From the Bookshelf of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge…

Our Souls at Night

Kent Haruf

Start date: June 1, 2015

Finish date: June 1, 2015

Why we're reading this: I don't recall how I came upon this book, or, maybe, it was the author. I was absolutely wonderful, and I…more
[close] I don't recall how I came upon this book, or, maybe, it was the author. I was absolutely wonderful, and I read it in one sitting. At one point, I thought to myself, why am I not feeling manipulated as I might by a Nicholas Sparks book or a Hallmark movie. I will read everything this man has written. It felt real, honest. I must admit to having a great love of Colorado, maybe that helped make me feel like I was home.

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What Members Thought

Jan 28, 2018 Melissa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-heard, tob-2016, 24-in-48-2018

I once heard Our Souls at Night described as “quietly devastating” - that pretty much sums it up. I just bawled through the last 20 minutes.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 18, 2015 Shannon rated it really liked it

Our Souls at Night is spare, beautiful and touching. Addie Moore and Louis Waters are retirees spending their last years alone, having each been predeceased by a spouse. When Addie confesses her loneliness and offers a joint solution, it is both a creative and somewhat scandalous path.

Hearing the stories of Addie's and Louis' marriages made me grateful for the marriage I have and sad for people who struggle to be understood or valued by their husband. Seeing their families' reactions made me wo ...more

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Nov 17, 2019 Cat rated it liked it

Shelves: botns-recs, 2019-11

slim and spare and simple but also powerful

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 17, 2018 Mary rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: format-ebook, summer-bingo-2018

Summer Bingo - Romance. What a lovely introduction to Haruf's beautiful writing! This one came with highest recommendations from many friends and it certainly didn't disappoint. I'd held off reading it because I'd heard so many bad things about the movie (which I still haven't seen), but I had a picture of Jane Fonda as Addie in my head and it worked. I'm still a few years away from this season of life, but I can only hope I embrace it with as much grace and love as Addie and Louis have. It help ...more

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Nov 19, 2018 Laurie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018

A good little book about older people finding companionship their own way, and conventional people being stupid about it. Very well written. I’m going to seek out more of the author’s books.

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Jul 06, 2017 Denise Cormaney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio-books, arlington-55plus-book-group

This book was so heartbreakingly tender. The tone reminded me of Simon Van Booy's novels, and I love his books. My only critique with this style is how it all flows without the typical quotation marks and spacing around dialogue; reading it made the words feel slippery, if that makes sense.

Despite this, I loved this story of these two people who found each other when they thought that part of their lives was over. The ending broke my heart. ...more

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