A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

[Lori, Super Mod]

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[Pragya]

I loved this book. :)

[Soad]

i read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn a while ago its was one of those books that sticks with you. I think all teen girls should read it. The air in this book breaths confidence bravery and love into a girls soul, you would miss out if you didnt read it.

[Ioana]

As someone who came to this country as an adult, I did not read this book as a teen (or even a young adult), but as an older adult :)
I loved it, and even though I could not relate to those times, and I don’t personally know anyone who lived in those times, it moved me. In other words, I think this is a book for all ages, beautifully written, and truly uplifting. I might be tempted to read it again…

[Janice (JG)]

Ioana wrote: "As someone who came to this country as an adult, I did not read this book as a teen (or even a young adult), but as an older adult :)
I loved it, and even though I could not relate to those times, ..."


I only recently read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for the first time, and couldn't believe I had never read it before now. I think I'd always believed it was written specifically for YA's, and since I was long past being a YA myself, I thought it would hold little interest for me.

But, as Ioana says, this is a book for all ages. It is now one of my favorite all-time books. For all of you meeting Francie for the first time -- enjoy :)

[Janice (JG)]

This is the tree that grew in Brooklyn:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailanthu...

Through concrete:
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2004...

[Lori, Super Mod]

I've owned this book for awhile now, but for some reason haven't managed to read it.

Was this high school reading for most of you?

[Heather L]

Lori: I think I first read this book in HS, on my own, though I think many read it in middle school. As others have said, it is one that sticks with you, and one that adults can enjoy as much as teens or young adults.

I'm still trying to decide whether to reread it this month or not. I did pull out my battered copy, and though the back cover seems to have gone missing, I was relieved to find the last page still intact.

I was just reading a Huffington Post article a friend's blog directed me to, Good Books Every Woman Should Read, and was pleased to see this book included (especially as I did not recognize half the other titles listed).

[Lori, Super Mod]

Thanks for the link. Can you believe I've only ever read 3 of those? Perhaps I am not the typical "female" reader...

Is it me, or does there seem to be a lot of self-help, non-fiction type books listed? More so than actual fiction....

[Heather L]

It's not just you, Lori. I thought that, too, when I was reviewing their list. There were a lot of books I'd never even heard of!

[Janice (JG)]

Heather L wrote: "I was just reading a Huffington Post article a friend's blog directed me to, Good Books Every Woman Should Read, and was pleased to see this book included (especially as I did not recognize half the other titles listed).
..."


Thanks for this great link, Heather. I'm happy to say I think I've probably read over half of these books, and now have a new wish list of others I'd like to catch up on, especially The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Sparks and Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson.

And, I would recommend Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America for an amazing experiment by Barbara Ehrenreich -- a journalist who goes undercover to work as an unskilled service worker in today's job market. The writing is personal and revelatory as the author discovers real life in America.

[Meg]

I just finished. This has become a new favorite of mine. I can't wait to pick up another Betty Smith novel.

[Cam]

I am reading this now, and I saw there was a discussion on it. I am enjoying it! It is a true life story, that you don`t get with most books, devoid of the "glitter" and "shiny effect." But, it still is a good book, maybe because it is relatable? Either way, it is a good book, and although not even done with it, I am in love with it.

[Anita]

So I realize I'm super late in joining this discussion, but I just wanted to say I really enjoyed this book. It felt very real and true, which made the characters much more interesting. I also really appreciated how when they finally get out of the slums through hardwork, education, and a bit of luck there is still respect and fondness for their neighborhood.