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A Song For The Road
Cheryl Strayed's Wild meets Katherine Center's How to Walk Away in Kathleen Basi's debut novel about an unconventional road trip and what it means to honor the ones we love.
It's one year after the death of her husband and twin teenagers, and Miriam Tedesco has lost faith in humanity and herself. When a bouquet of flowers that her husband always sends on their anniversary shows up at her workplace, she completely unravels. With the help of her best friend, she realizes that it's time to pick up the pieces and begin to move on. Step one is not even cleaning out her family's possessions, but just taking inventory starting with her daughter's room. But when she opens her daughter's computer, she stumbles across a program her daughter has created detailing an automated cross-country road trip, for her and her husband to take as soon-to-be empty nesters.
Seeing and hearing the video clips of her kids embedded in the program, Miriam is determined to take this trip for her children. Armed with her husband's guitar, her daughter's cello, and her son's unfinished piano sonata, she embarks on a musical pilgrimage to grieve the family she fears she never loved enough. Along the way she meets a young, pregnant hitchhiker named Dicey, whose boisterous and spunky attitude reminds Miriam of her own daughter.
Tornadoes, impromptu concerts, and an unlikely friendship...whether she's prepared for it or not, Miriam's world is coming back to life. But as she struggles to keep her focus on the reason she set out on this journey, she has to confront the possibility that the best way to honor her family may be to accept the truths she never wanted to face.
Hopeful, honest, and tender, A Song for the Road is about courage, vulnerability, and forgiveness, even of yourself, when it really matters.
It's one year after the death of her husband and twin teenagers, and Miriam Tedesco has lost faith in humanity and herself. When a bouquet of flowers that her husband always sends on their anniversary shows up at her workplace, she completely unravels. With the help of her best friend, she realizes that it's time to pick up the pieces and begin to move on. Step one is not even cleaning out her family's possessions, but just taking inventory starting with her daughter's room. But when she opens her daughter's computer, she stumbles across a program her daughter has created detailing an automated cross-country road trip, for her and her husband to take as soon-to-be empty nesters.
Seeing and hearing the video clips of her kids embedded in the program, Miriam is determined to take this trip for her children. Armed with her husband's guitar, her daughter's cello, and her son's unfinished piano sonata, she embarks on a musical pilgrimage to grieve the family she fears she never loved enough. Along the way she meets a young, pregnant hitchhiker named Dicey, whose boisterous and spunky attitude reminds Miriam of her own daughter.
Tornadoes, impromptu concerts, and an unlikely friendship...whether she's prepared for it or not, Miriam's world is coming back to life. But as she struggles to keep her focus on the reason she set out on this journey, she has to confront the possibility that the best way to honor her family may be to accept the truths she never wanted to face.
Hopeful, honest, and tender, A Song for the Road is about courage, vulnerability, and forgiveness, even of yourself, when it really matters.
343 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2021
66 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen M. Basi
11 books119 followersAuthor of "A Song For The Road." Mom of 4, hobby photographer, musical composer. Writing by creeks, rivers, and soccer fields and negotiating peace treaties between every word.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 15, 2021
A Song For The Road is a touching story about Miriam, a church musician whose husband and two teenaged twins were killed by a drunk driver a year ago. Still grieving, she has a hard time with the day-to-day aspects of her life.
One day when cleaning out her daughter’s room, she finds out that she created a program for Miriam and her husband to have a flip-a-coin road trip. Complete with an app and strict guidelines, it would’ve been a cross-country journey from East coast to West coast. Now that Mariam is at a loss with her life’s purpose, she decides to download the app and take the trip her children planned...hoping it will help her heal. She also has a few instruments, and her son’s unfinished piano sonata that she intends to complete in his memory.
Along the way, she meets Dicey, a 22-year old pregnant woman who is hitchhiking in an area with no cell phone reception. Miriam and Dicey end up continuing on the road trip together.
Miriam finds herself starting to enjoy life again as she and Dicey quickly strike up a friendship of sorts. Their trip takes them to numerous destinations, with incidents of a tornado, random singing, and an unfortunate livestream that goes viral.
Dicey is helping Miriam feel alive again, but things come into play that forces them to think about life and if they will be able to complete the road trip...and then what comes after.
This is a book that deals with love and loss, grief and sorrow, losing faith, and hope for the future. It goes back and forth in timelines as we learn more about Miriam’s past and meeting her husband and having kids, and her present journey. I didn’t connect emotionally with her past as much as I thought I would.
The scenes with Miriam and Dicey are where the book is at its strongest, and I loved the growing friendship between the two. There are obstacles along the way, and it’s interesting to see when and how they put their trust in each other. I guarantee you will come to love these characters and root for them.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Available now from Alcove Press, and free on the Hoopla app.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
One day when cleaning out her daughter’s room, she finds out that she created a program for Miriam and her husband to have a flip-a-coin road trip. Complete with an app and strict guidelines, it would’ve been a cross-country journey from East coast to West coast. Now that Mariam is at a loss with her life’s purpose, she decides to download the app and take the trip her children planned...hoping it will help her heal. She also has a few instruments, and her son’s unfinished piano sonata that she intends to complete in his memory.
Along the way, she meets Dicey, a 22-year old pregnant woman who is hitchhiking in an area with no cell phone reception. Miriam and Dicey end up continuing on the road trip together.
Miriam finds herself starting to enjoy life again as she and Dicey quickly strike up a friendship of sorts. Their trip takes them to numerous destinations, with incidents of a tornado, random singing, and an unfortunate livestream that goes viral.
Dicey is helping Miriam feel alive again, but things come into play that forces them to think about life and if they will be able to complete the road trip...and then what comes after.
This is a book that deals with love and loss, grief and sorrow, losing faith, and hope for the future. It goes back and forth in timelines as we learn more about Miriam’s past and meeting her husband and having kids, and her present journey. I didn’t connect emotionally with her past as much as I thought I would.
