If the quality of book could be counted by tears and laughter, then The Girls from Ames can be considered top quality in reading. Jeffrey Zaslow shares the story of the eleven girls from Ames, Iowa who grew up together and remains the best of friends through the years.
Through death of one of the girls from the group, a daughter and many miscarriages, their relationships changed from being teenage best friends to heartfelt sisters. Chapter 12 is a heart wrenching example of the strength, pain and the need every woman has for friends that will be there between the good times to the heart breaking times.
As these women experience their own pain and growth they learn what their mothers have already experienced and tried to shield them from earlier in their lives. After the death of the first born child of any of the Ames girls they finally understood the pain that their dear friend’s mother felt at her death. There were quite a few moments of laughter of antics of the girls, remembrances of silly moments in their past and present that really showcased the healing affects of having those close bonds with others.
I was born not too far away from Ames, Iowa and have family that live around the vicinity still today. I recalled many memories of the same locations and drives up to Minnesota. The connections are certainly close to my heart because of the geographical coincidences and I believe that is in fact why many readers can relate to this story of friendship and sisterhood. There is certainly something very compelling about Ames and the growth of deep relationships found in smaller towns.
Many tissues were consumed to wipe of my tears of sadness, heartache, joy and release as I related to the various personalities of the eleven from Ames. I could change the names to the close friends I had in high school and add a few tales of our escapades. That is what a good book should do for all of their readers; take the reader out of their present situation and bring them right in the middle of the story being read.
If for no other reason than to recall the friendships of our youth and to hold onto the friendships we currently have, everyone must read this book. It is honest, pure and difficult to put down once it the book is begun. The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow is a must read for everyone who has ever had a best friend.
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