Loading...
22nd out of 89 books
—
65 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Shelter Me
by
Juliette Fay (Goodreads Author)
In the tradition of Marisa de los Santos and Anne Tyler comes a moving debut about a young mother's year of heartbreak, loss, and forgiveness...and help that arrives from unexpected sources
Four months after her husband's death, Janie LaMarche remains undone by grief and anger. Her mourning is disrupted, however, by the unexpected arrival of a builder with a contract to
...morePaperback, 415 pages
Published
January 1st 2009
by Avon Books
(first published January 1st 2008)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
4,473)
From my blog: www.lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com
This is a new author to me and one that I will definitely be reading more of in the future. This book was truly a great read. I enjoyed how the author went between entries of Janie's journal and then back to the story. I loved Janie's character and even loved her when she would get pissed off and throw a fit. She misses her husband so much that she is drowning in the day-to-day monotony of life. With the help of her cousin and aunt, plus a...more
This is a new author to me and one that I will definitely be reading more of in the future. This book was truly a great read. I enjoyed how the author went between entries of Janie's journal and then back to the story. I loved Janie's character and even loved her when she would get pissed off and throw a fit. She misses her husband so much that she is drowning in the day-to-day monotony of life. With the help of her cousin and aunt, plus a...more
view all 9 comments
This book is so amazing, especially since the author, Juliette Fay, admits she's never been widowed and that this book stemmed from her obsessive fear of losing her husband at a young age. In my case, this book was like looking in a mirror. There were times when I had to put it down and walk away as my sobbing disrupted my young daughter's play. Fay really reaches into that deep, dark place we widows walk daily in her beautiful yet flawed character. The young widow's attitudes, anger, resten...more
Story about a woman who lost her husband in a bicycle accident, and how she must learn to carry on, with her young son and baby daughter. Of course she's mad, and doesn't want to get up in the morning, that's expected. This is about her friendships and how they eventually bring her out of the worst of the grieving period.
I didn't like this nearly as well as the others who have already reviewed it. Seemed like so much of it was drivel, not important to the story. Just boring parts...more
I didn't like this nearly as well as the others who have already reviewed it. Seemed like so much of it was drivel, not important to the story. Just boring parts...more
I absolutely loved this book.
This is a story about a young widow left to raise two young children after the tragic death of her husband. He leaves behind a request to have a porch built on their house, a porch that will provide shelter for his family. There have been some discussions about the cover of the book. When I look at the cover I see a mother and her child wrapped in a patchwork quilt. Each patch represents an event, a memory, and a person that has provided some sort of assistanc...more
This is a story about a young widow left to raise two young children after the tragic death of her husband. He leaves behind a request to have a porch built on their house, a porch that will provide shelter for his family. There have been some discussions about the cover of the book. When I look at the cover I see a mother and her child wrapped in a patchwork quilt. Each patch represents an event, a memory, and a person that has provided some sort of assistanc...more
I will admit that I began reading this book assuming I wouldn't like it. Fay is one of my mother's good friends, and it's hard to imagine someone you know having the creativity and intelligence to publish a full-length novel, let alone a GOOD full-length novel. This book is also a genre I would not normally pick up/enjoy.
But read it I did, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. I couldn't put the book down once I started- I had to find out what happened to the characters whom I qui...more
But read it I did, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. I couldn't put the book down once I started- I had to find out what happened to the characters whom I qui...more
This is the perfect 'take me away' book! Fay's easy to read prose allows the reader to immediately identify with her main character. Without spoiling the plot, this tale of a grieving single mom, will make even the greatest cynic into a romantic. I loved the characters, setting, and recipes! (A book with food--Yum!)
Juliette Fay’s first novel is a beautiful story of love and loss. The characters are vibrant and the emotions completely believable. Expecting many tears, I was pleasantly surprised at the humor and strength. I highly recommend Shelter Me and anxiously await Fay’s next. This new author is already a pro.
What started out as just another "chick-lit" novel became, for me, a truly enjoyable read with characters I really cared about. Sprinkled throughout this tale of love and loss (or more accurately loss and love) are words of wisdom, some humor and a great deal of realism.
This is Juliette Fay's first novel - I hope it will not be her last. I will certainly look for her in the future.
This is Juliette Fay's first novel - I hope it will not be her last. I will certainly look for her in the future.
I got this book while working as a volunteer in a book fair. This particular copy was an 'advanced copy' and for the purposes of this fair no 'Advanced' copies can be selected to be put out on sale, these, along with outdated books, or damaged books go on a pile that's free for the volunteers to take home =:) I saw the cover, and the title and found it interesting, but boxed it up for like 3 YEARS before I actually got around to reading it, tsk tsk...
If I had only known!
This book is...more
If I had only known!
This book is...more
Perhaps I should wait a day or two to write my thoughts about this book, since I just now finished reading it. I have been engrossed in it for the last two days. But my stack of books is tall, and I shouldn't wait lest I forget anything. I think I'll just make a list and see where it takes me.