The scenes with Miriam and Dicey are where the book is at its strongest, and I loved the growing friendship between the two. There are obstacles along the way, and it’s interesting to see when and how they put their trust in each other. I guarantee you will come to love these characters and root for them.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Available now from Alcove Press, and free on the Hoopla app.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
May 23, 2021
ALL THE STARS for this beautifully told emotional story!
Kathleen Basi’s debut hit me right in the feels and uplifted my heart. This is the story of one woman’s journey through grief, simultaneously heartwrenching and hopeful. Miriam Lost her husband and twin teenagers a year ago. She thinks she is handling the unimaginable grief rather well until she receives a bouquet of flowers that had been pre-arranged to be sent every year on her anniversary from her dead husband. The bouquet cracks Miriam‘s fragile resolve and resolves in her realizing that she needs to start truly living again. Miriam knows that in order to start living she needs to start healing and that begin with accepting. This leads to Mariam finding a road trip app developed by her daughter for Miriam to take with her husband as they become empty-nesters. Seeing her children on video sparks something in Miriam and she decides to set off on the road trip on her own.
Miriam is a complicated character living through the unthinkable. I felt so much for her and I saw so many little pieces of myself in her. Her grief and guilt were palpable, but so was her Hope and strength. As much as this was a story of grief it was also a story about forgiveness and grace. As a woman and as a mother I completely empathize with Miriam throughout the story. The road trip was great and added the perfect backdrop to the story. I also really love the concept of this app where you flip a coin that determines where you go on your trip next. Along Mariam‘s trip she picks up a passenger Dicey who adds the perfect balance to the story. A multi layered gorgeous story that I cannot recommend highly enough.
This book in emojis 🎼 📱 🎹 🛣
*** Big thank you to Alcove Press for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Kathleen Basi’s debut hit me right in the feels and uplifted my heart. This is the story of one woman’s journey through grief, simultaneously heartwrenching and hopeful. Miriam Lost her husband and twin teenagers a year ago. She thinks she is handling the unimaginable grief rather well until she receives a bouquet of flowers that had been pre-arranged to be sent every year on her anniversary from her dead husband. The bouquet cracks Miriam‘s fragile resolve and resolves in her realizing that she needs to start truly living again. Miriam knows that in order to start living she needs to start healing and that begin with accepting. This leads to Mariam finding a road trip app developed by her daughter for Miriam to take with her husband as they become empty-nesters. Seeing her children on video sparks something in Miriam and she decides to set off on the road trip on her own.
Miriam is a complicated character living through the unthinkable. I felt so much for her and I saw so many little pieces of myself in her. Her grief and guilt were palpable, but so was her Hope and strength. As much as this was a story of grief it was also a story about forgiveness and grace. As a woman and as a mother I completely empathize with Miriam throughout the story. The road trip was great and added the perfect backdrop to the story. I also really love the concept of this app where you flip a coin that determines where you go on your trip next. Along Mariam‘s trip she picks up a passenger Dicey who adds the perfect balance to the story. A multi layered gorgeous story that I cannot recommend highly enough.
This book in emojis 🎼 📱 🎹 🛣
*** Big thank you to Alcove Press for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Currently reading
December 21, 2020A SONG FOR THE ROAD has been years in the making, and perhaps no one but a fellow debut author can truly grasp how much it means to reach this moment. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me in bringing this "book baby" into the world--and grateful, too, to all of you who will read it soon and, I hope, be moved and transported.
May 5, 2021
Miriam Tedesco, a choir director and pianist in a Catholic parish church in Atlanta, Georgia just got sent flowers by a ghost. There begins how her life starts to unravel.
Her husband never misses an anniversary and just like clockwork, the bouquet of flowers arrive. But it’s been a year since the tragic day when Miriam lost her husband and her twins.
As she starts to clean out her children’s belongings she finds an app for a road trip that her children Blaise and Talia prepared for her and husband as an empty nest present. Hearing her children’s voices on the video app as they plan out the trip, motivated Miriam to take that trip to honor her family. While on the road, she picks up a pregnant woman named Dicey who becomes her companion as they trek out heading west. together they traverse tornadoes, some impromptu musical reveries, and form a bond of friendship to last a lifetime.
The writing is so beautiful and fully immersive as you follow along Miriam’s journey to obscure landmarks throughout the country that had me googling these places.
I love that the story background is about music and instruments. Both my teens play instruments - the bass, viola, violin, guitar and piano, and also compose music, so I really related very much to that part of the story and really enjoyed it in this book.
But more than that, this poignant novel is a moving story about a woman’s grief, the strength and courage to face the truth and unearthing long buried secrets, while moving forward and honoring the memories of loved ones.
Such a well written book I highly recommend!
Her husband never misses an anniversary and just like clockwork, the bouquet of flowers arrive. But it’s been a year since the tragic day when Miriam lost her husband and her twins.
As she starts to clean out her children’s belongings she finds an app for a road trip that her children Blaise and Talia prepared for her and husband as an empty nest present. Hearing her children’s voices on the video app as they plan out the trip, motivated Miriam to take that trip to honor her family. While on the road, she picks up a pregnant woman named Dicey who becomes her companion as they trek out heading west. together they traverse tornadoes, some impromptu musical reveries, and form a bond of friendship to last a lifetime.
The writing is so beautiful and fully immersive as you follow along Miriam’s journey to obscure landmarks throughout the country that had me googling these places.
I love that the story background is about music and instruments. Both my teens play instruments - the bass, viola, violin, guitar and piano, and also compose music, so I really related very much to that part of the story and really enjoyed it in this book.
But more than that, this poignant novel is a moving story about a woman’s grief, the strength and courage to face the truth and unearthing long buried secrets, while moving forward and honoring the memories of loved ones.
Such a well written book I highly recommend!
November 17, 2021
Apparently I haven’t stopped torturing myself emotionally just yet, as I read this book on the heels of Nicholas Sparks'
The Wish
.
