The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin is this week’s Reader Friday. I loved this book… Here’s the first line: “Delivering the news required a certain finesse combined with brutal honesty.”
But first the photo and verse. I took the photo this morning on my walk around the block–the birdhouse hadn’t been there earlier in the week. I’m anxious to see what bird makes it home. And I love that verse.
Now for Kelly Irvin’s The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos. Here’s the cover and back copy:
In a novel inspired by the author’s own cancer experience, two sisters seek a new balance in work, family, and love when one receives a diagnosis that sets the clock ticking.
Determined to save Sherri’s life, Kristen drops everything to guide her sister on the harrowing cancer treatment journey. When she’s unable to balance the strain of caring for her patients, being a wife and mother, and her frantic efforts to save her sister, Kristen’s carefully balanced life crumbles, starting with her marriage. Desperate to regain her footing, she vows to rebuild her broken relationships . . . as soon as she’s sure Sherri will beat the odds stacked against her.
Unlike her sister, Sherri Reynolds has worked to cultivate balance in her life. Her children, her job as a teacher, and her strong faith keep her grounded–until her diagnosis sends her spiraling into the scary world of what-ifs and unknown outcomes. Sherri faces the agonizing realization that family history may be about to repeat itself. With the clock ticking, she’s determined to use whatever time she has left to heal old wounds and restore relationships.
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is a novel that will have readers reaching for the tissue box again and again as the author uses her own experience of living with ovarian cancer for seven years (and counting) to provide first-hand knowledge of sitting in the chair when the diagnosis is first delivered and the repercussions that follow.
My take:
No matter what I say about The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos, it won’t be enough. This story touched me to the core. It helped me to understand not only what a cancer patient goes through, but how it affects their loved ones. I totally get Kristen–I would be the same way, but at the same time, I understand Sherri, too.
It’s a sweet story and while I rarely read women’s fiction, I couldn’t put this book down. It’s such an uplifting book and one I wish everyone would read. I particularly liked the way Sherri and her ex-husband reconnected. I also liked how Kristen came to terms with her tendency to make her job as an oncologist her top priority almost to the exclusion of everyone else in her life.
Priorities. The story made me look at my own–it’ll do the same for other readers. If you only read one book this year, make it this one!
You can purchase it on Amazon or read it in KU.
Okay, Readers, what book are you reading this week? Leave the first line in the comments or comment on Kelly Irvin’s book. 🙂 If you do I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library!
And…April’s winner is…Paula Shreckhize!
AND…TOMORROW, MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!
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Comments 39
Wonderful Bible verse. I actually met someone named Nehemiah last night. I can’t say that I’ve ever met someone with that old-fashioned name.
Congrats to Paula Shreckhize!
I have read The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos. It’s wonderful! I cried and cried. But it’s an uplifting book at the same time. It wasn’t a depressing book at all. Great review, Pat!
Author
Oh, wow. I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone named Nehemiah, Priscilla. And thanks for the positive feedback on the post! I loved Kelly’s book.
This is a wonderful review of a wise, tender, outstanding book. I’m so glad you reviewed it. Yes, so important for all to read.
Author
Absolutely, Delores! It is a great book.
And to go with that beautiful photo and verse, here it is put to song. This version is often sung in my church’s contemporary service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2e0UMChZ_A I love Kelly’s books, too. Thank you, Pat!
Congrats Paula!
I’ve started a tough Christian suspense book by Jessica Patch. It’s called “The Garden Girls”, and the first lines of the Prologue are “Sharp claws scrape along my neck. Back and forth. Back and forth. Zzzzt…zzzzzzz…zzzt.. Buzzing fills the room, and I strain to open my eyes but they’re like molasses, thick and sticky and slow-moving.” Reader warning: some of this book is downright creepy.
Author
Tim, I love that song and will send it to our minister of music. And yes, The Garden Girls can be kind of creepy…Jessica is the queen of scary. 😉 I will probably review it here soon…
Beautiful photo, Pat. Do you know the name of those white flowers? The birdhouse will be a welcome refuge for a bird family. Glad the neighbors added it. This is one of my favorite verses. There is strength in the LORD!
I’ve never met a Nehemiah either. lol. How interesting that you met a Nehemiah just last night, Priscilla! I did have two parakeets named Isaiah and Jeremiah, though. lol
Congratulations, Paula!
Great review on Kelly’s book, Pat. I totally agree. This book does touch you to the core. It’s powerful and tissue worthy. I’ve already lent it out to two people.
I’m reading Missing Puzzles by Cynthia Hickey, Linda. Baten Johnson, Teresa Ives Lilly and Janice Thompson. It’s four puzzling cozy mysteries all having to do with jigsaw puzzles and murders.
Missing Puzzles sounds like a fun book, Barbara. Our kids, grandkids, and I have been on a puzzle binge lately.
Gloria, it is a fun book. Check out Christian book distributors. It’s on sale right now.
Author
Thanks, Barbara, and the flowers are from a Yucca Plant. I couldn’t get the plant and birdhouse in the lens. lol. I’m glad you like the verse! And Missing Puzzles sounds fascinating! I may even have it on my Kindle…
Beautiful verse and photo, Patricia. Let us know when you get a look at the new tenant of the birdhouse.
I had “The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos” on my TBR list, but haven’t gotten to it yet. You made me move it up to the top!
I’m reading “Faithful Place” by Tana French. The first lines in the Prologue are:
“In all your life, only a few moments matter. Mostly you never get a good look at them except in hindsight, long after they’ve zipped past you…”
Author
Thank you, Kay! I will let you know when I see a bird in it and maybe even get a photo of it. (I’ll try to get all of the Yucca plant, too). I truly believe you’ll enjoy The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos. Tana French’s opening is so true…I’ll have to look it up.
I think the book sounds like something I would like.
Author
It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, Judy!
That looks like a bluebird house. The inhabitants of our bluebird house are a family of house sparrows. The daddy sits on our birdfeeder post on the deck and sings. We do get bluebirds visit but never nest.
I am reading next:
Dead.
Drowned.
No sign of foul play.
Searching for Evidence by Carol J. Post
Author
That seems to be the way of bluebird houses, Gloria. lol But I love those little sparrows, too. And Searching for Evidence quickly drew me in!
Interesting photo Pat and Neh.8:10 is a favorite verse. I have never met a Nehemiah either.
Congratulations Paula!
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is a definite read for me! I worked in a medical oncology office for 25+ years and what impressed me the most was the courage, strength and positivity of the majority of our patients. I have been retired 20 years and the strides made in cancer treatment, as well as other health issues, over the past two decades is amazing and miraculous!
Praise the Lord Kelly is a 7 yr survivor, and hopefully many more years!
Author
Amen, Mary! I pray for Kelly each day. And I think you’ll really enjoy The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos.
I
Uh oh! I goofed. While trying to enter my email and name, I got distracted and hit comment before I had commented. I like the picture and verse. I enjoyed the song Tim shared. I had never heard it. The one that came to my mind was one that our teens used to sing.
The book you shared sounds interesting, Pat. Right now would not be a good time for me to read it. I got new glasses a week ago (seems like months) and am having a horrible time trying to adjust to them. I don’t think I want to combine that with a book that would get me all teary-eyed. I’m not sure I would ever finish reading it.
I’m sharing the first line from a book I proofread last fall and just received in the mail today. It’s the fourth book in the Tethered World series by Heather L.L. FitzGerald titled The Secret of Stardust. The first line reads: The acrid odor of incense was a harbinger of death.
Author
Edward, I always hated getting new glasses–it took forever to adjust to them. After cataract surgery, I don’t wear glasses any longer! And The Secret of Stardust sounds intriguing. And I do thinks like hitting enter before I finish a comment all the time. lol
Thanks for the kind review, Pat. I really appreciate it!
Author
It’s a great book, Kelly! I love all your books.
Beautiful photo for the scripture!
Congrats, Paula!
Enjoy your weekend.
Author
Thanks, Caryl.
book sounds so interesting! Congrats to Paula!
Author
It is, Shelia!
Thanks for the tip, Barbara!
It sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Diana, it’s an unforgettable book!
I love Kelly’s books and definitely need to read this. I absolutely love this photo and perfect verse. Have a blessed weekend.
Author
Thanks, Lucy. I love Kelly’s books, too.
This sounds like a really interesting book. I think I could probably relate to some of it. I have been a caregiver for two parents with cancer. The picture and verse fit together really well. I’m reading The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay.
Prologue.
Monica Voekler.
East Berlin, Germany.
Sunday, August 13, 1961
The jangling telephone broke into her dreams.
“Peter, you are not at war.”
Expired Hope by Lisa Phillips.
Blessed by the verse & photo.
The review of Irvin’s book was fantastic. Thank you.
Author
Thanks, Lisa. I love this book.
I downloaded The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos, it will be for my future reads. We just got word this week my sister-in-law has Alzheimer’s, and to me that’s just as bad as cancer, so this will be an emotional book for me.
I’m currently reading Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard. Opening lines:
I never should have come. What was he even doing here? What had he been thinking?
Author
Ohhh, Dottie, you will enjoy Cold Light of Day! And Kelly’s book is so uplifting…you will be blessed by it.
Interesting review and photo. First line of current read: Tonight … Dr. Aaron Pennington will draw his final breath. The Consort Conspiracy by Kaye D. Schmitz
Author
Oh, Sally Jo, I love Kaye D. Schmitz’s The Consort Conspiracy!