Summary: How do you cope in a world without your mother? When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do?
Take Lisa, in her midthirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twentysomething Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family; and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores.
But by drawing on the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. And in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?
This heartfelt novel by bestselling author Elizabeth Noble celebrates family, friends . . . and the glorious, endless possibilities of life. -- Harper
A few months ago, I read and reviewed THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW by Elizabeth Noble. I really enjoyed the family dynamics in this novel as well as the mother-daughter relationships. You can take a peek inside the book here.
Since Mother's Day is approaching, Harper Collins has agreed to giveaway five copies of THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW! To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment (with your e-mail address) sharing a little piece of advice that is appropriate for a daughter -- it doesn't matter if you have one or not! To double or even triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until Saturday, May 9th; and I will announce the winners on Mother's Day! This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good Luck!
Oh wow! I've been wanting to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway. What would I want my daughter to know, if I had one? I would want her to know that it's okay to be yourself and do what makes you happy. That's one thing my mom tried to instill in me b/c I wanted to teach and others thought I should do something to make more $$.
ReplyDeleteshelcows AT gmail DOT com
Here's my tweet!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/writereader/status/1686390273
To my daughter:
ReplyDeletespiritually fill yourself first, then serve others from the overflow
I love Elizabeth Noble's book THE READING GROUP and would love to win her latest.
ReplyDeleteThough I live child-free, my advice to my nieces would be to always listen to yourself and be true to yourself no matter what. You will always be happier with the outcome.
I don't have a daughter, but if I did I would tell her that she doesn't have to have a boyfriend to be happy. I see so many young girls (including our neices) these days who think they are not complete without a boyfriend. milou2ster(at)gmail.com Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great giveaway! I don't have a daughter but one thing I plan to really instill in my niece is a sense of independence. The idea that she can truly do whatever she wants with her own life, she doesn't need to depend on anyone else, and she should always believe in herself. Those are some things I was missing as a child/teenager and I wish I had more confidence and independence now.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
book.addict29@gmail.com
This book is on my wishlist, I have been wanting to read it so bad. I always tell my daughter - Be able to support yourself. Get your own house or apartment and have him move in with you. Then if it does not work out you dont have to move back home - HE DOES. Please include me in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
Oh, I can't wait to read this! I don't have a daughter, but if I did, I would want her not to be afraid to step outside of the box!!!
ReplyDeleteAdvice for my daughter is Take care of yourself first before you take care of others so you will not feel that you sell yourself short.
ReplyDeleteShannanusar(at)aol(dot)com
The best advice is to be true to yourself
ReplyDeletebjhopper(at)me(dot)com
I don't have daughters, but my dad always told me that my personal happiness was dependent on me, not on someone else. He wanted my sisters and me to be happily married, but he also instilled in us the work ethic that we were responsible for ourselves. There are no guarantees in life, women don't get married, husbands are disabled, whatever: we needed to be able to support ourselves in whatever life we wanted. I would also echo bermudaonion's thought: you don't need a boyfriend to be happy. There are plenty of years ahead of you for romance. Have fun, get an education, enjoy life and have experiences before settling down. I was 29 when I married and I think that my life experiences have made me a better wife and mother.
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win!
Just posted on Win A Book. Advice to my daughter -- be yourself and try your best, you can be anything you want to be!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this lovely giveaway. I am captivated with this story. I would tell my daughter to have confidence in her abilities and principles. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI've been interested in this book for awhile now. I don't have children, but this is what I tell my nieces: Get your education, believe in yourself. When/if you get married someday do it because you've found a person to share your life with...not because you want someone to take care of you.
ReplyDeletecaribousmom (at) gmail (dot) com
okay, recently my 11 year old niece asked me if I ever had days that i wanted to be like everyone else(having CP and being wheelchair-bound my whole life makes that next to impossible, but my answer stunned her "I never have been just like everyone else why would I start now?? Each little soul is truly one of a kind. My email is kristybee05@bellsouth.net
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little and wanted to play basketball by carrying the ball in my walker, she never said I couldn't she just steered me to cheerleading instead
Am just visiting.I can't take part in this competition being from SA.But I am going to add to my TBR list.Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI do have a daughter. My advice to anyone with one would be to let them know your not infallible, you hurt and feel just like anyone else. It lets them know it's not a matter of being perfect, rather taking responsibility for your actions, learning from them.
ReplyDeleteAllow your world to be filled with diversity, to experience all you can in life - never, ever box yourself in and limit yourself.
Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo
ravensquietscreams(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a wonderful book. I lost my mom when she was 49 - she was so strong and has passed that strength on to me. She always told us to live life fully and don't worry about the little things and it's something I try to pass on to my kids.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this book. I work every day to teach my daughter to respect herself--that who you are is perfect.
ReplyDeletejlsheppard1@yahoo.com
I would be interested in receiving and reading this book. I do have a teenage daughter, and I'd want her to know that it's most important to be true to yourself--it's tempting to follow the crowd, and that's fine if it's what you want to do too, but if something doesn't feel right, have the confidence and conviction to walk away.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know what piece of advice I would give. They all sound so cliche, and I'm just barely beginning to live my life. Perhaps it would be to do what makes you happy - follow your dreams, as it were. But I feel like something is missing there.
ReplyDeletedanunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have two daughters, one who is at the age that advice from Mom is so not cool. She thinks she knows herself already. She has so much more to discover about herself and life. What would I tell her if she would listen? "I love you. I am so excited for all that you do, learn, are and are yet to become. Life isn't in the getting, but in the learning and growing with all it's tangles and twists. Do not fear the changes you are experiencing, love who you are and who you are becoming. Surround yourself with good friends, good and worthwhile activities, and remember to love others. And no matter what comes your way, there is someone who always loves You. You are not alone."
ReplyDeletelove yourself first!
ReplyDeleteteabird 17 AT yahoo dot com
I've told both of my daughters the same thing.
ReplyDeleteLive to be happy; do what you have a passion for; and never be in a relationship for the heck of being in a relationship; being alone/single is better than being in a relationship that's unhealthy. Learn to love yourslef and others will love you in return.
I don't care if they are rich or poor, I do care that they are happy!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/1690847292
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Oh, I would love to win! Good advice for a daughter (borrowing from Girls in Trucks) is to Never chase after men or buses - another one will always come along.
ReplyDeleteAnother piece of good advice is: You are beautiful just the way you are. Love yourself and your body.
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a keeper. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this counts as advice, but if there is one thing I could make sure my daughters really KNEW in their hearts.. I would want them to realize they are awesome and they can do anything.
ReplyDeleteI know this book will make me cry, but please count me in.
gypsyrover21(at)yahoo(dot)ca
When I have daughter my advice to them will be "its okay to say no"...not just to drugs, but to anything that makes you be someone you're not!
ReplyDeleteAnd I blogged about the contest here
I always tell my daughters to do what's right in God's eyes! Our faith in God is what pulls us through!
ReplyDeleteCarla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
if i had a daughter, im guessing at some point i would have to say to her "if you have to ask, he's probably not worth it."
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this desparately and I do have a daughter! Right now she is 4 and I tell her to always use her best manners and be kind to everyone. Once she is older, I plan to tell her that friends and family should always come before a boy! I made that mistake too many times as a young woman!
ReplyDeleteStaciele(at)netins(dot)net
I have a teenage daughter and give her lots of sage advice, not much of which she takes. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI think the thing that I am most try to instill in her is to take advantage of every opportunity that is afforded to you. She went to Greece this year, is on the school's dance team, active in YoungLife and church and is involved in three different school clubs. Learn and absorb. And most important, be kind to others.
don't sacrifice who you are for anyone or anything.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteMy advice - Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. Don't listen to what others say - follow your heart.
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
I tweeted about this!
ReplyDeleteBookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
I have 5 sons, but if I had a daughter I would give her the same advice I give my boys: You can't always choose what happens to you, but you can always choose what you will do about it.
ReplyDeleteI think so many young people (and old ones too!!) don't realize that they can choose for themselves. They cannot choose the consequences of their actions, but they can choose to be happy. No matter what difficulty comes into their lives, they can still choose to turn that into a positive.
I have a daughter (who is 6) and what I tell her now and will keep telling her is to find ways to make herself happy without having to rely on other people, especially a man. Life is too short!
ReplyDeletemarielay@gmail.com
If I had a daughter, I'd tell her that no matter what she's special and unique and that no one can or could take that away from her.
ReplyDelete~ Popin
proudbookworm[@]gmail[dot]com
I have been wanting to read this for awhile. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI would want my daughter to know that she is beautiful exactly how she is and that she never needs to change to make somebody else happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I want my daughter to realize that you have to love yourself before you can really love anyone else!
ReplyDeletembrown@hcps.us
If I had a daughter, I would want her to know that what other people think doesn't matter, it's what you think of yourself that counts. I'm going to tweet this link as well! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteskrishna [at] skrishnasbooks [dot] com
i want my daughter to now let an opportunity pass her by that she might regret later!
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway!
There are many things I hope my daughter learns from me. Most of all, I hope she can continue to be a happy and passionate person and that she never loses her creative spark.
ReplyDeletepvilletoygirl at g m a i l dot com
I have my daughter back in my life after giving her up for adoption 22years ago. It has been a great reunion. Lot's to catch up on. My only advice to her is to be true to herself.
ReplyDeleteI would like really like to win & read this book.
sharon54220@gmail.com
If I had a daughter of my own I would just want to let her know that she can do anything she sets her mind to. It doesn't matter how little or how big. Just go for it.
ReplyDeleteroylsue(at)telpage(dot)net