It’s been a year since Miriam’s husband Teo and their teenage children, Talia and Blaise, were killed. She’s barely holding on most days, but when she receives flowers for her birthday “from” Teo (from an auto-delivery set up a year before), it causes her to act a little impulsively. Which would be fine if she weren’t the music director of a church.
She knows she needs to process her grief but isn’t sure how. And she can’t even bring herself to go through any of their stuff. But when she opens her daughter’s computer she discovers that her children had created a road trip challenge for Miriam and Teo to take, a romantic journey across the country, full of coin-flip choices and random tourist spots.
Moved by the amount of effort the kids put into this, Miriam decides to take the trip, accompanied by Teo’s guitar, Talia’s cello, and Blaise’s unfinished piano sonata. Along the way she meets Dicey, a pregnant hitchhiker, who decides to join Miriam on the journey.
The trip is unpredictable, memorable, and emotional, as Miriam not only comes to terms with her grief and loss, but her guilt at not always appreciating her loved ones or giving them what they so desperately craved. For anyone who has ever thought, “If only I…,” you’ll feel this book so palpably.
As you can imagine, A Song for the Road packs an emotional punch, but it’s sweet and funny and thought-provoking as well as poignant. Just a beautiful book.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
It’s been a year since Miriam’s husband Teo and their teenage children, Talia and Blaise, were killed. She’s barely holding on most days, but when she receives flowers for her birthday “from” Teo (from an auto-delivery set up a year before), it causes her to act a little impulsively. Which would be fine if she weren’t the music director of a church.
She knows she needs to process her grief but isn’t sure how. And she can’t even bring herself to go through any of their stuff. But when she opens her daughter’s computer she discovers that her children had created a road trip challenge for Miriam and Teo to take, a romantic journey across the country, full of coin-flip choices and random tourist spots.
Moved by the amount of effort the kids put into this, Miriam decides to take the trip, accompanied by Teo’s guitar, Talia’s cello, and Blaise’s unfinished piano sonata. Along the way she meets Dicey, a pregnant hitchhiker, who decides to join Miriam on the journey.
The trip is unpredictable, memorable, and emotional, as Miriam not only comes to terms with her grief and loss, but her guilt at not always appreciating her loved ones or giving them what they so desperately craved. For anyone who has ever thought, “If only I…,” you’ll feel this book so palpably.
As you can imagine, A Song for the Road packs an emotional punch, but it’s sweet and funny and thought-provoking as well as poignant. Just a beautiful book.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
February 10, 2021
I read this many moons ago in manuscript form, but the story has stayed with me. A SONG FOR THE ROAD is a powerful, emotionally complex story about reconciling love with loss, and the healing power of music.
When a grieving wife and mother claims a surprise gift from her deceased family—a cross-country road trip—she rediscovers more than her passion for life. Secrets are revealed, confessions made, friendships forged, and truths revealed.
I loved every scene from the first to the last.
When a grieving wife and mother claims a surprise gift from her deceased family—a cross-country road trip—she rediscovers more than her passion for life. Secrets are revealed, confessions made, friendships forged, and truths revealed.
I loved every scene from the first to the last.
September 18, 2021
A sad read that perhaps I was just not in the right mood for. Unfortunately for A Song for the Road, I had just read Minnie Darke’s The Lost Love Song a few days prior – a book that explored a similar theme of the power of music to bring people together – which I’ll admit could have affected my interest level. The cover of the book is gorgeous, and heretofore I had been absolutely in love with everything I’d read from new book club publisher Alcove Press, so I was saddened I didn’t enjoy this tale more.
The book is essentially a “great American road trip” tale, with two unlikely women becoming friends, sharing music and sights, and meeting new people along the way, each bringing a new perspective to our main character, Miriam. In this way, it will inevitably be compared to the movie Thelma & Louise, as all road trip books about two women are. It was incredibly sorrow-filled, too, because Miriam was embarking on a recently discovered road trip plan, along with musical accompaniment, designed by her deceased twin teenagers who had perished the year before along with their father, Miriam’s husband, And, as she follows their plan, she reflects on her life and the time she had with her family and thinks perhaps she didn’t live it quite right while she could. But how does one get over the devastation of losing their whole family?
A Song for the Road has the added bonus of including a Reading Group Guide, which contains a Q&A with the author, Discussion Questions, a fun graphic/Checklist of Kathleen’s Road Trip Stops. You can preview it at https://alcovepress.com/wp-content/up.... It would have been amazing if the songs played throughout the book were included in this Book Club Kit, but the locations she visits on her road trip are listed, which are pretty neat.
A big thank you to Kathleen Basi, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review.
#ASongForTheRoad
#KathleenBasi
#AlcovePress
#NetGalley
#GeneralFiction
#ParentingAndFamilies
#WomensFiction
#BookClubs
The book is essentially a “great American road trip” tale, with two unlikely women becoming friends, sharing music and sights, and meeting new people along the way, each bringing a new perspective to our main character, Miriam. In this way, it will inevitably be compared to the movie Thelma & Louise, as all road trip books about two women are. It was incredibly sorrow-filled, too, because Miriam was embarking on a recently discovered road trip plan, along with musical accompaniment, designed by her deceased twin teenagers who had perished the year before along with their father, Miriam’s husband, And, as she follows their plan, she reflects on her life and the time she had with her family and thinks perhaps she didn’t live it quite right while she could. But how does one get over the devastation of losing their whole family?
A Song for the Road has the added bonus of including a Reading Group Guide, which contains a Q&A with the author, Discussion Questions, a fun graphic/Checklist of Kathleen’s Road Trip Stops. You can preview it at https://alcovepress.com/wp-content/up.... It would have been amazing if the songs played throughout the book were included in this Book Club Kit, but the locations she visits on her road trip are listed, which are pretty neat.
A big thank you to Kathleen Basi, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review.
