What do you think?
Rate this book
Carry Yourself Back to Me
"A beautifully written, thoroughly engaging novel. Deborah Reed's prose is lyrical, elegant, and vivid-she is a standout among new American novelists."-Jessica Anya Blau, author of The Summer of Naked Swim Parties and Drinking Closer to Home Famed alt-country artist Annie Walsh has more than enough reason to sing her version of the blues, including a broken heart, a stalled career, and a troubled family. Annie seeks refuge from an upended love affair with her producer, Owen Pettybone, by sequestering herself at home with her old dog Detour, surrounded by a lush Florida tangelo grove. Soon, however, this quiet, small-town existence-far from recording studios, ardent fans, and affairs of the heart-comes crashing down around her. A violent murder connected to her brother Calder threatens to tear her family apart and forces Annie to shore up her loyalties and uproot profound disappointments from her distant past. Like a fine and forlorn love ballad, the gifted, conflicted Annie lulls the reader into a journey through love and loss that mines the mysterious, and, at times, paradoxical rhythms of the human heart. "Deborah Reed has written here a novel peopled with real, flesh-and-bone characters-men and women both as good and delightfully flawed as our best friends, our spouses, ourselves. And the icing on this cake is Reed's lucid, lovely prose."-Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum, author of This Life She's Chosen and Swimming with Strangers Deborah Reed comes from a long line of storytellers and musicians and finds creative inspiration in the composition of alt-country, folk, and homespun goods. She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she also writes suspense fiction under the name of Audrey Braun.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2011
220 people are currently reading
916 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Reed
5 books199 followersDEBORAH REED is the author of seven novels, most recently Pale Morning Light with Violet Swan, and The Days When Birds Come Back, both published with Mariner, now an imprint of Harper Collins. Her novel, Things We Set On Fire, sold over 100,000 copies in the first six months, and another, Carry Yourself Back To Me, was an Amazon Editors’ Pick of the Year.
She has taught novel writing at the Hellenic American University in Athens, Greece, the UCLA extension program in Los Angeles, and was previously the co-director of the Black Forest Writing Seminars at Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany. Until June of 2022, she was the owner of Cloud & Leaf Bookstore in Manzanita, Oregon. She now lives and writes in Berlin. Her forthcoming novel will be announced soon.
She has taught novel writing at the Hellenic American University in Athens, Greece, the UCLA extension program in Los Angeles, and was previously the co-director of the Black Forest Writing Seminars at Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany. Until June of 2022, she was the owner of Cloud & Leaf Bookstore in Manzanita, Oregon. She now lives and writes in Berlin. Her forthcoming novel will be announced soon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
June 20, 2016
I feel like I'm always reading these quiet sort of semi-tragic novels set deep in Modern Americana, populated by lost lovers and dying dogs and unpredictable weather. I'm attracted to this kind of poetically sad modern fiction for reasons I can never entirely pin down. Maybe because secretly I think of myself as some kind of modern, poetically sad uh, fictional character. Sigh. I can't believe I just admitted that.
Anyway, the point. I had one, I'm sure. Yes: Carry Yourself Back to Me is one of those quite good contemporary fiction books written by women about love and loss. (I'm not trying to be antagonistic here - these books I read like this are always by women.) I read a preview of this on Amazon and liked it enough to pay the 99p or whatever it was to get a Kindle copy. (I'm cheap, I tell you that now.) And I did like this but it was far from love.
The story is about Annie,a singer/songwriter recovering from a breakup and her brother Calder who is arrested for the murder of his lover's husband. This sounds a little dramatic but it's not, really - it's a quiet story that meanders on pleasantly. And it all wraps up in a neat little happy ending. It's one of those books, you know? Full of self-realisation and secrets finally told and ends and beginnings. I liked it well enough.
Also: I really love the name Calder. Calder! It's great.
Anyway, the point. I had one, I'm sure. Yes: Carry Yourself Back to Me is one of those quite good contemporary fiction books written by women about love and loss. (I'm not trying to be antagonistic here - these books I read like this are always by women.) I read a preview of this on Amazon and liked it enough to pay the 99p or whatever it was to get a Kindle copy. (I'm cheap, I tell you that now.) And I did like this but it was far from love.
The story is about Annie,a singer/songwriter recovering from a breakup and her brother Calder who is arrested for the murder of his lover's husband. This sounds a little dramatic but it's not, really - it's a quiet story that meanders on pleasantly. And it all wraps up in a neat little happy ending. It's one of those books, you know? Full of self-realisation and secrets finally told and ends and beginnings. I liked it well enough.
Also: I really love the name Calder. Calder! It's great.
January 5, 2015
Everybody knows that there is never good timing for heart ache. It can take the form of a fog, or a striking pain, it is different for everyone and has no miracle cure. Annie Walsh is a singer song writer, no longer fresh to the scene but with bated breath fans waiting for her next release. They will be waiting a longer than they expect though, as Annie has lost her muse and she is hermit-ted, seemingly a new person (broken).
