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Transcends its Genre
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Publisher's Summary
At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them. To celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing that's always terrified her: white-water rafting. But if she goes, all of them will also do something they always swore they'd never do-and Kate is going to choose their adventures.
Shimmering with warmth, wit, and insight, Joy for Beginners is a celebration of life: unexpected, lyrical, and deeply satisfying.
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Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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4 out of 5 stars
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-14-12
Great listen
This was a great listen, well worth a credit. I had read Erica Bauermeister's previous book about a cooking class and enjoyed it so was looking forward to listening to this. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed how each chapter focused on one character and their challenge and how they met it. It made me think about what we might be missing out on life because we might be afraid to try something new.
The story struck the right tone between not too heavy and not too light. I had a few driveway moments where I sat in the car for a few minutes longer after arriving home to hear what happened next.
The narration was generally good, but the male characters, the few that there were, all kind of sounded the same.
All in all a fun, engaging story that also makes you think a little bit about what joy you might be missing out on.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lynn
- 06-25-12
Good friends
Would you listen to Joy for Beginners again? Why?
I really enjoyed this book. It is a great reminder of the importance of good friends.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I really enjoyed all of the characters. They were all so different in their outlook on life and its issues.
What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Hearing this story read made it seem like a conversation with friends.
If you could rename Joy for Beginners, what would you call it?
I think this is a great, innovative title.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alan Wheeler
- 12-28-16
You're here, be here!
What a beautiful story...set of stories, actually...all bundled together to make a lovely epic of love, friendship, courage (big and small) and the daring willingness to try adventures great and small. I'd recommend this book for anyone needing a sense of joy!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anne Alexander
- 11-26-16
So glad to have met diverse and interesting women
Would you consider the audio edition of Joy for Beginners to be better than the print version?
As I have not read it but only listened so I can not compare. Audio is wonderful at brining the the characters alive--Erica Baurmeister's books are great to listen to as they flow in a very conversational manner. I have always enjoyed being dread to.
What did you like best about this story?
I enjoyed the idea of Kate giving each of her friends a challenge after her own challenge.If I knew her, I wonder what challenge she would have given me.
Have you listened to any of Cassandra Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
As always excellent --of course she reads several authors works that I enjoy--Adriana Trigiani and Jodi Picoult--to name two.
If you could take any character from Joy for Beginners out to dinner, who would it be and why?
They are all invited to my house for dinner I would like to know them and I have very good friends I would like them to know; which is why I will be recommending the book to my friends.
Any additional comments?
I have enjoyed Erica Bauermeister's previous books as well as JOY FOR BEGINNERS. She has a wonderful talent to create original well rounded interesting characters, wich put into realistic life situations with surroundings and environments that are articulately described. Her books flow well. I am amazed at the knowledge she has in so many diverse subjects in this case bread making, throwing pottery, tattoos, and the Colorado river. A very rewarding read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-25-15
Love these books!
I love the characters and the stories. I look forward to the next one. I cons away with food for thought. Thank you.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Staci
- 03-15-13
Beautifully written and read.....moving story!
Bauermeister has been gifted with the talent of being an amazing writer. Once again she has pulled me into the lives of these characters and made me care what happened to them. I loved being able to get a glimpse into each woman's life and personality. Erica is able to make the reader use all of their senses when reading, or in my case listening to one of her stories. I found myself identifying with Marion on so many levels, so many in fact that it was a bit eerie!!
Recommend? Absolutely, especially if you're already a fan of Erica's work, then you would really appreciate this one. The narrator did a fantastic job on this audio and made it very, very enjoyable to listen to!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- susan weller
- 05-07-14
loved this book
What was one of the most memorable moments of Joy for Beginners?
Each chapter had a nice/creative idea in it. i only wished i also had the hard copy to go back to.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful