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Nothing But Ghosts
Ever since her mother passed away, Katie's been alone in her too-big house with her genius dad, who restores old paintings for a living. Katie takes a summer job at a garden estate, where, with the help of two brothers and a glamorous librarian, she soon becomes embroiled in decoding a mystery. There are secrets and shadows at the heart of Nothing but Ghosts : symbols hidden in a time-darkened painting, and surprises behind a locked bedroom door. But most of all, this is a love story—the story of a girl who learns about love while also learning to live with her own ghosts. This is a heartfelt, lyrical tale from the National Book Award-nominated author of Undercover and House of Dance .
278 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2009
5 people are currently reading
798 people want to read
About the author
Beth Kephart
58 books336 followersI'm the award-winning writer of more than two-dozen books in multiple genres—memoir, middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, history, corporate fable, and books on the making of memoir.
I'm also an award-winning teacher at the University of Pennsylvania, co-founder of Juncture Workshops, and an essayist and critic with work appearing in The New York Times, Life magazine, Ninth Letter, Catapult, The Millions, The Rumpus, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and elsewhere.
Please visit me at junctureworkshops.com or bethkephartbooks.com.
I'm also an award-winning teacher at the University of Pennsylvania, co-founder of Juncture Workshops, and an essayist and critic with work appearing in The New York Times, Life magazine, Ninth Letter, Catapult, The Millions, The Rumpus, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and elsewhere.
Please visit me at junctureworkshops.com or bethkephartbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
November 22, 2008
When I finished reading this ARC (book sale date is June 23, 2009), I felt like I don't have enough vocabulary to describe how much I liked this book and why. I still don't think I can do it justice, but...
Katie has a summer job on the garden of her town's largest estate, home to a mysterious recluse named Miss Martine whom no one has seen in decades. When her crew is asked to dig a place for a gazebo, Katie starts some digging of her own at the local library. With the help of a very cool librarian, her art restoring father, and a friend from work, Katie tries to learn about Miss Martine's history.
The pacing of the plot is just right throughout. There's mystery, there are developing relationships, and there is emotion as Katie grieves for her recently deceased mother. But there is never sentimentality, and the language is always beautiful with amazing transitions from scene to imagery to remembrance.
This book is full of truth. From the very first sentences about the "squiggle of a line between"..."the things that have been and the things that haven't happened yet" flowing into the yellow color of caution and the bird that wakes Katie at her window each morning I knew this book would lead the reader someplace, and it more than delivers on that early promise.
I didn't want the story to end. I wanted to keep the characters on the pages in front of me. But when it did end, I just knew the characters were going to be more than okay, and I felt quite a bit better myself!
Katie has a summer job on the garden of her town's largest estate, home to a mysterious recluse named Miss Martine whom no one has seen in decades. When her crew is asked to dig a place for a gazebo, Katie starts some digging of her own at the local library. With the help of a very cool librarian, her art restoring father, and a friend from work, Katie tries to learn about Miss Martine's history.
The pacing of the plot is just right throughout. There's mystery, there are developing relationships, and there is emotion as Katie grieves for her recently deceased mother. But there is never sentimentality, and the language is always beautiful with amazing transitions from scene to imagery to remembrance.
This book is full of truth. From the very first sentences about the "squiggle of a line between"..."the things that have been and the things that haven't happened yet" flowing into the yellow color of caution and the bird that wakes Katie at her window each morning I knew this book would lead the reader someplace, and it more than delivers on that early promise.
I didn't want the story to end. I wanted to keep the characters on the pages in front of me. But when it did end, I just knew the characters were going to be more than okay, and I felt quite a bit better myself!
May 10, 2009
Beautiful writing but slow plotting. Very, very slow plotting.
July 6, 2009
After her mother’s death, Katie lives alone in their big old house with her father who is a bit of a mad genius. Her summer job is to work in the gardens at the estate of Miss Martine, a recluse who hasn’t been seen by the public in decades. As the gardeners are told to dig for a new gazebo, Katie realizes that something else may be going on. They just may be digging for something in particular. She begins to do research at the local library, hoping to solve the mystery of why Miss Martine disappeared. Just like her own mother disappeared after her death. Will solving this mystery help Katie cope with the sorrow and loss of her mother?
There are many ghosts in this book, hovering at the edges of the story, never fully viewed, but felt in every line. Kephart’s background as a poet shows through her exquisitely written prose. She manages to create nuance, pain, grief and wonder through her writing, capturing emotions at their most poignant. Here is one of my favorite lines of the novel, describing the estate they are working at:
Miss Martine’s is quiet as the stones down in the stream, quiet as the robin’s nest that Danny found the other day, which had been lived in, then abandoned.
What imagery, evoking a world unmoving in the river of life, empty, still and immovable. Yet paired with the fragility and hope of a bird’s nest. Just this one line offers multiple readings. The entire novel is like this.
Kephart has also created a mystery that is not a mystery. The mystery of Miss Maritine is not what this book is about. It is instead about Katie herself, her personal loss, her mother, her father and how she will find a way to continue beyond her paralysis of grief. So the mystery is secondary, another ghost in the story, that is useful to chase after but not the real reason we are here.
Katie is a great heroine. A girl who works as hard as the men, unafraid of dirt, who flies down dark roads on her bike without incident, and who is as brave as anyone could be when surrounded by the past. She breaks into unique territory as a heroine, a girl who is strong but not masculine, grief-stricken but not tragic. As a character, she is a testament to the delicacy of Kephart’s writing.
Highly recommended, this book is exceptional. It is one of the most well-written books of the year, worthy of National Book Award and Printz attention. Appropriate for 15-18 year olds.
There are many ghosts in this book, hovering at the edges of the story, never fully viewed, but felt in every line. Kephart’s background as a poet shows through her exquisitely written prose. She manages to create nuance, pain, grief and wonder through her writing, capturing emotions at their most poignant. Here is one of my favorite lines of the novel, describing the estate they are working at:
Miss Martine’s is quiet as the stones down in the stream, quiet as the robin’s nest that Danny found the other day, which had been lived in, then abandoned.
What imagery, evoking a world unmoving in the river of life, empty, still and immovable. Yet paired with the fragility and hope of a bird’s nest. Just this one line offers multiple readings. The entire novel is like this.
Kephart has also created a mystery that is not a mystery. The mystery of Miss Maritine is not what this book is about. It is instead about Katie herself, her personal loss, her mother, her father and how she will find a way to continue beyond her paralysis of grief. So the mystery is secondary, another ghost in the story, that is useful to chase after but not the real reason we are here.
Katie is a great heroine. A girl who works as hard as the men, unafraid of dirt, who flies down dark roads on her bike without incident, and who is as brave as anyone could be when surrounded by the past. She breaks into unique territory as a heroine, a girl who is strong but not masculine, grief-stricken but not tragic. As a character, she is a testament to the delicacy of Kephart’s writing.
Highly recommended, this book is exceptional. It is one of the most well-written books of the year, worthy of National Book Award and Printz attention. Appropriate for 15-18 year olds.
December 10, 2009
Nothing But Ghosts was absolutely beautiful. There was something so calming about this novel - I can't say that it was exciting necessarily; it is better described as engrossing.
The story unfolds so perfectly; I found the story to be compelling and engaging. There are two main plot lines in Ghosts: Katie's and that of the mysterious old woman Katie works for. Beth Kephart wove the two stories together perfectly to create just the right balance of past, present, and future.
I have never lost a parent, thank goodness, but I know many people my age that have. The closest experience that I can relate to losing a parent is losing my grandparents. Still, I could empathize with Katie's grief and confusion over the death of her mother; the disbelief that someone can be vibrant and full of life and then be gone forever. Even though my grandfather passed away a few months ago, I still forget that he is gone sometimes and when I remember and it hits me, I feel the pain of his loss all over again. I can only imagine that Katie, living in the house that she once shared with her mother, surrounded by her things, her room untouched, exactly the same as it was when she was living, and feeling distanced from her father, must feel. Kephart wrote this aspect of the novel particularly well.
I loved the mystery in this novel! Katie's quest to uncover the truth about the old woman who was a socialite in her youth, but has grown to be a recluse, was one of my favorite aspects of Nothing but Ghosts. I was amazed by the Kephart's skill as all the pieces of the puzzle slowly came together. I loved that I didn't figure out the secret until near the end of the novel, it is a bit anticlimatic when it is too easy to figure out the mystery. I love the fact that the mystery brings so many of the minor characters out of the background as well.
There is also a love story within Nothing but Ghosts. This aspect of the novel isn't really a main plot line, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. When I started the novel, I wasn't really sure that there would be a romantic plot line, so I was pleasantly surprised when one developed.
Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)
Nothing but Ghosts is an amazing novel and I will definitely be reading Kephart's other novels! Ghosts is a novel that I need to have a copy of on my bookshelf!
The story unfolds so perfectly; I found the story to be compelling and engaging. There are two main plot lines in Ghosts: Katie's and that of the mysterious old woman Katie works for. Beth Kephart wove the two stories together perfectly to create just the right balance of past, present, and future.
I have never lost a parent, thank goodness, but I know many people my age that have. The closest experience that I can relate to losing a parent is losing my grandparents. Still, I could empathize with Katie's grief and confusion over the death of her mother; the disbelief that someone can be vibrant and full of life and then be gone forever. Even though my grandfather passed away a few months ago, I still forget that he is gone sometimes and when I remember and it hits me, I feel the pain of his loss all over again. I can only imagine that Katie, living in the house that she once shared with her mother, surrounded by her things, her room untouched, exactly the same as it was when she was living, and feeling distanced from her father, must feel. Kephart wrote this aspect of the novel particularly well.
I loved the mystery in this novel! Katie's quest to uncover the truth about the old woman who was a socialite in her youth, but has grown to be a recluse, was one of my favorite aspects of Nothing but Ghosts. I was amazed by the Kephart's skill as all the pieces of the puzzle slowly came together. I loved that I didn't figure out the secret until near the end of the novel, it is a bit anticlimatic when it is too easy to figure out the mystery. I love the fact that the mystery brings so many of the minor characters out of the background as well.
There is also a love story within Nothing but Ghosts. This aspect of the novel isn't really a main plot line, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. When I started the novel, I wasn't really sure that there would be a romantic plot line, so I was pleasantly surprised when one developed.
Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)
Nothing but Ghosts is an amazing novel and I will definitely be reading Kephart's other novels! Ghosts is a novel that I need to have a copy of on my bookshelf!
June 25, 2009
After the death of her mother, Katie takes a summer gardening job at the estate of town recluse Miss Martine who hasn’t been seen outside since she was 16. Katie herself is burdened with grief, but she has to wonder what kind of tragedy would make you voluntarily disappear from life. With the help of two brothers and a glamorous librarian, Katie begins to decode the mystery and gain the strength to go on.
I admit, ever since the death of my own mother when I was 19, I tend to shy away from books where the mother is recently deceased or dying. I’m just always afraid they’ll be too depressing, too sad to handle. But Beth has done a beautiful thing here – she takes us to the truth of what it’s like to deal with loss (the too-big house that feels empty, the withdrawing from friends, the keeping busy to dull the pain) and then lets her characters (and her readers) find comfort and a renewed sense of purpose.
The story elements, the well-drawn characters (Katie’s father, chic Ms. McDermott, and estate caretaker Old Olson were favorites), and spare, lyrical writing all contribute to making this a genuinely affecting reading experience. In fact, as far as books about grief go, I’d rate it up there with Kate DiCamillo’s THE TIGER RISING.
I admit, ever since the death of my own mother when I was 19, I tend to shy away from books where the mother is recently deceased or dying. I’m just always afraid they’ll be too depressing, too sad to handle. But Beth has done a beautiful thing here – she takes us to the truth of what it’s like to deal with loss (the too-big house that feels empty, the withdrawing from friends, the keeping busy to dull the pain) and then lets her characters (and her readers) find comfort and a renewed sense of purpose.
The story elements, the well-drawn characters (Katie’s father, chic Ms. McDermott, and estate caretaker Old Olson were favorites), and spare, lyrical writing all contribute to making this a genuinely affecting reading experience. In fact, as far as books about grief go, I’d rate it up there with Kate DiCamillo’s THE TIGER RISING.
August 12, 2013
This book has one of those openings that forces you to jump in: “There are things that have been and the things that haven't happened yet. There is the squiggle of a line in between, which is the color of caution, the color of the bird that comes to my window every morning, rattling me awake with the hammer of its beak”
Katie might as well be living alone much of the time. Since her mother died, her father has immersed himself in his work, restoring old paintings out in his workshop. He tries, mostly by attempting to cook gourmet meals, but he's really just as lost inside as she is. Katie dealt with her mother's death from cancer by getting over-busy with clubs and the like at school, while breaking off communication with Jessica and Ellen, her longtime best friends because, as she says, “I didn't feel like explaining, I didn't want to answer their questions or to feel their pity.” When she decides to take a summer job working on the grounds of a nearby estate, owned by the mysterious Miss Martine who hasn't been seen in years, her life begins to evolve in ways she could never expect. She's working for Old Olson, a gruff and taciturn man who is the intermediary between the owner and the world. Among other members of the summer crew are two brothers, Danny, headed to Boston U. in the fall and Owen who, like Katie, will be a senior in the fall. There's an older couple, Ida and Reny, who have been married a long time and bicker in front of the rest of the crew without any hint of self consciousness.
Katie begins to wonder about her mysterious employer, a curiosity that Danny finds himself sharing, spurred in part by a growing realization that this sad, quiet girl is pretty special. Since no one has apparently seen Miss Martine since the great storm of 1954, does she exist? Is she still alive? Old Olson's behavior and defensiveness when her name comes up only fuels Katie and Danny's curiosity.
She turns to Miss McDermott, the town librarian who is so beautiful and well dressed, Katie can't understand why she's single and seems to have no boyfriends. She's also smart funny and doesn't bat an eyelash when Katie asks her if she can help solve the mystery surrounding Miss Martine. As luck would have it, someone has just donated five boxes of newspapers, photos and the like to the library. It is in making sense of these items that Katie begins to solve the mystery and start to make sense of her own life, ultimately pulling several other people nursing emotional wounds closer to a healing place.
This is a very sweet and soft tale. Part mystery, part healing, part love story and told in a nicely paced way. Katie and her father don't get everything they want or need by the end of the story, but both have healed sufficiently to make the rest of the journey in the reader's mind and that's just fine.
Katie might as well be living alone much of the time. Since her mother died, her father has immersed himself in his work, restoring old paintings out in his workshop. He tries, mostly by attempting to cook gourmet meals, but he's really just as lost inside as she is. Katie dealt with her mother's death from cancer by getting over-busy with clubs and the like at school, while breaking off communication with Jessica and Ellen, her longtime best friends because, as she says, “I didn't feel like explaining, I didn't want to answer their questions or to feel their pity.” When she decides to take a summer job working on the grounds of a nearby estate, owned by the mysterious Miss Martine who hasn't been seen in years, her life begins to evolve in ways she could never expect. She's working for Old Olson, a gruff and taciturn man who is the intermediary between the owner and the world. Among other members of the summer crew are two brothers, Danny, headed to Boston U. in the fall and Owen who, like Katie, will be a senior in the fall. There's an older couple, Ida and Reny, who have been married a long time and bicker in front of the rest of the crew without any hint of self consciousness.
Katie begins to wonder about her mysterious employer, a curiosity that Danny finds himself sharing, spurred in part by a growing realization that this sad, quiet girl is pretty special. Since no one has apparently seen Miss Martine since the great storm of 1954, does she exist? Is she still alive? Old Olson's behavior and defensiveness when her name comes up only fuels Katie and Danny's curiosity.
She turns to Miss McDermott, the town librarian who is so beautiful and well dressed, Katie can't understand why she's single and seems to have no boyfriends. She's also smart funny and doesn't bat an eyelash when Katie asks her if she can help solve the mystery surrounding Miss Martine. As luck would have it, someone has just donated five boxes of newspapers, photos and the like to the library. It is in making sense of these items that Katie begins to solve the mystery and start to make sense of her own life, ultimately pulling several other people nursing emotional wounds closer to a healing place.
This is a very sweet and soft tale. Part mystery, part healing, part love story and told in a nicely paced way. Katie and her father don't get everything they want or need by the end of the story, but both have healed sufficiently to make the rest of the journey in the reader's mind and that's just fine.
June 28, 2009
Katie used to have a perfect life. Then her mother died and ever since then Katie can't seem to fix the whole in her life and in her heart. Her father restores paintings but he can't restore her mother and so the two drift alone in a giant house, unable to talk about the past and unable to look forward. Katie's summer job, however, proves to be just the push that she needs to begin her life again. She spends her summer days working the gardens for an eccentric old lady, a lady that she has never seen and who is so completely shrouded in mystery that Katie can't help but dig into the past for some answers.
I immediately liked Katie. She's got a sassy voice, tinged with a bit of vulnerability. The combination was impossible to resist. As with all of Beth Kephart's books, the writing is lyrical and each sentence is a present in itself. Katie's house and the gardens where she works come alive and I could easily slip into her shoes, even though so much of her life is different from my own. Katie learns that we are all haunted by ghosts but that it doesn't have to define us. Nothing But Ghosts isn't necessarily a book with a lesson, yet it does leave us with the satisfaction of having learned from Katie.
The mystery and the unexpected friendships in this book were what I enjoyed the most. Katie's quest to discover more about Miss Martine is exciting and full of twists and surprises, and includes some help from the oh-so-chic librarian, Ms. McDermott, and Danny, the cute boy who works with her at the gardens. I loved the ending as well. It does what all books should do, provide hope for the character's future while not telling us every single thing that will happen in that future. Katie is a living character in my mind, someone that I might meet on the street or in a library one day. And there are so many other details, so many wonderful layers to this book—the glass bottles, the bird at the window, the paintings—I couldn't possibly write all of them down in this review. Just trust me and get your hands on a copy as soon as you can.
Review from Em's Bookshelf blog: http://emsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009...
I immediately liked Katie. She's got a sassy voice, tinged with a bit of vulnerability. The combination was impossible to resist. As with all of Beth Kephart's books, the writing is lyrical and each sentence is a present in itself. Katie's house and the gardens where she works come alive and I could easily slip into her shoes, even though so much of her life is different from my own. Katie learns that we are all haunted by ghosts but that it doesn't have to define us. Nothing But Ghosts isn't necessarily a book with a lesson, yet it does leave us with the satisfaction of having learned from Katie.
The mystery and the unexpected friendships in this book were what I enjoyed the most. Katie's quest to discover more about Miss Martine is exciting and full of twists and surprises, and includes some help from the oh-so-chic librarian, Ms. McDermott, and Danny, the cute boy who works with her at the gardens. I loved the ending as well. It does what all books should do, provide hope for the character's future while not telling us every single thing that will happen in that future. Katie is a living character in my mind, someone that I might meet on the street or in a library one day. And there are so many other details, so many wonderful layers to this book—the glass bottles, the bird at the window, the paintings—I couldn't possibly write all of them down in this review. Just trust me and get your hands on a copy as soon as you can.
Review from Em's Bookshelf blog: http://emsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009...
September 26, 2009
Blah! This one was dry like toast, a snoozer, boring and slow for me. The two star rating is ONLY because the author would whip out OCCASIONAL prose that were pretty. A sad disappointment of a book that could have been a gem. Oh well.
October 31, 2010
Meh. Started out with some potential, but then fizzled out. The author tried so hard to make this book poetic and symbolic, but it failed so miserably that I was kind of embarrassed for her. Maybe we'll see something good from her in the future, but this is not it.
September 20, 2009
BORING. I did not care about the characters, it was slow, and even after trying, unsuccessfully, to find one interesting passage, I gave up.
October 13, 2010
to me it seemed like a lot of pages of nothing. not much happened. and not very memorable.
June 1, 2012
Plot is so slow paced. Characters not that interesting. Just good for killing time if you don't have anything else to read anymore.
July 5, 2012
I thought I would really like this book- gardens, a secluded mansion, a librarian, a mystery.... It was just boring. I kept putting it down to watch reruns on TV.
July 2, 2010
Katie’s house is just too big now that her mom has passed away and her genius dad is distant and more focused on the paintings that he restores. She’s also separated herself from many of her friends and has found herself very lonely.
The summer before her senior year of high school she decides that she needs a job. Katie soon finds herself working in the gardens of the local mystery woman, Miss Martine. Along with two handsome and goofy brothers, a chic librarian she becomes enthralled with the mystery behind Miss Martine and is determined to solve it.
There are secrets everywhere Katie turns. Behind locked doors, within old newspaper clippings, with the old man who works in the garden, and within old paintings. Beneath everything though, at the core of this mystery, is a love story. A love story within the mystery and one of Katie’s own. As Katie discovers more and more about Miss Martine, Katie also finds out more and more about herself and comes to turn with many of the ghosts in her life.
I have to start off by saying that Beth Kephart is one of my all-time favorite authors. That being said I always have high expectations when I sit down to read her books and this one was no exception. I loved how the author was able to subtly weave several different tiny stories into the general plot and had me so enchanted that it was impossible for me to close the book.
I loved how unique the plot was. It was a mystery, but was different than anything I had ever experienced. Like any mystery though it had all those heart pounding suspense moments and moments of despair. The characters came in an enhanced the story to no end. Katie was a great character who was extremely relatable and at time her curiosity created a sense of spontaneity that brought a smile to my face. The relationships that were created were very real and I just could not wait for them to unfold. All the characters were well developed and they were all so different that there was a great sense of diversity within the story.
Now this would not be a true Kephart novel if it did not have superior writing. Every sentence was truly brilliant and I loved the lyrical feel that was presented. All the grief and emotion within the story was so true, yet it was not overdone. She also created such an unexpected and amazing ending that perfectly suited the story that made me love her even more!
This was one of the best books of the year and was a spectacular prose that doesn’t easily leave the reader’s mind. I encourage you all to go and grab a copy and read it quickly, but not too quickly so that you don’t have time to savor every perfect word.
April 1, 2012
Since I read two of Beth Kephart's novels back to back, I couldn't help doing the old compare-and-contrast with their protagonists. What struck me in that exercise was that Undercover's Elisa Cantor is a character who lives in her head; Nothing But Ghosts' Katie D'Amore isn't. That's not meant to imply that Katie isn't a thinking girl; she'd have to be, since her creator is Beth Kephart. But Katie is more driven to action, and more focused; she's got a particular issue she's trying to sort out.
Katie recently lost her mother to cancer, a loss that seemed to happen so quickly that she can't make sense out of it. She's trying to grasp how someone can be there one day and gone forever the next, and in the process, she's become a bit 'gone' herself, withdrawing from her friends and taking a summer job on the work crew of an estate garden, which entails long days of physical labor. The garden belongs to Miss Martine Everlast, a local recluse who hasn't been seen in town for over fifty years, and Katie grows curious about how she, too, was there one day and gone the next. An excavation project at the garden leads Katie to a research project at the local library, sorting through several boxes of recently donated 'local lore' to find clues about who Miss Martine was before she disappeared...and, perhaps, who she's become since then.
I really liked Katie. I also liked her father, Jimmy, an absent-minded-professor sort whose work is restoring paintings. His current project dovetails with Katie's own, as he discovers that the painting may have been done by Miss Martine's father, and the story it tells seems both to support what Katie is learning and suggest other questions to be answered. I liked just about every character in the novel, really, even little Sammy, the annoying kid from across the street. And while Katie's mother, Claire, has died before the story opens, she's still present within it. Nothing But Ghosts has nothing to do with anything paranormal; the 'ghosts' it's concerned with are the memories and traces and questions that remain with the living.
Kephart's writing in Nothing But Ghosts is very descriptive and evocative, and it fully immersed me in Katie's story. The two novels of hers that I've read make a convincing case that 'a teenage protagonist' really may be the only thing that defines a book as 'young adult.' Beth Kephart is an author that I probably wouldn't even know of if not for book bloggers, and I'm very glad to have been introduced to her.
Katie recently lost her mother to cancer, a loss that seemed to happen so quickly that she can't make sense out of it. She's trying to grasp how someone can be there one day and gone forever the next, and in the process, she's become a bit 'gone' herself, withdrawing from her friends and taking a summer job on the work crew of an estate garden, which entails long days of physical labor. The garden belongs to Miss Martine Everlast, a local recluse who hasn't been seen in town for over fifty years, and Katie grows curious about how she, too, was there one day and gone the next. An excavation project at the garden leads Katie to a research project at the local library, sorting through several boxes of recently donated 'local lore' to find clues about who Miss Martine was before she disappeared...and, perhaps, who she's become since then.
I really liked Katie. I also liked her father, Jimmy, an absent-minded-professor sort whose work is restoring paintings. His current project dovetails with Katie's own, as he discovers that the painting may have been done by Miss Martine's father, and the story it tells seems both to support what Katie is learning and suggest other questions to be answered. I liked just about every character in the novel, really, even little Sammy, the annoying kid from across the street. And while Katie's mother, Claire, has died before the story opens, she's still present within it. Nothing But Ghosts has nothing to do with anything paranormal; the 'ghosts' it's concerned with are the memories and traces and questions that remain with the living.
Kephart's writing in Nothing But Ghosts is very descriptive and evocative, and it fully immersed me in Katie's story. The two novels of hers that I've read make a convincing case that 'a teenage protagonist' really may be the only thing that defines a book as 'young adult.' Beth Kephart is an author that I probably wouldn't even know of if not for book bloggers, and I'm very glad to have been introduced to her.
May 8, 2010
General Overview: I loved the idea of this painting holding the key to the mystery. I found that so cool! When I was younger, my dad always used to take me to museums and I'd imagine hidden codes and secret passageways hidden within paintings. The whole mystery of this woman having disappeared for so long was intriguing, and I thought Beth Kephart executed it very well.
Characters: Katie was an interesting, complex character. You get this sense of grief around her, because of her mother, and yet there are these little moments when you almost feel like everything is going to be normal again. She wasn't a particularly brave or adventurous heroine, but I thought that she was extremely intelligent and mature for her age. I liked that she wasn't obsessed with boys or make up or clothes like so many other teenagers in books are -- that was refreshing for a change. I thought she could've been a little more developed -- there were times when her mother became more alive than she was, which you see through Katie's flashbacks.
Plot: So, this is a mystery. And you definitely get that element. Some parts do tend to drag a bit, those few parts where they're just digging, but other than that I thought that the plot was always kept alive by this whole missing-persons mystery. I thought the mystery element, while still pretty good, could have been executed better. Usually, when the hero/heroine solves the case, I get this feeling of satisfaction like "YES! OMG! I KNEW IT!" or "OMG I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!", but for NBG, I felt like the mystery wasn't very well developed. I didn't get that satisfied feeling. I couldn't understand how she suddenly solved it, and it took me a while to figure that out.
Writing: Beth Kephart writes in a way that absorbs the reader and leaves some things to the imagination instead of just telling you everything. A lot of books are like that, but NBG was absolutely not. I especially loved the flashback scenes; those were gorgeously described and written flawlessly.
Cover: This cover isn't really what interested me at first. I don't really get what significance the window and the curtain has to the story, but I thought it was a nice cover all the same -- it just didn't contain that WOW factor that really makes you stop and walk back to take a second look.
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Characters: Katie was an interesting, complex character. You get this sense of grief around her, because of her mother, and yet there are these little moments when you almost feel like everything is going to be normal again. She wasn't a particularly brave or adventurous heroine, but I thought that she was extremely intelligent and mature for her age. I liked that she wasn't obsessed with boys or make up or clothes like so many other teenagers in books are -- that was refreshing for a change. I thought she could've been a little more developed -- there were times when her mother became more alive than she was, which you see through Katie's flashbacks.
Plot: So, this is a mystery. And you definitely get that element. Some parts do tend to drag a bit, those few parts where they're just digging, but other than that I thought that the plot was always kept alive by this whole missing-persons mystery. I thought the mystery element, while still pretty good, could have been executed better. Usually, when the hero/heroine solves the case, I get this feeling of satisfaction like "YES! OMG! I KNEW IT!" or "OMG I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!", but for NBG, I felt like the mystery wasn't very well developed. I didn't get that satisfied feeling. I couldn't understand how she suddenly solved it, and it took me a while to figure that out.
Writing: Beth Kephart writes in a way that absorbs the reader and leaves some things to the imagination instead of just telling you everything. A lot of books are like that, but NBG was absolutely not. I especially loved the flashback scenes; those were gorgeously described and written flawlessly.
Cover: This cover isn't really what interested me at first. I don't really get what significance the window and the curtain has to the story, but I thought it was a nice cover all the same -- it just didn't contain that WOW factor that really makes you stop and walk back to take a second look.
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
July 4, 2009
What do a dig site, a painting, 7 boxes of "local lore", and the 'disappearance' of a mother all have in common? This story of course!!
Nothing But Ghosts is the story of Katie who is a tender-hearted 16 year old suffering from the loss of her mom to cancer. It hurts her so to say that she has died so, like many teenagers do, she finds a way of coping and begins to talk of her mom 'disappearing'. Katie is a great kid and she and her dad have some issues to work out in dealing with the loss of Katie's mom. Katie decides to work at the manor of the mysterious Socialite Ms. Martine while her dad wraps himself in restoring an old painting. Little do they know the clues and stories that will intertwine life together in peculiar, yet mysterious, ways.
Throughout this book, different stages of grief are represented in a tender and caring way. There is also a little romance, a huge mystery, and a lot of reflection. I love how Katie spends time talking to her mom still and sharing those 'mother-daughter' moments with her in her absence.
This book is so beautifully written and I highly recommend it. It will put a smile on your face, might bring a tear to your eye, and it will warm your heart when you reflect on lost loves in your life. I thought often of my grandmother as I read this book and even though she's been gone many, many years, I found some healing in this book. I only hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
But, don't just take my word for it!! Go visit http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2009/... for another great perspective on the book. Also, remember that Amy is hosting a book party and we are trying to get as many copies of this book out as possible. I hope you'll consider joining us in the promotion of this wonderful book.
Be sure to also check out Beth Kephart's other books for young adult readers!!
Nothing But Ghosts is the story of Katie who is a tender-hearted 16 year old suffering from the loss of her mom to cancer. It hurts her so to say that she has died so, like many teenagers do, she finds a way of coping and begins to talk of her mom 'disappearing'. Katie is a great kid and she and her dad have some issues to work out in dealing with the loss of Katie's mom. Katie decides to work at the manor of the mysterious Socialite Ms. Martine while her dad wraps himself in restoring an old painting. Little do they know the clues and stories that will intertwine life together in peculiar, yet mysterious, ways.
Throughout this book, different stages of grief are represented in a tender and caring way. There is also a little romance, a huge mystery, and a lot of reflection. I love how Katie spends time talking to her mom still and sharing those 'mother-daughter' moments with her in her absence.
This book is so beautifully written and I highly recommend it. It will put a smile on your face, might bring a tear to your eye, and it will warm your heart when you reflect on lost loves in your life. I thought often of my grandmother as I read this book and even though she's been gone many, many years, I found some healing in this book. I only hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
But, don't just take my word for it!! Go visit http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2009/... for another great perspective on the book. Also, remember that Amy is hosting a book party and we are trying to get as many copies of this book out as possible. I hope you'll consider joining us in the promotion of this wonderful book.
Be sure to also check out Beth Kephart's other books for young adult readers!!
November 25, 2009
Beth Kephart's Nothing But Ghosts follows Katie D'Amore's struggle to recover enough to live after the death of her mother, but her mother's ghost is not the only spirit present in this novel. Lost loves, mysterious socialites locked inside their estates, and other specters haunt these pages. Kephart's narration from the point of view of Katie is limiting, but an excellent choice as readers unravel the mystery of her town's hermetic socialite alongside Katie.
"My dad has this knack for lighting the darkness, for uncracking all the cracks that break images apart, for returning the disappeared to the land of the living." (Page 5)
Katie must face her loss, her future, and the past, and she does it in the basement of a library and in a garden of Miss Martine's estate as she and other kids work through the summer digging a hole for a gazebo foundation. What Katie doesn't expect is to find life in the past and the present, nor does she expect to see her father emerge from his own opaque painting to whisk broad, vivid paint across a new canvas.
"If you were looking down on me and my bike from a cloud above, you'd think we were a zipper. That's how fast we go, how straight down, all the way to Miss Martine's." (Page 9)
"What if the glass breaks and the bird flies in? What if the whole upstairs shatters and crumbles? I imagine the finch making a nest inside my lamp shade -- dropping the feathers into my shoes, over my breadspread, over my pillow, over me. I imagine everything giving way to the finch." (Page 22)
Nothing but Ghosts is not simply a coming of age story, but a tale of how each of us deals with loss. Kephart is a master of description, making each image vivid, each plot line significant, and she does it all in concise, poetic language. In a way, readers may find that parts of this novel are simply a large narrative poem. Very enjoyable, quick read, with deeper meaning and an even deeper sense of understanding.
"My dad has this knack for lighting the darkness, for uncracking all the cracks that break images apart, for returning the disappeared to the land of the living." (Page 5)
Katie must face her loss, her future, and the past, and she does it in the basement of a library and in a garden of Miss Martine's estate as she and other kids work through the summer digging a hole for a gazebo foundation. What Katie doesn't expect is to find life in the past and the present, nor does she expect to see her father emerge from his own opaque painting to whisk broad, vivid paint across a new canvas.
"If you were looking down on me and my bike from a cloud above, you'd think we were a zipper. That's how fast we go, how straight down, all the way to Miss Martine's." (Page 9)
"What if the glass breaks and the bird flies in? What if the whole upstairs shatters and crumbles? I imagine the finch making a nest inside my lamp shade -- dropping the feathers into my shoes, over my breadspread, over my pillow, over me. I imagine everything giving way to the finch." (Page 22)
Nothing but Ghosts is not simply a coming of age story, but a tale of how each of us deals with loss. Kephart is a master of description, making each image vivid, each plot line significant, and she does it all in concise, poetic language. In a way, readers may find that parts of this novel are simply a large narrative poem. Very enjoyable, quick read, with deeper meaning and an even deeper sense of understanding.
August 9, 2009
I've actually never read anything by Beth Kephart before and after reading Nothing But Ghosts I totally feel bad about not doing so.
Nothing But Ghosts is a novel filled with the aftermath of loosing someone close to you ( the pain and regret) and how to get by while still keeping parts of that person in memory. I personally thought Beth dealt with the loss of Katie's mother excellently. Since, while you could feel Katie's sadness in Beth's writing it never felt like too much or too little. Also, I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot. It was fun to try to figure out why Miss Martine, Katie's employer and her small town's mysterious ex socialite, went into hiding. I was always trying to figure out the reasons why and they ended up being pretty close to what actually happened.
The characters in this novel where also amazing and they just jumped off the page from the start. As mentioned briefly above, I really enjoyed reading about Katie. Many girls and boys out there can relate to her feelings of loss, me being one of them. Plus, I loved how she was such a strong character; one that could overcome loss and still be okay. The additional characters were also cute and had their own unique personalities. One being Katie's dad. It was interesting to read about his job restoring paintings and to see how he dealt with the loss of his wife. Sammy Macker, was yet another creative add to the story, as was Ms. McDermott and Danny, who was such a sweet guy!
Beth Kephart's writing also won me over big time. I loved how it had this lyrical feeling and hooked you from the first chapter and didn't let you go till the ending. I really can't wait to read her future and past novels, since she has such a great talent.
Overall, I truly adored Nothing But Ghosts and suggest that you should definitely give it a try; it's just a beautiful novel.
Grade: A+
Nothing But Ghosts is a novel filled with the aftermath of loosing someone close to you ( the pain and regret) and how to get by while still keeping parts of that person in memory. I personally thought Beth dealt with the loss of Katie's mother excellently. Since, while you could feel Katie's sadness in Beth's writing it never felt like too much or too little. Also, I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot. It was fun to try to figure out why Miss Martine, Katie's employer and her small town's mysterious ex socialite, went into hiding. I was always trying to figure out the reasons why and they ended up being pretty close to what actually happened.
The characters in this novel where also amazing and they just jumped off the page from the start. As mentioned briefly above, I really enjoyed reading about Katie. Many girls and boys out there can relate to her feelings of loss, me being one of them. Plus, I loved how she was such a strong character; one that could overcome loss and still be okay. The additional characters were also cute and had their own unique personalities. One being Katie's dad. It was interesting to read about his job restoring paintings and to see how he dealt with the loss of his wife. Sammy Macker, was yet another creative add to the story, as was Ms. McDermott and Danny, who was such a sweet guy!
Beth Kephart's writing also won me over big time. I loved how it had this lyrical feeling and hooked you from the first chapter and didn't let you go till the ending. I really can't wait to read her future and past novels, since she has such a great talent.
Overall, I truly adored Nothing But Ghosts and suggest that you should definitely give it a try; it's just a beautiful novel.
Grade: A+
November 14, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Katie misses her mother, who recently died of cancer. She tries to find things around the house that help her feel close to her mother's spirit. As summer begins, Katie knows she will need something to keep her busy while her father, an art/painting restorer, works obsessively in his studio. The answer comes in the form of a landscaping job at the Everlast estate.
Working with the full-time groundskeeper and caretakers of the estate, Katie spends her daytime hours with her hands dirty and her brow sweaty. The work is tiring but strangely satisfying.
As she works, she begins to wonder about the strange stories told of Miss Martine Everlast and her reclusive lifestyle. The woman has been dead for some time, but the mansion is still cared for by a man known as Old Olson and a couple who have been employed there for years. When Katie and the others are assigned to excavate a hole in the garden, it seems some of the long-buried secrets of Miss Martine might finally be uncovered.
The detective work that results helps give Katie yet another purpose during that long summer. Her frequent trips to the library to sift through boxes of what the librarian calls "local lore" occupies her scattered thoughts and gives her conversational material to distract her and her father as they deal with their grief. Understanding another family's secrets might make understanding her own family easier.
Beth Kephart, an accomplished author, takes readers into the lives of people who have suffered loss and are struggling to deal with the changes it brings to their lives. It is evident through Kephart's story that no two people grieve in the same way, yet dealing with loss is a universal issue. Using the backdrop of the local mystery adds a suspenseful twist to Katie's search to hold onto the memory of her mother.
Katie misses her mother, who recently died of cancer. She tries to find things around the house that help her feel close to her mother's spirit. As summer begins, Katie knows she will need something to keep her busy while her father, an art/painting restorer, works obsessively in his studio. The answer comes in the form of a landscaping job at the Everlast estate.
Working with the full-time groundskeeper and caretakers of the estate, Katie spends her daytime hours with her hands dirty and her brow sweaty. The work is tiring but strangely satisfying.
As she works, she begins to wonder about the strange stories told of Miss Martine Everlast and her reclusive lifestyle. The woman has been dead for some time, but the mansion is still cared for by a man known as Old Olson and a couple who have been employed there for years. When Katie and the others are assigned to excavate a hole in the garden, it seems some of the long-buried secrets of Miss Martine might finally be uncovered.
The detective work that results helps give Katie yet another purpose during that long summer. Her frequent trips to the library to sift through boxes of what the librarian calls "local lore" occupies her scattered thoughts and gives her conversational material to distract her and her father as they deal with their grief. Understanding another family's secrets might make understanding her own family easier.
Beth Kephart, an accomplished author, takes readers into the lives of people who have suffered loss and are struggling to deal with the changes it brings to their lives. It is evident through Kephart's story that no two people grieve in the same way, yet dealing with loss is a universal issue. Using the backdrop of the local mystery adds a suspenseful twist to Katie's search to hold onto the memory of her mother.
August 22, 2009
Beth Kephart is easily becoming a must-read author for me. Her newest book was such a pleasure to read. Katie is a girl that any parent would be blessed to have as their daughter. She is dealing with the loss of her mother which has left a huge hole in her life. I loved her dad. His work as someone who restores old art was very fascinating. I loved reading about what he felt was underneath all of the dirt as he worked at removing the layers little by little. Katie and her dad really tried their best to keep the lines of communication open ,but they both were reserved when it came to talking about the death of their parent/spouse. Katie dreams about her mother nightly and her dad has locked up their bedroom and sleeps on the couch. Worked into this storyline is a mystery that was fun to try to figure out with Katie and the oh-so glamorous librarian. The added bonus of a budding romance makes this story complete. Sounds like a very simple storyline, right? But it's not because Kephart has a magical way with words, she touches places deep in the heart. She doesn't do anything fancy, but instead she stays so true to the human condition and it shines throughout these pages. I feel blessed to have read this book and this is one that I stand on top of the rooftops shouting to the masses, "READ THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!"
One of my favorite passages from the book:
I lost Mom until the parade moved on, wound itself away from the harbor and up into the crooked streets. I turned and saw her standing on the edge of things--too thin, I realize now, and frail, the wind caught up in her hair. She'd kept her secret the whole trip long. She stood in that strange, chilled mist, alone, alive , but knowing what would come. History is never absolute truth. It isn't just the thing that was. It's the thing that could have been.
p.210
August 4, 2009
Sixteen-year old Katie and her father are still grieving over the death of Katie’s mother. Rather than seeking out her friends, who remind her of her mom, Katie has taken a job working for Miss Martine, the town recluse. Miss Martine lives in a mansion with beautiful grounds, but hasn’t been seen in over fifty years. Katie and the rest of the crew have been instructed to dig out a foundation for a new gazebo. Katie becomes friendly with Danny, a co-worker, and with the help of the local librarian, they make a startling discovery.
Katie’s dad restores paintings and someone has given him a new one to work on. He makes a startling discovery of his own and he and Katie are surprised when they find that their discoveries are related. Along the way, they make some friends who help them deal with their grief, but Katie says:
"I sit wondering if I’ll ever come to terms with losing my one and only mother, and then I suddenly feel grateful for the things that I still have, and the new things, too."
I’ve seen My Friend Amy rave about Beth Kephart’s work for a while and now I understand why! I loved Nothing but Ghosts and can’t recommend it enough. I thought Katie was wonderful – her grief was evident, yet she was strong and self sufficient. I wanted to take her in my arms and hug her. Her dad was a great character, too – doing his best to help Katie, but not really knowing how, while dealing with his own grief. I loved Ms. McDermott, the glamorous librarian, too.
Nothing but Ghosts has so much more to offer than great characters, though. The writing is beautiful and it has a great mystery that is unraveled piece by piece and even a little romance thrown in. This story is sure to appeal to teens and adults alike.
Katie’s dad restores paintings and someone has given him a new one to work on. He makes a startling discovery of his own and he and Katie are surprised when they find that their discoveries are related. Along the way, they make some friends who help them deal with their grief, but Katie says:
"I sit wondering if I’ll ever come to terms with losing my one and only mother, and then I suddenly feel grateful for the things that I still have, and the new things, too."
I’ve seen My Friend Amy rave about Beth Kephart’s work for a while and now I understand why! I loved Nothing but Ghosts and can’t recommend it enough. I thought Katie was wonderful – her grief was evident, yet she was strong and self sufficient. I wanted to take her in my arms and hug her. Her dad was a great character, too – doing his best to help Katie, but not really knowing how, while dealing with his own grief. I loved Ms. McDermott, the glamorous librarian, too.
Nothing but Ghosts has so much more to offer than great characters, though. The writing is beautiful and it has a great mystery that is unraveled piece by piece and even a little romance thrown in. This story is sure to appeal to teens and adults alike.
December 28, 2010
Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
HarperTeen, 2009
278 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars
Source: I had seen several titles by Kephart around the blogosphere so recently I decided to see what titles my library had. They had four and after reading the summaries of each, I decided that this one sounded the most interesting and so I checked it out.
Review: I was intrigued by this book because of the mention of a mystery. I love mysteries and love trying to puzzle them out even though I usually can't. The main mystery in this book is about a reclusive lady known as Miss Martine who has been shut up in her house for fifty years for no reason anyone knows. But another mystery is about disappearing. Miss Martine of course is well hidden but Katie's mom died leaving behind a grieving husband and daughter and other sections link too.
I didn't feel much of a connection with any of the characters. Katie is the main character, a young girl working in Miss Martine's garden for the summer who becomes intrigued by the mystery and is still missing her mother desperately. She seemed okay but maybe because both of my parents are still living, I had trouble identifying with her. Then there was her father, an art restorer and amateur chef par excellence who was interesting to read about but sometimes seemed to disappear too. I think my favorite character was Ms. McDermott, a glamorous librarian who wears the most beautiful clothes and has a broken heart. She sounded cool but didn't make the biggest impression.
Overall: Quick, quiet, lyrical read but not a favorite.
Cover: I guess the coloring links to ghosts but I don't really like it (that's why I chose based on plot summary, not cover). I do love the font for "Ghosts" though-I love curlicues!
HarperTeen, 2009
278 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars
Source: I had seen several titles by Kephart around the blogosphere so recently I decided to see what titles my library had. They had four and after reading the summaries of each, I decided that this one sounded the most interesting and so I checked it out.
Review: I was intrigued by this book because of the mention of a mystery. I love mysteries and love trying to puzzle them out even though I usually can't. The main mystery in this book is about a reclusive lady known as Miss Martine who has been shut up in her house for fifty years for no reason anyone knows. But another mystery is about disappearing. Miss Martine of course is well hidden but Katie's mom died leaving behind a grieving husband and daughter and other sections link too.
I didn't feel much of a connection with any of the characters. Katie is the main character, a young girl working in Miss Martine's garden for the summer who becomes intrigued by the mystery and is still missing her mother desperately. She seemed okay but maybe because both of my parents are still living, I had trouble identifying with her. Then there was her father, an art restorer and amateur chef par excellence who was interesting to read about but sometimes seemed to disappear too. I think my favorite character was Ms. McDermott, a glamorous librarian who wears the most beautiful clothes and has a broken heart. She sounded cool but didn't make the biggest impression.
Overall: Quick, quiet, lyrical read but not a favorite.
Cover: I guess the coloring links to ghosts but I don't really like it (that's why I chose based on plot summary, not cover). I do love the font for "Ghosts" though-I love curlicues!
June 16, 2012
For anyone who has lost their mother, Beth Kephart’s YA novel, Nothing But Ghosts is a gift. In it, 16 year-old Katie navigates the lonely and traumatic days after her mother dies of cancer by solving the mystery of what happened to Miss Martine, the shut-in who lives in the estate down the road. When Katie is hired to help dig a spot for a new gazebo at the estate, the experience draws her out in the present – even as she investigates the past.
Kephart’s novel is beautifully written and Katie is a thoughtful and likeable character. Kephart expertly weaves a story that casts a light on several characters who have been broken by events in the past. Katie’s own story, and that of her parents, is told through her memories of a family trip to Spain. In remembering she thinks:
"She’d kept her secret the whole trip long. She stood in the strange, chill mist, alone, alive, but knowing what would come. History is never absolute truth. It isn’t just the thing that was. It’s the thing that could have been."
Her father, a brilliant art restorer, is drowning in his own grief. The librarian who helps Katie dig into the history of Miss Martine’s life has had her own heartache. Even Sammy, the little boy who lives across the street has had his share of disappointments.
Nothing But Ghosts is a story about loss, but it is also a story about love and rebirth and hope. Katie must travel the road to acceptance on her own, but she does it with a grace that belies her age.
I very much enjoyed this book.
Kephart’s novel is beautifully written and Katie is a thoughtful and likeable character. Kephart expertly weaves a story that casts a light on several characters who have been broken by events in the past. Katie’s own story, and that of her parents, is told through her memories of a family trip to Spain. In remembering she thinks:
"She’d kept her secret the whole trip long. She stood in the strange, chill mist, alone, alive, but knowing what would come. History is never absolute truth. It isn’t just the thing that was. It’s the thing that could have been."
Her father, a brilliant art restorer, is drowning in his own grief. The librarian who helps Katie dig into the history of Miss Martine’s life has had her own heartache. Even Sammy, the little boy who lives across the street has had his share of disappointments.
Nothing But Ghosts is a story about loss, but it is also a story about love and rebirth and hope. Katie must travel the road to acceptance on her own, but she does it with a grace that belies her age.
I very much enjoyed this book.
September 1, 2009
To label this as a novel about loss is a gross misrepresentation that does Beth Kephart's latest no justice at all. To think of it as another grieving daughter story or an issues book takes so much away from this multi-layered narrative. Nothing But Ghosts is as much a mystery about the town in which Katie D'Amore lives, the woman she works for but has never seen nor spoken to, her father's genius and the painting he's restoring, and the blossoming of new relationships as it is a mystery of personal loss. As Katie remembers her mother's final days, their trip to Barcelona before she was diagnosed, her childhood, spending time with friends before she began ignoring them (avoiding their questions about her mother), she is evolving. Where many young adult novels lay aside the adult characters to focus solely on the teens, Kephart has created a father for Katie who is as 3-dimensional as the hand in front of your face. The buildings are characters too - the libary, the D'Amores' home, Miss Martine's estate - they all live and breathe life into a story that cannot be laid to rest even after you've turned the last page. I urge you: pick up this book, enjoy it.
April 29, 2010
I've been prolonging writing this review. I think it might be because I felt that this story fell a little flat for me. I'll be honest, it was slow, not too much of anything going on and just when you finally start getting acquainted with the characters, the story ends.
With that said, there were still some aspects of it that I did like. For instance, I loved Ms. Kephart's writing - it was captivating and lyrical. There were really two main threads in the story. Katie's grief for the loss of her mother and then the mystery surrounding Ms. Martine Everlast. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it. It just felt too slow for me. The build-up was very slow moving and passive and in the end it just didn't hit the mark for me.
The first person narrative was believable. Katie's grief and sense of loss are palpable. It even brought a tear to my eye. I liked the gentle love story also interspersed within the story. And one last thing that I want to make mention of, I loved that the librarian had model looks with her fashionable clothes and killer heels.
All in all, I can see it's appeal, but sadly, it just didn't work for me.
With that said, there were still some aspects of it that I did like. For instance, I loved Ms. Kephart's writing - it was captivating and lyrical. There were really two main threads in the story. Katie's grief for the loss of her mother and then the mystery surrounding Ms. Martine Everlast. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it. It just felt too slow for me. The build-up was very slow moving and passive and in the end it just didn't hit the mark for me.
The first person narrative was believable. Katie's grief and sense of loss are palpable. It even brought a tear to my eye. I liked the gentle love story also interspersed within the story. And one last thing that I want to make mention of, I loved that the librarian had model looks with her fashionable clothes and killer heels.
All in all, I can see it's appeal, but sadly, it just didn't work for me.
July 30, 2014
also on http://sarasreading.wordpress.com/
I was sort of expecting something supernatural, like actual ghosts, but there’s none of that.
This book is written beautifully. The pacing is slow, but it really fits with the book. It’s quiet, lyrical and calming. The mystery aspect of the plot makes it more interesting, but the book is also about Katie and her grief. All the different layers of the story made even more captivating to me.
I like how the author gave all the characters their own story, even the ghosts (we’re not talking about like, actual apparitions. Just dead people.). We get to see how people grieve in different ways. Katie, the protagonist, is a thoroughly likeable character. She’s smart, sarcastic, complex, kind and determined. Her dad is deep in heartbreak, but he was very endearing in a way. They were all interesting characters and they were all unique, but we didn’t get to know much about them until the end of the story, which was disappointing.
Nothing but Ghosts is warming and heartbreaking at the same time. Kephart knows how to get to you. Her writing is subtle. She doesn’t tell you everything, but she says just enough.
I was sort of expecting something supernatural, like actual ghosts, but there’s none of that.
This book is written beautifully. The pacing is slow, but it really fits with the book. It’s quiet, lyrical and calming. The mystery aspect of the plot makes it more interesting, but the book is also about Katie and her grief. All the different layers of the story made even more captivating to me.
I like how the author gave all the characters their own story, even the ghosts (we’re not talking about like, actual apparitions. Just dead people.). We get to see how people grieve in different ways. Katie, the protagonist, is a thoroughly likeable character. She’s smart, sarcastic, complex, kind and determined. Her dad is deep in heartbreak, but he was very endearing in a way. They were all interesting characters and they were all unique, but we didn’t get to know much about them until the end of the story, which was disappointing.
Nothing but Ghosts is warming and heartbreaking at the same time. Kephart knows how to get to you. Her writing is subtle. She doesn’t tell you everything, but she says just enough.
August 23, 2018
there are two threads to this story: mystery and grieving. the mystery thread is predictable--a wealthy old lady turneds recluse suddenly when she was still young and nobody knows why or has seen her for years--but nice. the grieving thread is sadly beautiful as Katie and her dad learn how to live without her mom. Her mom "disappeared" a few months ago; she actually died, but in our everyday lives, isn't that just what happens when someone dies? they disappear even though every day we expect to see them.
the two threads loosely tie together, because of the way both katie's mom and the wealthy old lady, Miss Martine, disappeared kMiss Martine from society decades ago, hidden inside her vast house).
and then there's the librarian who's straight out of a fashion magazine--very unbelievable in my mind. I've yet to see someone who is an intellectual focus that much on her physical appearance. sorry, but i don't think we librarians are that fashion-conscious.
the two threads loosely tie together, because of the way both katie's mom and the wealthy old lady, Miss Martine, disappeared kMiss Martine from society decades ago, hidden inside her vast house).
and then there's the librarian who's straight out of a fashion magazine--very unbelievable in my mind. I've yet to see someone who is an intellectual focus that much on her physical appearance. sorry, but i don't think we librarians are that fashion-conscious.
March 18, 2009
Oh, did I love this book. It was sweet and mysterious, a fond remembrance of a mother who was, a woman who was so perfect and left for another adventure, away from those she loved.
There was life and color, love and honesty. There was taping-up and healing, restoring and setting-straight, and that's what I liked the most. I liked the listening to the stories, the hearing what someone else had to cry about, and being there to hear.
And if only this book hadn't ended so soon! It felt cut short, if that's the right way to describe it. Truncated. It was definitely a lovely ending, but so soon. Yet every other part of the story -- the mystery and all -- was so satisfying. But there could have been a couple more chapters in it, and then it would've been one overly perfect package.
Nothing but Ghosts is sincere and a really nice rainy-day read.
There was life and color, love and honesty. There was taping-up and healing, restoring and setting-straight, and that's what I liked the most. I liked the listening to the stories, the hearing what someone else had to cry about, and being there to hear.
And if only this book hadn't ended so soon! It felt cut short, if that's the right way to describe it. Truncated. It was definitely a lovely ending, but so soon. Yet every other part of the story -- the mystery and all -- was so satisfying. But there could have been a couple more chapters in it, and then it would've been one overly perfect package.
Nothing but Ghosts is sincere and a really nice rainy-day read.
September 27, 2009
This story never really progressed. There was supposed to be a decision or a conflict she had to overcome and you thought it would have been about the death of the girls mother, but you are wrong it's about discovering the mystery surrounding the women's estate she is working at. Though you do follow a cute little love story of sorts, it's more of a sub-plot and I thought it should have been more pronounced. Nothing every really happened though you thought it would. Sadly I figured out what the big "mystery" was and the rest of the book was sadly kind of pointless. Since you originally thought that the ending would involve the main character and her love or something involving her mother, but it wasn't it kind of made you re-look at the plot and be a bit saddened to not have that happen since it seemed like it would. This book was aright but definitely not great.
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