Annie has been self medicating as only she can see fit. She has been hiding from the world for months. When her boyfriend Owen abruptly left her, her focus switched to the grove of Tangelos out front and ensuring that they are tended to. Her secondary focus is on sandpapering Owen out of her existence. Music no longer matters..
After sIx months of hiding out, wallowing in her pain, and seething in her anger.. Annie is just beginning to numb, to reach an internal understanding and start to heal. Because the universe is cruel (and authors are more so) this poor woman just cannot catch a break, Annie’s brother Calder is arrested for murder. This news brings her back into the celebrity spotlight, and brings Owen back into her town and knocking on her door. She is forced to come out into the light, and deal with her life.
–
On the Novel – It is hard to go into too much detail on this book, it does not deserve to be critically analyzed or torn apart; it begs to be consumed to be embraced to be thrown across the room in a fit of “I hate you” and to be gently picked back up to continue consumption. Deborah Reed built it with layer upon layer of emotion and I am finding it hard to do it justice in any form of discussion.. It is painful to read and heart wrenching to put down. Reed’s book made my soul ache.
This is easily one of the best novels I have read in years. I am proud to have this book on my shelf. Folks who are into literary fiction, musician novels, being stabbed emotionally, and experiencing ambiguity as to your personal opinion of cheating lying men.. This book may be for you. If you are a cheating lying man, this may also be for you. If you like sad tales of like those of country story tellers past, this may be for you.
I say pick it up, even if you do not know if it is up your alley. You know 15 people you can give it to who will thank you for it and love it when you are done. It’s just that good.
On a slight aside note – You hear a lot of people ask authors “what did you listen to while you were writing this” or “what would be on the soundtrack for this book”. This book goes one further because it IS a soundtrack. The characters, being musicians make a number of references to great music, I highly suggest that readers who are unfamiliar with specific works mentioned should look them up. The prose of the novel is already melodic, and the strength of the characters provides a constant rhythm, backing it with real world music adds a depth, characters become real people.. Specifically check out Brush Prairie and the song “Carry Yourself Back To Me”. You will notice that the EP cover and the book cover are similar.. I do not know if the book inspired the song, or the other way, but both are excellent.
On the Author – I listened to Reed do some speaking at WordStock 2011. She was kind to the fat bearded man (me) who walked up and advised he had never heard of her, but was glad to have caught her round table discussion. She was incredibly nice and interesting insert other pleasant words here. I was pleased to be able to catch her at the convention and chat for a couple minutes. I highly suggest fans go to her events and say “Hi”, you won’t regret it.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
Annie has been self medicating as only she can see fit. She has been hiding from the world for months. When her boyfriend Owen abruptly left her, her focus switched to the grove of Tangelos out front and ensuring that they are tended to. Her secondary focus is on sandpapering Owen out of her existence. Music no longer matters..
After sIx months of hiding out, wallowing in her pain, and seething in her anger.. Annie is just beginning to numb, to reach an internal understanding and start to heal. Because the universe is cruel (and authors are more so) this poor woman just cannot catch a break, Annie’s brother Calder is arrested for murder. This news brings her back into the celebrity spotlight, and brings Owen back into her town and knocking on her door. She is forced to come out into the light, and deal with her life.
–
On the Novel – It is hard to go into too much detail on this book, it does not deserve to be critically analyzed or torn apart; it begs to be consumed to be embraced to be thrown across the room in a fit of “I hate you” and to be gently picked back up to continue consumption. Deborah Reed built it with layer upon layer of emotion and I am finding it hard to do it justice in any form of discussion.. It is painful to read and heart wrenching to put down. Reed’s book made my soul ache.
This is easily one of the best novels I have read in years. I am proud to have this book on my shelf. Folks who are into literary fiction, musician novels, being stabbed emotionally, and experiencing ambiguity as to your personal opinion of cheating lying men.. This book may be for you. If you are a cheating lying man, this may also be for you. If you like sad tales of like those of country story tellers past, this may be for you.
I say pick it up, even if you do not know if it is up your alley. You know 15 people you can give it to who will thank you for it and love it when you are done. It’s just that good.
On a slight aside note – You hear a lot of people ask authors “what did you listen to while you were writing this” or “what would be on the soundtrack for this book”. This book goes one further because it IS a soundtrack. The characters, being musicians make a number of references to great music, I highly suggest that readers who are unfamiliar with specific works mentioned should look them up. The prose of the novel is already melodic, and the strength of the characters provides a constant rhythm, backing it with real world music adds a depth, characters become real people.. Specifically check out Brush Prairie and the song “Carry Yourself Back To Me”. You will notice that the EP cover and the book cover are similar.. I do not know if the book inspired the song, or the other way, but both are excellent.
