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emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A beautifully written novel told completely through letters and emails. Thoughtful and full of insight on love, loss, family, aging, and the lost art of letter writing. At first I found Sybil a bit prickly, but I grew to love her and the many characters whose lives intertwine with hers. The audiobook performances were outstanding.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I already loved epistolary books and this made me love them even more deeply. There’s something about the format I find propulsive, eager to read a few more letters wherever I can. The characters all felt so real to me. I’m amazed at how the author wove together such intricate relationships and events over the course of a decade’s worth of letters/emails. Touched on many difficult topics and quandaries without it feeling unfocused or overwhelming. Witty and wise. Moved me to laughter and tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Genocide
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Absolutely loved this sweet novel! I’m a sucker for books made up of letters/emails, and thought the full cast performance of the audiobook made the experience all the better. I picked this book up on a whim and didn’t expect to become so engrossed, but once I started I was itching to keep reading! I loved these characters and how they slowly revealed themselves through tiny glimpses in prose. Themes of motherhood, regret, belonging, and finding community even in the “winter season” of one’s life were well done. This book makes me feel like I could just start a friendship anywhere, with one letter or one coffee date. This story was quite moving and I’m so glad I listened to it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Grief, Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love epistolary novels and audiobooks with a full cast of narrators so this was right up my alley. However, I did not anticipate how much this story would touch me deeply. Many tears were shed along the way. We go on quite a journey with Sybil in the “winter season” of her life. Told in snippets via letters she sends and receives yet it all feels very cohesive and comes together beautifully in the end. A story about love, friendship, grief, forgiveness, and that it’s never too late to open up to new experiences, step out of your comfort zone, make meaningful connections, etc. This was such a beautiful novel - and amazing audiobook. Highly recommend - grab a tissue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So good. A book told in letters to and from a somewhat elderly woman. Redemption and loss and love and books and all the big things I love to read about, beautifully told. I listened to the audiobook with different voices for all the different character/letter writers which made it especially nice. TW: child loss. There will be tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Infertility
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a lovely slice-of-life book.
Check trigger warnings, as there are some heavy topics in this book — though they’re handled with sensitivity and delivered in a light enough way that keeps the overall tone of the book from being too heavy or dark.
Check trigger warnings, as there are some heavy topics in this book — though they’re handled with sensitivity and delivered in a light enough way that keeps the overall tone of the book from being too heavy or dark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Infertility, Dementia, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Antisemitism, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Cancer