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Book Review: Peculiar Treasures
By metropolitanmama | March 25, 2008
When it comes to reading, I’m mostly a non-fiction girl. I’m kind of the nerdy type in that I love learning. Every once in awhile, though, I love to pick up a fiction book - to get lost in a great story and to be sucked in by the characters that the author creates. When I do, I usually consume it all in one sitting (at least, that’s what I did pre-baby). Now, if I read through an entire book in under two days, it means I REALLY like it - that I stayed up way too late reading after baby’s bedtime. Such was the case with Robin Jones Gunn’s newest book.
Peculiar Treasures is the first book in the Katie Weldon series, a book about a college freshman who is struggling to understand herself, her relationship with her not-yet-boyfriend, and her future. The text is easy-to-read and captivating. The scenarios are believable and capture that “window of life” perfectly. Although it is designed for the teen/college audience, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you haven’t heard of Robin Jones Gunn, then I feel it is my duty to inform you that you are seriously missing out. Gunn has written 63 books (most notably - the Christy Miller series, the Sierra Jensen series, the Sisterchicks books, and the Glenbrooke series) and has a knack for drawing the reader into funny and heartfelt situations.
I first read the Christy Miller series and the Sierra Jensen series in high school - and my friends and I often described people in our lives by using the characters in the books (a.k.a. “I can’t wait to find my Todd,” “That’s something Christy would do!”, etc. - I warned you that I was the nerdy type!). My 4 sisters and my mom all eagerly read the books cover-to-cover (and multiple times) as well - and I should note here that they’re not nerds - they’re very cool.
When I heard Peculiar Treasures was coming out, I knew I had to read it. Katie Weldon, the book’s star character, made “appearances” in the Christy and Sierra series so this book had some tie-ins from previous series (a very fun quality about Gunn’s books). That said, you could read it as a “stand-alone” book.
If you’re looking for a fiction book that is light, easy-to-read, and that will make you laugh-out-loud, you should check out all of Gunn’s books. Buy them for your little sister, your cousin, or your mom.
As a side note, I actually just bought Peculiar Treasures for my sister’s 18th birthday. When I called my mom yesterday, she said my other sisters (who are married) are already fighting over who gets to read the book next. The name “Robin Jones Gunn” has that kind of impact in our family.
WIN IT! There will be three winners. Each winner will receive a copy of Peculiar Treasures (just released this month!) by Robin Jones Gunn. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday, Mar. 3o, at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, Mar. 31. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The three winners are #76 Julie D., #78 K. Cleaver, and #79 Karin. Congratulations!
Topics: book review, contests, mama time |
March 25th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Yes! We’ve always enjoyed Robin Jones Gunn! We encourage you to read all of her books!
March 25th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I can’t get my hands on enough books, and I think it’s rubbing off on my daughter. I’d love to try this one! I think I might have read one of the Christy Miller ones when I was in junior high, but it’s been so long that I don’t really remember what it was about. Anyway, I think it sounds like a great read. Thanks!
March 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I’ve never read anything by Robin Jones Gunn, but her books sound great!
March 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I want to win!
March 25th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Please enter me
March 25th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
rebbi511@peoplepc.com
I want to win
March 25th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
i would like to read this book.
krystald88@hotmail.com
March 25th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I would love love love to read this
March 25th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
please enter me
March 25th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Great contest! Count me in!
March 25th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Please enter me - I would love to read this - thank you
March 25th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I would love to win!
March 25th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Sounds like a good book.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
nice product
March 25th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
This sounds great
March 25th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for the opportunity
neneelynn@yahoo.com
March 25th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Great contest!
March 25th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I can’t believe I have read any Robin Jones Gunn books. I will be fixing that soon (well as soon as I can get out of the house since my girls will only wear dress-up clothes lately lol)
March 25th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Sounds great!
March 26th, 2008 at 12:10 am
We’d love to have this for our library.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:33 am
very cool please enter me! thanks!
March 26th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Looks like a book I’d enjoy — I’m *cough* years old and I still read YA books sometimes.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:39 am
always love to read
March 26th, 2008 at 1:12 am
It looks interesting
March 26th, 2008 at 1:58 am
She writes wonderful books. Can’t wait to start this series!!
March 26th, 2008 at 2:17 am
sounds like a great author
March 26th, 2008 at 2:17 am
sounds good
March 26th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I would love to read something light. The boys are finally getting old enough that I can a book for any length of time.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Thanks for the contest. Count me in!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I remember enjoying the Christy Miller series many years ago, and would love to check out this newest novel!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I love all the Sisterchicks books! Gondolas was my favorite, but I’m really looking forward to the next one coming out soon
I’ve also enjoyed Gardenias for Breakfast and Gentle Passages. I would love to win this book to get my girls started on Robin Jones Gunn!
March 26th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Count me in!
March 26th, 2008 at 6:02 am
This looks to be an interesting read.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
March 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I have not yet read this author. These sound like books I’d be interested in reading. Thanks for the heads up!
March 26th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Love the title… hope I win!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Thanks for the chance to win
March 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am
This sounds like a great book
March 26th, 2008 at 11:42 am
i love to read fiction.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Wow!!
March 26th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Enter me, please.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
My reading addiction needs feeding. Thanks for the chance.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
How could I have missed Robin Jones Gunn. 63 books is a lot! I would like to enter this for my niece who will be going to college soon.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I’d like this for my high school aged cousin. Thanks!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Souds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Would love to win…thanks so much!
March 26th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
thanks for the contest
March 26th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
sounds intresting
March 26th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I have never read a book by this author-I sure like to win!
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
March 26th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
i want to win this
March 27th, 2008 at 12:13 am
I can never get enough books to read. Thank you for the nice giveaway.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:15 am
Sounds like a good book!
March 27th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Peculiar Treasures seems like an interesting book. I’d love to win it. Thanks, Kathy
jnl930@yahoo.com
March 27th, 2008 at 3:50 am
Id love to have a copy!!
I added you to prizeatron too
http://www.prizeatron.com
March 27th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Enter me please!!!!!
March 27th, 2008 at 11:16 am
This sounds like a book I want to own
March 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
What a delightful book giveaway! I would love to read it and then pass it on to my nieces! Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks very much!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
March 27th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I love to read books and of course would love to win this one. Thanks for the great give away!
March 27th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
This author is new to me, but I’d love to give her a try!
dansan826 at yahoo.com
March 27th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
sounds like a good book
March 28th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Would love to give this to my college freshman daughter…after I read it first, of course!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Sounds like a great book!
yadgirl (at) chartertn (dot) net
March 28th, 2008 at 1:03 am
How is it that I, an avid reader, have never heard of Robin Jones Gunn? I hope to win so I can find out more! Thanks!
cpamomva at hotmail dot com