On the Author – I listened to Reed do some speaking at WordStock 2011. She was kind to the fat bearded man (me) who walked up and advised he had never heard of her, but was glad to have caught her round table discussion. She was incredibly nice and interesting insert other pleasant words here. I was pleased to be able to catch her at the convention and chat for a couple minutes. I highly suggest fans go to her events and say “Hi”, you won’t regret it.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
January 15, 2012
This book felt like it was kindof a suspense-lite book meets an anti-romance novel, if there can be such a thing as an anti-romance novel then this is it. Her ex-cheated on her, her brother is cheating with married woman and her mother cheated with her brother-in-law. Ummm its just felt to me like one, two, three too many cheaters. (They should be on an episode of Cheaters. Except no one in this book gets ghetto and tries to beat the cheating partner up.)
It starts off a bit slow for me and the whole while I'm all like ummm ok the story's already progressed and our heroine is in the dumps, when will she get herself out of it? 2nd spoiler alert it doesn't happen until the very last bit of the book.
I was disappointed by the lack of actual things that happen to her in the present. The flashback chapters and the soundtrack are the only things what worked for me but all her current/real time actions and behaviors were so odd and unnatural to me. I mean what kind of sister is so blase' about her brother going to jail for murder. I don't care if he lied to her about her lover, that's her brother, her family, WTF?
The author spent a lot of time building up a decent back story where our heroine is defending her brother and is so close to him and she practically raises herself but her grown-up self has zero relation to how she was as a child. None of her behaviors make sense. And why has she got no friends... not one girlfriend? Not one?
The suspense to me was suspense-lite. It felt secondary and no one really cared that her brother Calder was in jail. Do people really trust the justice system? Really? Seriously really??!! I mean Annie doesn't have to go all Nancy Drew but her lack of concern was so disconcerting to me that I just couldn't help but dislike her.
Actually I disliked just about everyone in the story except for the dog. I'm thinking the author was just too ambitious with the whole winter in Florida and tangelos as a metaphor for I don't know what. Whatever it was it fell flat for me and for the other gals in my book club that read this. I've downgraded my rating to one star and I wish I could grade it lower because it is a mystery to me how anyone could rate it higher.
It starts off a bit slow for me and the whole while I'm all like ummm ok the story's already progressed and our heroine is in the dumps, when will she get herself out of it? 2nd spoiler alert it doesn't happen until the very last bit of the book.
I was disappointed by the lack of actual things that happen to her in the present. The flashback chapters and the soundtrack are the only things what worked for me but all her current/real time actions and behaviors were so odd and unnatural to me. I mean what kind of sister is so blase' about her brother going to jail for murder. I don't care if he lied to her about her lover, that's her brother, her family, WTF?
The author spent a lot of time building up a decent back story where our heroine is defending her brother and is so close to him and she practically raises herself but her grown-up self has zero relation to how she was as a child. None of her behaviors make sense. And why has she got no friends... not one girlfriend? Not one?
The suspense to me was suspense-lite. It felt secondary and no one really cared that her brother Calder was in jail. Do people really trust the justice system? Really? Seriously really??!! I mean Annie doesn't have to go all Nancy Drew but her lack of concern was so disconcerting to me that I just couldn't help but dislike her.
Actually I disliked just about everyone in the story except for the dog. I'm thinking the author was just too ambitious with the whole winter in Florida and tangelos as a metaphor for I don't know what. Whatever it was it fell flat for me and for the other gals in my book club that read this. I've downgraded my rating to one star and I wish I could grade it lower because it is a mystery to me how anyone could rate it higher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2012
Annie Walsh is a celebrated alternative country singer-songwriter living in rural Florida and has just turned forty at the start of the story. Her career is at its peak but her personal life at its nadir, after her live-in boyfriend and producer leaves her for a much younger woman and her brother is arrested for murder.
There is so much to admire in this book: the cleverly and tightly woven plot, with multiple points of view and time periods seamlessly and fluidly working together, like melody and harmony; the setting, as lush and fertile, painfully hot and sometimes freakishly cold as Florida itself; the pacing and cliffhangers, which leave us hanging while the story dips back in time, thus increasing the tension; the tender and moving brother/sister story; and the sensory detail that I've come to think of as her signature style, especially the smells.
We know Annie’s ex-boyfriend Owen by “the malty scent of his skin, like freshly cut grain, something meant to be eaten,” her brother Calder by the “sandy soil smells [that] drift from his skin” and his truck by “the smell of french fries” the “powered by vegetable oil” engine gives off. Annie knows Owen is having an affair when he comes home “with a peculiar smell on his clothes. It wasn’t perfume or lotion or makeup. It was the smell of cooked meat and broth and smoke, and she knew he had spent hours in a restaurant somewhere.” Of all the senses, smell is the most visceral and emotional, the one I link most with memory and childhood. I can’t think of another author who uses this sense as consistently and effectively.
Here is my review in The Nervous Breakdown:
http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/sh...
Carry Yourself Back to Me is that rare book: a page turner that sings and a suspenseful yarn with an almost Proustian level of sensory detail. As Publishers Weekly said, "a triumph."
There is so much to admire in this book: the cleverly and tightly woven plot, with multiple points of view and time periods seamlessly and fluidly working together, like melody and harmony; the setting, as lush and fertile, painfully hot and sometimes freakishly cold as Florida itself; the pacing and cliffhangers, which leave us hanging while the story dips back in time, thus increasing the tension; the tender and moving brother/sister story; and the sensory detail that I've come to think of as her signature style, especially the smells.
We know Annie’s ex-boyfriend Owen by “the malty scent of his skin, like freshly cut grain, something meant to be eaten,” her brother Calder by the “sandy soil smells [that] drift from his skin” and his truck by “the smell of french fries” the “powered by vegetable oil” engine gives off. Annie knows Owen is having an affair when he comes home “with a peculiar smell on his clothes. It wasn’t perfume or lotion or makeup. It was the smell of cooked meat and broth and smoke, and she knew he had spent hours in a restaurant somewhere.” Of all the senses, smell is the most visceral and emotional, the one I link most with memory and childhood. I can’t think of another author who uses this sense as consistently and effectively.
Here is my review in The Nervous Breakdown:
http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/sh...
Carry Yourself Back to Me is that rare book: a page turner that sings and a suspenseful yarn with an almost Proustian level of sensory detail. As Publishers Weekly said, "a triumph."
January 19, 2013
Were I casting the movie version of Deborah Reed's debut novel, I'd give the great Lucinda Williams an audition for the role of Annie Walsh. If Lucinda could act with the same soul with which she writes and sings, she would bring just the right amount of melancholy angst to Reed's lushly drawn, likeable heroine. Following some bad luck in love and in the recording studio, Annie goes back to her old family homestead in Florida with her old hound dog Detour for company. If a solitary retreat is what she has in mind, though, Annie gets something far different. Seemingly out of nowhere, a violent murder in which her brother Calder may be involved forces Annie to confront old demons. I rooted hard for Annie...but does she live happily ever after? Our lives, like books that capture its heart and soul as well as Reed does, are rarely linear and never simple...are they?
May 5, 2015
Argh...
October 29, 2017
First book club with 4 and in 2017 were a solid 8
August 8, 2011
I scored myself an advanced reader's copy of Portland author Deborah Reed's debut novel Carry Yourself Back to Me.
I read the first few pages of Carry Yourself Back to Me and tried to reserve all judgement. I wasn't really prepared to like it (for no good reason, I should add) and so my brain kept trying to pull out of the story and assess the craft. "Anyone can write a compelling beginning," I erroneously thought, "but can you keep my attention Deborah Reed? I dare you!"
The short answer: Yes.
She did.
And my "want to dislike this" attitude was humbled. Sometimes I dislike a book because I genuinely believe it's crap (see my Water for Elephants review). Sometimes I dislike something because I wish I would have written it and I'm insanely jealous. Carry Yourself Back to Me falls more into that category.
The book opens with country/folk singer-songwriter Annie Walsh mourning the loss of her long-term relationship; a partnership that ended due to infidelity. When she learns her brother Calder is accused of murdering his lover's husband, a series of events unfold in Annie's life that demonstrate to her that life has a unique way of folding in on us -- especially in the throes of a crisis.
I couldn't bring myself to find much fault with Reed's rich prose, her believable characters, and her crisp dialogue. Also, I found the tangelo groves of Florida -- the setting for this book -- vivid and beautiful. (Even if I have never actually been to that particular state in the union.)
The dual themes -- running like two parallel strings from the first page to the last -- resonated with me. And I noticed the complexity of crafting this nuanced story without the hit-you-over-the-head method favored by most writer's today. The story isn't a riveting fast-paced adventure, it's a slower, steadier journey that explores what the heart wants and what it means to love and lose what matters most to you. The book is expertly plotted, which is evident by the fact that you aren't always aware of the plot. In a publishing world where books either have break-neck pacing screaming blockbuster movie or meandering literary books whose plots are thin, at best, I found the combination of a literary book with an engaging plot refreshing and rare.
Every writing "how-to" or workshop instructor vehemently opposes the dreaded flashback as a plot device. Reed's book is a great example of why we should NEVER listen to these books or workshop instructors. The flashback scenes -- woven seamlessly into the story of the present -- provide great background and character development. Some of the flashbacks were my favorite parts.
It's one of those books that resonates long after you've finished the final page -- subtle and powerful.
I wish Deborah every ounce of success and hope that this book finds the readership it deserves.
I read the first few pages of Carry Yourself Back to Me and tried to reserve all judgement. I wasn't really prepared to like it (for no good reason, I should add) and so my brain kept trying to pull out of the story and assess the craft. "Anyone can write a compelling beginning," I erroneously thought, "but can you keep my attention Deborah Reed? I dare you!"
