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251st out of 1,116 books
—
1,882 voters
Dancing on the Edge of the Roof
by
Sheila Williams (Goodreads Author)
At forty-one, Juanita Lewis is running away from home, courtesy of a one-way ticket to Montana, a place that seems about as far away from the violence and poverty of the Columbus, Ohio, projects as the moon. She wants adventure and excitement–if such things exist for a pre-menopausal African American woman with three grown, deadbeat children.
Juanita’s new life in Paper Moo...more
Juanita’s new life in Paper Moo...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
October 25th 2005
by One World/Ballantine
(first published 2002)
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Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, by Sheila Williams
Read in 2004
Juanita Lewis, mother of 3 grown dependent, ill-mannered children, has had 42 years of hard living in abusive relationships, so she has decided to RUN AWAY from Ohio to Montana. Certainly life can be no more difficult than what she has already faced. Along the way, in Butte, Montana, where her skin color does stand out BIG TIME, she "runs into" a gay truck driver, who delivers her to Paper Moon, Montana. Juanita walks into the local...more
Read in 2004
Juanita Lewis, mother of 3 grown dependent, ill-mannered children, has had 42 years of hard living in abusive relationships, so she has decided to RUN AWAY from Ohio to Montana. Certainly life can be no more difficult than what she has already faced. Along the way, in Butte, Montana, where her skin color does stand out BIG TIME, she "runs into" a gay truck driver, who delivers her to Paper Moon, Montana. Juanita walks into the local...more
Running Away,
Juanita, a mother and grandmother, has worked hard providing for her family, while neglecting to have a life of her own. Everyday she does the same old thing. When Mrs. Berman, a patient at the hospital where Juanita works, passes away. While helping her daughter pack her things, Juanita comes across some books. Instead of throwing the books out, she takes the books home and begins reading them. All of a sudden, Juanita has a new attitude.
Juanita leaves her job, her grown spoiled c...more
Juanita, a mother and grandmother, has worked hard providing for her family, while neglecting to have a life of her own. Everyday she does the same old thing. When Mrs. Berman, a patient at the hospital where Juanita works, passes away. While helping her daughter pack her things, Juanita comes across some books. Instead of throwing the books out, she takes the books home and begins reading them. All of a sudden, Juanita has a new attitude.
Juanita leaves her job, her grown spoiled c...more
What a delightful book this was!
It is told in first person and is the story of Juanita Louis. A mother of three grown children who slowly sees her life passing her by. A nurse's aide, she becomes the inheritor of a library of paperback novels of a former patient. The books open up a whole new world for Juanita, a world of possibilities.
In a move that I have often wished I could do, Juanita quits her thankless job, packs her clothes, says good bye to her thankless children, looks at a map, pick...more
It is told in first person and is the story of Juanita Louis. A mother of three grown children who slowly sees her life passing her by. A nurse's aide, she becomes the inheritor of a library of paperback novels of a former patient. The books open up a whole new world for Juanita, a world of possibilities.
In a move that I have often wished I could do, Juanita quits her thankless job, packs her clothes, says good bye to her thankless children, looks at a map, pick...more
This is a Must Read. I listened to it on CD from the library & I could so identify with this book even though my kids are nothing like,the main character, Juanita kids. I can't find the words to describe it,it is about taking a chance and stepping out of your comfort zone at age 42 and evaluating & taking stock of your life & making a change. I told a co -worker about this book & she listened to it and also her mother. Be sure to read the sequel, On the Right Side of A Dream.
This was a great book. It's heart warming to see all the stars in rating. I think this author did an incredible job with her first novel. It was hands down the best romance novel (not fond of those) I've ever read! It was really cute. Looking forward to more from Sheila Williams
Despite a little bit of a weak ending, this novel is still enjoyable. Easily readable with the author's smooth style and penchant for creating memorable characters. Not as good as "The Shade of My Own Tree", but sharing in some of the major themes and of course writing style.
