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144th out of 268 books
—
1,388 voters
The First day of the Rest of My Life
by
Cathy Lamb (Goodreads Author)
"The First Day of the Rest of My Life" is an eloquent and triumphant tale of a fierce act of love, a family's legacy, and one woman's awakening to her own power--with no secrets.
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
August 1st 2011
by Kensington
(first published July 26th 2011)
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Interesting book. The main character, Madeline O'Shea is a successful life coach. Abused as a child, she has constructed a life to mask the pain and self-loathing that comes from being sexually abused. Although there were many unsettling moments in the book, it becomes the story of how Madeline finally takes control of her life and opens herself up to relationships again. The ending is hopeful and uplifting.
I liked the story, although toward the end it bordered on unbelievable. There were so man...more
I liked the story, although toward the end it bordered on unbelievable. There were so man...more
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“A Book That Will Touch and Hold Your Heart”
What a poignant story this is! We follow Madeline O’Shea from her scarred childhood to her rise to fame as a renowned life coach as an adult. Madeline learns all of the fame, glory, and extravagance cannot erase the horrific memories of the childhood abuse she, as well as her beloved, chainsaw-wielding, withdrawn from life, Sister Annie endured for the sake of those they love, nor can it keep their talented Grandmother; Emmanuelle, from falling deeper...more
What a poignant story this is! We follow Madeline O’Shea from her scarred childhood to her rise to fame as a renowned life coach as an adult. Madeline learns all of the fame, glory, and extravagance cannot erase the horrific memories of the childhood abuse she, as well as her beloved, chainsaw-wielding, withdrawn from life, Sister Annie endured for the sake of those they love, nor can it keep their talented Grandmother; Emmanuelle, from falling deeper...more
1 like · like · see review
When I read my first Cathy Lamb book, I thought I discovered my new favorite author. But this one--her most recent of the 5 she has written--was only ok. Very disappointing. Parts were excellent, but it was waaaay too long! By the time you've read your 5th Cathy Lamb book, you catch on that she writes about mentally ill people in dysfunctional families. At the same time, they are so successful, so good, and all live happily ever after.
So this was no different, but she took about 200 pages longe...more
So this was no different, but she took about 200 pages longe...more
This book was the most pleasant reading surprise this year, and it's already September. The title of the book threw me, and *almost* made me not want to read it. It sounded very touchy-feely, calculated cry-ey, and I didn't want that.
I will say this story had me bawling at intervals, but I never saw it coming and it hit me right in the face.
Madeleine O'Shea is a motivational speaker for women, although men benefit from her advice as well. She is very successful in terms of business and money, b...more
I will say this story had me bawling at intervals, but I never saw it coming and it hit me right in the face.
Madeleine O'Shea is a motivational speaker for women, although men benefit from her advice as well. She is very successful in terms of business and money, b...more
There are not many authors out there that can pull me into a story so completely that my emotions are tied up in the characters. Cathy Lamb did just that in this story. I found myself either tearing up or full out crying at several points in the book, and laughing at others.
Overall, the story was very good. Had a couple of slow parts, but nothing that really dragged it down. How horrible, what Madeline and Annie went through as kids. It was truly disturbing and disgusting, especially since ther...more
Overall, the story was very good. Had a couple of slow parts, but nothing that really dragged it down. How horrible, what Madeline and Annie went through as kids. It was truly disturbing and disgusting, especially since ther...more
I have been loving Cathy Lamb's books since Julia's Chocolates first came out. Her detailed stories, full of quirky characters and a mix of humor and sadness always resonate with me. Although I sobbed my way through much of Henry's Sisters, First Day of the Rest of My Life has been the most emotionally exhausting book so far. I laughed, cried, was horrified in parts--quite the roller coaster. This is mainly the story of Madeline O'Shea, a very successful life coach who despite helping others tur...more
While there were moments when she had me drawn in, Cathy Lamb's overall plot could have been handled in much less space. The notion of someone with so many secrets in hers and her family's past being able to be a successful life coach was a real stretch in credibility for me. There was too much formula tragedy mashed together here: escape from war-torn France during the Nazi occupation, a father's untimely loss in a storm at sea, horrendous abuse at the hands of a stepfather and more nationaliti...more
I didn't really like this book. I really tried to like it but it didn't ever come. I almost put it down without finishing it several times. It was a beyond depressing book. The stories were so horrific that I'd grow stressed and anxious when I read. (A quite opposite feeling I thought'd have reading this book after looking at the beautiful cover art.) I've read and liked many books about tough situations and stories (ex., Jodi Picoult books, Diane Chamberlain books, etc.) and in those there is a...more
I had a horrible time getting involved with this book. I just could not get into it, and I almost put it down without finishing. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that I love this author's works and I figured I was just missing something. Now that I have finished, I am certain that I knew instinctively the subject matter and did not want to continue reading. It is a remarkable story of redemption, of rebuilding life after extreme tragedy.
The characters were extremely flawed, but ma...more
The characters were extremely flawed, but ma...more
Cathy Lamb has touched on some very difficult topics in past novels - alcoholism, schizophrenia and spousal abuse - but this is, by far, the most heart-wrenching of topics. I did struggle a little with the start of this book - just did not seem to pull me in as the others have done. I didn't really care for the main character - Madeline. I'm not sure why, but it seemed "forced," if that makes any sense. I could appreciate her sister, Annie, and her dedication to protect abused animals and her mu...more
I enjoyed this book, the author does an excellent job of keeping the book feeling light while dealing with serious topics. My biggest complaint was that I felt the book blurb did not prepare me for the subject. This book is about two women who were abused when they were children and they are now dealing with the abuse. That is what a majority of the book deals with, not the life coaching or a romance. So, I felt like I was unprepared to deal with this much heavy subject matter. Looking past that...more
Wow!!! The author did an amazing job of combining a hugely emotional story with just the occasional touch of humor. I was amazed at the way the author was able to tug on the reader’s heartstrings. So intense – it just blew me away. Good thing I had my box of Kleenex handy! The two sisters’ characters really came alive and made me feel like I was right there, witnessing everything that was happening during the moments in the courtroom; I was crying right along with those who were present. Had to...more
I think I liked this book the best of all that I have read of Cathy Lamb's writing. It was definitely difficult to read given the subject matter at times- made me squirm to think that people would do such horrible things to children (don't think Lamb had to invent what happened- unfortunately happens everyday somewhere in the world). The takeaway though is to not let our past dictate our present and future; not allow it to close doors or be less authentic to ourselves and those around us.
The oth...more
The oth...more
Another absolutely engrossing,captivating, marvelous work from Cathy Lamb.
This is the story of Madeline and Annie....sisters who struggle daily to live with a past that's horrific and unimaginable. Helping them face it and move beyond it are there caring and attentive grandparents. Unfortunately the grandparents have struggles and secrets of their own. An outsider is threatening to reveal to the world both the story the sisters have tried so hard to forget and the secrets of the grandparents.
Can...more
This is the story of Madeline and Annie....sisters who struggle daily to live with a past that's horrific and unimaginable. Helping them face it and move beyond it are there caring and attentive grandparents. Unfortunately the grandparents have struggles and secrets of their own. An outsider is threatening to reveal to the world both the story the sisters have tried so hard to forget and the secrets of the grandparents.
Can...more
I can't say enough good things about Cathy Lamb. This book has some quirky characters that you can't help but love once you meet them. The main character has a lot going on in her life and though at times it seems to take a little bit to get to her story, it is really worth it. I would have liked to have seen more from the ending but I'm a romantic, I want the happy ever after for characters who deserve it and I definitely think this book is one of those that warrants it. This didn't detract fro...more
I really had to persist to continue to read the book but I am glad that I persevered because by mid-point I just kept on reading and reading to the end. A very insightful book, a very emotionally charged book dealing with the sensitive issues of child abuse, child pornography, the holocaust and more. The way the story is set and narrated is very different and the use of symbolic motifs strongly prevalent. I appreciate some of the very strong statements made - words that a Life Coach would enforc...more
Did not love it. The characters were all way too quirky (and if EVERYONE is eccentric then really no one is, right?) and the repetitive language annoyed me. Honestly it screamed Southern-lit to me, so it was a surprise when it turned out they were in Oregon. Weird. But the story was sort of good, though extremely predictable, so I felt obligated to finish the book. The ending was just too quickly wrapped up, and too picture-perfect to be realistic though. I've heard good things about this author...more
I have a difficult time reading books that have even hints of child molestation in them. I almost put this book down for good, but I am so glad that I stuck with it. I am a big fan of Cathy Lamb and this book, with its complex character relationships (every one has crosses to bear, some are just better at hiding them than others) and an unexpected twist ended up being rather delightful in places. From hideous child sexual abuse to an adored loved one with dementia, this book covers the gamut of...more
I was really disappointed in this book! I've become a Cathy Lamb fan -- her books usually have quirky characters with good humor and strength of character who overcome sometimes really horrible childhoods and/or abusive situations.
What specifically disappointed me was that several times in the story, the main character, Madeline, sort of ... leaves the story and it feels like the author is simply delivering a diatribe against childhood pornography and abuse. Of course those are horrible, unforg...more
What specifically disappointed me was that several times in the story, the main character, Madeline, sort of ... leaves the story and it feels like the author is simply delivering a diatribe against childhood pornography and abuse. Of course those are horrible, unforg...more
I wasn't really sure what to expect out of this novel when I picked it up, but I couldn't put it down. Cathy Lamb is a fantastic story teller. This novel is so dark and graphic you can't help but feel empathy for each of the characters. It is also very scary. It is not scary in a horror sense, but scary in there are some sick people in this world that do some very bad things. I would compare her writing to Kate Morton. There are so many secrets with twists and turns that some things you just wou...more
****SPOILERS**** Hmmm...well...this book was well written, hence the three stars. It was not at all what I expected though. The book cover is beautiful and serene; just a woman sitting on a dock looking out over the water. The book jacket implies that the heroin has a past and that her mother went to prison for some reason. It does not however prepare you at all for the emotional upheaval this book evokes. This book dealt in child abuse, murder, pornography, dementia, suicide, blackmail, death o...more
I normally devour Cathy Lamb's books and I expected this one to follow that trend. This book, however, was a little hard to digest. The subject matter and the graphic nature of the abuse against the girls was hard to get past. Maybe it is because I have daughters and could not imagine (or read about) someone doing that to any child. I love the creative unique way that she writes about a main character who has been through some sort of trauma and interjects lighter elements with the help of quirk...more
Cathy Lamb isn’t an author I know particularly well, however when I saw the cover for her latest book I rather fell in love. I thought the girl looking out over the water was very atmospheric so I decided to look into it a bit more and I thought the synopsis sounded very intriguing. I then took a peek at the beginning pages of the novel (which, by the way, is the best invention ever; I can always tell from the first few pages if a book appeals or not) and after enjoying the opening of The First...more
Madeline O'Shea, a highly successful life coach, is a hypocrite. She tells people what to do with their lives, but doesn’t follow any of the advice she doles out. Madeline is hiding a secret- a horrible, wretched past filled with twisted abuse and heartbreak. Madeline, along with her sister and best friend, Annie, have worked hard to keep their childhood away from the public. But when a reporter starts getting too close for comfort, Madeline and Annie’s past may be revealed.
The First Day of the...more
The First Day of the...more
I went back to my review of the last Cathy Lamb book I read and lo and behold, I complained about her books following a template (my opinion) - quirky, strong female character(s) must overcome abusive relationships with men. Same thing again here. And this time, I swear, the characters in this book are the quirkiest EVER of all her novels. I'm all for quirky. I'm all for fun, Southern-type women. But it's getting old. And since this book partially takes place on Cape Cod, I have to say the chara...more
Cathy Lamb does it again. She takes a hard life topic and enables the reader to get through it with laughter as well as tears. She takes wounded characters and gives them life and makes them real. I don't know how she does it but she does it BRILLIANTLY.
This newest novel from Lamb is no exception to her abilities to craft a good read. She takes a broken, wounded woman (and her family) and takes us on a jounrey of healing. Lest you think these journey's are dull and depressing think again. Lamb...more
This newest novel from Lamb is no exception to her abilities to craft a good read. She takes a broken, wounded woman (and her family) and takes us on a jounrey of healing. Lest you think these journey's are dull and depressing think again. Lamb...more
Cathy Lamb is the most gifted storyteller I've encountered in all of my adult years of reading. She intuitively knows people, relationships and life experiences; and "The First Day of the Rest of My Life" is an example of a great author at her best.
In "The First Day of the Rest of My Life," Madeline and Annie O'Shea are two adult sisters still learning to overcome the emotional damage of the most heinous crimes against children that anyone could ever imagine. They've grown up and become successf...more
In "The First Day of the Rest of My Life," Madeline and Annie O'Shea are two adult sisters still learning to overcome the emotional damage of the most heinous crimes against children that anyone could ever imagine. They've grown up and become successf...more
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I'd give this 3.5 stars, due to story redundancy. There seemed to be chapter after chapter of repeated scenarios with clients, and teasing at a reveal of the family secrets. I felt exasperated as a reader.
Though redundant, I appreciated the heaviness was balanced with humor, and the depth of the family story line and characters gave it a particular richness.
On another note, I was expecting a totally different story based from the cover photo. I think it's lovely, but not a good book fit.
Though redundant, I appreciated the heaviness was balanced with humor, and the depth of the family story line and characters gave it a particular richness.
On another note, I was expecting a totally different story based from the cover photo. I think it's lovely, but not a good book fit.
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| Bookworm Bitches : April 2012: The First Day of the Rest of My Life | 23 | 135 | Apr 30, 2012 05:16am | |
| Bookworm Bitches : The First Day of the Rest of My Life: Playlist | 2 | 23 | Mar 25, 2012 08:44am |
Cathy Lamb was born in Newport Beach, California. As a child, she mastered the art of skateboarding, catching butterflies in bottles, and riding her bike with no hands. When she was 10, her parents moved her, two sisters, a brother, and two poorly behaved dogs to Oregon before she could fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a surfer bum.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she e...more
More about Cathy Lamb...
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she e...more
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“But grief is a walk alone. Others can be there, and listen. But you will walk alone down your own path, at your own pace, with your sheared-off pain, your raw wounds, you denial, anger, and bitter loss. You'll come to your own peace, hopefully, but it will be on your own, in your own time.”
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