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Miles Left Yet
It’s Never the End of the Road
None of them really expected to wind up at the Granite Ridge Retirement Community for Active Seniors. And yet, here they are—Jim arriving after his wife’s unexpected passing, Norma after selling her home to rescue her financially strapped daughter, and Mildred after her lifelong neighborhood becomes overrun by crime. It’s an odd place to be, for sure—put out to pasture, some might phrase it. At the end of life’s road.
And yet, inside, they all still feel as young as ever.
When a figure from Mildred’s past emerges, a motley crew from the retirement community embarks on a road trip—in a vintage Mustang convertible, no less—which quickly turns into an adventure of second chances, fresh starts, and the discovery that love is never a landmark in the rearview mirror. No matter what the odometer reads, as long as there’s gas in the tank, there are always still new roads to explore...plenty of miles left yet.
**Includes book club discussion questions.**
None of them really expected to wind up at the Granite Ridge Retirement Community for Active Seniors. And yet, here they are—Jim arriving after his wife’s unexpected passing, Norma after selling her home to rescue her financially strapped daughter, and Mildred after her lifelong neighborhood becomes overrun by crime. It’s an odd place to be, for sure—put out to pasture, some might phrase it. At the end of life’s road.
And yet, inside, they all still feel as young as ever.
When a figure from Mildred’s past emerges, a motley crew from the retirement community embarks on a road trip—in a vintage Mustang convertible, no less—which quickly turns into an adventure of second chances, fresh starts, and the discovery that love is never a landmark in the rearview mirror. No matter what the odometer reads, as long as there’s gas in the tank, there are always still new roads to explore...plenty of miles left yet.
**Includes book club discussion questions.**
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About the author
Holly Schindler
53 books310 followersHolly Schindler’s work has received starred reviews in Booklist and Publishers Weekly, has won silver and gold medals in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year and the IPPY Awards, respectively, has been featured on Booklist’s Best First Novels for Youth and School Library Journal’s What’s Hot in YA, and has been a PW Pick of the Week. She can usually be found consuming large quantities of coffee and working on her next book. She can also be found at hollyschindler.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2018
I highly recommend this book and author.
Holly Schindler is a master at writing books that aren't too long (they're quick reading) but have so much depth. Miles Left Yet is definitely one such book. It's a wonderful story I think everyone should read. Moving, thought-provoking, touching. Read this book, then read another of Schindler's books. You'll be glad you did. She's become one of my favorite authors.
Holly Schindler is a master at writing books that aren't too long (they're quick reading) but have so much depth. Miles Left Yet is definitely one such book. It's a wonderful story I think everyone should read. Moving, thought-provoking, touching. Read this book, then read another of Schindler's books. You'll be glad you did. She's become one of my favorite authors.
November 22, 2020
as a supposed geriatric type living in a geriatric living environment, I greatly appreciated a story about seniors who love, play, laugh...
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July 30, 2019My personal "star" rating system:
1 star: Could not finish the book
2 star: Had to force myself to finish the book, did not care for the book, and will not be seeking out this author in the future
3 star: Liked the book, but will not necessarily be seeking out this author in the future
4 star: Really liked the book and would read more of this author, but will not be re-reading this particular book again
5 star: Loved it so much that I will re-read this book in the future, and the author is going onto my list for pre-orders of their future titles
My rating: 4 stars
I have just come off of a couple of pretty intense reads, and I needed what I call a 'sunshine' book. This entirely fit the bill. Jim, Norma, and Mildred are all newly transplanted residents at a retirement village. Jim has recently lost his wife, Norma lost her husband, and Mildred is just needing a fresh start after losing the love of her life...40 years ago.
When Mildred is confronted by a lawyer named Gurtler about a surprise from her long-lost love, she is weary and hesitant. In come Jim and Norma to coax her along and add a little adventure along the way.
This is such a fresh take on the lives of retirees, and it just goes to show that life does not and should not stop when you hit your golden years. Life is exactly what you make it; live it until the very last day and enjoy the ride.
1 star: Could not finish the book
2 star: Had to force myself to finish the book, did not care for the book, and will not be seeking out this author in the future
3 star: Liked the book, but will not necessarily be seeking out this author in the future
4 star: Really liked the book and would read more of this author, but will not be re-reading this particular book again
5 star: Loved it so much that I will re-read this book in the future, and the author is going onto my list for pre-orders of their future titles
My rating: 4 stars
I have just come off of a couple of pretty intense reads, and I needed what I call a 'sunshine' book. This entirely fit the bill. Jim, Norma, and Mildred are all newly transplanted residents at a retirement village. Jim has recently lost his wife, Norma lost her husband, and Mildred is just needing a fresh start after losing the love of her life...40 years ago.
