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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
After Bernadette Murphy's brother dies unexpectedly, her sister-in-law, Jenny finds the journal he has kept since childhood. Mark and Bernie had sworn as children to see all the places listed in his journal someday. Bernie is surprised when she looks through the journal and realizes that Mark had continued adding to it as an adult. Bernie convinces her mom and Jenny that they need to go on a road trip to visit every place listed in Mark's journal. Ashley, the 17-year-old daughter of Bernie's best friend, and Poindexter, Bernie's dog, join them for a 3 week trip in a borrowed RV. Each woman has something to learn along the journey.
This was such a heartwarming story. I didn't realize it was a sequel to Chasing Rainbows until I had finished it, but Counting Stars can easily be read as a standalone novel. Having spent over 12 years in Franklin, Indiana, I love that the town and the giant rocking chair at Long's Furniture got a shout out in the story. Kathleen Long writes incredible women's fiction, and I definitely look forward to reading more from her in the future.
I received a copy of this book through the FirstReads program.
This was such a heartwarming story. I didn't realize it was a sequel to Chasing Rainbows until I had finished it, but Counting Stars can easily be read as a standalone novel. Having spent over 12 years in Franklin, Indiana, I love that the town and the giant rocking chair at Long's Furniture got a shout out in the story. Kathleen Long writes incredible women's fiction, and I definitely look forward to reading more from her in the future.
I received a copy of this book through the FirstReads program.
This was a lovely story of finding self after life’s loss
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.
Counting Stars is a follow up title to Long's Chasing Rainbows. I wouldn't say sequel, although it certainly is, but follow up because it can be read as a stand alone and Chasing Rainbows is not required reading to pick this story up.
Bernie is blocked. She has writer's block and isn't sure what to do about it. 31 days, seven hours, and approximately 32 minutes ago her brother Mark had died from a sudden and unavoidable heart complication. She hasn't been able to write since then. The problem is writing is her livelihood, it's how she pays the bills. 31 days, seven hours, and 33 minutes after her brother Mark died suddenly his widow, Jenny, shows up in tears on Bernie's front porch. Carrying a book in her hand and babbling about not taking Mark seriously Jenny pushes the book at Bernie and flees back to her house and her children. It's Mark's "Bucket List" book - created long before bucket lists were a thing. And Bernie decides that the best way to unblock her writer's block and honor her brother is to travel his bucket list and mark it off for him. She manages to coerce her Mom, Jenny, and her best friend Diane, into riding along on this "in memoriam" adventure. With a body switch the day of departure, Bernie and the girls hit the road in an RV named Georgie and a lot of reluctance that this bucket list is going to do much good.
I really liked this book. It may partially be due to the fact that I just lost my Aunt, who died unexpectedly and entirely too young, and so living life to the fullest is at front and center of my heart and mind. It's also partially due to the intrigue of bucket lists and living them out. And Long's bucket list theme for Mark is especially intriguing to me. Cheesy but lighthearted and oh so fun. I want to take the trip and make those stops - and I hate road trips! So kudos to Long for making me want to hit the road, in an RV, and tour the nation for kitschy tourist stops. Long's characters are warm, relatable, and easy to empathize with. There are some important lessons about the grieving process woven into the story as well. All in all a really good read.
Counting Stars is a follow up title to Long's Chasing Rainbows. I wouldn't say sequel, although it certainly is, but follow up because it can be read as a stand alone and Chasing Rainbows is not required reading to pick this story up.
Bernie is blocked. She has writer's block and isn't sure what to do about it. 31 days, seven hours, and approximately 32 minutes ago her brother Mark had died from a sudden and unavoidable heart complication. She hasn't been able to write since then. The problem is writing is her livelihood, it's how she pays the bills. 31 days, seven hours, and 33 minutes after her brother Mark died suddenly his widow, Jenny, shows up in tears on Bernie's front porch. Carrying a book in her hand and babbling about not taking Mark seriously Jenny pushes the book at Bernie and flees back to her house and her children. It's Mark's "Bucket List" book - created long before bucket lists were a thing. And Bernie decides that the best way to unblock her writer's block and honor her brother is to travel his bucket list and mark it off for him. She manages to coerce her Mom, Jenny, and her best friend Diane, into riding along on this "in memoriam" adventure. With a body switch the day of departure, Bernie and the girls hit the road in an RV named Georgie and a lot of reluctance that this bucket list is going to do much good.
I really liked this book. It may partially be due to the fact that I just lost my Aunt, who died unexpectedly and entirely too young, and so living life to the fullest is at front and center of my heart and mind. It's also partially due to the intrigue of bucket lists and living them out. And Long's bucket list theme for Mark is especially intriguing to me. Cheesy but lighthearted and oh so fun. I want to take the trip and make those stops - and I hate road trips! So kudos to Long for making me want to hit the road, in an RV, and tour the nation for kitschy tourist stops. Long's characters are warm, relatable, and easy to empathize with. There are some important lessons about the grieving process woven into the story as well. All in all a really good read.
A touching novel, featuring four women and their search to restore balance to their lives. Bernie's brother Mark dies suddenly, leaving his widow, Jenny, their three kids and Bernie's mom, bereft and lost. Finding a journal Mark wrote, a bucket list of sorts listing strange sights across the country, inspires Bernie to take her Mom, Jenny, and her best friend's daughter on a journey on an RV. Many heartfelt moments, have a box of tissues ready.
I just finished reading Counting Stars by Kathleen Long. Bernadette “Bernie” Murphy wants to fulfill a dream of her brother's. Mark wanted to travel around the United States and see all the big attractions (biggest ball of twine, giant rocking horse, giant tea pot). Mark died before he was able to see the attractions he had listed in a journal. Bernie wants her sister-in-law, Jenny (Mark's wife), her mother, and best friend, Diane to go on a three week trip to see the sights. It will be an interesting journey.
Bernie borrows Georgie Girl (a 35 ft. motor home) from her neighbor’s brother. Jenny arranges supplies and organizes them. On the day of the trip, Diane shows up with her daughter, Ashley. Ashley is seventeen years old. Diane wants Ashley to go in her place. Then Aidan Kelly, neighbor and would be fiancé, shows up with Bernie’s dog, Poindexter. Aidan had agreed to watch Poindexter while Bernie was away on the trip. He feels the need to get away by himself. Aidan would also like Bernie to make a decision. He proposed weeks ago and has yet to receive an answer. Bernie has been wearing the engagement ring on a cord around her neck. Maybe time away will help Bernie make up her mind about Aidan.
Bernie, Jenny, Anne, Ashley, and Poindexter are in for the trip of a lifetime. They are hoping to visit twenty-eight landmarks in three weeks. Jenny has a detailed itinerary. It will be a journey that they will never forget.
Counting Stars had some good moments, but overall it was just an okay book. Would I purchase this book? The answer would be no. I enjoyed the large exhibits, the large RV, and Ashley with the knitting looms (I love knitting looms). I liked the meaning of the stars. They would gaze up at the star at night. The stars represent memories of the people we have lost and remind us of all the things to come in our lives. What a lovely thought. I was hoping that this book would be an enjoyable read, but I found myself skimming through a lot of it (I speed read through the boring sections). The book does contain a nice ending with good results for the characters. I just found the book lacking (boring). I give Counting Stars 3 out of 5 stars (which means it is just medium or vanilla).
I received a complimentary copy of Counting Stars from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out my blog for more details: http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/10/counting-stars.html
Bernie borrows Georgie Girl (a 35 ft. motor home) from her neighbor’s brother. Jenny arranges supplies and organizes them. On the day of the trip, Diane shows up with her daughter, Ashley. Ashley is seventeen years old. Diane wants Ashley to go in her place. Then Aidan Kelly, neighbor and would be fiancé, shows up with Bernie’s dog, Poindexter. Aidan had agreed to watch Poindexter while Bernie was away on the trip. He feels the need to get away by himself. Aidan would also like Bernie to make a decision. He proposed weeks ago and has yet to receive an answer. Bernie has been wearing the engagement ring on a cord around her neck. Maybe time away will help Bernie make up her mind about Aidan.
Bernie, Jenny, Anne, Ashley, and Poindexter are in for the trip of a lifetime. They are hoping to visit twenty-eight landmarks in three weeks. Jenny has a detailed itinerary. It will be a journey that they will never forget.
Counting Stars had some good moments, but overall it was just an okay book. Would I purchase this book? The answer would be no. I enjoyed the large exhibits, the large RV, and Ashley with the knitting looms (I love knitting looms). I liked the meaning of the stars. They would gaze up at the star at night. The stars represent memories of the people we have lost and remind us of all the things to come in our lives. What a lovely thought. I was hoping that this book would be an enjoyable read, but I found myself skimming through a lot of it (I speed read through the boring sections). The book does contain a nice ending with good results for the characters. I just found the book lacking (boring). I give Counting Stars 3 out of 5 stars (which means it is just medium or vanilla).
I received a complimentary copy of Counting Stars from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out my blog for more details: http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/10/counting-stars.html
I hope Reese Witherspoon takes an option on this book because I can't wait to see the movie. This novel was both humerous and heartwarming. Four women of three generations on a 3 week roadtrip in an RV, dealing with loss, grief, love, family, and friendship. I devoured it.
This was one of my Amazon books.....it was a good story. The plot was unique; the characters likeable. The only thing I didn't like was it seemed to drag at parts. I liked the ending overall -- I just wished it was a little shorter of a book.
This takes place 3 years after the events in [b: Chasing Rainbows|13123439|Chasing Rainbows|Kathleen Long|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328118328s/13123439.jpg|18299137], but can be read as a standalone. Wonderful story about dealing with grief, letting go and moving on. Sad but at the same time uplifting and even funny in parts. My second book by [a: Kathleen Long|399752|Kathleen Long|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1364602190p2/399752.jpg]. I'm definitely a fan now.
Great audio narration, too.
Great audio narration, too.
A death, a bucket list and an RV full of females and a dog
This book could have been morbid or sappy, but it wasn't. It was fun, sad, kitschy, sassy and real. I read and listened and thoroughly enjoyed both. This narrator is wonderful.
This book could have been morbid or sappy, but it wasn't. It was fun, sad, kitschy, sassy and real. I read and listened and thoroughly enjoyed both. This narrator is wonderful.