Helpful Score: 10
This is without a doubt the best book that I have read by Barbara Delinsky. And I have read just about every one she's written. This is one book that I read 2 times actually.
2 sisters who shared a bond where to be sisters they were so unlike each other and then to see how much they were alike is unreal. This is a story that will make you cry,"alot" laugh, think and thank God that you have family members with a bond as strong as this one will need when the truth comes out. There's love and loss and strength in this one book that no sister should pass up and not read. I say read it and send it to your sister when your done. If I could rate higher than 5 it would get a 10 easily.
2 sisters who shared a bond where to be sisters they were so unlike each other and then to see how much they were alike is unreal. This is a story that will make you cry,"alot" laugh, think and thank God that you have family members with a bond as strong as this one will need when the truth comes out. There's love and loss and strength in this one book that no sister should pass up and not read. I say read it and send it to your sister when your done. If I could rate higher than 5 it would get a 10 easily.
Helpful Score: 4
I was lucky enough to win an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from bookbrowse.com's First Impressions program. The following is the review that I posted on their website:
Another Winner From Delinsky
I am a long time fan of this author and was very happy that she did not disappoint with this story. As always, Ms. Delinsky's strength lies in her ability to write realistically about relationships, mother/daughter, siblings and the love/hate relationship that we sometimes have with our family.
The book hooked me from the first page even though the storyline is heartbreaking. It made me think a lot about my own relationships with my mother and sister, and how I would react to such a sudden and devastating loss. A wonderful story of family, love, loss, forgiveness and understanding, I was sorry to see it end. I very highly recommend.
Another Winner From Delinsky
I am a long time fan of this author and was very happy that she did not disappoint with this story. As always, Ms. Delinsky's strength lies in her ability to write realistically about relationships, mother/daughter, siblings and the love/hate relationship that we sometimes have with our family.
The book hooked me from the first page even though the storyline is heartbreaking. It made me think a lot about my own relationships with my mother and sister, and how I would react to such a sudden and devastating loss. A wonderful story of family, love, loss, forgiveness and understanding, I was sorry to see it end. I very highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 2
The books starts off well, the plot is good, the character development is good and the author obviously made efforts to create characters you can relate to in one way or another. The problem is, just when you are thinking it's a good book, it turns to a flat, predictable, thinly-veiled motivational speech to be true to yourself but not even in a motivational way, too much like all the same drivel that is constantly rehashed and fed back to the mindless masses. Just when you are ready to give up the whole book from the nausea of it, it starts to look like the book will redeem itself but only makes it halfway there. It's such a shame, though, because cleaning up those parts would have made for a truly good, engaging (if not a lil fluffy) story without the readers having to reach for the ginger ale to get through the rest of the book.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fast read - not a great book, but certainly an entertaining one. It reminded me of the type of story you would see in a Lifetime movie. The characters were largely sympathetic, if a bit one-dimensional. The plot was predictable, but it still made for a satisfying Saturday afternoon read. I thought it was more believable than _Family Tree_, and I would certainly read another book by this author, though I would wait for a sale price.
Helpful Score: 1
The two sisters Molly and Robin Snow couldn't be more different from each other. Robin, the elite marathon runner training for the Olympics, depending on her sister Molly's help managing her daily life and her job at the family plant and tree nursery.
Life changes when 32-years-old Robin suffers a heart attack that leaves her brain dead, forcing the family to come to terms with family issues, deeply hidden secrets and revelations. During the process deciding on what to do with the earthly remains of Robin, her mother Kathryn lives in denial while sister Molly becomes Robin's advocate and voice on what Robin would want.
Reading her sister's diary Molly sees a different side of her sister she's so often despised but never the less deeply loves but the journal also opens doors to revelations that could shatter the whole family.
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While My Sister Sleeps is one of those stories you live and feel while you are reading. I downloaded an excerpt which included the first chapter and I instantly wanted the whole story. The beauty of this book is in the non-dramatic way Delisnky tells us the story. Of course it is dramatic and sad but her way of telling is no nonsense, not overly tearful but mature.
I fell in love with this until now unknown author and will definitely read more of her novels.
Life changes when 32-years-old Robin suffers a heart attack that leaves her brain dead, forcing the family to come to terms with family issues, deeply hidden secrets and revelations. During the process deciding on what to do with the earthly remains of Robin, her mother Kathryn lives in denial while sister Molly becomes Robin's advocate and voice on what Robin would want.
Reading her sister's diary Molly sees a different side of her sister she's so often despised but never the less deeply loves but the journal also opens doors to revelations that could shatter the whole family.
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While My Sister Sleeps is one of those stories you live and feel while you are reading. I downloaded an excerpt which included the first chapter and I instantly wanted the whole story. The beauty of this book is in the non-dramatic way Delisnky tells us the story. Of course it is dramatic and sad but her way of telling is no nonsense, not overly tearful but mature.
I fell in love with this until now unknown author and will definitely read more of her novels.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book, although I did get irritated with many of the characters. I am glad I read the entire book, though, because it was a good read.
So much going on here! Good plot, but so many other story lines to muddle it. Overall a fast read, but this jury is still out on this author.
Another griping novel from Barbara Delinsky. A family struggles to do the right thing for their oldest daughte. Should they ,keep her with them or let her go. The family must balance secrects from the past with doing what the daughter would have wanted .
this is a typical Delinsky book, easy fast read. i enjoyed the book. it's not a bestseller, but a good read.
I loved this book. It it realistic in the sense that it deals with family relations you can find in any family. It has a bit of sadness and romance as well.
