Rated of 5
by Sandra S. (Huntington Woods, Michigan) Learning To Look Forward To Changes In Life!
Amy Ephron's most recent book is a collection of short memoirs from her life's journey, up to this present moment. The title caught my eye, and from the first page to the last, I enjoyed every experience she related. The first essay was titled Loose Diamonds, it was about a remembrance she had of loosing her "valuable" jewelry to a robbery in her apartment and what she learned from that experience. The first memoir also set the tone for the rest of her book. Her writing is wonderfully descriptive, frequently humorous, and she doesn't miss a beat when it comes to describing the different people that encompass her life. She discusses what she believes to be a true life changing moment for her. As Amy Ephron's life journey continues to challenge her, she never gives up her optimistic outlook. I would recommend "Loose Diamond" to anyone who enjoys reading essays, as well as, memoirs.
Rated of 5
by Cheri W. (Grand Rapids, MN) Very nice read
If you ever fly an airline that starts with D, then you will have plenty of time to read this lovely book while waiting to either depart or letting the mechanics fix an electrical error. Small in size, but big in message this book was like opening up someone's diary and being swept away in their life (which was better then mine sitting on the tarmac for 30 minutes). Mrs. Ephron is a wonderful writer and carries the reader along with her wonderful prose and detail. This book made a exhausting, frustrating experience a little more manageable, And for that I thank her! Perfect beach book or book to have while traveling.
Rated of 5
by Rachel B. (Waynetown, IN) Very nice concept, but did not follow through
I loved the idea of the book, and looked forward to reading it. However, like most of the other readers here I found the name-dropping and constant references to brand names extremely distracting and irritating. It would have been a quick read, except that I kept putting it down. It had it's moments of wit and some touching revelations, but overall I was extremely disappointed at the gap between what is described on the back cover, and what is actually written on the pages.
Rated of 5
by Brenda S. (Grand Rapids, MN) Fun and Unassuming
Loose Diamonds is a nice collection of stories that are important to the author, and most of them are interesting to the reader. I especially liked the Squeaky Fromme and filofax stories. It was like snooping into someone's diary without finding anything hurtful. The writing was easy to soak up, it helped that the stories stayed connected. Even though not every story was great, the overall experience made for a good summer read. Thank you Amy Ephron!
Rated of 5
by Janet P. (Spokane, WA) Things I've also lost and found along the way
Amy Ephron's new book of 18 essays brought chuckles and tears to me, a woman who had lived through similar times. I'm a mother of four, wisely divorced, happily remarried, a daughter of a mother who would never dream of putting a milk bottle on the table, and a somewhat ADD adult who loves to laugh at the absurdities of life. Amy Ephron fits my style perfectly. I've wobbled back and forth between a 4 and a 5 on this rating, basically because I think that someone who wants to read a writer who gets right to the point and who writes equally for males and females, might not like this book. But, what the heck...I loved it! Each essay was a story in and of itself, so it was perfect summer reading. I could read one while waiting outside the bank for my place in line and read another just before nodding off to sleep. In the end, I want to be friends with Amy Ephron, so doesn't that mean her book was a success?
Rated of 5
by Jinny K. (Fremont, CA) Yawning
I looked forward to this book being warm, witty and wise. I was disappointed on all fronts. I never really connected with any of the essays and stories. It reminded me of reading a five-year-old people magazine about folks I never heard of. Probably would give it a 2 1/2 if possible.
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