When Mildred is confronted by a lawyer named Gurtler about a surprise from her long-lost love, she is weary and hesitant. In come Jim and Norma to coax her along and add a little adventure along the way.
This is such a fresh take on the lives of retirees, and it just goes to show that life does not and should not stop when you hit your golden years. Life is exactly what you make it; live it until the very last day and enjoy the ride.
January 24, 2016
Jim, Norma and Mildred are all residents in a retirement community. All of them have led different lives before arriving at this stage of their lives and each of them have miles left yet.
Jim is full of mischief and making the best of his life in the retirement community. When Norma moves in Jim makes it his mission to bring her out of her shell. Determined to live life to the fullest Jim throws himself into the task of capturing Norma's affections.
Norma has recently sold her home in order to bail her daughter out of debt. Struggling to find herself and her place in this life she has no desire to even leave her apartment at the retirement community she has moved into. At first she resents Jim and his attempts to get to know her, but soon they become inseparable.
Mildred is a retired school teacher/spinster who shows up at the retirement community and immediately gives the wrong impression. The one regret in her life that has defined who she has become is about to catch up with her.
Setting out on an adventure to right some wrongs, make some mischief, have some fun, and find some romance proves to a couple of young people that just because people get old doesn't mean that their lives are over.
One of the things I have found about Holly Schindler's books is that they are hard to put down once you start reading them! Miles Left Yet kept me turning the pages, laughing and crying along the journey. Being in the retirement stage of my life made the reading much more poignant. While I couldn't relate with the loss that the characters experienced I could relate with the feelings of irrelevancy, of being set aside by the younger generation but yet feeling also that there are so many things left to do, say and experience. That feeling that I still have...Miles Left Yet!
Jim is full of mischief and making the best of his life in the retirement community. When Norma moves in Jim makes it his mission to bring her out of her shell. Determined to live life to the fullest Jim throws himself into the task of capturing Norma's affections.
Norma has recently sold her home in order to bail her daughter out of debt. Struggling to find herself and her place in this life she has no desire to even leave her apartment at the retirement community she has moved into. At first she resents Jim and his attempts to get to know her, but soon they become inseparable.
Mildred is a retired school teacher/spinster who shows up at the retirement community and immediately gives the wrong impression. The one regret in her life that has defined who she has become is about to catch up with her.
Setting out on an adventure to right some wrongs, make some mischief, have some fun, and find some romance proves to a couple of young people that just because people get old doesn't mean that their lives are over.
One of the things I have found about Holly Schindler's books is that they are hard to put down once you start reading them! Miles Left Yet kept me turning the pages, laughing and crying along the journey. Being in the retirement stage of my life made the reading much more poignant. While I couldn't relate with the loss that the characters experienced I could relate with the feelings of irrelevancy, of being set aside by the younger generation but yet feeling also that there are so many things left to do, say and experience. That feeling that I still have...Miles Left Yet!
May 17, 2020
Boomer Llit
I love reading this new to me genre. I hope it takes off and offers us many choices for characters, scenarios, laughter, thoughtful possibilities...The choices are endless. We Boomers are a diverse group.
This particular story features Boomers in their 60's. They are all pretty healthy, with the exception of one guy whose serious condition doesn't affect him at ALL. That's my issue with the Boomer Lit I've read so far. The characters have money and health. Aside from getting a little out of breath occasionally, they get around as well as I did In my 40's. No mention of lifestyle adjustment. I feel cheated.
I'm quite happy most days with my retirement and the stage of life In in, with all its realities. Those realities are huge and I spent at least a year identifying and coming to terms with all of it. I made my adjustments, none of which are depicted in Boomer Lit.
Sad. This was a rich and powerful time in my life but most authors, including Holly Schindler, gloss over those times and how it looks when we come out on the other side. "She sat in her apartment, alone for 6 weeks." This is about as detailed as it gets. There are no walkers, canes, hearing aids, or other facts of life beyond reading glasses. The adult children are spoiled and irritating, which isn't true in my life, or in the lives of my age appropriate friends.
However --!!
Where Ms. Schlindler SHINES is in her characters' life outlooks! These were characters who knew who they had been, knew what motivated them, and we're enthused about where life would take them next! They were open minded and teachable; ready to learn as only the truly wise can be prepared to do. The author used the wisdom of her characters back stories to propel them forward with magic and creativity.
I only wish she had been more realistic. It would have been easier to relate to the characters. I'm past the fairy tale stage. *smiles* I see that Holly S. writes in many different genres. I will definitely be reading more of her work.
I love reading this new to me genre. I hope it takes off and offers us many choices for characters, scenarios, laughter, thoughtful possibilities...The choices are endless. We Boomers are a diverse group.
This particular story features Boomers in their 60's. They are all pretty healthy, with the exception of one guy whose serious condition doesn't affect him at ALL. That's my issue with the Boomer Lit I've read so far. The characters have money and health. Aside from getting a little out of breath occasionally, they get around as well as I did In my 40's. No mention of lifestyle adjustment. I feel cheated.
I'm quite happy most days with my retirement and the stage of life In in, with all its realities. Those realities are huge and I spent at least a year identifying and coming to terms with all of it. I made my adjustments, none of which are depicted in Boomer Lit.
Sad. This was a rich and powerful time in my life but most authors, including Holly Schindler, gloss over those times and how it looks when we come out on the other side. "She sat in her apartment, alone for 6 weeks." This is about as detailed as it gets. There are no walkers, canes, hearing aids, or other facts of life beyond reading glasses. The adult children are spoiled and irritating, which isn't true in my life, or in the lives of my age appropriate friends.
However --!!
Where Ms. Schlindler SHINES is in her characters' life outlooks! These were characters who knew who they had been, knew what motivated them, and we're enthused about where life would take them next! They were open minded and teachable; ready to learn as only the truly wise can be prepared to do. The author used the wisdom of her characters back stories to propel them forward with magic and creativity.
I only wish she had been more realistic. It would have been easier to relate to the characters. I'm past the fairy tale stage. *smiles* I see that Holly S. writes in many different genres. I will definitely be reading more of her work.
December 16, 2018
Meet three couples connected by circumstance and a classic red Mustang. Jim, owner of the car, recently widowed and estranged from his only son, starts the story when he moves into Granite Ridge retirement Community. Next comes Norma who's moving there as much to escape her frazzled daughter as anything. Then comes retired schoolteacher Mildred, after an encounter with a former student, now a policeman, who comes to investigate harassment at her home. Getting to know each other is a prickly process. Jim's attracted to Norma, but Mildred's entrance to a fancy dinner at the place where they all now live, is both extravagant and raises Norma's hackles. When Mildred is hit with a bequest from the one person she ever cared about, it sets in motion a barrage of feelings and memories for all three, as well as for Mr. Gurtler, the lawyer handling the deceased's estate. Hannah, one of the employees at the community is struggling to complete a final paper that's overdue and stands between her and graduation from college. Mildred agrees to help her. Both she and Bryan, the young man who is attracted to her, and is trying to do an internship at Granite Ridge, end up getting pulled along on a road trip in the Red Mustang that results in all involved letting go of old baggage and embracing the frightening freedom of new possibilities.
Holly does a number of things very nicely in this book. She gets inside each of the older characters' heads so readers can really understand how their lives and memories have both shaped their outlook on life and held them back. She also does a nice job of revealing the dynamics between generations and how some of them were created by needs, not always wise, but recognizable. This is a dandy story for those whose memories of their lives are sharp, full of feeling and have tinges of regret and those who believe in second chances.
Holly does a number of things very nicely in this book. She gets inside each of the older characters' heads so readers can really understand how their lives and memories have both shaped their outlook on life and held them back. She also does a nice job of revealing the dynamics between generations and how some of them were created by needs, not always wise, but recognizable. This is a dandy story for those whose memories of their lives are sharp, full of feeling and have tinges of regret and those who believe in second chances.
September 9, 2019
Heartwarming story
This was one of those books I couldn't put down. I loved that there wasn't just one main character, but several. It was written in such a way that I felt like I knew them individually. The book proves that just because you're over 50 life doesn't end and you're not "put out to pasture." I've purchased two more of this author's books after reading " Miles Left Yet" as I really like her style and no grammatical errors. I'm really looking forward to reading them next.
This was one of those books I couldn't put down. I loved that there wasn't just one main character, but several. It was written in such a way that I felt like I knew them individually. The book proves that just because you're over 50 life doesn't end and you're not "put out to pasture." I've purchased two more of this author's books after reading " Miles Left Yet" as I really like her style and no grammatical errors. I'm really looking forward to reading them next.
March 19, 2021
A good author
This novel appealed to me in various ways. The main character is well drawn and easy to identify with. The story has surprises that are well done. There is humor there also. I will read more of her craftings.
This novel appealed to me in various ways. The main character is well drawn and easy to identify with. The story has surprises that are well done. There is humor there also. I will read more of her craftings.
March 31, 2019
Great adventure story about three senior citizens proving that life does not end at sixty. Engaging characters, an original plot, and lots of humor kept me turning pages until the end of the trip.
June 6, 2020
Very true and helpful statements for elders.
I very much enjoyed this book. Jim was such a good character. Mildred makes some important statements. A happily ever after read.
I very much enjoyed this book. Jim was such a good character. Mildred makes some important statements. A happily ever after read.
July 19, 2020
Very good
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April 16, 2019A fluffy little story about folks in their early retirement years finding love once more.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews