It starts with a package from UPS that arrives at Katherine Givens door. The timing is impeccable, Katherine’s favorite bra has finally after much use, developed a hole that is unrepairable. That’s just great. What else could go wrong? And why does a bra seem to bug Katherine so much???
Katherine opens the box and sees the unmistakable, always recognizable, red high tops of her friend Annie.
Annie.
Annie, Katherine’s oldest and dearest friend who touched the lives of so many. But Annie had died, and inside the shoes are Annie’s ashes and a note – that’s about to change everything – because in typical Annie style, Annie has one final request….
and she needs her best friends to be the “pallbearers.”
♥
I was drawn to this book as I always am to books on strong friendships. And a book on a friendship so strong that it even breaks down the barriers of death? Count me in on that read.
Katherine’s task (beyond purchasing a new bra), is to call the women that Annie has requested to gather in her name and take her ashes to the places she has mapped out for them. Everything is paid for, all the flights, hotels, food…. all they have to do is show up.
I loved the idea of this book. What a fun way to celebrate a life, and Annie did have a life as these women, who have never met before embark on this journey. It is a book about friendships – new and old, it is a book about healing, and a book about remembering. As the women travel to the places Annie has mapped out, not only do they learn a little bit more about who Annie was, but also about themselves.
The book…. had great potential. I imagined it would take me on a journey of friendships, the joyful parts, and the bitter-sweet. In parts, it did just that, but in other ways it missed the mark. Parts of the book were just too over the top for me. At times I just had to stop and think that the author had went too far and made some of the trip to unbelievable. I found this unfortunate because the idea behind the book is wonderful.
BOOKIES Review:
This book was also our book club read for June. For the most part, the girls agreed with what I mentioned above. For different reasons, most of us found something in the book that just went a bit too far.
There is a character in the book that is introduced mid way through the book and many of us felt that was an odd choice for the author, but on the other hand, maybe what was trying to be represented was an openness and grace that Annie would herself had extended had she been there.
On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the greatest), the Bookies as a whole rated this book a 2.5.
This book has been added to my Book Journey map (later today)
Amazon rating (coming soon)
Cover Story: The cover is truly eye-catching and draws you in wanting to know more.
I purchased this book from Amazon
Book Journey 
I love books about friendship too. Although the storyline is a little strange, I still think I’d like it…and I love the cover.
I liked what it was about Vicki – and thought how amazing to have friends like this that would take you to all the places you loved and in the mean time make new friendships. It just went a bit overboard.
My cousins and I are close friends as well. Very strong Friendships. We go on vacations together, in fact, weare getting together tomorrow for lunch.
This book sounds like a great read.
Rebecca- I think that is so wonderful! I truly value my friendships and squeeze in time with them whenever I can. I love that I have friends who are available for different things. I have work out friends, movie friends, coffee friends, lunch friends, phone friends, adventure friends, biking friends, oh – and lets not forget book friends. 😀
Hmm, it *does* seem, based on the synopsis / buildup like this could be a fabulous book. Sorry it didn’t live up to your expectations.
Hannah in book club I told the girls I wanted to take the book and re-write it. 🙂
That’s such a frustrating feeling, when I think I could have written the book better.
I totally understand exactly where you are coming from. I read this book a year or so ago and I thought that it was ridiculous in some parts. I think I gave it a two star rating….
Julie – it just went to far. There were moments when I just found it unbelievable.
I loved your review. Then, I read the title. I have that book on my shelf. What a coincidence! Can’t wait to read it.
Tea – oh good. OI have read no other reviews on it so would be super curious to see other opinions. 🙂
Such a good start until you mentioned the odd choice of character. Perhaps even more important to me then the plot, I need good characters that are well written to really enjoy a book.
Petty – yes I agree, I like my characters. The girl who they bring isnt so odd hereelf as just the fact that she is there. It is kind of random.
I have to admit I don’t read many books that center on friendships like that. But it’s too bad the book didn’t live up to its potential.
Trisha – we thought we were getting into a fun light read and while in ways it was – in other ways – well, you know.
Thanks for the review Sheila. At the beginning of your review, I was excited to read this book. Then the excitement faded, probably how you felt reading it. There is nothig worse than spending time reading a book and feeling like you could write it better. I’ve read many books like that and would rather not spend the time or money. The cover reminds me of Thelma and Louise. 🙂
Jill it was kind of a funny aha when I thought I could do this – I could fix this book. LOL
Its funny you mention Thelma and Louise as the fine print quote on the cover mentions Thelma and Louise too. 🙂
I thought the premise of this book sounded wonderful too. Too bad that the feasibility of some of the situations were too far-fetched to be believed!
I know Staci, it was almost there 😉
It’s too bad the book didn’t live up to its potential. It sounds like the author might be one to watch, though.
Kathy I just received for review her latest book (which surprised me because I had forgotten about it). It is also on women and friendships.
I think she had 4 or 5 books out, I will try her again.
Since I expected fluff when I started reading this book, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed getting into the spirit of a traveling funeral. My review last summer paired “Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral” with another book about a journey launched by an untimely death. Here’s the link: http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/death-and-traveling-theme-of-two-novels.html
Ooh thanks Bonnie – I have been hoping to read another take on this one 🙂
We have a lot of these such happenings(the way Anne wished her ashes were to be taken care of by her friends) going on here in India which is predominantly a Hindu country where the dead according to ancient customs are cremated. Many of my late family friends and teachers made special provisions of what to do with their ashes once they were no more. So I think this book can come up in my list of readings in the near future. Great review and yeah, I too love books as well as films based on friendships……..somehow, (only my opinion) I feel that at times the bond of true friendship is stronger that love and I have seen it at work.
Have you Sheila ?
Fiza I have seen this Fiza and my friends have brought me through some hard times. I do not have any (living) brothers or sisters Fiza so I tend to hold my friendships very close.
Interesting about the customs. I like the idea of how they traveled and put the ashes here and there in the places she loved most. It really is a good book as far as a way to really celebrate a life.
This really does sound like it had great potential. I love the title! But there are too many great books to spend time with one that disappoints.
Lisa I just received a book by this author for review so we will see how that one goes. 🙂
Lisa, it didn’t disappoint me! (See my comment two above yours.)
Bonnie I really liked your review. 🙂
Thanks, Sheila.
I loved this book. I loved how the women learned from each other and were able to continue experiencing new things with Annie.
I loved the bonding of the women too hippiechrissy and like how Annie put them together knowing that they would all mesh.
Bummer that this book didn’t live of to its full potential. I feel like it totally could have been awesome. Love the idea of the story. Thanks for the great review.
I think it could have been too Jennifer.
It’s too bad it didn’t live up to its potential. I like the idea of it.
Stacybuckeye I so agree! 😀