Terrie ’s review of Tom Lake > Likes and Comments

And, maybe she just isn’t the author for you, and that’s okay too! Fabulous review as always! 💞

Maybe…🫣One more try and I’ll know for sure. Thanks, Jayme!

Great review, Terrie! Looking forward to this one. My favorite AP book is Commonwealth, and I also loved State of Wonder. If you decide to read more from her, I hope your next one is a winner! Even though she’s a favorite of mine, helps to know when authors aren’t for us too, so many books and so little time! :)

Thanks, Brandice!😊I hope you love this one and I appreciate your comments and recommendations of books by this author.

I’m glad the ‘fleshed out and interesting” characters brought something to the book. Fabulous review Terrie 💖

Thank you, Margaret!💜

Excellent review, Terrie! 💖 I'm glad you at least loved the characters even though the story didn't wow you.

Great review Terrie. I have a number of her books on my TBR but I've been hesitant to give her a try.

Michelle wrote: "Excellent review, Terrie! 💖 I'm glad you at least loved the characters even though the story didn't wow you."

Thanks, Michelle!💙Me, too. I think I actually like it more now that I've read it than I did when I was reading it.

Carol wrote: "Great review Terrie. I have a number of her books on my TBR but I've been hesitant to give her a try."

Thanks, Carol! This is my second attempt with an almost identical experience. There's a big uptick in the likability of the characters with this one so that's a plus for me. I have a couple of recommendations from other GR friends on her books so I'll decide which one to try for my final shot at her writing. If you give her a try, I hope your experience is a great one!😎

Interesting review, Terrie! I do find Patchett hit or miss for a similar reason: she can feel very cold to me, too. But somehow, I always find her work worth reading, and am always excited when she releases something new. :)

Jennifer wrote: "Interesting review, Terrie! I do find Patchett hit or miss for a similar reason: she can feel very cold to me, too. But somehow, I always find her work worth reading, and am always excited when she..."

Thanks, Jennifer! I have 2 misses now so I'm hoping for a better connection with the next one I read by her. Although I wanted to stop reading this one several times, I didn't and did enjoy the story. It sounds strange but true so it's good to know you often have the same experience with this author. I AM NOT ALONE😊

Carol wrote: "Excellent review, Terrie 💜!!! Glad you mostly enjoyed this one despite the authors writing style."

Thanks so much, Carol!💖 It was the characters that made a difference for me with this one.

Excellent review, Terrie! Maybe Patchett is just better at non-fiction? Because I've listened to two of her essay collections on audio, and her most recent collection, "These Precious Days," is one of my most favorite books ever.

I also have "Tom Lake" from NG, so we'll see how her fiction sits with me. It'll be my first fiction read from her.

Thanks, Melissa! I will keep her non-fiction books as a possibility and I'll forward to your review of "Tom Lake". I do hope you love it🤍

Excellent review, Terrie, although I wish it could have been 5-stars! I hope you won't give up on Patchett! If you haven't read her novel Commonwealth I'd highly recommend you do. It's a wonderful family story that's easy to fall for - and loaded with humour!!

Lovely review Terrie! 💓 I’ve never tried this author and I’m hesitant based on your experience, but I’m glad this read had its good points!

A shame it didn't deliver more to your experience, Terri. Hope your next one does!

Jodi wrote: "Excellent review, Terrie, although I wish it could have been 5-stars! I hope you won't give up on Patchett! If you haven't read her novel Commonwealth I'd highly recommend you do. It's a wonderful ..."

Thanks for your kind comment, Jodi💛and your recommendation! Although they can't all be 5⭐reads, it's good to know so many GR friends have favorite books they've read by this author. That's pretty amazing!

Catherine wrote: "Lovely review Terrie! 💓 I’ve never tried this author and I’m hesitant based on your experience, but I’m glad this read had its good points!"

Thank you, Catherine💗and although I appreciate your thoughtful comment, please don't let my experience keep you from an author you may truly enjoy. Every reader has a different connection to the same author, the same book and so on and so on...

Jen CAN wrote: "A shame it didn't deliver more to your experience, Terri. Hope your next one does!"

Thank you, Jen!🧡I'm always moving forward to the next great read...

Great review, Terrie!

Thanks, Sheyla!😊

Nice review! I’ve experienced that type of read before- one minute you think it’s only ok and then the next, you think it’s great. Such a yo yo is hard to rate.

Thanks, Christy! It's so great to know that others have this type of reading experience, as well. A 'yo-yo' is a great way to describe it!😉

Sorry it fell a bit short! Excellent review Terrie! 💗

Super review, I can't wait to read this one and see what I think.

I wasn’t sure about this one and you’ve confirmed it! Great review Terrie 💙

An honest and insightful review, Terrie! It sounds like the author has some nice strengths, if only the whole package worked for you! 💗

Holly wrote: "Sorry it fell a bit short! Excellent review Terrie! 💗"

Thanks, Holly!💛

Such a fascinating review, Terrie! I'm okay with this author. I liked The Dutch House (Tom Hanks as narrator really helped), and I especially liked her book Commonwealth - have you read it yet? I still have Bel Canto sitting on my bookshelf.

Melissa (Catch Up Mode) wrote: "Super review, I can't wait to read this one and see what I think."

Thanks, Melissa, and I can't wait to read your thoughts on this on after you do!

Ceecee wrote: "I wasn’t sure about this one and you’ve confirmed it! Great review Terrie 💙"

Thanks, Ceecee!🧡Apparently her writing isn't for everyone...

Kat (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "An honest and insightful review, Terrie! It sounds like the author has some nice strengths, if only the whole package worked for you! 💗"

Exactly, Kay, and thank you!💜

Debbie wrote: "Such a fascinating review, Terrie! I'm okay with this author. I liked The Dutch House (Tom Hanks as narrator really helped), and I especially liked her book [book:Commonwealth|28214..."

Thanks, Debbie! I've only read this one and "The Dutch House". Thanks for the recommendation of "Commonwealth" and I'll definitely keep it in mind when I'm reading to tackle this author for a third try.

Superb balanced review, Terrie!🧡 Sorry you didn't enjoy this one more. I hope your current read is more satisfying!

Thanks, Sujoya!🩵

Love your review, Terrie. So well written.

Thank you, Suz! The story was good enough that I might try it again via audiobook and see if that improves my experience. It is a memorable read though, which is a plus.

Try Bel Canto and State of Wonder.

Yes! Bel Canto and State of Wonder!

Suzanne wrote: "Try Bel Canto and State of Wonder."

Sandi wrote: "Yes! Bel Canto and State of Wonder!"

Well ladies, I already have those two titles on my list but my Libby holds are too full to fit even one more in right now. Soon though😊 ...and thank you both!

I've had the same reading experience with this author, Terrie. A fair and balanced review. 💕📚

Thanks, Sandy🧡and I have heard this from other GR friends! It's so nice to know I'm not alone.

Lovely review, Terrie, and very helpful too. I'm one of those who struggled with the writing in The Dutch House, and your words make me feel like this isn't a must-read for me. Maybe some day if I feel like giving this author a second chance, I'll pick it up. Thanks for the candid feedback! 💙

Thank you for an honest and well-balanced review, Terrie! 🩵

Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "Lovely review, Terrie, and very helpful too. I'm one of those who struggled with the writing in The Dutch House, and your words make me feel like this isn't a must-read for me. Maybe some day if I ..."

Thanks, Rosh💚and it's always nice to know you're not alone when struggling with an author's writing style! I plan to try one of her books via audio to see if that makes a difference for me.

Tara —on semi-hiatus throughout August-September due to illness wrote: "Thank you for an honest and well-balanced review, Terrie! 🩵"

Thanks, Tara💛and you're very welcome!

I listened to the audio version read by Meryl Streep and it was incandescent! I couldn’t stop listening! But, I also loved The Dutch House, read by Tom Hanks! 🤷‍♀️

Hi Paula, and thanks for stopping by! I was wrestling with whether I wanted to try the audio of "Tom Lake" just like I tossed the idea around about doing the same with "The Dutch House". My issue is why do I want to re-read a book(s) I struggled with when I can discover another book I haven't experienced before? I'll be listening to "Bel Canto", "State of Wonder", or "Commonwealth", to see if this author works for me in that format. I like her stories, it's her writing style and lack of emotion I can't relate to.