Two months after the death of her best friend Harlan, Lucy remains haunted by the thigns she never told him, including her deep love for him. Then ...
read full description
reviews
Oct 28, 2011
Amara
rated it: 
Every sentence of this book is lyrical and evocative, wrapping grief in a padding of beautifully crafted sentences that allow you to follow the journey with your heart involved but intact. This story is equal parts melancholic, wise, challenging and funny. It seems impossible that this is Susan's first novel, the tenderness and love poured into rounding out each character and allowing them to interact organically seems more likely the work of a seasoned author.
This is not a heavy r More...
This is not a heavy r More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 14, 2011
Frank
rated it:
As I began reading this novel, I was immediately pulled into the story about Lucy and her best friend Harlan, not just by the moving story of Harlan's battle with cancer and Lucy's pending adoption of a 4 year old Russian orphan, but more so by the wonderful prose. I usually read the first chapter of any new Kindle fiction release. Very few grab me like this one did. Halfway through the story I sent a message to the author telling her that her work reminded me somewhat of Anne Tyler, particularl
More...
Dec 01, 2011
Lydia
rated it:
Original review posted here
People, this is not a little book. It’s 320 pages long. I started reading it at 9:30pm thinking I’d get a few chapters in. Next thing I knew I was closing the book and looking at my clock where the time of 4:30am was looking at me with accusation. I haven’t stayed up like that to read a book in one setting, or I should say, to read an adult book in one setting, in… never.
I was simply blown away by this story. Susan Schoenberger flawlessly moves b More...
People, this is not a little book. It’s 320 pages long. I started reading it at 9:30pm thinking I’d get a few chapters in. Next thing I knew I was closing the book and looking at my clock where the time of 4:30am was looking at me with accusation. I haven’t stayed up like that to read a book in one setting, or I should say, to read an adult book in one setting, in… never.
I was simply blown away by this story. Susan Schoenberger flawlessly moves b More...
Nov 29, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Some novels grab you and don’t let you go until you have finished a marathon reading session. Even afterwards, you find yourself thinking about the novel and wondering about various characters and plot points. A Watershed Year is just such a novel.
I will admit that I initially wanted to read A Watershed Year because of its very cool title. I am a dorky water resources engineer, and one item I do in my job is to draw watershed maps to determine where rainfall will drain once it hit More...
I will admit that I initially wanted to read A Watershed Year because of its very cool title. I am a dorky water resources engineer, and one item I do in my job is to draw watershed maps to determine where rainfall will drain once it hit More...
Oct 18, 2011
Casey
rated it:
I really loved the way everything came together at the end. I love books where the climax comes at the beginning adn then everything revolves around it, but I also love books that are like a flashback but the flashback becomes the story (this has nothing to do with the story...). anyways, it was written in a way that i could understand, and I really really did enjoy reading it. I spent like three days on it i think, i actually finished it yesterday but had no time to get on goodreads. throughout
More...
Oct 26, 2011
Sharron
rated it: 
Very readable story about immature professor trying to find herself. When a close friends dies (in first chapter!) she regrets not telling him of her love despite the fact that she cared for him during his last months. Then he begins to send her e-mails once a month, (prearranged through a friend) she looks forward to the "honest" communication. He suggests she should become a mother so she looks into adoption. The only way to afford this is to get an older child from Russia who it
More...
Jun 30, 2011
Jana
rated it: 
This was an interesting book. I loved reading about her experiences in Russia adopting her son. And I liked that it seemed pretty realistic, in that they both had a lot of adjustments to go through and a lot of changing expectations. But I really didn't like the whole storyline about her dead friend. Their relationship just didn't work for me. And I really didn't like the discovery that she makes at the end, it made no sense to me and didn't seem to fit with the character.
May 02, 2011
Kevin
rated it:
I couldn't put this novel down. I was forced by my schedule to read it over a week and a half but the narratives kept playing over in my mind. I found myself eagerly awaiting the next moving passage. The writing is straight-foward prose that invokes strong images but is more than accessible to the reader. The author explores many themes in this book including grief, joy, spirituality, job uncertainty and motherhood. Strong writing, great pace, a must read.