#ASongForTheRoad
#KathleenBasi
#AlcovePress
#NetGalley
#GeneralFiction
#ParentingAndFamilies
#WomensFiction
#BookClubs
May 11, 2021
A Song for the Road is such a special book. The premise is intimidating - - you find out that the main character is not only a widow, but also a grieving mother.. To lose your entire family in one moment is unimaginable. Instantly, I was emotional. Then to see how Miriam doubts if she was ever worthy of her family is even more heartbreaking.
It's a year after her loss and Miriam is struggling. She discovers a cross-country "flip a coin" roadtrip on her daughter's computer. Apparently, her teenage twins designed it for her to take with her husband, Teo. Miriam decides that to honor them all, she is going to take the trip by herself. She downloads the app, borrows a friend's car, packs an unlikely suitcase full of her daughter's clothes, packs her husband's guitar and daughter's cello and sets off on this adventure. She hopes to find some closure to her loss and feels like it's something she can do in tribute for them all.
It's hard to put into words just exactly how touching this story is. It isn't an easy read because Miriam's grief and self-doubt are very palpable. However, along the way she meets Dicey, a teenage girl who is pregnant and trying to get home. Miriam agrees to drive her part of the way, but they become so attached that it just feels natural to keep Dicey with her for longer. The friendship that develops between these two was just what they both truly needed.
Overall, I'd say this book helps you to see that love comes in many forms, everyone expresses love differently and to do your best to live life fully. It also demonstrates how hard women are on themselves. We expect to be perfect and always think we are failing someone. The most difficult relationships can often be between women and their daughters or mothers - - yet those relationships are also some of the most precious.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
It's a year after her loss and Miriam is struggling. She discovers a cross-country "flip a coin" roadtrip on her daughter's computer. Apparently, her teenage twins designed it for her to take with her husband, Teo. Miriam decides that to honor them all, she is going to take the trip by herself. She downloads the app, borrows a friend's car, packs an unlikely suitcase full of her daughter's clothes, packs her husband's guitar and daughter's cello and sets off on this adventure. She hopes to find some closure to her loss and feels like it's something she can do in tribute for them all.
It's hard to put into words just exactly how touching this story is. It isn't an easy read because Miriam's grief and self-doubt are very palpable. However, along the way she meets Dicey, a teenage girl who is pregnant and trying to get home. Miriam agrees to drive her part of the way, but they become so attached that it just feels natural to keep Dicey with her for longer. The friendship that develops between these two was just what they both truly needed.
Overall, I'd say this book helps you to see that love comes in many forms, everyone expresses love differently and to do your best to live life fully. It also demonstrates how hard women are on themselves. We expect to be perfect and always think we are failing someone. The most difficult relationships can often be between women and their daughters or mothers - - yet those relationships are also some of the most precious.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
August 4, 2021
This was an exceptional read, the kind that I picked up in every spare minute. Written with heart and a razor-sharp knowledge of little-known geography, I enjoyed it for its deep personal and spiritual themes as much as its road trip prowess. Big kudos to the author - I look forward to more from her!
May 11, 2021
Poignant, hopeful, lyrical, captivating
This novel touched me more than most have in years. The depth and sensitive handling of the subject matter around continuing life despite unspeakable grief and the book's lyrical beauty took my breath away. I admire the skill Kathleen Basi demonstrates in taking a topic that could be simply heart-breaking and making it poignant, witty, and hopeful.
This novel could be described as a road trip story but it’s so very much more. What it’s about is the question of how we continue after the unimaginable happens?
The story opens a year after Miriam Tedesco has lost her entire family, when her husband and kids are killed in a car accident. A meltdown at work—a year to the day after she lost them— brings home that she is not coping well with her loss, including turning away from the refuge she could find in her beloved music.
I’ve never been a person who music runs in my blood and is as essential to my emotional health as breathing is to the physical, but through Miriam, I learned how that feels.
When Miriam discovers an app that her teenagers created with the intent to send their parents on a heads or tails (pick the direction) road trip across the country, it makes perfect sense that she decides to do the trip by herself. The change to her plan to stay isolated happens when she gives a ride to Dicey, a spunky pregnant hitch hiker with a secret, who will challenge Miriam to face every topic she’s avoided.
To me, this is a book about the moment when you have to decide, despite the trauma life has dealt you, whether you can ever find the strength to carry on, and believe you deserve to be happy again?
What else can I say? I could come up with something trite that it hits all the right notes, but it’s hard to do such a beautiful, lyrical, poignant, thoughtful, uplifting book justice. If I could give six stars out of five, I would.
Don’t miss this one!
This novel touched me more than most have in years. The depth and sensitive handling of the subject matter around continuing life despite unspeakable grief and the book's lyrical beauty took my breath away. I admire the skill Kathleen Basi demonstrates in taking a topic that could be simply heart-breaking and making it poignant, witty, and hopeful.
This novel could be described as a road trip story but it’s so very much more. What it’s about is the question of how we continue after the unimaginable happens?
The story opens a year after Miriam Tedesco has lost her entire family, when her husband and kids are killed in a car accident. A meltdown at work—a year to the day after she lost them— brings home that she is not coping well with her loss, including turning away from the refuge she could find in her beloved music.
I’ve never been a person who music runs in my blood and is as essential to my emotional health as breathing is to the physical, but through Miriam, I learned how that feels.
When Miriam discovers an app that her teenagers created with the intent to send their parents on a heads or tails (pick the direction) road trip across the country, it makes perfect sense that she decides to do the trip by herself. The change to her plan to stay isolated happens when she gives a ride to Dicey, a spunky pregnant hitch hiker with a secret, who will challenge Miriam to face every topic she’s avoided.
To me, this is a book about the moment when you have to decide, despite the trauma life has dealt you, whether you can ever find the strength to carry on, and believe you deserve to be happy again?
What else can I say? I could come up with something trite that it hits all the right notes, but it’s hard to do such a beautiful, lyrical, poignant, thoughtful, uplifting book justice. If I could give six stars out of five, I would.
Don’t miss this one!
