JOY FOR BEGINNERS by Erica Bauermeister is on Tour

So proud to be hosting the TLC Book Tour for the newly released JOY FOR BEGINNERS.  Wanted to participate in this celebration as Erica Bauermeister’s THE SCHOOL FOR ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS is among those books I loved and continue to recommend to those looking for a read.

JOY FOR BEGINNERS opens with a group of women gathering for a victory dinner of sorts.  The hostess, Kate, was symbolically taking back her life from that of doctors, treatments and medicines for the last 18 months in her battle against cancer.  When you set this stage it can really be anyone’s story in anywhereville.

The night’s guests include: Daria, Marion, Sara, Hadley, Kate, Caroline and Ava.  A group of women connected through friendship, family ties, and proximity.  Interestingly enough, all of these women but Ava were united for Sara but their ties were then tested and repurposed when Kate became ill.

During the evening a conversation begins about Kate’s daughter, Robin, wanting the two o them to take a trip rafting in the Grand Canyon.  As the night progresses every member of the group believes Kate should take this trip and so it is agreed.  But Kate has a twist of her own prior to her acceptance.  She challenges the group to each take on one thing in the next year that is scary or difficult for them.  But because Kate did not get to pick hers, she gets to pick for each of them.  It was agreed.

Both the organization of this book her prior THE SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS probably is key to the charm that drew me in previously and yet again.  Each of the chapters focuses on one of the members of the circle of friendship and it allows Bauermeister to develop the character while filling in background, connections to others in the circle and then of course unveiling and completing Kate’s selection for them.

This circle of friendship is lovely and will make you treasure yours or want to be part of one.   This is a great summer read and I am lucky enough to be able to share it with by doing a book giveaway in conjuction with the tour.

To enter for a chance to win JOY FOR BEGINNERS by Erica Bauermeister (Putman Books, June 2011) please comment below, tweet me @poofbooks and for those less adventurous to the social media world no worries – send me an email at poofbooks@gmail.com.  Giveaway ends midnight EST July 5, 2011. US and Canada addresses only please. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail or tweetmail.