELY IN ORDER TO COUNT AS INDIVIDUAL VOTE
GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 29!
GOOD LUCK!

73 comments:

Icedream said...

I love books about friendships and I am a huge fan of Joyce Maynard. I also fell in love with Labor Day (and The Usual Rules).

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

Icedream said...

I am entered to win Freedom (audio book). I am a huge fan of almost all of Oprah's book club choices so I am looking forward to trying this one.

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

Icedream said...

I follow on GFC.

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

Icedream said...

I also subscribe on my google reader.

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

debbie said...

Your review was very good. I liked that the story is told from two different perspectives. I would like to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered just one taste giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Heather said...

New follower here! I can't wait to go through your reviews and giveaways!

bermudaonion said...

You've made me really excited about this book since I loved Labor Day! No need to enter me.

g.g. said...

I love Maynard's writing and this sounds like another good one

anjamie4 at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I entered for Comfort of Apples

anjamie4 at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I am a GFC follower

anjamie4 at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I subscribe via email

anjamie4 at gmail dot com

traveler said...

I am intrigued with this story. The characters and the sisters aspect always is interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Comfort of Apples. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This compelling novel sounds memorable. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Just One Taste. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Margie said...

I'd like to see how the two very different girls interact with each other. Alternating viewpoints in the novel sounds like an interesting approach.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I entered the Huck giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

-blog follower via GFC
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

-email subscriber
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

your blog on Networked Blogs list
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Colleen Turner said...

Thank you so much for the review! I love the idea of two girls being born on the exact same day, but growing up and living completely different lives. I can't wait to see how they interact during the book!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the A Secret Kept giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Networked Blogs follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am an email subscriber.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Facebook friend (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks!
candc320@gmail.com

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

After reading your review I am very curious as to why these two girls have more in common than one would think. I'm wondering if there is a secret there that unravels? Sounds like an excellent read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy and for the great review!

bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

+1 I am also a google follower

bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

CMash said...

The part in your review that states "the kind of book you will want to read and not put down".
CMash
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

CMash said...

Your bday bash giveaway.
CMash
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

CMash said...

Am a google friend connect follower.
CMash
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

CMash said...

Am an email newsletter subscriber.
CMash
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com

Sarah said...

I think this sounds like such a great read! I like that they were born on the sam day but are totally different.

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I am a email subscriber

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I am a google follower

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I am a facebook fan

foxchick0323@live.com

Anonymous said...

I am interested in thios book because of the two girls born on the same day in the same hospital.
My son, Justin was born on the same day as a baby named Jason. His mother and I were good friends but have lost track when I moved to California.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Sarah said...

I entered HANDY MANNY 3 BOOK SET

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I entered THE GOOD DAUGHTERS



foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I entered THE COMFORT OF APPLES


foxchick0323@live.com

Anonymous said...

I also entered 'Katie, Up and Down the Hall'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Teresa said...

I've been wanting to read this one.

teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog via FB.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Teresa said...

I am a GFC follower.

teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog with GFC.



CarolNWong(at)aol.com

Anonymous said...

I also follopw this blog with Twitter.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

+5 SWAG



CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I would enjoy how the book alternates between the 2 characters and how their lives are different yet intertwined.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I am entered into your birthday bash giveaway.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I follow your blog via google friend connect.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)Com

Nancye said...

I would like to read/win this book because it sounds really good. It will be interesting to see how the 2girls' relationships change over the years.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I entered the giveaway for the book Bill Warrington's Last Chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Twitter
@NancyeDavis

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Networked Blogs

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I subscribe via RSS Feed

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Renee said...

the contrast between the characters sounds like it will make a good read.

reneesuz82(at)msn.com

Unknown said...

It sounds like a very good book about friendship. I would love to read it. I love reading about friendship. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

gcpeach17 said...

Thank you for the review. You mentioned the alternating perspectives every other chapter which should make it very interesting. I already suspect there must be a secret of some kind in this book & cannot wait to find out.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I entered the 'Two Lethal Lies' giveaway.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I am a follower in Google Reader.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Linda Kish said...

Your review made it sound very interesting. How they are the same even though they are so different.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered the Just One Taste giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

bison61 said...

it would be interesting to read how they grow from young children to their adulthood and relate back to each other

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY