2024 the best books review

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(as of Dec 01, 2024 03:26:14 UTC - Details)

THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT - A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly best seller

Look for Lisa Wingate’s powerful new historical novel, The Book of Lost Friends, available now!

“Poignant, engrossing.” (People) “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.” (Paula McLain)

Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge - until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents - but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals - in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country - Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

Publishers Weekly’s Number Three Longest-Running Best Seller of 2017 Winner of the Southern Book Prize If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection

Reviewer: muralmum
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Wonderful book about family love and the evil that tries to take it away....
Review: When I first started reading this book, it didn't grab me and it was not because it wasn't well-written, it just somehow lacked what I call: The "hook". But I picked it up again and started to realize that my impatience almost kept me from reading a truly wonderful book. The novel shifted between 2 characters and each of their chapters grew more interesting . Some were heartbreaking , sad, angering and even educational because this author's theme had a true and historical premise to it. It is a book of many characters and families intertwined in past history and secrets and the ending reveals a fact that family love and its strong bond never dies. I highly recommend this book not only because it is well-written, but well researched to deliver an incredible and fulfilling read.

Reviewer: Susan P
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This book grabs your heart !
Review: I couldn’t put this book down. Heartbreaking and joyful, characters are wonderful and you feel like you’re living right along side them. I can’t remember the last time I read a book that touched me so much. Highly recommended. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

Reviewer: Emaa Wanders
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Engrossing story
Review: Rills story is much stronger than Avery's, so much happened to her and Avery is basically a catalyst for finding out what that was. Rill is also a much stronger character she is feisty and smart and you can't help but connect with and support her. Avery is likeable enough and she is in an interesting situation with her life, and the choices she has to make but for me it was Rill and her siblings all the way.I liked the setting for Rills story, I knew nothing about river shantyboats, 'river rats' as they were called, or life on the river in this era and I found this to be very engrossing. I also knew nothing of the scandal involving the Tennessee Children's Home Society or Georgia Tann and it was a revelation and a shock to say the least. Life can turn on a dime, no doubt about it.This was a book club selection and like many of the books selected by my fellow Page Turners I would not have read this except that one of them picked it. I enjoyed this one and many others for that reason.

Reviewer: Sheriberi
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fantastic Book
Review: I loved this read. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it but when I did, I went back and reread from the beginning. This book was so well written. It broke my heart for these kids then after I researched it. It made me more sad for all these young people. Great book.

Reviewer: GreanBook
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Unveiling the Past
Review: "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate is a poignant journey through one of the darker corridors of American history, woven into a compelling narrative that captures the essence of hope and survival against all odds. This novel, set against the backdrop of the 1939 Memphis scandal involving the Tennessee Children's Home Society, not only sheds light on a grievous chapter in history but does so through the powerfully drawn lives of its characters.Lisa Wingate's narrative technique seamlessly alternates between the past and the present, telling the story from two perspectives: the historical plight of the Foss children and the contemporary quest for truth by Avery Stafford. This dual storyline enriches the narrative, offering a layered exploration of family, identity, and the impact of secrets carried through generations.The characters are exquisitely crafted, with Rill Foss standing out as a memorable protagonist whose resilience and protective instincts make her tale heartbreakingly compelling. The modern-day storyline featuring Avery adds a layer of investigative intrigue and connects the past to the present, making the reader ponder the long-lasting effects of familial bonds and decisions made under duress.The emotional depth of "Before We Were Yours" is its strongest suit, meticulously capturing the pain, betrayal, and eventual healing of the characters involved. Wingate's respectful approach to the historical elements and her skillful weaving of fiction and fact ensure the novel is both educational and engrossing.However, readers should be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this book presents. The harrowing experiences of the children are difficult to read but essential for understanding the depth of their courage and the strength of their hope.Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours" is a must-read for those who appreciate historical fiction that speaks to the heart as well as the mind. Its beautifully tragic narrative and strong emotional core make it a memorable addition to the genre, worthy of its critical acclaim and the extensive readership it has garnered.

Reviewer: C. Peterson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: exceptional story
Review: I loved this book and couldn’t stop reading it as I got hooked on the lives of Avery and May (Rill) juxtaposed against each other but separated by several generations. It was easy to visualize the lives of May on the riverboat shanty, at the orphanage and with the Seviers and finally as the elderly nursing home patient. What a wonderful engaging story- bummed when it ended. Want to see what happens with Avery and Trent and her Senator dad and extended family.

Reviewer: M
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Compelling
Review: Children snatched from their homes to be sold to desperate, wealthy clients who want children of their own. Fiction based on real life organizations.While the story tugs at one's heartstrings, it is uplifting to see the power of family love and endurance. Great read!

Reviewer: Lisa Graziano
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Historical Fiction Based on Georgia Tann's Era
Review: I liked the story. It was a powerful story about 7 siblings taken away from their parents illegally. As they grew up, they went their own ways. Georgia Tann of Tennessee Children Home Society made money off them. Over time, they eventually found their way back to each other. It broke and uplifted my heart at the same time. I would recommend for anyone interested in history or mystery or crime drama. And it was a darn good story!

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This book would not allow me to put it down on several occasions. The fact that it's loosely based on a very real and problematic time in history makes it all the more interesting. The author did an excellent job of allowing us to "see and hear" all the characters very clearly. Many times I found myself holding my breath at what I was afraid might happen next. So well written. Such an awful history.

Reviewer: teodoro rodriguez
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Una lectura increible y muy interesante, que te hace pensar en el por que de los acontesimientos ocurridos. Muy recomendable

Reviewer: Linda Turner
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Brilliant writing. Fadt paced & based on a true story. Highly recommended

Reviewer: Jesal J
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: After such a long time, I have come across a book I couldn’t put down! And it is so beautifully written and heartbreaking, to imagine the horror of the situation and the children’s plight. This is a book that’ll shake you, but also make you fall in love with it, with each of the carefully drawn characters. One of my best reads in what I feel has been ages!

Reviewer: Anna
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a well told story with relevant historical facts. Would definitively recommend this book!