Tell a friend about this book...
Friend's Email:
Subject: I have found a book that I think you would enjoy
Member $avings: $16,092,902.52
|
Books Available: 4,138,564
|
Members Online: 802
Your source for swapping books online - Read...Swap...Save!
How To Swap Books?
Sign Up
Search 
Kiosk
All Books
Book Browser
Advanced Search
Books Posted Today
Member Book Reviews
NYT Best Seller List
Newbery Medal Winners
Pulitzer Prize Winners
Most Traveled Copies
Club Wish List
Login
Community
Member Directory
Discussion Forums
Blog
Donations
Live Chat (1)
Box-O-Books
Book Journal
Maps
The Eclectic Pen
Fun Stuff
Top 50s
Pulse of PBS
Spread The Word
Photo Gallery
Recipes
Club Tag Cloud
Member Testimonials
Help Center
Kiosk
Need Help?
Search - The Year of Pleasures
|
The Year of Pleasures Author: |
|
|||
Book Information
|
|||||
Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio CD, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Book Description:
In this rich and deeply satisfying novel by the beloved author of The Art of Mending, and Open House, a resilient woman embarks upon an unforgettable journey of adventure, self-discovery, and renewal.
Betta Nolan moves to a small town after the death of her husband to try to begin anew. Pursuing a dream of a different kind of life, she is determined to find pleasure in her simply daily routines. Among those who help her in both expected and unexpected ways are the ten-year-old boy next door, three wild women friends from her college days, a twenty-year-old who is struggling to find his place in the world, and a handsome man who is ready for love.
Elizabeth Berg's The Year of Pleasures is about acknowledging the solace found in ordinary things: a warm bath, good food, the beauty of nature, music, friends, and art. "Berg writes with humor and a big heart about resilience, loneliness, love, and hope. And the transcendence that redeems," said Andre Dubus about Durable Goods. And the same could be said about The Year of Pleasures.
Betta Nolan moves to a small town after the death of her husband to try to begin anew. Pursuing a dream of a different kind of life, she is determined to find pleasure in her simply daily routines. Among those who help her in both expected and unexpected ways are the ten-year-old boy next door, three wild women friends from her college days, a twenty-year-old who is struggling to find his place in the world, and a handsome man who is ready for love.
Elizabeth Berg's The Year of Pleasures is about acknowledging the solace found in ordinary things: a warm bath, good food, the beauty of nature, music, friends, and art. "Berg writes with humor and a big heart about resilience, loneliness, love, and hope. And the transcendence that redeems," said Andre Dubus about Durable Goods. And the same could be said about The Year of Pleasures.
Members who requested this book also requested:
Similar books to this author and title:
 |  |  |  |
Genres:
- --
Top Member Book Reviews
Kathryn (
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wonderful, WONDERFUL book! Book of grief and rebirth, friendship, and renewal. I loved it! Absolutely one of my favorite Berg books. Deals with starting over after the loss of a spouse.
Trisha (
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have just found my newest favorite author! I can't even begin to say enough good things about this book! It is a wonderful story about a woman who loses her husband to cancer, and how she learns to live without him. The author has a way of making you think about your life and the everyday things that we take for granted or fail to notice. I even considered not posting this book so that I could keep it with my own treasures, but it seems such a shame to not share it. I hope that those of you who read it enjoy it as much as I did!
Lauren T. (
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the author's more simplistic novels, nevertheless very well-written and enjoyable. Very good insight into a newly-widowed woman's new beginnings.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
A beautiful little book about a woman honoring her husband's memory by trying new things after he dies. For another well-written, but true, story of a woman coping with widowhood, try Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a warm,sensitive read regarding a widow's journey to living alone after she relocates to a new town. It delves into her establishing new relationships and renewing old ones.A very easy read. I would love another installment of Betta's life a year later.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
At the risk of making the book sound trite, I still have to say it's a heartwarming story. A 55 year old newly widowed woman follows the plan she and her late husband had decided on -to leave Boston and to settle down in a small midwest town. What she does there and who she meets adds up to a very good read indeed!
Sue E. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Betty Nolan moves to a small town after the death of her husband. It was something they had been planning on doing anyway. She find pleasure and contentment in unexpected ways. Among the ways are from the 10-year old who lives next door, three wild women friends who all use to be roommates, a twenty year old try to find his place in the world and a handsome man ready for love.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
To be honest, I am only about 5-6 chapters into this book, but it keeps taking my breath away, how closely it mirrors my thoughts and experiences as a widow. Beyond being able to relate to the subject matter, her prose is just lovely. I feel just like I am physically where the main character is, as well as emotionally. A beautiful book!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed the story much more at the beginning than at the end. But it was a good story. I felt sorry for the main character, Betta, but not for the obvious reason - that she was a grieving widow. She describes losing someone you love as losing a part of yourself...but, to me, it seemed that she had lost herself long before her husband passed away.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another wonderful novel from Elizabeth Berg. Bette's beloved husband has died unexpectedly and too young, and she embarks on the painful adventure of redefining her life without him. She moves from Boston to a small town outside of Chicago, and in meeting and connecting with new friends and old, she rediscovers herself. The people who populate this novel are true, and funny, and perverse, and ideosyncratic and a pleasure to spend time with. Berg's writing is full of lovely details and invites you into a world rich in emotions and connections. Just a pleasure to read.
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Jessica M. (My mother and I both read this book, and we both loved it! You get sucked right into the main character's life and can't wait to find out what happens in her life. The book is well-written and engaging. This book will be the first of many Berg books I will read!
Elizabeth Berg's novel is an unforgettable piece that will leave the reader laughing and choking back tears. At times, I found it hard to read the book, especially when Betta is describing the life she had before her husband John died. The memories are so intrinsically written, the reader will feel as if they are reliving it too. Throughout the book, I would be overcome with feelings of wanting to grab Betta and just tell her that she will make it through and life will get better. I would recommend this book to anyone who has had a tragedy in their life (who hasn't?) or who has ever lost a loved one. The book can get depressing but it still has a good plot. I read it in about 3 1/2 hours, so it isn't too long.
Melissa P. (Nicely written, simple story of a 55 yr old widow who packs up and moves to another town. Memories of her late husband float through the story as she begins to start a new life. The ending disappointed me, however. None of the loose ends of the story were tied. It almost begs for a sequel.
A quick beach read.
Irene N. (
Jody M. (This was another good read by Berg. Her books really make you stop and think about life.
Wonderful, wonderful story! I loved it, could not put it down.
Very enjoyable.
Michelle R. (Book Wiki
Common Title
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Real Places
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors