the girl who stopped swimming

When I started reading this book I absolutely could not put it down, not even to exercise. So I fitted it on the rack of my brand new treadmill and carried on huffing and puffing up the inclines all while my eyes were riveted to the page.

I saw Joshilyn Jackson speak a few months ago at the Decatur Book Festival. To say she was entertaining is an understatement. She spoke to a packed house full of devoted fans, myself included, who hung on her every word. I enjoyed hearing her so much that I made sure to see her again when she made it to my own small town for a writer's conference. At that time I'd only read Between, Georgia and had no idea that her next novel was patiently waiting for me to relish and enjoy.

The girl who stopped swimming is a ghost story. But these ghosts are the ones that haunt you when you're alone and you let your guard down enough to see what might really be happening around you. Is it real or a trick of the mind? And if it is a trick, doesn't that still make it real? Joshilyn carries us swiftly through this story of secrets held and of relationships with sisters, husbands, mothers, fathers and ourselves without letting us stop to take a breath. Without letting us stop and look around us to really see. In a way, she forces us to experience what our main character, Laurel, does. And Laurel must somehow recon with the ghosts that push hard against her blinders.

This is not a story for the faint of heart. The tragic death of a young girl is the center around which this book travels. And mirrors will be held up in places that are frankly, painful. There are two types of folks who will enjoy this book, those that enjoy good story telling (i.e. everyone!) and those who grew up poor in the rural south. To the latter group I say, when you see yourself here in this book, know that I see myself too.

Comments

[Marie]

Wow, you sure know how to sell a story! Now I'll have to go out and find that book!

[sadira]

Yay! Thanks for the recommendation...I'm gonna go search through our library records right now...

[missknits]

wow sounds like a very interesting read! i'll have to check it out! thanks for sharing

[Alison Perry]

Sounds like another one for my Amazon wish list ~ Thanks for the recommendation ;)
Ali

[Tif]

Love this book!!! I read it about a month ago, and I agree...I couldn't put it down. And it sure didn't help that the main character was a quilt artist! Crafty characters are an added bonus!

I'm glad you enjoyed it too :)

[Danielle Nilsson]

It sounds like an awesome book...I'll have to see if the library has it here :)

Thanks for the great critique!

[Child Care Programs]

An interesting review on book "The Girl who stopped swimming"

Thanks for posting
Amanda

[karla nathan]

Thanks for the tip, this author is new to me.