The Second Diary ..

by Ciara Threadgoode

When people keep diaries, they usually record trite tidbits of daily life. Dorothy Rose Nolte Hughes, however, hides a second diary under the polka-dot towels and causes quite a stir in the family. Her use of metaphor, alliteration, and analogies keep readers learning some new turns-of-phrase and laughing while uncovering some family truths that lay hidden from the world. Dottie’s daughter isn’t interested in the language and turn-of-phrase, however, only the secrets revealed to the one who finds the diary. Dottie’s favorite granddaughter, her husband, and their six dachshunds take care of Granny but her diary leaves them not only befuddled and confused but also excited and elevated in spirit. Moving back and forth between the granddaughter’s story-telling and the grandmother’s diary entries, readers are compelled to keep reading to the very end and learn about fairytales as part of the truth. Does the truth hide in fairytales and come forth when least expected or do fairytales hide in truth and just sort of spontaneously spew forth?
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Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2013

About the author

Ciara Threadgoode is this authors pseudonym. It's believed that Edgar Degas once said "While I want to be famous, I also yearn to remain unknown," This author would concur.

Reviews

[Frank Kusy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, dip me in butter and roll me in nuts, what a fantastic book. I wasn't expecting to like it, I used to run old people's homes and didn't find a tenth of the entertainment there that `Granny' provides, what a character she is, a real hoot! Peppered with bon mots from Oscar Wilde and quotes from Clint Eastwood films, her secret `second diary' is also full of both wise, cracker-barrel observations on life and wonderful, chuckle-worthy `Granny-isms'. We learn for instance that her son Brock `acts crazier than a sprayed cockroach', her secret lover Raylan is `handier than a pocket on a shirt', and her loving grand-daughter Cherry is prone to `rattling on like a squeaky locomotive on its last puff of steam.'

But it's not all fun and laughter, this book also has great heart. Told in a split narrative between Cherry and her awesome grand-mother, family dramas play out, secrets are revealed, and schisms that have divided people over two generations are healed. Read this book. It might just dill your pickle.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Second Diary", Ciara Threadgoode invites you into the world of Gene, Cherry and Cherry´s grandmother Dottie. It´s an easy world to slip into, assisted by Ciara´s conversational style of writing. The sayings and dialect cement the book in Santa Barabara USA, and as the dramas, skeletons and past misunderstanding unfold themselves from the pages of the book, you feel like you´re there, experiencing it with them. Dottie is a real character, and her second diary hints at the deep waters and strong currents of her childhood and adult days that glitters under the carefully worn veneer of old age. A wonderful book, although I would have liked to have gotten to know Gene a little better, and Dottie deserves a book of her own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A feel good book about family and values and what we decide to do when famly members get older. Take care of them or put them in a home--who has the time and who really cares. Grandma loves the dogs and is lucky to have family members that care enough to let her stay in her home with their daily help. I never kept a diary but it seems people that do like to keep the real one hidden--what on earth could they put in the second diary. When the house has to be cleaned out the diary is found--what is in it? I recommend this book to anyone that needs to come down to earth from other books that they read. Heartwarming book.

[Veronica McLendon]

Awesome Book!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Highly recommend to all doxies lovers! I cannot wait to read the sequel to find out what happens next.

[Jayne Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I started this book late at night, planning to read a chapter or two before turning out the lights. The next thing I knew it was four in the morning and I was sitting there in bed, tired as all get-out, but with a satisfied smile on my face. This book manages to be many things; thoughtful, insightful, fanciful, philosophical, an absorbing page-turner, and downright hilarious. The main characters are well drawn, and the reader can't help but like them -- and appreciate their humanity. I was especially happy with the way the author dealt with the inner life of Dottie, a seventy-six year old woman. Where does the perception that older people cease to have an inner life come from? What a ridiculous notion. Thank goodness Ciara Threadgoode knows better, and has the skill to convey this to readers. The Second Diary is a terrific read. The novel’s accessible style will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, and I feel confident in recommending it. I am now looking forward to reading the sequel, Granny's No Angel.

[Kiki Dox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading is very difficult for me because I have no concentration left. I usually have to start over many sentences because I can't remember what I read or can't understand and I just give up. This book was so easy to read because it is written in a way I could easily follow and rest my head between each diary entries or short story lines. It probably took me more time than most of the experienced readers to read it (I know, I used to be one) but I started and finished my first book in 7 years!!! Yay! It doesn't make it a "childish" book in anyway though and I caught myself laughing more than once. Granny is one spicy funny little old lady and I loved her! I recommend this book to anyone but, if you know someone who has challenges reading because of cognitive issues, it might be a good book to try.

[Susan Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just for dachshund lovers!

Weaving the past with the present from two different perspectives, this clever story is a fun and fascinating look at family dynamics across three generations. When the loyal granddaughter (who has become feisty Grannie's primary care giver) discovers her own mother's infidelities, she has to choose whether to ignore family secrets or confront them head-on. Filled with colorful characters and six adorable dachshunds, this book speaks volumes about life, love, and choices along the way.
I've never had a dachshund pup, but I sure enjoyed getting to know them. Look forward to the sequel.

Susan Joyce

[Jennie Marts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun, entertaining story had me turning pages in anticipation of what would come next! Great character development- I loved Granny and the relationship that she shared with Cherry and Gene. And the six dogs cracked me up! Granny reminded me of my own grandmother and I thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming book! If you enjoy Fannie Flagg, try out this author. Can't wait to see what happens in the second book!

[Abeer Ishtiaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Not having been born/raised in America it gave me a window into lives of people in the early/mid 20th century and I could relate granny's stories to those my grand parents and parents told and felt like we weren't so different. It also sadden me to know how many old people are put into nursing homes to die away when just a little love and care from the family can go a long way. I wish all grandparents have a Cherry and Gene in their lives!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A disclaimer: My copy of this book was sent to me by the author! I thought this book was so much fun! I loved getting to know Granny through her diary entries, as well as hearing Gene and Cherry's spin on her...but, it wasn't all fluff...there was just enough heartache and conflict to make me really care about this family and the goings-on. Not to mention the new appreciation I seem to have for dachshunds! I look forward to reading Granny's No Angel, the follow up to The Second Diary!

[Terry Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an author with a gift of writing dialogue. The Second Diary is an interesting piece of fiction that could be all too true, interesting in finding out why there were two diaries. The novel is well-written, most enjoyable.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Lita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book and it was so good that I read it in one day. I had a hard time putting it down to do those annoying things one must do like cooking, cleaning or taking out the trash. As soon I finished I would pick the book back up and read more.

The diary contains daily entries from Cherry's grandmother (Dottie) covering the last couple of months of her life. Cherry was a daily part of her life so there are entries from the diary interspersed with chapters where Cherry is telling the story. It got confusing when a diary entry and story didn't coincide. For example they all went to a BBQ and we read about it from Dottie's POV in her diary. A couple of chapters later we're reading about it from Cherry's POV after something else has happened in between the diary entry and the description of the event. This happened two or three times and threw me off.

Beyond that it was a lovely story of a dysfunctional family with some nasty secrets. Everyone basically drifted away from Dottie except for her Cherry, her husband and their furbabies. But the love between those three was filled with warmth and goodness.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what I missed as there are so many four and five star ratings for this one but the writing was poor and awkward and the story felt so choppy and disjointed. I did like the characters and am mildly interested in what happens to them but I don't think that I will be reading the sequel unless it happens to fall in my lap. I think the thing that confused me the most was all of those reviews who made this out to be such a happy tale. It is not a very happy story.

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather enjoyable

I quite liked this story. The way The characters were written was like a real life story. I loved Granny's spunk

[Jean Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Well slap my chaps and call me cowboy but I did enjoy this book. The language is lively, rooted in smalltown America and so contagious that it unzipped my British zipper. Granny, the 76 year old writer of the secret ‘second’ diary is an endearing character. Anyone familiar with the ageing process will recognize both the obsessions with bodily functions and the devious methods to elude protective constraints. Granny’s self-deprecating humour is irresistible and her homespun wisdom captures ‘essence of Granny’ with all the best aspects of traditional roles.

Like any family, this one has its secrets, alliances, rivalries and old bitterness. Through Granny’s diaries and the interwoven narrative from the viewpoint of a loving grand-daughter, we uncover surprises from the past and understand what led to present stand-offs. Thanks to Granny, festering wounds are opened and healing becomes possible. Warm and positive without being sentimental, ‘The Second Diary’ lets us inside Granny’s practical acceptance of sadness and death. There is an everyday kind of courage here, worthy of respect and love.

I felt swamped by the information at the start on family members and their backgrounds; I’d have rather found out gradually about each one. However, once I’d got past that, the story read smoothly. I loved the humour and the language. In short, ‘Winner, winner, chicken dinner’!

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherry and her husband, Gene, find two diaries while clearing out her grandmother's home after she had passed. The first was a mundane account of weather and trivial matters, but the second diary is a charming and hilarious account of her grandmother's thoughts about daily life. Cherry reflects with her own explanation of the events in-between the sections on her grandmother's musings. The whole of it is a well-written, fun ride. My mother and grandmother had a saying for everything and I had to laugh at recalling some of these in the book. My favorite of her thoughts was reading about what will happen when people of different religions die. Being sorted into recycling bins was priceless and seemed like a great idea to me. If you don't love Dorothy Rose by the end of this delightful story, shame on you. Cherry and her husband shows us what love is all about by providing such great care and I know, without doubt, that this is one granny that is sorely missed.

[Jes Caruss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Paws!

This book made me laugh, it made me cry )(just a tad, I swear!), it made me cheer. The description of the Doxie behaviors is spot on (being an expert as a Doxie momma myself.)
I did however find the purposeful choice of having the 30 something characters Cherry and Gene not using any bad language honorable, but the replacement language and "sayings" a little far fetched and unrealistic. What 30 year old thinks of the word "crap" as a swear word?
Putting that aside, I really loved this book! I definitely will be reading "Granny' No Angel" (the follow up book to this one)
Well done! The Fritz, Love Luna Bella and I give it 5 paws up!

[Maggie James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A refreshing change from my usual type of novel, The Second Diary is a light-hearted examination of family life, packed with engaging characters and amusing incidents. In the background, the book also examines more serious issues, such as attitudes towards the elderly and preconceptions about marriage. Recommended.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

laughed a lot at the grandmother's secret diary. The story coming out through that and her granddaughter's writing was interesting, intriguing and having its fair share of ups and downs. I shall treasure many of the sayings - not to mention the report of a visit to the doctor and the red ring. (I say no more so I won't offend the more sensitive)

[Cath Stannard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really didn't like this. May have got many 5 star reviews but I found it really boring. Yes it had a jolly, humorous little old lady in it but other than the odd titter there was no real story too it other than her grand daughters father. Was glad to get to the end.

[Ckodom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Diary is a delightful read. The writing flows smoothly, and the multi layered characters could be my own relatives. My favorite character is Granny, and I would love to have her for a friend. The book makes me want to find a diary and learn my family's secrets.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and wonderful

I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest and voluntary review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I wish I could have had a granny of my own, like this amazing woman. That her closest relationship was with her granddaughter, her husband, and 6 doxies was so deep and giving in every way, did not surprise me.
What did surprise me was her ungrateful & angry children. That's not what should happen. Unfortunately, it's the way it is too often.
Thank you to the author who wrote this book. I highly recommend it to you.

[Adia Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Touching

I think the most important part for me was showing that family does stop visiting and its sad for the elderly. Growing up, I can relate to Cherry. I saw my grandparents daily. It's just part of our culture. My grandparents didn't make it to my adulthood. If they did, I'd be like Cherry and over there every day. I hope my daughter and mother have the same relationship. I loved reading it diary style. Some elders can be so reserved! I want to hear about their adventures! Lovable characters, clean,and well written.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book by luck and I'm glad that I read it. It's was entertaining to read. I just loved the names of the 6 doxies. I thought my dog's name was awesome but, sleeping with Brad Pitt is a close second to my dog!! LOL :) Reading how a 76 year writes in her diary was wonderful, funny and I just wished my grandmother was alive so I can hug her one more time. I love using acronyms and seeing DINK used was awesome too. This is placed in my reread books. Most definitely!!! I can't wait to read "Granny's No Angel".

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me chuckle many times. Granny, had spunk, wit, and lots of quotes. She reminded me of my own grandmother. When you discovered the 2nd diary, you knew that was where the good stuff was and you aren't disappointed. A wonderful book that made me that made me think, I should do something like this for my grandkids. I just might, like the book, this could be fun.

[Wayne D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantabulous book!

Love this book...everything about it! Granny, Cherry, Gene and the doxies are absolutely terrific. The author has written a story that I believe everyone can connect to in some way. I recognized a couple of characters that could be relatives of mine! The relationship between the three main characters is wonderful...so much love and terrific life lessons.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, this is about Dottie, who is 76. Dottie’s favorite granddaughter, her husband, and their six dachshunds take care of Granny and this book is about her diary. Dottie and granddaughter tell the story.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and enjoyable. How can anyone not love Grandma Dottie? Even the title of each chapter had me chuckling and in anticipation for more of granny's diary entries. Hope the sequel, "Granny's No Angel" will be just as good.

[Ivonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious

To read the same experience from two different generation's point of view. I really enjoyed it. Grandmothers are much brighter than we might think. Can't wait to read the sequel