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the Route
Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she's in for a life-changing-and route-altering-experience.
- GenresLds FictionFiction
182 pages
First published May 18, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 27, 2017
2.5**
From the book jacket: Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she’s in for a life-changing – and route-altering – experience.
My Reactions:
This was okay, but I found little substance here and I felt it was predictable. Some of the patrons on Carol’s route were charming, some were irascible. A few needed more help than Carol could provide, and a couple of them helped her more than she helped them. Along the way, the reader learns a little about Carol’s background. I grew tired of her constant reminders to herself that “I can do this.”
From the book jacket: Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she’s in for a life-changing – and route-altering – experience.
My Reactions:
This was okay, but I found little substance here and I felt it was predictable. Some of the patrons on Carol’s route were charming, some were irascible. A few needed more help than Carol could provide, and a couple of them helped her more than she helped them. Along the way, the reader learns a little about Carol’s background. I grew tired of her constant reminders to herself that “I can do this.”
February 8, 2016
This is not the sort of book I usually read. But I took a little step out of my young adult/fantasy/apocalyptic-fiction comfort zone to try this feel-good story of a 50 year old woman who decides to try being a driver for a Meals on Wheels program. Carol is an empty-nester looking for some purpose and a way to just do something more. Her meal delivery route gives her even more than that: a chance to interact with some interesting and colorful characters, some of whom eventually make their way into her heart.
And they ARE colorful characters - you get the whole gamut of personalities and I appreciated the list at the front of the book that reminded us of who everyone one was, although, some people were so special they just stuck out in my mind as I read. Carol was a sensitive narrator and I could empathize with her as she took these elderly folks their meals and slowly became a part of their lives. I think part of what made me want to keep reading this book is my own dearly-loved grandparents - I saw little pieces of them throughout. Sometimes Carol got a bit too didactic for my taste and spelled out a life lesson for me that I could see for myself. Other times, though, she was witty and you could tell she was looking for meaning in her experiences, which can only be a good thing.
Is there an gripping plot? No. The pace is slower, as it should be. Are there moments that might feel cheesy? Yes, but I think that comes with the territory in this sort of story. I think anyone who has worked with or loved anyone who is in this stage of life will find something to appreciate in this book.
And they ARE colorful characters - you get the whole gamut of personalities and I appreciated the list at the front of the book that reminded us of who everyone one was, although, some people were so special they just stuck out in my mind as I read. Carol was a sensitive narrator and I could empathize with her as she took these elderly folks their meals and slowly became a part of their lives. I think part of what made me want to keep reading this book is my own dearly-loved grandparents - I saw little pieces of them throughout. Sometimes Carol got a bit too didactic for my taste and spelled out a life lesson for me that I could see for myself. Other times, though, she was witty and you could tell she was looking for meaning in her experiences, which can only be a good thing.
Is there an gripping plot? No. The pace is slower, as it should be. Are there moments that might feel cheesy? Yes, but I think that comes with the territory in this sort of story. I think anyone who has worked with or loved anyone who is in this stage of life will find something to appreciate in this book.
June 13, 2009
The Route by Gale Sears
This little gem of a book is close to my heart, as it's a story about Gale's two year experience as a Meals-On-Wheels volunteer. As Bob and I have been on the MOW program for two years, I was able to see things from a different perspective. In this story, Carol has twelve people she needs to deliver meals to each Thursday. We get five different people delivering our meals each weekday, with a frozen meal delivered on Friday for the weekend and the first Monday of the month. Carol learns to lov e each of her twelve people. They each are different with different problems to handle. There's Goldie, the sunshine lady, always waving at Carol; LaRue, the cranky woman; Mary, the comic in thick glasses; Elaine, the recluse; Bea, the elegant owner of antiques; Olea,the wheelchair sweetheart; M axine, the gra ce ful missing person; Ladora, the dime-store aficionado; Lucille/Betty, mother-daughter duo; Joyce, Ol Jane; Viola, the ornery stylista of the Airstream; Tom, the Last Emporer of China; Russell, Santa Claus; Althia, the voracious reader; Elsie, the lost and lonely one. Carol would go for weeks, even months before having a change in clients. This little gem would make a great Hallmark film.
Publisher: Silverleaf Press
Pub. Date: September 01, 2009
ISBN-13: 9781934393321
182pp
This little gem of a book is close to my heart, as it's a story about Gale's two year experience as a Meals-On-Wheels volunteer. As Bob and I have been on the MOW program for two years, I was able to see things from a different perspective. In this story, Carol has twelve people she needs to deliver meals to each Thursday. We get five different people delivering our meals each weekday, with a frozen meal delivered on Friday for the weekend and the first Monday of the month. Carol learns to lov e each of her twelve people. They each are different with different problems to handle. There's Goldie, the sunshine lady, always waving at Carol; LaRue, the cranky woman; Mary, the comic in thick glasses; Elaine, the recluse; Bea, the elegant owner of antiques; Olea,the wheelchair sweetheart; M axine, the gra ce ful missing person; Ladora, the dime-store aficionado; Lucille/Betty, mother-daughter duo; Joyce, Ol Jane; Viola, the ornery stylista of the Airstream; Tom, the Last Emporer of China; Russell, Santa Claus; Althia, the voracious reader; Elsie, the lost and lonely one. Carol would go for weeks, even months before having a change in clients. This little gem would make a great Hallmark film.
Publisher: Silverleaf Press
Pub. Date: September 01, 2009
ISBN-13: 9781934393321
182pp
August 18, 2009
Gayle Sears begins her novel, The Route, in a uniquely captivating manner. It almost seems like the narrator of the story, Carol, is writing a letter to the reader about what it feels like to turn fifty after spending life as a SAHM when all the children have left home. Carol speaks in a witty manner about filling the void in her life, quickly drawing the reader in.
Unfortunately the book quickly loses momentum in the next chapter as the story turns from an amusing narrative of one lively lady’s life to a chronicle of her volunteer experiences with brief glances into the lives of the seniors she delivers meal to. Carol loses her substance and charm, becoming a character that merely exists on Thursdays (her volunteer day). I longed for more detail into Carol’s life and felt that this lack of information left Carol a one-dimensional character.
I would not consider this novel especially thought provoking, however it did contain quite a few enjoyable antedates and quotes worth a minute or two of pondering. The story overall, while leaving much to be desired, did a good job of showing the benefits of volunteering from both the receiving side and the giving side. It left me longing to be of more service to others.
Read this and many other great reviews at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/
Unfortunately the book quickly loses momentum in the next chapter as the story turns from an amusing narrative of one lively lady’s life to a chronicle of her volunteer experiences with brief glances into the lives of the seniors she delivers meal to. Carol loses her substance and charm, becoming a character that merely exists on Thursdays (her volunteer day). I longed for more detail into Carol’s life and felt that this lack of information left Carol a one-dimensional character.
I would not consider this novel especially thought provoking, however it did contain quite a few enjoyable antedates and quotes worth a minute or two of pondering. The story overall, while leaving much to be desired, did a good job of showing the benefits of volunteering from both the receiving side and the giving side. It left me longing to be of more service to others.
Read this and many other great reviews at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/
May 4, 2010
Continuing on the "judging a book by its cover" theme, if I were in the publishing industry and responsible for The Route, I know exactly the format I would have used: the "Mitch Albom/Richard Paul Evans" small-format hardcover book, which indicates that what is contained within the covers is easy to read, somewhat sappy and inspirational.
If I were a member of the Red Hat Society, or had to decide between living a life of leisure or a life of service, or planning to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, I think that The Route would be a worthwhile read. But it's a book that has a target audience, and I'm not it. While the story is sweet, and Sears imparts messages that are both philosophical and easy to swallow, there are also problems. I wanted more meat in the relationship with Carol and her son, fewer minor characters to keep track of (I think the book would have worked better with a sustained relationship with four or five characters rather than trying to get all of them in there-- it made it hard to keep track of who was who), and better proofreading (the name of one character was spelled three different ways on a single page!).
If I were a member of the Red Hat Society, or had to decide between living a life of leisure or a life of service, or planning to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, I think that The Route would be a worthwhile read. But it's a book that has a target audience, and I'm not it. While the story is sweet, and Sears imparts messages that are both philosophical and easy to swallow, there are also problems. I wanted more meat in the relationship with Carol and her son, fewer minor characters to keep track of (I think the book would have worked better with a sustained relationship with four or five characters rather than trying to get all of them in there-- it made it hard to keep track of who was who), and better proofreading (the name of one character was spelled three different ways on a single page!).
June 12, 2010
We can't begin to understand the challenges of aging and the aches of growing old until we have an elderly person in our life. Gale Sears' The Route gives insight, touches our heart, makes us ponder on the these years of retirement that might not be as joyous as we'd hope. She also makes the point that our attitude determines a lot of how we deal with it, and how it deals with us.
The Route is a different kind of story--no mystery, only love stories in retrospect--no car chases. The story's true promise is that the reader, when finished, will have a bit more understanding of humankind.
Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother who has taken on a Thursday route to deliver meals says: "The fellowship I've shared over the months with these scrappy older folks has elevated my perspective on what I once considered to be the dastardly process of getting old."
In the beginning of the story, Carol is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly--and that is where her adventure begins.
The Route is a different kind of story--no mystery, only love stories in retrospect--no car chases. The story's true promise is that the reader, when finished, will have a bit more understanding of humankind.
Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother who has taken on a Thursday route to deliver meals says: "The fellowship I've shared over the months with these scrappy older folks has elevated my perspective on what I once considered to be the dastardly process of getting old."
In the beginning of the story, Carol is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly--and that is where her adventure begins.
May 28, 2009
Carol is in her fifties and pondering on the deeper things of life. While in the grocery store she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. During her service to these individuals she learns that each life is special and everyone has extraordinary stories to tell. She falls in love with these elderly people and made me love them as well. She discovers that sometimes the one who serves receives more than the one that is served.
