I'm a big fan of Debbie Macomber. But I got out of the habit of reading her books as I got caught up in reviewing books to purchase for the school library. Recently, my book club chose Debbie as an author pick for our February read. We all chose a different book to read. I actually chose God's Guest List (which I will be reviewing later), but Between Friends was one of the many I picked up on a impulse sweep through the library.This is a quick easy read about a life long friendship. The story is told through alternating view points using letters, news articles, and various announcements. I loved it! And it has inspired me to pick up the long lost art of letter writing. I teach primary sources to my 5th grade students. Letters are a perfect primary source, but with the advent of email and texting, combined with busy schedules, letter writing is truly a lost art. Though it is fiction, Between Friends is a lovely record of a lifelong friendship. That made me think about the friends I truly cherish (which due to my having been an Army wife for over two decades are all scattered across the country.) I don't know of anyone who actually keeps emails/texts. I'm constantly cleaning out my email box. So, when I'm gone, what record (primary source) will there be that I even had friends or any other aspect of my life? So, at least for this year, I'm going to work hard to make time for personal letters to the people I cherish. Thanks, Ms. Macomber for the inspiration.
I love books written differently -- one reason I liked the Guernsey book so much. It was in the form of letters between various characters. This one is letters, diary entries, excerpts from newspapers, notes passed in class, etc. and I really like something different in the light books I read.This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Usually, as I read a book, the closer to the end I am, the faster I read. Not this one. I didn't want it to end.The story to two girls/women and their friendship which begins in childhood and continues into their retirement. The author includes so many of the significant things from history in the story. I highly recommend the book.
Can I just say, I love it. Love love love love love it. It's funny, sad, romantic, and so cute. I wasn't even thought of when most of the book took place, but I still loved it. Lesly and Jillian remind me of me and my best friend, passing notes, talking about sucky guys, growing up together, dealing with family drama. Lesly was a bit weak for my taste, but that's what made her realistic, I guess. A lot of women in her situation would react like she did, staying silent, ignoring the facts, taking
—Bea
I liked this book and really enjoyed the way it was written, notes, journals, texts announcements and advertisements - different and really easy to pick up and put down. However, because I was on vacation, I kept reading. The women are portrayed as great friends as they were in this book,yet have gone on very different paths in life, I get it and love it!The two main characters have been friends since grade school so the story starts there and justgoes right through their life. Enjoyable, laughter and tears!
—Anne
This book is a compilation of letters sent mostly between two friends. Jillian and Lesley grew up in the state of Washington. It is also letters that they sent to friends, boyfriends, parents and then children. The chapters are divided up by years, beginning with 1948 through to about 2002. I felt an emotional connection between the women in this book, as I walked with them through the best and worst times in their lives. The only way I can describe it is finding a box of letters in the attic of someone's house, and learning their life story through them. I recommend the real book version compared to the e-reader version. The format was poor in the e-version, and some of the photos of life events were very small, and near impossible to read.
—Heidi