1. I love the wonderful images Ms. Fay presents with her words.
2. I really, really dislike the foul language. When someone uses words as deftly and compellingly as this au...more
1. I love the wonderful images Ms. Fay presents with her words.
2. I really, really dislike the foul language. When someone uses words as deftly and compellingly as this au...more
Girlfriend, wife, mother, widow...all these titles describe the main character's roles in life as the story unfolded.
Her first year as a widowed mother of two young children was very emotional..she had outbursts that made people stay away and that even included family who she alienated, but as the year wore on she realized she needed everyone and they were trying to help her through this difficult time since her young husband was killed in an accident.
Her life wasn't without ...more
Her first year as a widowed mother of two young children was very emotional..she had outbursts that made people stay away and that even included family who she alienated, but as the year wore on she realized she needed everyone and they were trying to help her through this difficult time since her young husband was killed in an accident.
Her life wasn't without ...more
Emily read this for her last book club. I just started it because I just finished the book for her next book club. She wanted me to read it and go to the book club with her. This book she didn't like to much. I like the widow's sarcastic thoughts. When the priest asks her where the baby is she wants to tell him that she's out weed wacking the yard. I also enjoy her easy style of writing and how read the characters are. Have any of you read it?
Wow! This was Juliette Fay's firs...more
Wow! This was Juliette Fay's firs...more
A tragic bike accident leaves a family of four struggling to adjust to life as a family of three. A young mother of two: a toddler and an infant, navigates her new life with the help of eccentric characters and friends.
This book, much unlike the others I have read lately, is not a thrilling, page turner. Instead, it moved slowly. Almost too slowly at times. I nearly put this book back on the shelf a number of times but chose to plod through it and am glad I did. While I think chunks ...more
This book, much unlike the others I have read lately, is not a thrilling, page turner. Instead, it moved slowly. Almost too slowly at times. I nearly put this book back on the shelf a number of times but chose to plod through it and am glad I did. While I think chunks ...more
They're your best friend... partner... lover and in a second they are gone... maybe it is divorce.... a break up.... death- you grieve. As I have traveled the road of break ups and divorce there have been times when I have wondered if loosing a partner to death was easier- in the end I decided no- at least while they are still alive you can contribute back to the misery they caused you (only kidding:)
I found this book on my desk at work last week- left by my co-workers (who both ...more
I found this book on my desk at work last week- left by my co-workers (who both ...more
Usually, going to the library with no holds waiting for me and without my list is a recipe for disappointment and frustration. However, this time it resulted in this nice surprise. I completely judged the book solely on its cover and hoped it was worth reading. I quickly became hooked and enthralled. The depth and insight into this woman's feelings and emotions brought tears to my eyes at unexpected times. As the reader walks through the first year of this young widow's life, I often surpri...more
Four months after the tragic death of her husband, Janie is greeted at the door by a contractor who has come to make a porch addition on her home. The twist is that Janie did not request the contractor and had no idea that any renovating would even be happening. This porch was a gift that her husband, Robby, had decided to buy for her as a surprise gift.
Although Janie is in no mood and has no desire for a new porch, the job has already been paid for and the contractor, Tug, insists ...more
Although Janie is in no mood and has no desire for a new porch, the job has already been paid for and the contractor, Tug, insists ...more
Jackie
rated it
Recommended to Jackie by:
IndieNext List--Jan 2009
Shelves:
work-review-related-reading,
chick-lit
Fay's debut novel takes us through the heartache, confusion, and ultimate renewal of a young widow's first year without her husband. A fluke bike accident leaves Janie widowed with a pre-schooler and an infant to care for in a world gone very dark to her eyes. Festering wounds grow worse when a contractor shows up at the house to build a porch contracted by her husband months before. But slowly Janie comes to see that help is there for her--her crazy aunt actually gets her involved in some ...more
I'm really torn on this book. I really liked the style of writing, and it was nice to read a "modern" story since it seems like the last books I've been reading have all been in the future, the past, or in fantasy land. I read this book as a recommendation from a blogger, so I really didn't expect anything bad in this book. But once again - the language is horrible. And some of it is really unbelievable - like a priest using the Lord's name in vain and swearing - I'm sorry, but I just ...more
I read this book in less than 24 hours. It wasn't necessarily because it was such an amazing book but it was more because I have always wondered what I would do if my husband were to unexpectedly die. What decisions would I make? How would I respond? I was sucked into Janie's life as she dealt with this life altering event. I admired her commitment to her children as she slogged through the first year following her husband's death. I really enjoyed her Aunt Jude and her lessons in serving and se...more
It will only allow me to give this book 5 stars which isn't nearly enough. I loved this book. It is the most beautifully written book I've ever read and I wanted to treasure each word---I actually stopped reading for a little bit because I didn't want it to be over. I relate to the main character in ways that are not easy to explain and probably wouldn't make sense to many people. The following is an exerpt of a conversation between the main character Janie and Jake the priest who is trying to h...more
I can't say enough how enjoyable I found the experience of reading this book. From the very first page, I felt like I was a part of Janie's life and felt a strong kinship with her pain and heavy grief. Although I am not a mother, nor am I married, the writing style allowed me to empathise with Janie's struggles, rather than to pity her and to admire the strength it took her just to get out of bed in the morning. It made me wonder how I would react if I found someone that I was committed to lo...more
What a wonderful little find this was.
Janey is a newly-widowed mother of 38. Her husband died in a motorcycle accident that likely wouldn't have been fatal but for his own carelessness. Janey's grief and anger - released on everyone except her infant daughter and toddler son - have just about consumed her when she finds out about her husband's last gift: a new porch.
She doesn't want this conspicuous reminder of the presence he had in her life and the absence she no...more
I hesitate to given this three stars without explaining that I think that three stars is a decent rating. The main character is a young woman with two children widowed suddently. The novel takes you through the first year following her husband's accident and all of her emotional adjustment and angst. I found myself somewhat annoyed with her at times because of her insular approach to things, not realizing how her behavior and emotions might be affecting those around her simply trying to under...more
This was a beautiful book about a woman dealing with her sudden widowhood. Janie's husband was killed in an accident, and apparently before he died he had arranged for a contractor to build a porch on their house. The first Janie knows about it is when the contractor shows up.
The story includes an abundance of characters. Janie, her two kids, Tug the contractor, Jake the priest, her mother, aunt, cousin, brother, women from a self-defense class, neighbors, people from the soup k...more
The story includes an abundance of characters. Janie, her two kids, Tug the contractor, Jake the priest, her mother, aunt, cousin, brother, women from a self-defense class, neighbors, people from the soup k...more
The story follows Janie and how she manages two children and life after the passing of her husband. Janie's wit and sarcasm, though sometimes and understandably bitter, seems to provide her with enough shelter from the pain that she can manage most days, and it makes a tragic story enjoyable instead of heart wrenching (though there are moments my heart ached for her and her children). In the midst of her sorrow Janie receives one final gift from her late husband, opening the door to a contractor...more
Loved this book. Could not put it down. Started it on the way home from a road trip and (thanks to a civic call to jury duty) finished it the next day. We all have times in our lives when we're overwhelmed by circumstances that hit us, tsunami-like, without warning. Janie is a young widow with very young children who is just trying to cope with the tragic hand life has dealt her. But more than just her story, this is a great story of how people come around you to support you in difficult times...more
So far, not liking it. The characters are sweet, but there are tons of tiny descriptive things in the book that are just not right for me. So not right, that they arrest me in the middle of sentences to re-write them. So not right, that she drops useful details so late in the story that you have already developed a different image in your mind in order to fill in what she has left blank.
Some examples:
She describes her baby as sleeping with her arms over her head as ...more
Some examples:
She describes her baby as sleeping with her arms over her head as ...more
When the back cover described Juliette Fay's debut novel as reminiscent of Marisa de Los Santos and Lolly Winston's Good Grief, I nodded and smiled and thought "You wish." Oh, they mention Anne Tyler, too, but that doesn't impress me quite as much. The great back cover writers of the world do not lie. I did not start this book with a lot of hope, but I quickly became incredibly attached to the protagonist. The storyline itself does sound almost a bit too similar to Good Grief, one of m...more
First, full disclosure: I am a lot like Janie – I’m the same age, and my two children are about the same age and even the same sex as the character’s (although I have not (thankfully) lost my husband!). So I certainly empathized with her character and her kids, and even recognized her relatives in MY relatives! Characters that can do that are a rare find indeed. And little things like “Pology Cake” and her son’s swim goggle fetish (where did Fay come up with these things??) make the characters j...more
A widow with two small children learns about herself, her family and rediscovers love. At first I groaned another book that I picked up focused on a woman whose husband died, then as I got in to it I began to like the character. She is a Catholic woman who is really prickly, begins to fall in love with her priest and then falls for the guy who was predictable from the beginning – the carpenter (another bibilical reference!) who keeps adding work on the construction project to be near her...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Juliette is the author of SHELTER ME (HarperCollins 2009) and DEEP DOWN TRUE (Viking Penguin 2011)
Shelter Me was a 2009 Massachusetts Book Award “Book of the Year,” a Target 2009 Bookmarked Club selection, a Good Housekeeping Book Pick, and was chosen for the American Booksellers Association’s Indie Next List.
Juliette received a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a...more
More about Juliette Fay...
Shelter Me was a 2009 Massachusetts Book Award “Book of the Year,” a Target 2009 Bookmarked Club selection, a Good Housekeeping Book Pick, and was chosen for the American Booksellers Association’s Indie Next List.
Juliette received a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Loneliness is painful. But suffering is not wrong in and of itself. It's part of the human experience, and in a way brings us closer to all people.”
—
8 people liked it
“We all miss people. I miss my parents, may they rest in peace. I miss my marriage when it was good. You don't have to stop missing. You just have to accept that missing doesn't mean you turn away your happiness.”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