January 29, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Alcove Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This pulled at my heart strings so hard that I could not stop reading this book. The bond Miriam had with her family was so untouchable that it was a sign that she found her daughter's computer and her parent's country road trip planned out. It felt like it was destined for Miriam to go out on this road trip, finish her son's sonata, and meet Dicey who she immediately connects with because she reminds her of her daughter. This is such a heartwarming story that everyone in some way shape or form can relate to and develop a connection with Miriam and be a part of her journey.
We will consider adding this title to our Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
This pulled at my heart strings so hard that I could not stop reading this book. The bond Miriam had with her family was so untouchable that it was a sign that she found her daughter's computer and her parent's country road trip planned out. It felt like it was destined for Miriam to go out on this road trip, finish her son's sonata, and meet Dicey who she immediately connects with because she reminds her of her daughter. This is such a heartwarming story that everyone in some way shape or form can relate to and develop a connection with Miriam and be a part of her journey.
We will consider adding this title to our Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
May 19, 2021
A loving exploration of grief and presence
Kathleen Basi’s debut novel is tender, heartfelt, and funny in light of a tragic accident that took Miriam’s husband and their teenage twins. Heartbreaking in the crushing loneliness of a quiet house with a “tree full of coats that lost the scent of their owners months ago.”
Immediately, I feel like I’m in an expert storyteller’s hands. I haven’t been touched this quickly, or this deeply, in a long time. Many characters ache with the kind of regret that comes from not being fully present with loved ones before they’re gone forever. Miriam’s ache eases when her dead husband’s voice prompts her to witness, and engage in, a stranger’s loss. The scene unfolds with heart and hope; profound, painful, but pure.
Favorite line of dialogue: “We were too focused on saving ourselves to save you.”
Favorite passage: She would honor all those she loved, the dead and the living alike, by her commitment to live free and love fully. That would be her love song. Her gift to the world.
This is a smart story that lovingly and consistently reminds the reader that the present moment is all we have, and to face it honestly. If you long for an escape and enjoy road trips, A Song for the Road is for you!
Kathleen Basi’s debut novel is tender, heartfelt, and funny in light of a tragic accident that took Miriam’s husband and their teenage twins. Heartbreaking in the crushing loneliness of a quiet house with a “tree full of coats that lost the scent of their owners months ago.”
Immediately, I feel like I’m in an expert storyteller’s hands. I haven’t been touched this quickly, or this deeply, in a long time. Many characters ache with the kind of regret that comes from not being fully present with loved ones before they’re gone forever. Miriam’s ache eases when her dead husband’s voice prompts her to witness, and engage in, a stranger’s loss. The scene unfolds with heart and hope; profound, painful, but pure.
Favorite line of dialogue: “We were too focused on saving ourselves to save you.”
Favorite passage: She would honor all those she loved, the dead and the living alike, by her commitment to live free and love fully. That would be her love song. Her gift to the world.
This is a smart story that lovingly and consistently reminds the reader that the present moment is all we have, and to face it honestly. If you long for an escape and enjoy road trips, A Song for the Road is for you!
May 11, 2021
Uplifting tale of music, families, and a road trip
This book far exceeded my expectations. That doesn't mean I expected it to be bad or even mediocre but it turned out to be one of the better books I've read in the last couple of years.
Miriam Tedesco lost her husband and her twin teen children in an horrific auto accident a year ago and she still hasn't gone very far on the path to recovering from this tremendous loss.
She finds a video message on her daughter's laptop that her twin daughter and son left for her thinking that her and her husband were going to soon be empty-nesters and challenging them to a flip-the-coin road trip. And Miriam decides to take this trip by herself, in memory of her family.
I loved Miriam and her insecurities and the questions she raises as she travels cross country on her trip. And there are more characters that I love but I won't post any spoilers.
This is a touching story about loss, grief, love in many different forms, friendships, and more. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from Alcove Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
This book far exceeded my expectations. That doesn't mean I expected it to be bad or even mediocre but it turned out to be one of the better books I've read in the last couple of years.
Miriam Tedesco lost her husband and her twin teen children in an horrific auto accident a year ago and she still hasn't gone very far on the path to recovering from this tremendous loss.
She finds a video message on her daughter's laptop that her twin daughter and son left for her thinking that her and her husband were going to soon be empty-nesters and challenging them to a flip-the-coin road trip. And Miriam decides to take this trip by herself, in memory of her family.
I loved Miriam and her insecurities and the questions she raises as she travels cross country on her trip. And there are more characters that I love but I won't post any spoilers.
This is a touching story about loss, grief, love in many different forms, friendships, and more. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from Alcove Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
May 13, 2021
Unimaginable! That’s the pain Miriam Tedesco has been walking through the last year. She lost her husband and twin teenagers in one horrible event. On top of the emptiness, she lives with the what-ifs, the things said and not said, and a secret not shared.
When a friend helps Miriam sort through some of her kid’s belongings, they open up a video program made by the twins. They had designed a cross-country road trip for their parents to take this summer while they would have been at music camp.
Miriam decides to take the trip on her own, against the wishes of her mother and sister. She wants to do this for her kids. With her husband’s guitar, her daughter’s cello, and her son’s unfinished sonata, this trip becomes a musical dedication to her family.
Miriam picks up a young, pregnant hitchhiker who helps her work through her grief and provides friendship. Along the way, the two women encounter others who have suffered loss and hardship, but the farther Miriam travels, the more she feels alive again.
Basi writes with such grace and honesty that it’s hard not to get caught up in Miriam’s journey. We feel the complexity of her grief and guilt. 𝐀 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 is such a beautiful story of finding peace and letting the heart love again.
Thank you to suzyapprovedbooktours and kathleenbasi for this #gifted copy.
When a friend helps Miriam sort through some of her kid’s belongings, they open up a video program made by the twins. They had designed a cross-country road trip for their parents to take this summer while they would have been at music camp.
Miriam decides to take the trip on her own, against the wishes of her mother and sister. She wants to do this for her kids. With her husband’s guitar, her daughter’s cello, and her son’s unfinished sonata, this trip becomes a musical dedication to her family.
