Today I have a review of the newest book by Nina George, The Book of Dreams, available from Crown Publishing on April 9, 2019/tomorrow!
My Thoughts:
I’m a fan of Nina George’s Little Paris Bookshop, and I noticed right away that her trademark warmth is imbued on every page of The Book of Dreams.
Henri Skinner, one of our main characters, is a former war reporter. He’s rough around the edges, and the war has shaped him. He’s going to visit his son, Sam, who he doesn’t really know.
While literally on his way to see his son, he is injured and rushed to the hospital. While there, he is comatose and vividly dreaming about the secrets of his past.
Sam, Henri’s son, is a gifted thirteen-year-old, and he sits by Henri every day at the hospital. It’s there that Eddie Tomlin arrives, a woman who has loved Henri for many years. Also at the hospital is Madelyn, a twelve-year-old who is also in a coma. She has survived an accident that killed every member of her family.
Each character is dreaming of hope and fighting for life in their own way, and together, they are bonded by these wistful wants.
Gosh, The Book of Dreams gave me so much to think about. First, it had me feeling deeply for its characters, and then it transferred to real life, as the story became so earnest, it felt real and luminescent.
The Book of Dreams is deeply emotional and soaringly rewarding. I cried until I felt that ache in my chest. I had the hardest time letting go of this story and turning the last page. There is sadness, loss, and tragedy here, as is hope.
Lyrical writing, deep meaning, heartbreaking, powerful, and profound, The Book of Dreams taught me about “just being” versus “truly living” among many other life lessons, and I am ever so grateful this book was in my hands and is now in my heart.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Warm, wise, and magical–the latest novel by the bestselling author of THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP and THE LITTLE FRENCH BISTRO is an astonishing exploration of the thresholds between life and death
Henri Skinner is a hardened ex-war reporter on the run from his past. On his way to see his son, Sam, for the first time in years, Henri steps into the road without looking and collides with oncoming traffic. He is rushed to a nearby hospital where he floats, comatose, between dreams, reliving the fairytales of his childhood and the secrets that made him run away in the first place.
After the accident, Sam–a thirteen-year old synesthete with an IQ of 144 and an appetite for science fiction–waits by his father’s bedside every day. There he meets Eddie Tomlin, a woman forced to confront her love for Henri after all these years, and twelve-year old Madelyn Zeidler, a coma patient like Henri and the sole survivor of a traffic accident that killed her family. As these four very different individuals fight–for hope, for patience, for life–they are bound together inextricably, facing the ravages of loss and first love side by side.
A revelatory, urgently human story that examines what we consider serious and painful alongside light and whimsy, THE BOOK OF DREAMS is a tender meditation on memory, liminality, and empathy, asking with grace and gravitas what we will truly find meaningful in our lives once we are gone.
Have you read The Book of Dreams, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Wonderful review! I definitely be adding this to Goodreads!
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Thanks, Nicki! I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to read it! I found it so lovely!
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Awesome review!
There’s so much going on in this one! Saved it on my list, cuz i think it’s the sort of book i’d like to read but need to wait for the right mood.
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Thanks, Norrie! Yes, this is one you’d want to be ready for, but if this kind of thoughtful book is your thing, it’ll be fantastic! It gave me so much to think about. ♥️
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This sounds like an amazing story! I’m off to check it out. Beautiful review, Jennifer💜
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Thanks, Jonetta! It was a beautiful and thought-provoking story! ♥️
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Wow Jen! What a beautiful review! I want to read this one now!! Right now!! Happy Monday if there is such a thing!🌻☔💜
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Thanks, Sus! It was a gorgeous read! It really surprised me in the best way. My Monday was pretty good and I hope yours was too! I’m getting ready to start planting outside! ♥️ 🌸 🌺
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Wow, fantastic review. This one sounds so … emotional! Definitely adding it to my list.
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Thanks, Christopher! It was definitely powerful and emotional. I keep thinking about the characters and the messages.
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Wow, this sounds powerful! What a great concept for a story. Lovely review!
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Thanks, Tammy! I love the concept too! So smart and powerful, too.
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Lovely review, Jennifer. This one really had an impact on you. Haven’t cried that much over a book since I read Nightingale, It Ends with Us and Book Thief. Those are some of my favorite reads and so I am curious about this one. It sounds quite special. Adding it to my TBR.
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It’s definitely a special read and I really connected to it on a personal level, Diana. I cried the same way with the first two books you mentioned (still need to read The Book Thief!). I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy this one. ♥️
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This one sounds wonderful! I love what you said – “just being” versus “truly living”. Adding it to the TBR!
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Thanks, Tina! I hope it’s one you find resonant too! ♥️
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This might be a book I should get for my mom for Mother’s Day, I think she would really love this! Lovely review!😍
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Thanks, Berit! I found it really special! Someone mentioned it would also be good for Father’s Day if your dad likes to read.
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My dad does like to read, he actually will have a review on the blog this week!
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Aww, I look forward to it!
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Oh this one does sound amazing. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! It was SO good! I found it so meaningful.
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I can’t wait to read this one! It sounds so lovely and wonderful. I really need to read her other books that I have. Beautiful review, Jenn–so glad you loved it! I hope you had a wonderful day, my friend! ❤
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Thanks so much, Steph! I hope you get a chance to read this one and the other two from her. I hope your Monday was a good one too! 💕
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You’re welcome! I hope so too…one more book to buy, haha! I desperately need another book shelf, lol. My summer reading plans are to read 10 TBR books a month, and I’m pretty good at sticking to my plans as long as I don’t see any more shiny ARCS! But I’m usually good about knowing my limit with those too, so I’m hoping. I’ll add those 2 to my summer routine for sure! It was a bit wild since I’m trying to take care of all the last minute stuff before this weekend, but still good! 💜
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Oh wow, this sounds like such a tearjerker. I haven’t read anything from this author yet, but I definitely need to pick up a copy of this book. Lovely review!
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Thanks, Suzanne! It was definitely an emotional read for me. Much more to it beyond the surface, so much to think about, meaningful. I hope you get a chance to work it in!
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I absolutely adored this book!!! Thanks for your thoughtful review.
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Thank you so much, Joyce, and it makes my day that you connected to this beautiful book, too!
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You had me at powerful and profound. A wonderful review and beautiful photo, as usual!
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Thanks so much, Chrissi! I loved this book!
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Gorgeous picture w sleeping kitty and wonderful review, Jennifer! I added this one to my tbr list. Happy Tuesday!
😊🐾🐾🐱💕📚🌷🌷😍
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Thank you, Virginia! She’s sitting there like she’s dreaming, isn’t she? I hope you love this special book, too! ♥️
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Jennifer, you are wreaking absolute HAVOC on my TBR! This sounds so beautiful and I can feel your love for it pouring through the words. And the sleeping kitty is very apropos. 😀
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Thanks, Kathy! I really did connect to this story. I also couldn’t believe how dreamy Harper looked in that pic! ♥️ 🐱
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I recently won this ARC in a giveaway – I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. I love Nina George’s work!
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It’s such a great win, Kelsey! I hope you connect to it, too! Nina George is such a special author. I’ll definitely be reading more of her books.
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Wow this book sounds emotional Jenni! 😭 I’m so sorry it made you cry but because of that I really want to read it! Does that sound wrong?! 😂😘
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You know I LOVE an emotional read, so it’s all good! I would love for you to read this one! ♥️
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It sounds incredibly lovely. There are so many books out there right now about dreams but this one sounds quite unique. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I don’t think I’ve read any other dream books recently, but this book definitely felt original. Thanks so much, Mackey!
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Wow – what a review. I’ve definitely been thinking about the same big picture idea of “being” versus “living” lately, so I can only imagine how hard this story will hit me emotionally between the lyrical writing, the overall theme, and the actual heart-wrenching plot line. Also, I LOVE how you phrased this as being “earnest… real and luminescent.” Adding this to my list, for sure.
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Thanks, LP! This is such a terrific book to add. Almost philosophical. It really makes you think and feel, evaluate. I hope you get a chance to read it. ♥️
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Wonderful review Jennifer. I am not sure if I like the thought of crying while reading this one or not. I love Nina George’s writing and look forward to reading this one as well. If you haven’t read The LIttle French Bistro, I definitely recommend you pick that one up. I think I liked it better than The Little Paris Bookshop.
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Thanks, Carla! I think it was my connection to this story that made it the most emotional. I’m definitely going to pick up TLFB. I’d love to read it now. I can’t wait to hear what you think of this one. ♥️
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I need to get to this one sooner rather than later.
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Beautiful review!! I, too, loved The Little Paris Bookshop, and it stayed with me for a long time after reading it. In fact, I still remember a lot of it. I’m a fan of Nina George’s writing, and I’m glad you have given me a glimpse into this latest one by her. Her books seem to affect me the same way they do you. I’m definitely going to keep my eye on this one. 👁
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Thank you, Laurie! I hope you get a chance to read this unforgettable book, and I love hearing that her writing affects you the same way. ♥️
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I *just* finished reading this book—gosh I’m just moved to the core—WHAT A BOOK. I am lucky enough to live in a county that has a fabulous library system. The mark of a superb book is when I’ve checked out a copy from my library, read it, and must have a copy of my own. This one will be on my purchase list so I can return to it whenever I want. It goes on my list as one that has moved me like The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. ♥️
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I completely understand, and while I have a physical copy, I want a finished copy for my shelf, too. Your comment is a great reminder of that. This book definitely deserves more love, and I’m so happy to hear you connected to it, too. ♥️
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