Just didnt care for the story line. It was so easy for me to figure out what was gonna happen as I read the book. I continued to read the book just to see if I would be wrong about what I thought would happen. It just seemed to be a predictable book for me. I prefer Jodi Picoult
This book really hits home if you have children. Good book which kept my interest.
it was an excellent book.
This book was a good read but wasn't what I expected.
This story is so loving and compelling. It shares a tragic situation in such a way that one is pulled in totally.
I'm in the middle of listening to the audio version of this book and am engrossed! Great plot twists and you can tell that Delinsky is a runner herself from the way the characters are developed. Nice side stories, too. I just love this author! You will not be disappointed!
No love, sappy story here - very involved story though. Barbara really does know how to get details into a story, really brought the emotions into it and at times I felt like I was part of the story. I can't imagine the heart wrenching decision the family had to make but it was interesting the way the author had the siblings re-act to what happened to their sister. I thought it was a very good book, almost one that I could see made into a 'made for TV movie'. Definitely recommend. :)
I was surprised by the beginning of the book. The main event takes place on page two. The rest of the story follows a family through the grieving process. I expected the journal to play a bigger role in the story line. There are several sub plots that were used to keep the story moving, but were distracting for me. As these sub plots were introduced, I tried to figure out how they were connected to the main plot. Some weren't necessary. The ending was predictable. I still enjoyed the story.
Great book! This was a really good read!
I can't say enough good things about Ms. Delinsky's writing I have read several of her books and they are just great. The plots are well writen and really draw you in. She writes very well.
This is the first book I've read from this author. It's a quick read and I found it very engrossing and touching. I shed a few tears but it's not overwhelmingly maudlin. I will be looking for more from Barbara Delinsky.
Wow - a very moving book. Through one family's tragedy we can all take lessons on family and personal relationships, coping with grief, loss, and embracing life's lessons.
I enjoyed this book and as always there aren't very many books by Delinsky that I haven't liked. It did drag on about taking someone off life support especially when they are your own child. It is worth the read
Great story. Good read. Reminds us that we are not in control of all things. Enjoyed it.
Excellent, excellent book! Bittersweet but also very loving. Highly recommend!
Molly & RObin Snow are sisters in the prime of their lives. So when Molly receives the news that Robin has suffered a massive heart attack, the news couldn't be more shocking. At the hospital, the Snow family receives the grim prognosis; Robin may never regain consciousness again. Feeling of guilt & jealousy flare up as Robin's family struggles to cope. It's up to Molly to make the tough decisions, and she soon discovers that her sister was not quite the woman she thought she was.
This book delves into the lives of a family that has a sudden tragedy occur, and details how each of them are coping with the afternath. A good page-turner
The Snow sisters - Molly and Robin - are as close as two sisters can possibly be. Like most sisters, the women share a bond that has sustained them through the good times and the bad. Throughout their childhood, and now as adults, the women's love for each other and their friendship has endured, and is just as strong as ever.
Their careers are flourishing - Molly is a horticulturist and Robin is a world-class runner - and they are both in the prime of their lives. So when Molly receives the news that Robin has suffered a massive heart attack, she couldn't be more shocked. At the hospital, the Snow family is given the grim prognosis: Robin may never regain consciousness.
As Robin's parents and siblings struggle to cope, the complex nature of their relationship is put to the ultimate test. Molly has always lived in Robin's shadow and her feelings for her sister have run the gamut, from love to resentment and back again. In fact, the last time the sisters spoke, they argued. Now, however, there is so much more at stake.
Under such devastating circumstances, Molly's parents begin to fold, and her brother retreats into a cool reserve that threatens his own family. So, it's up to Molly to make the tough decisions, and she soon makes discoveries that shatter some of her most cherished beliefs about the sister she thought she knew.
Once again, New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky has created a masterful family portrait, filled with thought-provoking ideas about the nature of life itself, how emotions influence the decisions we make, and how letting go can sometimes be the hardest thing to do and also the greatest expression of love all at the same time.
While I will admit that a few of Barbara Delinsky's books that I've read in the past may not have been her best work - at least in my opinion - I would give While my Sister Sleeps a definite A+! I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, Barbara Delinsky has once again created characters that are absolutely realistic and easy to relate to, people who the reader can't help but care for as they suffer through their various trials and tribulations. I'm certainly looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Their careers are flourishing - Molly is a horticulturist and Robin is a world-class runner - and they are both in the prime of their lives. So when Molly receives the news that Robin has suffered a massive heart attack, she couldn't be more shocked. At the hospital, the Snow family is given the grim prognosis: Robin may never regain consciousness.
As Robin's parents and siblings struggle to cope, the complex nature of their relationship is put to the ultimate test. Molly has always lived in Robin's shadow and her feelings for her sister have run the gamut, from love to resentment and back again. In fact, the last time the sisters spoke, they argued. Now, however, there is so much more at stake.
Under such devastating circumstances, Molly's parents begin to fold, and her brother retreats into a cool reserve that threatens his own family. So, it's up to Molly to make the tough decisions, and she soon makes discoveries that shatter some of her most cherished beliefs about the sister she thought she knew.
Once again, New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky has created a masterful family portrait, filled with thought-provoking ideas about the nature of life itself, how emotions influence the decisions we make, and how letting go can sometimes be the hardest thing to do and also the greatest expression of love all at the same time.
While I will admit that a few of Barbara Delinsky's books that I've read in the past may not have been her best work - at least in my opinion - I would give While my Sister Sleeps a definite A+! I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, Barbara Delinsky has once again created characters that are absolutely realistic and easy to relate to, people who the reader can't help but care for as they suffer through their various trials and tribulations. I'm certainly looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