Miriam picks up a young, pregnant hitchhiker who helps her work through her grief and provides friendship. Along the way, the two women encounter others who have suffered loss and hardship, but the farther Miriam travels, the more she feels alive again.
Basi writes with such grace and honesty that it’s hard not to get caught up in Miriam’s journey. We feel the complexity of her grief and guilt. 𝐀 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 is such a beautiful story of finding peace and letting the heart love again.
Thank you to suzyapprovedbooktours and kathleenbasi for this #gifted copy.
June 20, 2022
WOW,WOW,WOW
Kathleen Basi’s debut novel is STUNNING , heartfelt, and funny in light of a tragic accident that took Miriam’s husband and their teenage twins.
Immediately, I feel like I’m in an expert storyteller’s hands. I haven’t been touched this quickly, or this deeply, in a long time.
t’s clear that the author is a passionate musician and her book hums along, tackling difficult subjects including the death of children, issues surrounding unwanted pregnancy, questions about a possibly gay child, illness, heartbreak, and family reconciliation. What makes it even more compelling is that these questions are being raised by a Catholic woman, very much connected to her church and church life.
While it sounds like this would be a depressing novel, it isn’t. It’s uplifting and heartfelt as protagonist Mia sets out on a cross country journey, picking up a younger woman along the way, who – not surprisingly – imparts some important life lessons to Mia.
Kathleen Basi’s debut novel is STUNNING , heartfelt, and funny in light of a tragic accident that took Miriam’s husband and their teenage twins.
Immediately, I feel like I’m in an expert storyteller’s hands. I haven’t been touched this quickly, or this deeply, in a long time.
t’s clear that the author is a passionate musician and her book hums along, tackling difficult subjects including the death of children, issues surrounding unwanted pregnancy, questions about a possibly gay child, illness, heartbreak, and family reconciliation. What makes it even more compelling is that these questions are being raised by a Catholic woman, very much connected to her church and church life.
While it sounds like this would be a depressing novel, it isn’t. It’s uplifting and heartfelt as protagonist Mia sets out on a cross country journey, picking up a younger woman along the way, who – not surprisingly – imparts some important life lessons to Mia.
May 6, 2021
I’m wiping tears from my eyes as I’m writing this review.
I loved every word of this powerful, moving story.
Miriam lost her husband and children in a car accident a year ago. She’s still grieving and having a hard time moving on. Miriam discovers an app that her teenagers created with the intention to send their parents on a road trip. She decides to take the trip by herself. Following Miriam through obscure landmarks and meeting a spunky pregnant hitchhiker, Dicey.
This book answers the question do we deserve to be happy again after trauma? Do you have the strength to carry on? This is such a moving book about a women facing her grief and finding the courage to move on.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for my gifted copy.
I loved every word of this powerful, moving story.
Miriam lost her husband and children in a car accident a year ago. She’s still grieving and having a hard time moving on. Miriam discovers an app that her teenagers created with the intention to send their parents on a road trip. She decides to take the trip by herself. Following Miriam through obscure landmarks and meeting a spunky pregnant hitchhiker, Dicey.
This book answers the question do we deserve to be happy again after trauma? Do you have the strength to carry on? This is such a moving book about a women facing her grief and finding the courage to move on.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for my gifted copy.
May 14, 2021
A year after the death of her twins and her husband Miriam is at her breaking point. Her best friend has convinced her it is time to try to move on and continue to the next part of her journey. While cleaning out her daughters room she stumbles across a program her daughter had created for Miriam and her husband to complete as they become empty nesters. Though it seems crazy to everyone around Miriam she decides to set off and complete this program on her own.
Holy moly this is a story to learn from. The writing is so touching and the way grief is prorated is touching. It seems nearly impossible to think of moving on and being happy again but it shows just how necessary it is. Though the characters are all imperfect that is what made them so real and relatable. This is such a good book and I truly think it is one that deserves all the love and praise!
Thank you Let’s Talk Books Promo for my ARC!
Holy moly this is a story to learn from. The writing is so touching and the way grief is prorated is touching. It seems nearly impossible to think of moving on and being happy again but it shows just how necessary it is. Though the characters are all imperfect that is what made them so real and relatable. This is such a good book and I truly think it is one that deserves all the love and praise!
Thank you Let’s Talk Books Promo for my ARC!
December 28, 2020
I really loved this book. From the opening chapters, right through to the end I was drawn in by this lovely, poignant story.
Miriam is grieving the death of her family in a tragic accident. When she finds an app her children had been working on, sending her on a road trip, she decides to go. On the way she meets Dicey, a pregnant teen with troubles of her own. Can Miriam forgive herself? And why does Dicey keep coughing? The story twists and turns it’s way beautifully to the conclusion.
I really loved these characters. They were flawed, but real. Miriam’s grief was tangible and I enjoyed her story very much. I did guess the main twist, but it felt like I was helping Miriam keep her secret until she was ready to share it. The passion for music really spoke to me and I enjoyed the imagery throughout.
This is a fabulous book and I look forward to reading more offerings from this talented author. Another one featuring these characters would be the icing on the cake! I would love to know what happens next...
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.
Miriam is grieving the death of her family in a tragic accident. When she finds an app her children had been working on, sending her on a road trip, she decides to go. On the way she meets Dicey, a pregnant teen with troubles of her own. Can Miriam forgive herself? And why does Dicey keep coughing? The story twists and turns it’s way beautifully to the conclusion.
I really loved these characters. They were flawed, but real. Miriam’s grief was tangible and I enjoyed her story very much. I did guess the main twist, but it felt like I was helping Miriam keep her secret until she was ready to share it. The passion for music really spoke to me and I enjoyed the imagery throughout.
This is a fabulous book and I look forward to reading more offerings from this talented author. Another one featuring these characters would be the icing on the cake! I would love to know what happens next...
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.
March 5, 2022
Read my full review here: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/son...
This book was unlike anything else I've read recently, and I loved it. A year after the sudden death of her husband and children, Miriam is consumed with grief. While cleaning out her children's things, she comes across an app that they designed. It's a flip-a-coin road trip: Miriam flips heads or tails, and the app tells her where to drive next. She was meant to take the trip with her husband Tio, but decides to do it alone as a way to honor her family.
I loved this concept, and how the author took such a fun idea and incorporated such a serious topic. It can be a hard read at times, because it really explores Miriam's grief in depth, as well as how she felt she had failed as a mother.
Along the way, though, Miriam meets Dicey, who joins her on her road trip and helps draw Miriam out of her grief. Dicey brought such a light to the story, and they both helped each other so much.
I would definitely recommend this beautiful book about love, friendship, overcoming grief, and living life to the fullest.
This book was unlike anything else I've read recently, and I loved it. A year after the sudden death of her husband and children, Miriam is consumed with grief. While cleaning out her children's things, she comes across an app that they designed. It's a flip-a-coin road trip: Miriam flips heads or tails, and the app tells her where to drive next. She was meant to take the trip with her husband Tio, but decides to do it alone as a way to honor her family.
I loved this concept, and how the author took such a fun idea and incorporated such a serious topic. It can be a hard read at times, because it really explores Miriam's grief in depth, as well as how she felt she had failed as a mother.
Along the way, though, Miriam meets Dicey, who joins her on her road trip and helps draw Miriam out of her grief. Dicey brought such a light to the story, and they both helped each other so much.
I would definitely recommend this beautiful book about love, friendship, overcoming grief, and living life to the fullest.
January 3, 2021
Miriam Tedesco is living in a fog, going through the motions after losing her husband and teenage children in a car accident a year ago. When she discovers that her kids planned a cross country trip for her and her husband to take that they never knew about, she decides to do it. Packing her cello and guitar into a borrowed car, she heads cross country on a life-changing mission, leaving her job as church musician.
Miriam is a sympathetic, complicated interesting woman. Flawed, but full of heart, we follow her as she travels west and witness her growing realizations about her family, how well she did or did not know them, her passion for music, and meet the interesting people she meets along the way, like her travel companion Dicey.
Miriam’s coming to terms with a secret, which I won’t reveal, also adds to the poignancy of the trip and kept me turning the pages.
It’s a journey not just of miles, but one of personal growth and coming to terms with the choices we’ve made in life.
Miriam is a sympathetic, complicated interesting woman. Flawed, but full of heart, we follow her as she travels west and witness her growing realizations about her family, how well she did or did not know them, her passion for music, and meet the interesting people she meets along the way, like her travel companion Dicey.
Miriam’s coming to terms with a secret, which I won’t reveal, also adds to the poignancy of the trip and kept me turning the pages.
It’s a journey not just of miles, but one of personal growth and coming to terms with the choices we’ve made in life.
April 2, 2021
A powerful, redeeming and fun book about a woman who loses her family in a horrific accident. In trying to clean out her daughters things, she comes across a road trip she had created for the family to take together. Of course Miriam decides to take that trip herself to honor her family. Miriam is left with survivor's guilt-Did she love her family enough. Along the way she picks up a pregnant young hitchhiker named Dicey who adds a necessary depth to the story. This was a compelling read that pulses with emotions........motherhood, grief, love, regrets and the power of music.
I would like to thank #netgalley, the author and #AlcovePress for the opportunity for read this ARC. Stunning debut that I won't soon forget.
I would like to thank #netgalley, the author and #AlcovePress for the opportunity for read this ARC. Stunning debut that I won't soon forget.
March 3, 2021
Wonderful novel about a widow feeling guilty about whether she loved her lost family enough. If you’ve ever lost someone, you’ll be able to relate to the feeling that one could have done more, loved more, given more. And there’s another question to answer. Do you tell the man who fathered your children but had no idea he’d done so that they existed and are now dead? Great question for a book club to discuss. And there are many others here too. Highly recommended for Book clubs.
Miriam Tedesco’s decision to go on the road trip her children had planned for her helps her to answer these questions.
Miriam Tedesco’s decision to go on the road trip her children had planned for her helps her to answer these questions.
February 10, 2022
This book is one to savor. I had to listen in bits and bites. It is a story that will pull you close and hold you tight. It is a beautiful story of discovery and love. Worth every page and emotion.
November 28, 2024
Dnf at about 23%
I had high hopes for this, but was disappointed. I saw that it was a Christian read, but the main character cussed multiple times and two or three of those times she used the s word. I was starting to get bored with the story, and when she found out that her dead son was gay I decided to quit.
I don't really recommend this. I realize it could've been a lot worse, but it's not something I want to spend my time on.
I had high hopes for this, but was disappointed. I saw that it was a Christian read, but the main character cussed multiple times and two or three of those times she used the s word. I was starting to get bored with the story, and when she found out that her dead son was gay I decided to quit.
I don't really recommend this. I realize it could've been a lot worse, but it's not something I want to spend my time on.
March 10, 2021
Many years ago, a friend of mine's sister lost her husband and two young children in a car accident, and I have always wondered how one heals from such a devastating tragedy. Basi offers a story that helps a reader work through that difficult journey. I was drawn to Miriam's guilt and self-recrimination and how she worked through it all in a road trip that offered redemption and self-forgiveness.
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February 12, 2021I was privileged to read this for endorsement...
A must read! Basi’s insights into the the human experience make A Song for the Road an unforgettable journey. She introduces us to life, loss, love, and the resurgence of hope — she introduces us to ourselves. The beauty of her prose and this adventure will linger long after the last page.
— Katherine Reay, national best-selling author of The Printed Letter Bookshop and Of Literature and Lattes
A must read! Basi’s insights into the the human experience make A Song for the Road an unforgettable journey. She introduces us to life, loss, love, and the resurgence of hope — she introduces us to ourselves. The beauty of her prose and this adventure will linger long after the last page.
— Katherine Reay, national best-selling author of The Printed Letter Bookshop and Of Literature and Lattes
December 23, 2020
Miriam Tedesco’s husband and teenage children were killed by a drunk driver who crossed the median. A year later, she’s still in a tailspin, dealing with regrets and loss of faith. The arrival of a bouquet of flowers—one like those her husband always sent on their anniversary—she becomes completely unwound. She, at the urging of her best friend, starts to move on. When she opens her daughter’s computer, she finds an app that her kids made, detailing a cross-country trip for Miriam and her husband to take while their children were at band camp. On hearing and seeing the videos of her children, she determines to make the trip solo for their sakes. Thus, armed with a cello and a guitar, she embarks on a musical pilgrimage from their home to the beach in California near the site where they were killed. She picks up an unlikely companion, a pregnant young woman, along the way.
This book was funny and sad—enough that I sniffled through most of it. But as a woman of a certain age, I enjoyed reading about another woman of a certain age pulling her life together. That Miriam faces flat tires, tornados, rainstorms, and the near-death of her companion and survives is empowering.
This book was funny and sad—enough that I sniffled through most of it. But as a woman of a certain age, I enjoyed reading about another woman of a certain age pulling her life together. That Miriam faces flat tires, tornados, rainstorms, and the near-death of her companion and survives is empowering.
June 11, 2021
Miriam is still grieving for her family. Her husband and her teenage twins were killed over a year ago. But, she has yet to face it, let alone move on with her life. Then one day she nearly loses her job and she knows must come to terms with her grief.
Miriam starts to clean out her daughter’s room and she comes across a trip her children had planned for her and her husband. It is a cross country road trip. Miriam thinks this is just the thing to help her with her grief and her past.
I was so heartbroken and grief-stricken for Miriam. She is a character which pulls you into a story and keeps you there. She is flawed and has made some huge mistakes but her heart is in the right place.
Then there is a hitchhiker named Dicey which Miriam picks up at her first stop on the trip. Dicey is very much pregnant and she is hiding a secret. Dicey is feisty but she is just what Miriam needs at the perfect time.
This is a story about past regrets and about self renewal. It is about living with the loss life and overcoming grief.
Need a book about life and love….THIS IS IT!
I received this novel from the author for a honest review.
Miriam starts to clean out her daughter’s room and she comes across a trip her children had planned for her and her husband. It is a cross country road trip. Miriam thinks this is just the thing to help her with her grief and her past.
I was so heartbroken and grief-stricken for Miriam. She is a character which pulls you into a story and keeps you there. She is flawed and has made some huge mistakes but her heart is in the right place.
Then there is a hitchhiker named Dicey which Miriam picks up at her first stop on the trip. Dicey is very much pregnant and she is hiding a secret. Dicey is feisty but she is just what Miriam needs at the perfect time.
This is a story about past regrets and about self renewal. It is about living with the loss life and overcoming grief.
Need a book about life and love….THIS IS IT!
I received this novel from the author for a honest review.
May 25, 2021
Kathleen Basi is fantastic! Her writing talent shines strong in this debut novel! I loved every minute of this page turner. It hooked me from page one and didn’t let me go until the very last word was read.
As someone who has suffered loss, I fully felt every single, raw emotion that Miriam felt. I felt her grief like it was my own, but I also felt her love for her family as if it was my own. Miriam’s journey is profound, it’s eye opening, and definitely had me reflecting on my own thoughts and memories of my loved ones passed.
This heartfelt novel should not be passed over. It is beautifully written, soul capturing and life changing. It is one that will forever be on my recommendation list! This one will move you to the core, and have wanting another beautifully penned novel soon!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
As someone who has suffered loss, I fully felt every single, raw emotion that Miriam felt. I felt her grief like it was my own, but I also felt her love for her family as if it was my own. Miriam’s journey is profound, it’s eye opening, and definitely had me reflecting on my own thoughts and memories of my loved ones passed.
This heartfelt novel should not be passed over. It is beautifully written, soul capturing and life changing. It is one that will forever be on my recommendation list! This one will move you to the core, and have wanting another beautifully penned novel soon!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
May 12, 2021
So I don't usually do books that make you feel emotions--especially not sad emotions, and this one punched me right in the feelings. And I enjoyed it.
Mira Tedesco is struggling. Her husband and twin teenagers are dead; they died a year earlier during a head-on collision with a drunk driver. A few days before her wedding anniversary a bouquet of flowers arrives for her from her late husband and she knows she needs to do something to keep her from drowning in her own sorrow. So she sets off on a road trip her teenagers designed for her and her husband Teo--a flip a coin road trip where the destinations are unknown and the whole trip is tracked and documented on social media. And as road trips are wont to do, Mira learns a lot on her journey from Atlanta to the california coast.
This book had me in tears so many times. There were so many heartfelt moments that felt so genuine and I just really wanted to be on Mira's trip with her. In fact, I would love more and would be interested in reading about the next chapter in Mira's life.
A Song for the Road had so many wonderful reminders about what it means to love, and how important it is to live in the moment, because you never know when it might end.
"Love meant letting go, that look said. Trusting that eventually, however long it took, the beloved would return."
Mira Tedesco is struggling. Her husband and twin teenagers are dead; they died a year earlier during a head-on collision with a drunk driver. A few days before her wedding anniversary a bouquet of flowers arrives for her from her late husband and she knows she needs to do something to keep her from drowning in her own sorrow. So she sets off on a road trip her teenagers designed for her and her husband Teo--a flip a coin road trip where the destinations are unknown and the whole trip is tracked and documented on social media. And as road trips are wont to do, Mira learns a lot on her journey from Atlanta to the california coast.
This book had me in tears so many times. There were so many heartfelt moments that felt so genuine and I just really wanted to be on Mira's trip with her. In fact, I would love more and would be interested in reading about the next chapter in Mira's life.
A Song for the Road had so many wonderful reminders about what it means to love, and how important it is to live in the moment, because you never know when it might end.
"Love meant letting go, that look said. Trusting that eventually, however long it took, the beloved would return."
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