Kaye L. (Klippy) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book hit really close to home for me - my sister is recovering from breast cancer - second round and I just could not finish it. I do like the style that is was written though. It just hit some of my raw emotions.
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
"Claire and her Doctor/Mother live their relationship out in a series of notes left on the refrigerator door over a one year span. Then low and behold, a crisis hits and we see how shallow a teen daughter can be and how when communication between parent and child breaks down, there is always the refrigerator door. This small quick read book left me expecting that there should have been more. Wish there was. http://tinyurl.com/29dpyv
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Kathryn (Kmarie) -
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book in a matter of a couple of hours, which is absolutely unheard of for me. However, each page is a note left on the refrigerator, and sometimes there is only a sentence on the page. It is moving and touching, and left me feeling very sad yet uplifted (difficult to describe). While I find it sad that such important topics are âdiscussedâ on the âfridge notes, it is still quite plausible to me. Of course, there are events and discussions that happen in person and NOT in a note, that are left to the imagination of the reader, so one gets the understanding that there really is a relationship between the two. I recommend this book, though I think I'd borrow it from the library since it is such a fast read. I got mine from PBS and put it back up for trade the same day!
Suzanne N. (keadamna) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on
Helpful Score: 1
These words in the review "Heartfelt, touching, and unforgettable" describe it to a T. I agree with another reviewer who said it was a quick read, I finished it in less than an hour. While quick, I was engrossed the whole time.
Sharyla Y. (love2lovebooks) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 74 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
My Rating: A+
This is a quick but not at all light read. It will keep you thinking afterwards for a long time. I think this book will probably stay with me for the rest of my life. It's a perfect example of how life can get away from you, and how you must slow down and take stock in the things that truly matter.
It's wonderfully written and any daughter who has a mother will completely understand the frustrations and fears that are expressed in this book.
I do regret buying it new though. It took me all of 45 minutes to read and I paid 15.00 for it new. Get it used, or from your local library or a friend. But share it with others! I intend to keep an eye out for more books from Alice Kuipers.
This is a quick but not at all light read. It will keep you thinking afterwards for a long time. I think this book will probably stay with me for the rest of my life. It's a perfect example of how life can get away from you, and how you must slow down and take stock in the things that truly matter.
It's wonderfully written and any daughter who has a mother will completely understand the frustrations and fears that are expressed in this book.
I do regret buying it new though. It took me all of 45 minutes to read and I paid 15.00 for it new. Get it used, or from your local library or a friend. But share it with others! I intend to keep an eye out for more books from Alice Kuipers.
Andrea B. (ace1028) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. Despite the sad undertones of a mother-daughter relationship maintained by post-it notes, the story was deep and touching, and I actually think I might read it again, I liked it that much. I definitely recommend it, and it was a really quick read (1 day, if that!) Just try not to absorb the emotions that come with it, and don't read it if you're having a rough week.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a super-quick, engaging read that had me crying like a baby towards the end. It's a story told in literal notes left on a refrigerator between a mother and daughter -- a really unique premise. It's not a totally deep, meaningful read, but it's a good one!
Sarah B. (sarahlou8794) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on
Very quick read. Took me about an hour reading pretty much straight through. Completely written in small notes that are mostly no more than one page. It was a really touching read despite it's length, even teared up a little at the end (though I have to say that doesn't take much for me sometimes). If you're a daughter or a mother, you'll enjoy it.
Vicky N. (vnorthw) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 9 more book reviews
I found Life on the Refrigerator Door in the super-discount bin at Barnes&Noble, thought it was an interesting concept and picked it up.
It wasn't a fantastic book and only took me about 40 minutes to read, but it certainly had a strong message.
This epistolary work is written in the form of notes between a mother and daughter left on the refrigerator as they just miss each other going through the motions of their busy lives.
When I first read the book, I felt both mother and daughter were selfish and over-dramatic. However, the more I reflect on the novel, the more real the characters have become. Faced with a dire situation at home, they both have very believable reactions to the crisis.
I am, however, still angry at the characters for not sitting down to talk about the problems they were facing. But I suppose that's the message - to not wait until it's too late to spend time with the ones you love.
It wasn't a fantastic book and only took me about 40 minutes to read, but it certainly had a strong message.
This epistolary work is written in the form of notes between a mother and daughter left on the refrigerator as they just miss each other going through the motions of their busy lives.
When I first read the book, I felt both mother and daughter were selfish and over-dramatic. However, the more I reflect on the novel, the more real the characters have become. Faced with a dire situation at home, they both have very believable reactions to the crisis.
I am, however, still angry at the characters for not sitting down to talk about the problems they were facing. But I suppose that's the message - to not wait until it's too late to spend time with the ones you love.
Autumn S. (ashultz) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 15 more book reviews
This was a super fast read - as you would expect from a story told through quick fridge notes. A very touching reminder to make the most of our time with each other. I enjoyed this one!
McGuffyAnn M. reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 112 more book reviews
We have all heard of open door communication, and that it is so important to keep lines of communication open. We have all jotted down notes to our moms, and other loved ones. All of us women have been daughters, and many of us go on to have daughters.
This novel could have been lived by many of us. For all of these reasons this book should be read, kept, reread, passed along and cherished by generations of mothers and daughters everywhere. It is one of the most simplistic yet creative books that I have read in quite some time. It is not only meaningful, but important. I highly recommend it.
I will look for more from this author. However, whether she writes another book or not remains to be seen...but she has done her job beautifully in this book.
This novel could have been lived by many of us. For all of these reasons this book should be read, kept, reread, passed along and cherished by generations of mothers and daughters everywhere. It is one of the most simplistic yet creative books that I have read in quite some time. It is not only meaningful, but important. I highly recommend it.
I will look for more from this author. However, whether she writes another book or not remains to be seen...but she has done her job beautifully in this book.
Sarah B. reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 15 more book reviews
This was a very quick read. I think I finished it in under an hour. It is a very cute concept but the subject is very serious. You walk away feeling like you could've written it yourself. I gave it to my daughter to read too. She's 16 and hasn't told me what she thought of it yet.
Kristin D. (kdurham2813) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 753 more book reviews
A very short read, I completed this book in just under two hours. Unfortunately, it wasn't my kind of read. The premise of the story unfolding through notes on the fridge didn't give me enough detail of what the characters were thinking to really connect. I found myself flipping quickly through this book reading each note without any meaning.
I think I would have been more connected to the characters if there was some story intermingled in with the fridge notes. A quick little read that had the potential for a bigger impact.
I think I would have been more connected to the characters if there was some story intermingled in with the fridge notes. A quick little read that had the potential for a bigger impact.
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
(taken from my goodreads.com page)
I'm not sure what to say about this book. I had this listed to-read for quite awhile and finally stumbled upon it yesterday at the Super G. :)
I will admit that I'm glad I didn't pay $15.95 for it. As much as I liked it being that it took me less than 20 minutes to read I would have been a little ticked at that. As it happened I only paid $3.00 for it and for this I am pleased.
The reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 3 is the ending. The ending affected me more than any other part of the book. The book did a good job leading up to the ending but the ending definitely pulled at my heart. Maybe it's because I have a young daughter and it's always been a strong fear of mine that I "miss" time with her. Since she's been born I've always been very conscious of that "missed" time. I don't want to look back one day and realize time was wasted. And this book pinponted that and it also showed how very easy it would be to fall into the trap.
I thought it was telling that so many of the notes between Claire and her Mom involved planned meetings. "I'll be back in time to go with you.", "I'm going out for a minute - let's watch a movie tonight." (These are my words - not out of the book.) This type of note showed how easy it is, for anyone, to have great intentions that fall to the wayside.
It's a very, very fast book. Any books with one or two sentences on each page would be. But I think Kuiper's did a good job and I'd certainly be willing to read another of her books anytime.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. I had this listed to-read for quite awhile and finally stumbled upon it yesterday at the Super G. :)
I will admit that I'm glad I didn't pay $15.95 for it. As much as I liked it being that it took me less than 20 minutes to read I would have been a little ticked at that. As it happened I only paid $3.00 for it and for this I am pleased.
The reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 3 is the ending. The ending affected me more than any other part of the book. The book did a good job leading up to the ending but the ending definitely pulled at my heart. Maybe it's because I have a young daughter and it's always been a strong fear of mine that I "miss" time with her. Since she's been born I've always been very conscious of that "missed" time. I don't want to look back one day and realize time was wasted. And this book pinponted that and it also showed how very easy it would be to fall into the trap.
I thought it was telling that so many of the notes between Claire and her Mom involved planned meetings. "I'll be back in time to go with you.", "I'm going out for a minute - let's watch a movie tonight." (These are my words - not out of the book.) This type of note showed how easy it is, for anyone, to have great intentions that fall to the wayside.
It's a very, very fast book. Any books with one or two sentences on each page would be. But I think Kuiper's did a good job and I'd certainly be willing to read another of her books anytime.
Angie A. (sh0rtstak) -
Very quick read. Will make you think. I felt bad for the daughter and a little upset with the mom. Ending isnt what I really expected.
Amanda P. (nanjo) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 48 more book reviews
This book was a very short read! I read it cover to cover in one sitting.
The story was told through the notes left on the refrigerator door.
I found the story unique and interesting. Very touching.
My only complaint was that it was such a quick read. I wish it had lasted longer and had a better connection to the characters. But if you're looking for a quick read and a story to make you appreciate the connection between a mother and a daughter than you will enjoy this book.
The story was told through the notes left on the refrigerator door.
I found the story unique and interesting. Very touching.
My only complaint was that it was such a quick read. I wish it had lasted longer and had a better connection to the characters. But if you're looking for a quick read and a story to make you appreciate the connection between a mother and a daughter than you will enjoy this book.
Anissa S. (Anissa419) - , reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 69 more book reviews
great read
Amber M. (babygyrl) -
good but sad book, i like how its in letters to the mom and daughter.
Jennifer R. (chirey) - , reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 117 more book reviews
First of all VERY short book.....220 pages but the book is only 7.5" x 5.5". and most pages are only a few words. I read it in under an hour. Received and reposted the same day.
I did not like the book. First of all, even an on call doctor has some time off. The daughter is in school (15 years old) and spend all her time going to her friends or babysitting. They must live in a small community because the girl is doing all the grocery shopping (walking there?) even before the sickness. The fact that they NEVER see each other is a little beyond reality. If your mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness I think the babysitting and studying with a friend can wait! Besides that, mom is sooooo tired and weak in one note yet back to work or out for a walk/run the next. Somehow they are always "just" missing each other. And everytime they are together for an evening they are fighting. Really?
I am not a sappy, sad stories make me cry type of person, so maybe it is just me.
Cancer is serious and I feel making light of it by this series of notes as communication was too light for the subject. Obviously this book was not my "cup of tea".
I did not like the book. First of all, even an on call doctor has some time off. The daughter is in school (15 years old) and spend all her time going to her friends or babysitting. They must live in a small community because the girl is doing all the grocery shopping (walking there?) even before the sickness. The fact that they NEVER see each other is a little beyond reality. If your mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness I think the babysitting and studying with a friend can wait! Besides that, mom is sooooo tired and weak in one note yet back to work or out for a walk/run the next. Somehow they are always "just" missing each other. And everytime they are together for an evening they are fighting. Really?
I am not a sappy, sad stories make me cry type of person, so maybe it is just me.
Cancer is serious and I feel making light of it by this series of notes as communication was too light for the subject. Obviously this book was not my "cup of tea".
Shelby G. (shelbyrenee) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on
This is a great and very touching book. I laughed, I cried, I didnt put it down until I was completely finished. Great book for moms and women.
Annette S. (annette-s) reviewed Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter on + 49 more book reviews
Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers is a small book that delivers a swift punch. The words are limited but speak volumes as a busy mother and her teenage daughter communicate to each other through notes. They leave the usual messages about being late, babysitting, reminders to pick up a few groceries. One note, however, is a little different. Its nothing to worry about, but I found a lump in my right breast. This book took no time to read. Some entries are a mere few words. But added together, they complete a full and touching story, one that makes us appreciate and cherish relationships with our own mothers and daughters. Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