Juanita is all women at one time in our lives. Overwhelmed at home and work we just want to run away. She did for all of us. It was a great journey that surprisingly doesn't end with the book. The reader takes what is learned and keeps moving.
Based in Columbus, Ohio. It was cool to know where the author was talkiing. I could really visualize. When you turn 40 this is a book that you should read. Some language.
Jul 30, 2011
Chris
added it
I ended up liking this. Was unsure at first, too stereotypical and a bit boring. But once she got off on her own, I was into her adventure and liked her personality.
A very fantastic story. Deeply invigorating but modish and contemporary and thought provoking. Finding Paper Moon is like finding a light at an end.
It will make you want to run away from home and create a new life for yourself - just like Juanita does! A fun, yet thoughtful read.
I enjoyed this book and it made me cry. The book starts off in Columbus which was fun to read (it was accurate, too).
If you're a woman who is thinking of running away from home and living in a small town in Montana, read this book.
true-to-life message about listening to your heart's desires....good reminder of one's own life purpose.
I enjoyed it. It was a light story which was entertaining after having read a couple of heavier books recently.
I recall that I really enjoyed ths book. I can still remember many of the descriptions.
Easy to read, light romance. Like the characters and the flow of the story.
This was a great read!
It's always great to find and urban fiction read that is not all about he said/she said-baby mama- thug love- drama. This is one of those stories that you could call 'inspirational' in a way. The kind that makes you reevaluate your own life and see where you been and where you are going.
The characters and the story are very well-written and lively adding the perfect compliment to Juanita and Jess. I was very sad when I got to the end but it also left a smile on my face.
I...more
It's always great to find and urban fiction read that is not all about he said/she said-baby mama- thug love- drama. This is one of those stories that you could call 'inspirational' in a way. The kind that makes you reevaluate your own life and see where you been and where you are going.
The characters and the story are very well-written and lively adding the perfect compliment to Juanita and Jess. I was very sad when I got to the end but it also left a smile on my face.
I...more
April 2009
Light and easy but fun.
Written by a local author, this book was funny from the beginning with her running away from home, and who could have blamed her with the way her ungrateful family was. Her adventure took her on a trip to what real life can be for her with people who love and appreciate her. Its a good read, and the follow up book "From the Shade of Her Own Tree" is good but not as good as this one.
Juanita Lewis of Columbus, OH has given up trying to please her adult children and decides to travel and find herself. What she finds in Paper Moon, MT is a cafe that doesn't serve fried eggs and so begins her journey.
I read this book in a day and a half because Once I go started, I didn't want to put it down. It seemed as though she was writing about my life, where I live, my kids and my goals and aspirations. Wondeful reading!
I enjoyed this book. The voice of the protagonist is vivid and unique. There was a fair amount of "good advice" tossed into the text and Williams really knows how to bring a setting to life.
Aug 28, 2008
Sandra
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
top-shelf
This a a wonderful book on the discovery of reading and of self. It's all about risk-taking and what can happen of yu spread your wings and fly!
If you have ever wanted to just put down the troubles in your life and pick up a new life brimming with possibilities-this book is for you
A very pleasant read!
view all 3 comments
May 06, 2013
Korinthia
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Robin
added it
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Hi – well what would you like to know?
As a kid I ate up books, any books about anything. Had my first story published when I was 8, in the school magazine. It was called The Canary – ah yes, I remember it well.
I just missed out on free-love and flower power but made up for it in the 70′s when I became part of the self-sufficiency movement. I dragged my husband to a small holding in the Yorkshire...more
More about Sheila Williams...
As a kid I ate up books, any books about anything. Had my first story published when I was 8, in the school magazine. It was called The Canary – ah yes, I remember it well.
I just missed out on free-love and flower power but made up for it in the 70′s when I became part of the self-sufficiency movement. I dragged my husband to a small holding in the Yorkshire...more
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