The short answer: Yes.
She did.
And my "want to dislike this" attitude was humbled. Sometimes I dislike a book because I genuinely believe it's crap (see my Water for Elephants review). Sometimes I dislike something because I wish I would have written it and I'm insanely jealous. Carry Yourself Back to Me falls more into that category.
The book opens with country/folk singer-songwriter Annie Walsh mourning the loss of her long-term relationship; a partnership that ended due to infidelity. When she learns her brother Calder is accused of murdering his lover's husband, a series of events unfold in Annie's life that demonstrate to her that life has a unique way of folding in on us -- especially in the throes of a crisis.
I couldn't bring myself to find much fault with Reed's rich prose, her believable characters, and her crisp dialogue. Also, I found the tangelo groves of Florida -- the setting for this book -- vivid and beautiful. (Even if I have never actually been to that particular state in the union.)
The dual themes -- running like two parallel strings from the first page to the last -- resonated with me. And I noticed the complexity of crafting this nuanced story without the hit-you-over-the-head method favored by most writer's today. The story isn't a riveting fast-paced adventure, it's a slower, steadier journey that explores what the heart wants and what it means to love and lose what matters most to you. The book is expertly plotted, which is evident by the fact that you aren't always aware of the plot. In a publishing world where books either have break-neck pacing screaming blockbuster movie or meandering literary books whose plots are thin, at best, I found the combination of a literary book with an engaging plot refreshing and rare.
Every writing "how-to" or workshop instructor vehemently opposes the dreaded flashback as a plot device. Reed's book is a great example of why we should NEVER listen to these books or workshop instructors. The flashback scenes -- woven seamlessly into the story of the present -- provide great background and character development. Some of the flashbacks were my favorite parts.
It's one of those books that resonates long after you've finished the final page -- subtle and powerful.
I wish Deborah every ounce of success and hope that this book finds the readership it deserves.
November 5, 2011
Since my last review elicited a response from the author, I'm a little gun shy about giving a book review with three stars again. So, I want to explain that I have reserved five stars for only my very favorite books of all time and four stars for great reads that I would recommend to any of my friends. However, if I give a three star rating, I liked much about the book. In this day and time I do not continue reading books I don't like unless I am looking for it to redeem itself. Suffice it to say that I do not rate books I have not finished.
Now about this novel. Annie Walsh is a singer/songwriter living in Central Florida and is in the midst of the unraveling of her life. Talk about material for a country song...I won't spoil it for you by telling you what happens, but you can bet that Annie's life is filled with potential lyrics for a classic country song. Between her estranged mother, her brother who constantly deals with Tourette's Syndrome issues, and the remaining cast of motley characters, complications abound with a murder mystery to boot.
I love that the story takes place during an unusual winter storm in Florida. Many forget that we in the south actually deal with hateful winters from time to time and, in this case, the setting is perfect for a time when everything in Annie's life seems out of sync or simply just "off". I also love a story that allows families to go through the worst of the worst, including estrangement, only to find a way to love and live as a family unit again. Forgiveness and reconnecting are themes I will never find tiring. However, I think maybe I have read too many stories of reflection on a difficult childhood in recent months, and it is a bit disheartening that all of them involved lots of cheaters and unscrupulous family members. Perhaps if I read this book another time I would have felt less depressed and sad throughout the angst and dreariness. Ha! I just looked back and the last three books I have read were sad tales of lives tangled up in unresolved issues of the past. See! I need to read a light comedy and I'll be raring to delve into another "Woe is me for I am undone" tale. Hmmmm...now which silly story is calling my name?
Now about this novel. Annie Walsh is a singer/songwriter living in Central Florida and is in the midst of the unraveling of her life. Talk about material for a country song...I won't spoil it for you by telling you what happens, but you can bet that Annie's life is filled with potential lyrics for a classic country song. Between her estranged mother, her brother who constantly deals with Tourette's Syndrome issues, and the remaining cast of motley characters, complications abound with a murder mystery to boot.
I love that the story takes place during an unusual winter storm in Florida. Many forget that we in the south actually deal with hateful winters from time to time and, in this case, the setting is perfect for a time when everything in Annie's life seems out of sync or simply just "off". I also love a story that allows families to go through the worst of the worst, including estrangement, only to find a way to love and live as a family unit again. Forgiveness and reconnecting are themes I will never find tiring. However, I think maybe I have read too many stories of reflection on a difficult childhood in recent months, and it is a bit disheartening that all of them involved lots of cheaters and unscrupulous family members. Perhaps if I read this book another time I would have felt less depressed and sad throughout the angst and dreariness. Ha! I just looked back and the last three books I have read were sad tales of lives tangled up in unresolved issues of the past. See! I need to read a light comedy and I'll be raring to delve into another "Woe is me for I am undone" tale. Hmmmm...now which silly story is calling my name?
December 23, 2011
4.5 stars
It's difficult to describe this book as a whole without getting cliche'd, even though the story doesn't hold many of those on its own.
I love stories that drag you so deeply into someone's emotions that you find yourself dazed a little afterwards, trying to remember where the character ends and you begin. Its not just that I felt for Annie, but with the flashbacks and spacing the main plot so you can put it together piece by piece, you're almost building the puzzle with her.
Her sadness welled from a place that many people can relate to, and I found myself uncomfortable once or twice as my own previously broken heart was dredged to the surface. But I also kind of love the catharsis in finding the truth of where you've been inside the pain of others.
It's a simple story but speaks ten times more than many other complicated books I've read (Pulitzer Prize winner from last year, I'm looking at you).
My least favorite part was the ending, not because of the feel of it, but with how quickly the ties were knotted. The author has a way of taking a simple, brief idea and rolling it out into a fuller shape with her words; I think I craved a bit more of that in the last chapter.
That said... I've read 63 books this year, and this was one of the ones I'll remember most.
It's difficult to describe this book as a whole without getting cliche'd, even though the story doesn't hold many of those on its own.
I love stories that drag you so deeply into someone's emotions that you find yourself dazed a little afterwards, trying to remember where the character ends and you begin. Its not just that I felt for Annie, but with the flashbacks and spacing the main plot so you can put it together piece by piece, you're almost building the puzzle with her.
Her sadness welled from a place that many people can relate to, and I found myself uncomfortable once or twice as my own previously broken heart was dredged to the surface. But I also kind of love the catharsis in finding the truth of where you've been inside the pain of others.
It's a simple story but speaks ten times more than many other complicated books I've read (Pulitzer Prize winner from last year, I'm looking at you).
My least favorite part was the ending, not because of the feel of it, but with how quickly the ties were knotted. The author has a way of taking a simple, brief idea and rolling it out into a fuller shape with her words; I think I craved a bit more of that in the last chapter.
That said... I've read 63 books this year, and this was one of the ones I'll remember most.
July 7, 2011
I'm narrating this so I can't give an actual review (yet) but I can say that I love it! Can't wait to read this out loud.
August 24, 2018
Good book
I started reading this then put it down for awhile. When I picked it up and started reading again, I wondered how I was able to put it down before. I read it almost in one sitting. The author seems knowledgeable about music, human nature, and has a wonderful sense with words. Her descriptions of human mannerisms are uncanny. I would get flashes of memory of someone making the same gestures or body language that she described. She manages this without using too many words or becoming flowery. The story took a direction--or several directions--I did not expect and I was surprised that I liked what transpired. I will look for work by this author under both her pen names.
I started reading this then put it down for awhile. When I picked it up and started reading again, I wondered how I was able to put it down before. I read it almost in one sitting. The author seems knowledgeable about music, human nature, and has a wonderful sense with words. Her descriptions of human mannerisms are uncanny. I would get flashes of memory of someone making the same gestures or body language that she described. She manages this without using too many words or becoming flowery. The story took a direction--or several directions--I did not expect and I was surprised that I liked what transpired. I will look for work by this author under both her pen names.
June 30, 2022
I was lucky enough to meet Deborah on the west coast. She was warm, funny, and very insightful. Because of that, I really wanted to read her work. And so I am plugging away at reading her novels. For starters, she creates characters that are very real. You see their flaws, their grace, their humanity. And then she crafts a story that keeps you hooked. She's brilliant at laying down plot points that continue to keep the reader intrigued (remember brains like to solve puzzles!). Her style of writing is at times melancholic and bittersweet. She lets you rest in other people's emotions. For a spell, we are inside the story rooting for the characters like their our own neighbors. A story of love, loss, picking up the pieces, and moving forward.
May 17, 2022
I enjoyed the moderate suspense of this book. While it had quite the scandals, it was more compelling than overwhelming. It honestly almost lost me in the middle. The story started to feel drawn out and I was craving more character dialogue. But I am so glad I stuck with it. The last several chapters really pull everything together and I absolutely love the ending. While I know backstories and perspective changes are Ms. Reed's writing style, a few less minor flashbacks and perspective switching by paragraph. I had to reassess what was happening more than I normally do in her writing. I loved the romance in this book (good and bad), possibly the most out of all of her novels.
December 7, 2022
Such a smooth read
This was such a good read. The narrative of it all was so easy. I could visualize every scene and character. I loved the way the chapters jumped around from past to present from character to character revealing every secret when we were ready for it and not when it was known. There were a few things in reading it that made me think "hmm that isn't quite accurate or right" but other than that such a fun and smooth read. I was left with anticipation but not overly so.
This was such a good read. The narrative of it all was so easy. I could visualize every scene and character. I loved the way the chapters jumped around from past to present from character to character revealing every secret when we were ready for it and not when it was known. There were a few things in reading it that made me think "hmm that isn't quite accurate or right" but other than that such a fun and smooth read. I was left with anticipation but not overly so.
May 30, 2017
This was ok, but honestly not a book that I will remember or that I'd read again. The story was predictable, slow and uninteresting, and boring. Annie got a little too judgmental with everyone, at first she just came off as bitter and resentful. She was cold and mean towards her boyfriend, brother, uncle and her mom with every else she was good. I finished it because I can't NOT finish a book, but was very disappointed when I reached the end.
August 12, 2024
Very good novel, wonderful writing, can only give it a HIGH 3 stars because I read "Things we set on Fire" first and I gave it 4 stars. This one was written first and I read it because "Fire" was so good but had to rate it slightly less, hence HIGH 3 stars.
They were both good reads and I would guess that others she has written are probably along the same line but there is only so much time so I'm moving on.
They were both good reads and I would guess that others she has written are probably along the same line but there is only so much time so I'm moving on.
February 9, 2017
Great deliberate read
It is an absolute pleasure to read a novel in which the author doesn't flail around for adjectives and uses description as reality.
's. Reed is able to convey her characters feelings and they're tangible and plausible.
I can't wait for her next book which is sure to be even more soulful and evocative.
It is an absolute pleasure to read a novel in which the author doesn't flail around for adjectives and uses description as reality.
's. Reed is able to convey her characters feelings and they're tangible and plausible.
I can't wait for her next book which is sure to be even more soulful and evocative.
December 11, 2019
What a great read
I finished this book rather quickly. I enjoyed the twists and turns this story took. Annie is a great main character and I liked Calder, too. I believe I have read books by this author before...I need to check. But I remember being amazed by that story as well. She has a way of sneaking up on you through the story and creating a wonderfully realistic piece.
I finished this book rather quickly. I enjoyed the twists and turns this story took. Annie is a great main character and I liked Calder, too. I believe I have read books by this author before...I need to check. But I remember being amazed by that story as well. She has a way of sneaking up on you through the story and creating a wonderfully realistic piece.
December 14, 2019
Well Done
Sometimes the success of a well written novel is how the story crescendos, and then flows to a smooth end. A novel can sometimes be wrapped up too tidy, and that can ruin the entire story. I don’t envy a writer, trying to get all the parts just right. This story has all the right elements for a good yarn.
Sometimes the success of a well written novel is how the story crescendos, and then flows to a smooth end. A novel can sometimes be wrapped up too tidy, and that can ruin the entire story. I don’t envy a writer, trying to get all the parts just right. This story has all the right elements for a good yarn.
August 9, 2021
Carry Yourself Back to me
Carry yourself back to me
Once I started reading this this book, I couldn't put it down. It was a great story, had good characters, kept moving along with more stuff happening,within the storyline ;so I didn't get board.The ending was really great! Love 💘 this book
Carry yourself back to me
Once I started reading this this book, I couldn't put it down. It was a great story, had good characters, kept moving along with more stuff happening,within the storyline ;so I didn't get board.The ending was really great! Love 💘 this book
January 16, 2018
The story was interesting—twists and turns that weren’t expected, others that were a little too predictable. Far too much weather description for my taste...but that’s just my opinion. And the ending—a little too tidy. All in all, an ok read after the holidays.
October 21, 2018
Loved it
Great read. Easy bit captivating. I felt committed to the characters and thought the storyline was just engaging enough to be hard to put down without the haunting “what next!!!” That causes me to read until 2am when I should
Be sleeping. Loved it!
Great read. Easy bit captivating. I felt committed to the characters and thought the storyline was just engaging enough to be hard to put down without the haunting “what next!!!” That causes me to read until 2am when I should
Be sleeping. Loved it!
June 4, 2019
Life is not a straight shot
This gleaming story is a comfortable meander through the twists and turns of life. The connected stories are like a comfortable, loosely woven afghan on a snowy winter day.
This gleaming story is a comfortable meander through the twists and turns of life. The connected stories are like a comfortable, loosely woven afghan on a snowy winter day.
July 9, 2018
Ms. Read's first novel. It was a good read.
November 21, 2019
Riveting!
This book is a fast read. Holds you spellbound and you hate to put it down. Loved it and will check out any thing she has written.
This book is a fast read. Holds you spellbound and you hate to put it down. Loved it and will check out any thing she has written.
September 27, 2022
An excellent story with great characters and a wonderful story line! A story full of forgiveness, character flaws and hope for everyone!
February 18, 2023
3.5. Almost 4, but I wish the ending had more detail
September 16, 2011
Song writer and performer Annie Walsh has plenty of material in her everyday life, the songs should just be pouring out of her. Her lover has left her for another woman, her family is a mess and her career is going nowhere fast, but the lyrics are not flowing. Annie escapes into her home on the edge of a lush Florida tangelo grove with her dog, Detour, trying to forget about the love she has lost to another. She spends her days picking fruit and sanding every piece of wood in her home down to the bare grain. But thoughts of Owen are forever on her mind.