Feb 04, 2012
Sherry
rated it: 
Susan Schoenberger plays my emotions like a fiddle.
She presents the story of a woman who loses a dear friend, a man to whom she never admitted she was in love. After his death, she pursues the adoption of a small child from Russia, while attempting to regain her footing in her life and career.
In telling this small story, Schoenberger moves effortlessly forward and backward through time. She also moves through an incredible range of emotions, and takes the reader along More...
She presents the story of a woman who loses a dear friend, a man to whom she never admitted she was in love. After his death, she pursues the adoption of a small child from Russia, while attempting to regain her footing in her life and career.
In telling this small story, Schoenberger moves effortlessly forward and backward through time. She also moves through an incredible range of emotions, and takes the reader along More...
Dec 25, 2011
Denise
rated it:
This book grabbed me from the beginning. It is a sweet semi love story of Harlan and Lucy and then the adoption of her Russian son Mat. I enjoyed the family unit, the cancer, the adoption. To say I enjoyed the cancer is not really true, but as my personal experience with my husband dying from cancer, I could relate to the story line from both points of view, as my husband and I discussed it all. I would certainly recommend this book.
Oct 27, 2011
Halimah
rated it:
I'm not going to lie, I had my doubts when I started the book off. I couldn't connect real well with the character Lucy presented. However, it began to pick up pace after her friend Harlan dies, and she starts considering adoption. I love Lucy's family and what I think they represent in her life. I won't say much more because I hate to ruin a good book for the people who read this review, just know, this book is a lot of drama, mainly things that only a girl/woman would be conflicted with. Overa
More...
Feb 05, 2012
Ellen
rated it:
ienA good story about a woman dealing with the aftermath of a close friends' death (someone she was also in love with). Lots of understated truth about finding yourself in a difficult, unresolved, unexpected place and having to make choices, often difficult and scary ones, in order to reclaim your life.
Jan 22, 2012
Stephanie
rated it:
Be prepared, you won't be able to put it down. It's one of those page turners where you need to keep going despite the fact that you haven't started dinner for the kids yet or that it's already 1 am and you have to get up at 6.
I love Susan's writing style and can't wait for her next book!
I love Susan's writing style and can't wait for her next book!
Oct 24, 2011
Alison
rated it:
According to the author, this novel started out as a short story about a friend dying of cancer, and she expanded it with the storyline of a Russian adoption. It almost feels like two separate stories, but the character of Lucy is strong and sweet enough to tie them together.
Apr 22, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
I read this for my book group. The author lives in town and is friends with several of the group members. I found myself reading just to get to the next bit focusing on Harlan. It was an easy read, nothing overly spectacular.
Nov 30, 2011
Patrice
rated it:
I found this book to be a wonderful, touching read. The characters were alive and distinct, and the story was both realistic and uplifting. I recommend it highly.
Jul 19, 2011
Kate
rated it:
I couldn't put this book down. I was completely drawn in by the depth of the characters and their relationships. Lucy's efforts to take charge of her own life warmed my heart.
Oct 18, 2011
Pam
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am working on a more in-depth review for TLC booktours and will update this when I post it.
Sep 15, 2011
Anna
rated it:
Great read - good story of hope, family and the incredible love parents have for their children.
Mar 28, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
I related to the characters and really understood their situations.
I felt the author could have gone deeper with the emotional roller coaster of adoption
I felt the author could have gone deeper with the emotional roller coaster of adoption
Aug 28, 2011
Tina
rated it:
Susan Schoenberger is a fresh new voice in fiction. I am already looking forward to her next novel. A Watershed Year is a look into what could have easily been a mundane year in the life of one grieving woman, but Schoenberger's prose turns it into an inspiring tale of new beginnings that readers won't soon forget. I loved this story filled with hope and redemption.
Feb 22, 2012
Feb 22, 2012
Feb 21, 2012
Feb 20, 2012
Feb 19, 2012
Feb 15, 2012