Ms. Sears has a true talent for characterization. Each one of the seniors to which she delivers meal has their own unique personality. She sees their distinctiveness and lets us learn to love each for what they have to share. She makes the reader feel as if they are delivering the meals along with her and handles the uncomfortable situations with graceful compassion and refreshing sense of humor.
"The Route" is a lovely adventure into the realistic world of seniors that reminds us that the older generation has much and can enrich our lives.
Ms. Sears has a true talent for characterization. Each one of the seniors to which she delivers meal has their own unique personality. She sees their distinctiveness and lets us learn to love each for what they have to share. She makes the reader feel as if they are delivering the meals along with her and handles the uncomfortable situations with graceful compassion and refreshing sense of humor.
"The Route" is a lovely adventure into the realistic world of seniors that reminds us that the older generation has much and can enrich our lives.
September 7, 2009
This is a really good story; an inspiring, mostly true account of one woman's experiences with the "Meals on Wheels" program. The volunteer activity started off as an opportunity to stay busy and give back and turned into a life-changing view into the world of senior citizens. It's a very quick read and may persuade many who read this book (myself included) to participate in this worthwhile program that brings a hot meal to older folks who often don't see many others throughout the day. And that meal is often the only hot meal they eat all day.
I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways and I'm very thankful that I did.
I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways and I'm very thankful that I did.
October 25, 2009
When you first pick up "the Route", the cover is very deceiving. You see a beautiful, middle age woman, with a happy smile on her face; but don't let that carefree smile fool you. Little do you know, as the reader, there is a wonderful journey to be taken within these 184 pages. It is not always a happy, carefree journey either; but one that has it's ups and downs. I can tell you from the first page until the last, it is a fulfilling trip.
If you would like to read more of my review about this wonderful book and an interview with the author, please go to my blog at
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot....
If you would like to read more of my review about this wonderful book and an interview with the author, please go to my blog at
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot....
February 2, 2010
Not a great fan of this author but-- "Fifty makes you think." Carol a middle-aged house wife decides she needs to find the meaning of life and service is the way. She volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly one day a week. Humorous, warm and "makes you think". I liked her comments at the first where she indicates that these are real people she met in her time as a volunteer but the names have been changed "to protect the innocent, appease the ornery, and satisfy the shy."
September 12, 2013
I met Gale at Education Week and read her book in one night. It was everything you look for in a book...great characterization, funny moments, a heroine who is a good example, and lessons learned from the people you met in the book. It helped me to understand and to love old people more...and reminded me of my days of visiting the widows as RS president, and although I didn't know how to go about it at the time, I jumped in and it is a very meaningful and sweet memory in my life.
September 9, 2009
Fantastic book. I LOVED it. Great read and so well-written. It totally resonated with me because I grew up with my grandparents. I felt as though I experienced everything in the story and I thought Sears did an excellent job of differentiating between all the characters. A gem!
Highly recommend it!
Highly recommend it!
May 30, 2013
Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she's in for a life-changing and route-altering experience.
A quick read and very worthwhile!!
A quick read and very worthwhile!!
May 1, 2010
A quick read about a woman and her experiences on her Meals on Wheels route. Based on actual experiences of the author. I enjoyed this book and the life lessons the main character learned from her time with the people she brought meals to.
November 23, 2009
I like that a woman steps out of her comfort zone and learns to love others. Even if it seems like such a small part of her time. She sees that all people can be loved. Nancy Potter recommended this to me.
November 30, 2009
I enjoyed the premise of the book. I do wish the author would have delved into the main character a little more. There was a lot of summarizing and skipping through time. I felt the book needed to be slowed down as a whole.
March 7, 2010
It was a little hard to get into because there are so many characters. I finally kept a marker in the page of character descriptions because I was referring to it so often. Such a good book! You get such a good look at the many faces of aging! Wonderful story!
February 15, 2012
I am glad my book club had us read this book. What a great story about serving and learning important truths from the people she serves. Who knew a book about meals-on-wheels would be so full of life. I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
December 8, 2016
What a wonderful story.
September 2, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read that made you stop and think. It makes you take a look at yourself and others around you.
July 31, 2009
Easy read about a lady that delivers Meals on Wheels and the people she serves.
September 18, 2009
After investing your interest in some of the characters you never find out what happens to them. I like loose ends tied up in my novels. The people were interesting.
August 31, 2009
read this review and others at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...
January 9, 2010
This book is based on the authors experiences delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly. There are many varied and interesting people on her route. Fun book. Quick read.
October 3, 2010
I have a special place in my heart for the elderly! I just had to smile as I visualized this dear sweet people. What a great short book that makes you smile!!
December 17, 2011
I love Gale Sears!
February 17, 2012
This was a fun book, and I enjoyed it on many levels. The only reason it's getting 4 stars is that the writing was not spectacular, but the characters and their stories were fascinating.
March 23, 2012
What an enchanting read! Very good for the soul, and I feel like I've learned something in the process.
June 15, 2011
A lovely book about the power of service to change us
July 12, 2015
This is a short and sweet book about love and service. I definitely enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews