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jjokokomo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
A nice collection of essays, some more poignant than others. It was kind of interesting (but sad) to see how many people had difficult relationships with their mothers.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
5.0
"What My Mother Gave Me" is a collection of 31 essays written by different women.
Each one of them shares a precious memory about a special gift they got from their mothers. Some of them focus on the material side, while others prefer to address the lessons and advices they received during their lives. They all show how small things can change our lives forever and be great reminders of who we truly are.
The book is very emotional. In many moments, I felt like I should just stop reading and go hug my mom and thank her for everything. After finishing it, I think many people will also feel like they should write their own chapters.
Even though some essays moved me more than others, I think this book deserves 5 stars for everything it represents.
Each one of them shares a precious memory about a special gift they got from their mothers. Some of them focus on the material side, while others prefer to address the lessons and advices they received during their lives. They all show how small things can change our lives forever and be great reminders of who we truly are.
The book is very emotional. In many moments, I felt like I should just stop reading and go hug my mom and thank her for everything. After finishing it, I think many people will also feel like they should write their own chapters.
Even though some essays moved me more than others, I think this book deserves 5 stars for everything it represents.
asegurasmith's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful collection of memories of mothers. Each one with its own path and each a blessing of love.
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
3.0
I read this as part of this year's challenge (book with a metallic cover).
I liked that there was some uniqueness in each of these, as the contributing authors had an assortment of mother-daughter relationships to reflect on. There are 31 contributors, and it's a relatively short book, which tells you that these are very short.
I went into this thinking it would be like a Chicken Soup for the Soul type of book (after all: the cover), and it wasn't. Some stories were more esoteric, some involved pain, and others might be closer to what you would expect. I liked that it wasn't going for the sappiness...although a few are.
I think my dilemma was that almost all of the stories immediately vanished from my brain. I remember a few of the stories, and those are of authors I have read. I hadn't heard of most of these authors, and most of the stories were so short that I didn't form an attachment. Maybe fewer but longer pieces would have remedied this? Or it's merely my problem.
I liked that there was some uniqueness in each of these, as the contributing authors had an assortment of mother-daughter relationships to reflect on. There are 31 contributors, and it's a relatively short book, which tells you that these are very short.
I went into this thinking it would be like a Chicken Soup for the Soul type of book (after all: the cover), and it wasn't. Some stories were more esoteric, some involved pain, and others might be closer to what you would expect. I liked that it wasn't going for the sappiness...although a few are.
I think my dilemma was that almost all of the stories immediately vanished from my brain. I remember a few of the stories, and those are of authors I have read. I hadn't heard of most of these authors, and most of the stories were so short that I didn't form an attachment. Maybe fewer but longer pieces would have remedied this? Or it's merely my problem.
kszr's review against another edition
3.0
Collection of essays on gifts that women have gotten from their mothers. Some are short and tragic, others sweet and gentle. Best enjoyed in pieces with space between to digest each on its own merit. Perfect for mothers day reflections, but many complex and sometimes disturbing relationships.
brandy_wine's review against another edition
4.0
I knew that this was going to be a collection of different stories.
I wasn't sure what to expect until I got into it.
That being said....
I REALLY wish that it were not as many women's stories but instead they cut back and had more story for a smaller amount of women. Maybe make it a duo.
I liked the stories that were in there some were sweet some were okay, some touched me and some didn't so much.
I would say that my favorite things is the fact that not every story was a happy good feel kind of story. Because lets face it not everyone had a great relationship with their mother. I know I didn't growing up. So I did feel a little more connected with those stories.
Like I said I kind of wish we got fewer stories that were longer.
I wasn't sure what to expect until I got into it.
That being said....
I REALLY wish that it were not as many women's stories but instead they cut back and had more story for a smaller amount of women. Maybe make it a duo.
I liked the stories that were in there some were sweet some were okay, some touched me and some didn't so much.
I would say that my favorite things is the fact that not every story was a happy good feel kind of story. Because lets face it not everyone had a great relationship with their mother. I know I didn't growing up. So I did feel a little more connected with those stories.
Like I said I kind of wish we got fewer stories that were longer.
kdenharder's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
3.0