Joy for Beginners

Another great read!

After reading Erica Bauermeister’s first two novels, I was curious about what she would take on in her third novel. Bauermeister’s first novel about a woman who runs a successful restaurant and offers cooking classes was an excellent addition to the ‘cooking fiction’ genre. The tale of Lillian and her restaurant seemed fairly finished in Bauermeister’s second ‘sequel’ novel (The Lost Art of Mixing), so I was anxious to see if she could pull out yet another great book. After reading this book, I believe she was clearly more than up to the task! I was even more taken with this novel. The main protagonist, Kate, has just finished a year long bout with breast cancer. To be honest, I have been steering far away from cancer-themed stories these days after having cancer hit much too close to home in my family. However, I read this book anyway, hoping for an engrossing story that would enchant me in spite of the big C, and I found it. Rather than focus on cancer itself, this book focuses on friendship and personal challenges instead. In a gathering surrounded by her friends, Kate is challenged to a river rafting trip by her daughter. They all encourage her to go on the trip (of course, after all, what are friends for???). She in turn individually challenges each of her friends to do something that is very difficult to face. Each woman faces her challenge in unique ways, and Bauermeister resists the temptation to ‘tie every shoelace’ in their stories. Rather, the real read is in how each woman greets her task and goes about facing it. As you read each of these incredible women’s stories, I hope that you will be as moved as I was at the insights and truths that Bauermeister voices around every turn. There is something so validating and healing about hearing your inner thoughts echoed through another person’s thoughts (fictional or otherwise). I found myself underlining many passages to re-read later, and know that this will be a book I will read at least once more before I...