Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
If you would like to join in, please feel free to enter your link and link back to this post, then spend some time visiting some of the other posts.
This week’s neglected book
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Publication Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: The Dial Press
In this striking
literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief,
and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and
find that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve
found them.
1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly
understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the
renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older
sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather,
confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a
mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is
turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into
June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she
thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At
Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the
crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a
beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from
Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin
to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses
Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he
just might be the one she needs the most.
An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.
Why did I add Tell the Wolves I’m Home to my bookshelf?
I have heard great things about this book so I added it to my Kindle collection in July 2017 when it was on sale for $1.99. It looks like my friends on Goodreads either loved this book or didn’t care for it at all. I know that the story deal with AIDS and I have always been interested in the topic since I studied it in school and did my college internship at the local AIDS clinic. I am hoping that I will enjoy this one as much as some of my friends did once I get the chance to read it.
A Quick Update
We have closed on our house! I am actually finishing this post the morning before closing just in case the internet doesn’t get set up at the new house according to plan. This week will involve a whole lot of work. Since we are moving up the street, we are planning to move our stuff one truckload at a time by ourselves. The move will not happen in a single day but will be spread out over the course of a week. I am off work for two weeks and the plan is to spend the first week moving our things from one house to the other and to spend the second week getting our former house ready to sell. We have so much to do! Painting, flooring installation, moving furniture, and a whole lot of odds and ends. I am really looking forward to the time where we can sit back, relax, and enjoy our new house!
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it to others?
I read this one a few years back and just did not care for it at all. The main character grew more and more unlikable for me as the story progressed and willfully did some things that were so cruel and hurtful. She made me so ragey that I finished the book kind of disgusted. But, I will say that I seemed to be in the minority, so maybe it was just me.
Hooray for closing on the house! Now the real work begins, right? 🙂
Congratulations on your new house!!! I hope you enjoy making it a home. I have never heard of this book, but it sounds like something I would enjoy. I remember the AIDS crisis vividly too, so I can read it with context.
This one sounds good. Congrats on the house closing, and moving down the street sounds like a great way to go! I'll be back later to link my post.
congrats on the move. setting up a new house is such an exciting time. the title makes me curious, but i'm not sure this is one for me. thanks for sharing
sherry @ fundinmental
Hopefully you will be on the like end of the spectrum for the book. I'd not heard of it before, but it does look like it would get one.
Yay for closing on your house. Hopefully, you'll have good energy to get the move done and the fixing up stuff.
I haven't read this one but it does sound like it would be a good book. I hope the moving goes well for you but I'm sure that you will be glad when it's over.
Oh that's a nice cover there!
The book sounds sad but covers an important topic in dealing with grief for one thing. I hope you like it.
So exciting! I love organizing everything in a new house. And I actually like home improvement projects, especially when you have another person to help and time off work!
Anne – Books of My Heart
Hmm, not sure about this one
Congrats on the closing and I hope it all goes smoothly! Good luck with the move too! I remember when this came out and I remember it got so much buzz. I remember I was on the fence about it but I don't remember why. Can't wait to see your thoughts when you get to it.
I'm so excited for you! Just imagine how happy you'll be in a few weeks in your dream house! I agree that doing the moving a bit at a time yourselves is a more stress free way to do it. Good luck!
Congratulations on closing! I'm happy that I've finally read one of your backlogged books. Usually I'm reading these posts saying to myself, "I really should finally read that one too." This was one of my favorite books of the year when I read it a few years ago. I can't recommend it highly enough. You should absolutely prioritize it!