All of the sudden her solitary life is completely disrupted when he brother because the prime suspect in a horrendous murder. Her life is turned upside down as she has to deal with issues from her past, trying to cope in the present and not even thinking about the future.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed Carry Yourself Back to Me. This author is extremely talented, not only is the main character a song writer but Deborah Reed has written the story is such a way that it flows much the same way a song does. Whether she is describing a sunrise or her character's turmoil it has a melodic feeling and rhythm. We travel back and forth in time with Annie revealing secrets, thoughts, fears and the writing seems effortless. The only thing I would have changed about this book was I would have completely cut the last chapter. After the wonderfully written story it would have been nice for a change to be left wondering a little.
This author also writes suspense fiction under the name Audrey Braun. I reviewed her book A Small Fortune back in July and I loved it so much I gave it fifteen stars, well I would have if I could. No matter what name she writes under this author is a gifted storyteller with a bright future. I anxiously await more of her work.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
All of the sudden her solitary life is completely disrupted when he brother because the prime suspect in a horrendous murder. Her life is turned upside down as she has to deal with issues from her past, trying to cope in the present and not even thinking about the future.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed Carry Yourself Back to Me. This author is extremely talented, not only is the main character a song writer but Deborah Reed has written the story is such a way that it flows much the same way a song does. Whether she is describing a sunrise or her character's turmoil it has a melodic feeling and rhythm. We travel back and forth in time with Annie revealing secrets, thoughts, fears and the writing seems effortless. The only thing I would have changed about this book was I would have completely cut the last chapter. After the wonderfully written story it would have been nice for a change to be left wondering a little.
This author also writes suspense fiction under the name Audrey Braun. I reviewed her book A Small Fortune back in July and I loved it so much I gave it fifteen stars, well I would have if I could. No matter what name she writes under this author is a gifted storyteller with a bright future. I anxiously await more of her work.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from MindBuck Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
September 11, 2011
Carry Yourself Back to Me by Deborah Reed is the story of singer/songwriter Annie Walsh. Annie has secluded herself at her home in Florida after being abandoned by her lover, Owen, six months ago. This also caused her to be estranged from her brother, Calder. Calder tries to mend their relationship but he is then accused of murdering his girlfriend's husband.
This is author Deborah Reed's first literary novel. She writes suspense fiction under the penname Audrey Braun. Reed includes several mysteries and questions that must be answered in this novel, as well as a lot of introspective musing, reflection on memories, and pondering the meaning of life. There is more going on under the surface than outward appearances would indicate.
Stylistically, Reed is a good writer. While I will effortlessly concede that the writing is thoughtful and contemplative, and that the descriptions evoke a real sense of place, I would be remiss if I didn't also confess that I had a few problems with Carry Yourself Back to Me. To be honest, I found all the characters whiny and too self absorbed. It was like a stereotypical country song where everything goes wrong, everyone is cheating, and then your dog dies. All of this made the plot feel contrived to me. Apparently bad things have targeted this group of people and they have had it all happen to them.
Carry Yourself Back to Me just felt way too morose and desolate to me. However, with a nod to Reed, the quality of the actual writing kept me reading to see what happened in the end. Once I reached the ending, it felt implausible, but I suppose it neatly tied up all the loose ends of the plot. My issues with the novel may be more indicative of my frame of mind than of the merits of the novel itself. I would say that this novel is a bit more "chick lit" than I normally read.
Recommended - especially if you tend to like introspective chick lit. http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/
Disclosure: I received an advance reading copy of this novel for review purposes.
This is author Deborah Reed's first literary novel. She writes suspense fiction under the penname Audrey Braun. Reed includes several mysteries and questions that must be answered in this novel, as well as a lot of introspective musing, reflection on memories, and pondering the meaning of life. There is more going on under the surface than outward appearances would indicate.
Stylistically, Reed is a good writer. While I will effortlessly concede that the writing is thoughtful and contemplative, and that the descriptions evoke a real sense of place, I would be remiss if I didn't also confess that I had a few problems with Carry Yourself Back to Me. To be honest, I found all the characters whiny and too self absorbed. It was like a stereotypical country song where everything goes wrong, everyone is cheating, and then your dog dies. All of this made the plot feel contrived to me. Apparently bad things have targeted this group of people and they have had it all happen to them.
Carry Yourself Back to Me just felt way too morose and desolate to me. However, with a nod to Reed, the quality of the actual writing kept me reading to see what happened in the end. Once I reached the ending, it felt implausible, but I suppose it neatly tied up all the loose ends of the plot. My issues with the novel may be more indicative of my frame of mind than of the merits of the novel itself. I would say that this novel is a bit more "chick lit" than I normally read.
Recommended - especially if you tend to like introspective chick lit. http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/
Disclosure: I received an advance reading copy of this novel for review purposes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews