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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

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29 / 30 books. 97% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

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My Progress:


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2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

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41 / 50 books. 82% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


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Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

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52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

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50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

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35 / 40 books. 88% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


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2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

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2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

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Mount TBR Reading Challenge

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35 / 100 books. 35% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

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90 / 104 books. 87% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

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Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

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The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

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73 / 100 names. 73% done!
Monday, May 28, 2018

Never That Far Tells a Poignant, Powerful Story of Loss and Love

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

I usually craft my own plot summaries, but Never That Far, Carol Lynch Williams' newest, isn't the easiest novel to describe.  The publisher's version says everything that needs to be said in one succinct paragraph, so I'm going to go with it:

After her grampa dies, the last place Libby expects to see him is sitting on the edge of her bed.  But that's what happens the night after his funeral.  Even more surprising is that Grampa has three important things to tell her: first, that she isn't alone or forgotten—"The dead ain't never that far from the living," he says; second, that she has "the Sight"—the ability to see family members who have died; and third, that there is something special just for her in the lake.  Something that could help her and her father—if she can find it.  Libby and Grampa try to help her father heal from his grief, but it will take all of Libby's courage and her gift of Sight to convince her father that the dead are never truly gone.  

Set against a lush central Florida backdrop, Never That Far tells a poignant, powerful story about loss and love.  Libby's heartbreak and yearning are so palpable that it's impossible not to root for her happiness.  Her actions and reactions feel authentic, making her a very real character.  This, plus an atmospheric setting; a rich, mystical vibe; and some important messages about faith, family, and friendship, make Never That Far a compelling read.  I enjoyed it.

(Readalikes:  Um, I can't really think of anything.  Can you?)

Grade:


If this were a movie, it would be rated:


for difficult subject matter and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love:  I received an ARC of Never That Far from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain.  Thank you!


4 comments:

  1. I think many of us like the idea that the dead are close by; I can see this book feeling comforting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the sound of this one! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a warm comfort read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've never read a book by Williams yet. I plan to read one of hers this year, though.

    ReplyDelete

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Murder is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens

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