Monday, April 30, 2012

SAVING RUTH by Zoe Fishman


Winner announced HERE!





I read Saving Ruth in two sittings, which I RARELY do. It is so well-written, so fluid. You know how some books, there are parts that are thrown in that are unrealistic but you buy into it for the sake of the book? None of that is in Saving Ruth. It's just a great story, so believable, so relatable, with wonderfully flawed people. I wanted to be there, spending time with Ruth during that hot summer in Alabama with her best friends, her smothering parents, and the hot guy Chris who was suddenly interested in her. Heck I wanted to be her, experiencing her summer, and having those feelings all over again.

Ruth comes home from her freshman year in college having lost 35 pounds and feeling like a new person. Her brother, David is back too, but he’s sullen and moody. Ruth is experiencing attention like she’s never had before, and everyone is calling her skinny, a word she’s never heard before. Her crush, Chris, is taking notice, David’s closest friend. David and Ruth have always been lifeguards and coaches at the neighborhood pool. Now there are secrets David’s keeping, their parents are dealing with the return of their two children from college, and Ruth is struggling with her eating problems (the problem being that she’s not eating).

A near-drowning at the pool occurs and the events that transpire afterward put the whole story into motion – Saving Ruth deals with issues of eating disorders, depression, racial indifferences, marriage problems, sibling rivalry, and family relationships. 

I loved this story so much because it reminded me of being that age again, of having feelings of being free, but still being under the eye of your parents, and of finally having attention from boys and of trying desperately to feel like a woman in my own skin. Zoe Fishman took me right back to my 19-year-old self and it felt wonderful to be there, to revisit those feelings, no matter how tumultuous those feelings were at the time. 

To win Saving Ruth tell me about the best summer in your life. Mine was definitely the summer before I turned 20 when I was working at a swim/tennis club and dating lifeguards (yes, plural, but there was one I was particularly in lust with!), and this book took me right back there!

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Remember, MaNiC MoMMy is aiming to feature great books each and every week this year, and you’ll have a chance to win those books as well! Please stop by often AND MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE PREVIOUS POSTS as I’m now posting new books more than once a week! Open to US/Canada residents only, and thanks to all the participating authors and publicists for providing the books.

One entry per person as always! Please include an email address or a uniquely identifying user name when entering to win!

63 comments:

susieqlaw said...

The best summer of my life so far was the summer I turned sixteen. I had 4 different surprise parties. Even though my leg was injured from running track, I enjoyed working out with a trainer and the local university football team injured players. My BFF and I went to camp for a month with her family. I made so many life long friends there.

Jessica said...

The best summer of my life is when my cousins from California came to town. Well really they come to town multiple times so I've had lots of good summers with them. =]

Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

Carly said...

I spent the majority of my teen years and early twenties working and going to school so my favorite summer was just a couple of years ago. My husband and I got married in Las Vegas before going to Hawaii for two weeks. We didn't think about money and just enjoyed being married and exploring the islands. It was the best.

Carly H

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

Mine was the summer after my freshman year of college where I decided to stay at school and take classes and work. I went to school in Santa Barbara, so it was a fantastic summer at the beach and no roomates with mostly college boys around...Great times and I would have done it the next summer if I hadn't been sent home with mono in May!

Joelle said...

The best summer was the summer I was 18 and met my husband (at the time boyfriend) in person for the first time. It was truly the best 2.5 weeks of my entire life...well at the time, but I will forever remember that summer of 98. ;)

Anonymous said...

My favorite summer was when I was working as a camp counselor. It was a week long, sleep over camp and I loved bonding with the campers and my fellow counselors. So many great, great memories. Plus, I met a cute park ranger, not a lifeguard, who was my first real love.

Stefanie

Books & Reviews said...

The best summer of my life would be the summer I moved to San Diego to live with my husband. It was fresh out of college, young, thin (maybe too thin?! )and excited to start my life.

betsy_blixt said...

Last summer was actually my best. I moved to an amazing new city. Had a cross country road trip with my mom. Also because I was moving I got to spend so much time with my friends and family before I left. It's hard not having them now, but that quality time we spent together was amazing.

Krystal said...

I have to pick the summer I got married. The wedding was fabulous, then we spent a quiet week in Tennessee for our honeymoon. We also bought our house that summer and expanded our new family with a puppy!
kndyer

Margie said...

I'd have to say the summer my daughter was born. Thanks for the giveaway.

Ally said...

The summer when I was 16. I worked at an amazing summer camp.

EKB said...

I was 24 and with the love of my life. Endless beach days and a great tan.....

your invisible pixie said...

My best summer was when I was living in New York! I met tons of amazing people and a really great experience while I was there!

Emily said...

Probably the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school. Things were just starting to "happen" - friends were getting their licenses, boys were noticing me, but I didn't even care because I was feeling like I was "growing up" and all I cared about was my friends. It was such a simpler time, lol...


Emily116

Denise said...

Definitely the summer before my senior year of college where I stayed at my dorm in Boston and worked at Fenway all summer. A summer of baseball and relaxing and getting paid. It was AWESOME!!

Lindsay said...

The summer after I graduated from college, I had a great full time job lined up but I wasn't slated to start until November. I spent the summer (and fall) working part time at the Gap and lounging in the pool. I had so much fun and have never been so relaxed in my life!

ludy2288 said...

Every summer keeps getting better and better for me. I've fallen in 'like' with camping after meeting my bf & we have been going on camping trips & exploring new things together. Now if only I can fall in 'like' with outdoorsy exercise..

Bridget said...

Summer of 1976. Married my husband in August.

Iambtinrb

Melissa said...

My favorite summer had to be the summer before my senior year. We could drive, go to the beach, and hang out all day long.

-tmd636

Ncsuloges said...

This book sounds awesome! Summer 2005 when I worked for a baseball team. So much fun!

Bernadette7 said...

Summer before collegege - totally care free just going to the beach all day waiting tables and hitting the bars at night....ahhh tough life

jdstec said...

Summer of 1996 when I worked in Atlanta during the Olympics.

Juliet Farmer said...

the best summer of my life was the summer my husband and i drove cross country from california to new york and took the train home. :) we saw so much and had so much fun!

accidentalgypsy said...

I think my best summer growing up had to be 1996. I got to go to Australia for 3 weeks, scuba diving the great barrier reef while I was there, and then when I came home, my family and I went to the cabin on the lake in Minnesota for 2 weeks, where we also went to Canada for the first time. I think I really fell in love with traveling that summer! :)

TinaPow said...

My best summer was the summer I met my future husband. I had finally found a group of girlfriends I couldn't live without and stumbled upon a man I though I hated, but wound up loving.

Emma S. said...

The best summer of my life was the summer before I left for college. I was a lifeguard at a small amusement park, and I had a bunch of awesome coworkers. We definitely got ourselves in some shenanigans!

buttah said...

My best summer had to be the summer that Hubs and I started dating...July 4th, 1996! We were both 18 years old, and just partied the whole summer together not even knowing that we'd end up married and so in love!

Lizett34 said...

My best summer would be right after high school and before college. My friends and I would drive up to Lake Tahoe three times a week. We would just lay out enjoy the sun with some refreshments ;)! It was a good time!

lizett34@yahoo.com

lucy872 said...

My best summer was probably the first one home from college. That was the summer I started dating my husband. We just had a lot of fun - and as corny as it sounds - it was my first summer being in love. Definitely lots of cherished memories from that summer!

equinn726 said...

My best summer was the first summer I spent living in Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. I was in my mid-twenties, I had a good job and I spent the entire summer hanging out with friends, playing volleyball and just enjoying city life.

Crystal said...

The best summer of my life has to be the one where I met my FI. It was after my first year in college and I had dropped my physics class. I thought I might as well take these classes (along with a few other basics) at a community college to save time/money. Lo and behold, while waiting for my grandpa to pick me up I ran into an old friend from HS. She was sitting with this guy that I didn't know. She and I started talking....he interrupted and said, "you're not going to introduce me to your friend?"

The rest is history. :)

crystal717

Leah B said...

I use to love summers - running around the neighbor with friends and day camp. Those were the best!

Dani In Chicago said...

Oh, it's hard to pick a best summer. What's weird is that the summer of 1985 was memorable. I spent it at the beach with my friends. It was the summer after I finally graduated from the Catholic school I hated and moving on to a public high school. I was so full of hope and promise! I couldn't wait to blossom in high school.

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

Probably the best summer was the summer right after high school before we all headed in different directions. We savored every day, our last days of freedom.

Bev V said...

My favorite summer was the year before I married my husband. We were dating that summer and spent a lot of time on my parent's boot.

Bev V. (shaggy552@gmail.com)

Tina B said...

My best summer was in 1992. I was 19 and at the beach with my best friend and I met my future husband!!
Brannanflooring@aol.com

TaraUB said...

I honestly can't come up with the best summer ever. I'm not much of a sun and sand kind of girl. I suppose I could say the summer of 1999 when I moved in with my now husband.

Kimmi said...

It has to be the summer I met my boyfriend. I knew I was in for a bit change and it was all so exciting and full of promise.

Literary Chanteuse said...

My best summer was going into grade 8. I made new friends, and tried a variety of new things. It was just a time of exploring for me and I just look back and still think what a great summer that was.

Margaret(singitm)

CAnative said...

Probably the best summer was the one after my Jr. year in H.S. I had my license,a car and a part-time job for fun and gas $$ (isn't that all that mattered then?). It was an awesome time when the big decision of the day was what beach, what time and what friends are meeting you there. To me my only concern was to get to work on time so I could keep having fun and gas $$.

Nicole

BrendaL71 said...

Best summer would probably be when I was about 23 and had a great circle of friends, we went camping, BBQ in the forest preserve and just hanging out Monday thru Sunday. Great times!

Christina said...

I think my best summer was the summer before my senior year of college. I lived in an apartment with 5 of my best friends and we all attempted to work, but mostly just had fun and partied a lot. One of our favorite things to do was get fountain pops and drive around in one roommate's convertible. We wasted so much gas but it was so much fun!

ChristinaL

Melissa said...

I'm so mixed on summers. I usually have good and bad parts to every summer. I enjoyed my first summer with my husband, when we were still dating. Everything was still new and romantic. We were still going to the city a lot, as well. That was in 2002.
Melissa A from CLC

Megan said...

The best summer of my life was when I was a live in nanny on the coast of Maine. So dreamy!
Eloisepeaches

Katie said...

Probably the summer I spent up at college. I did not go to class like I was supposed to and we partied all the time. Those were the days!!

Anonymous said...

My best summer was almost 4 years ago when I rode my bike 20 miles every day and I lost 30 pounds. I felt great.

-Donna W.

A.C. Morris said...

At the time it didn't seem so great, but the summer after my husband and I got married was really awesome. He'd already been commissioned, but we were sitting around in our college town waiting on his orders to be approved. Few responsibilities and lots of free time!

Unknown said...

I think the best summer of my life was probably when I was 19/20. My life was just beginning. I was a late bloomer, in spring I had just got my first kiss, but by the end of the summer I was a full fledged tramp! LOL Oh to be young again! So many memories!!!

Erin G said...

My best summer was last summer - our first beach vacation with our kiddos. They loved it, and it was great to have that time together with just us.

Terri said...

The summer after i graduated from high school. I went with my church youth group on a two week mission trip to Hawaii. on top of that, I spent many days enjoying my friends before I headed off to college!

Terri M.

keltban said...

My best summer had to be the summer before college. I worked an easy night job (some data entry thing) and I got paid a ton of $$$. I also worked with my best friend. So we would hang out during the day--watching soaps and sunbathing and then go to work. I also had some great vacations..I went to Disney World w/ my boyfiend and I also spent a week at his lake house with a group of friends. Such a carefree summer!!!

Leslie said...

I can't pick just one...I love, love summer. My birthday is at the end of June and for the last 6 years (soon to be 7), I have spent it on vacation...different place each year. Two weeks prior to that each summer, I work at our church camp as a counselor. I just love hanging out with the kids, both mine and the "adopted" ones and doing goofy summer stuff. LeslieGC

DaphneSFL said...

All summers are great, but the summer of 2001 was my favorite. I got married that summer :)

Nanette said...

Probably two summers ago when I was able to get out and really enjoy the Alaska wilderness. A trip that involved halibut fishing along with a camping trip out in the "bush". It was a glorious summer enjoying the beauty that is all around me. I'll never forget it!! Nan :)

Ready To Be A Momma said...

The best summer of my life would have to have been the summer before college. Just free and able to do my own thing before real life sunk in again.
qweska8402

EBrowning said...

My best summer was the summer I turned 16. I had fallen in love for the first time and there's something so magical about being young during the summer time and not having to worry about work, bills or life. I spent the summer hanging out at the pool with my friends and learning how to drive. So much fun! I really miss those lazy,- no worries in the world kind of days.

Kim W. said...

I have so many amazing summers to choose from.....but will choose the one where my friend and I met a band at a bar one night and ended up spending the summer following them from city to city to watch their performances & hang out with them. Sounds kind of weird now, admitting to being "groupies", but it was an amazing time with nothing to worry about except when we were leaving for the next town!

BrendaL71 said...

Wow, that would be the summer during college. I threw a huge party at my parents house. It was a lot of fun but no so much when they came home and figured it out.

cheyannejo@yahoo.com said...

my best summer was when i was 24 i was still in college so didnt have "real life" to worry about. i went boating EVERYday and basically just had fun drinking beer and tanning :) so relaxing...oh to be young again!

Betsy said...

My best summer was last year when the kids were 6, 8, and 10. Such fun ages!

Carie Casey said...

I guess I was 18 working at camp and driving.

Carie

Kelleyc said...

One of my best summers was before my freshman year of high school and I went and stayed with my aunt and uncle in Florida for the whole summer! Spent the whole summer swimming, bike riding. And i made friends with the mate from a deep sea fishing boat and he took me on adeep sea fishing trip and we swam, literally, in the middle of the ocean! It was great! Great memories of my aunt who has since passed!!

Tami said...

My best summer was when I was 13. My family went to Hawaii and I took my best friend. No worries. Lots of sun. And cute boys!!