A Page Out of Life (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Darling, I'll just get right to the point..." (more)
Key Phrases: scrapbooking group, Kathleen Reid, New York, Page Out of Life (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Well-written and fast-paced. A fun and thoughtful read.”
—Sharon Baldacci

“A Page Out Of Life is the first novel about the sisterhood of scrapbooking and the deep bonds of friendship. Kathleen Reid has cleverly combined the craft of preserving memories with the art of living life.”
--Joy Macdonell, National Spokesperson and Education Director, EK Success

“I couldn’t put it down! What a great inspiration. The sisterhood of scrapbooking, and [the] passion-filled lives of the women in this book, will leave you wanting more!!”
--Debbie Haas, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Scrapbooker’s Soul

Product Description

The connections women make through scrapbooking inspire a novel full of “the twists and turns that keep readers turning pages.”

When frazzled mother of four Ashley joins a local scrapbook club, she’s amazed at the way old photos and mementos can bring color to sepiatoned memories. Among the diverse group is Tara, a single grad student whose search for love, like her relationship with her absentee father, has only brought her heartache…and some funny dating stories. Then there’s Libby, a semi-retired teacher who thought she’d spend her golden years taking classes—not as a town pariah after her son is charged in a corporate scandal. But all three find comfort and inspiration in the scrapbooking group, where they learn that only together can they face earth-shattering revelations and emotionally unavailable men—and figure out their futures while artfully commemorating their pasts.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042522130X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425221303
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #686,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super read, June 17, 2008

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

The book A Page Out of Life focuses on the types of relationships people have with their families, their friends, and themselves. The main characters are women who are at different stages of their lives. Ashley is a young mother who is overwhelmed with four children. Libby is struggling to help her adult son who is facing legal troubles. Tara, on the other hand, is single and longing to have a family. Brought together through a scrapbooking club, these women find they have other things in common and each becomes an important source of strength and inspiration for the others.

This book provides an easy and enjoyable reading experience. The main characters are well-developed and likeable. Each reader should be able to connect with at least one character because their stories revolve mainly around everyday occurrences in life. Prepare for an outpouring of emotions. There were times when I laughed and times I was close to tears. I enjoyed how the author took me through the thought processes of the characters as they were making important decisions about their futures. Doing this helped make the characters seem more real to me.

A Page Out of Life offers two important messages for its readers. First, everyone has the ability to contribute something to help another person in need. Small acts of kindness, even if it is listening to someone's problems or offering to babysit for their children, are often rewarded with large amounts of gratitude. The second message is to accept yourself for who you are and do not allow others to judge you. If you want to make changes in your life then you should, but it must be done for the right reasons.

A Page Out of Life is a well-written story that will touch the hearts of its readers. Kathleen Reid has created credible characters whose paths crossed through a hobby about which they are passionate. I am looking forward to her future works.

Armchair Interviews says: You'll love this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A story of sisterhood and personal strength, September 9, 2008

By	Angie Pedersen "author of The Book of ME seri... (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A Page Out of Life by Kathleen Reid is, at its core, the story of frazzled mother of four Ashley Gates. As the book opens, we get an instant snapshot of Ashley's lifestyle - stained t-shirt and sweatpants, unkempt hair, frequent silent promises to herself to improve, and nerves stretched to here - "a caricature of her former self". Constant demands from family have taken priority over any time for herself. I must admit that several of Ashley's scenes of self-doubt and horror at "what have I become??" made me feel a little uncomfortable, for hitting a little TOO close to home.

"...Ashley felt embarrassed by her inability to transform herself or her house into something special. There was a time when she'd considered herself incredibly organized and chic, but her present surroundings seemed as scattered as she now felt. You've got to pull yourself together, she thought miserably as her mother's words echoed inside her mind."

"Nothing was as it should have been: her house, her figure, her marriage. She felt utterly alone and embarrassed by her inability to figure a way out of the rut she was in. She was so tired she felt she would drop."

When Ashley calls her girlfriend Megan for a little "retail therapy", Megan suggests they also stop by to meet her scrapbooking friends. The scrapbooking group meets weekly at each others' to work on their albums. While Ashley doesn't believe she's very good at "the arts-and-crafts thing", she agrees to stop by one of the meetings. Eventually she begins going to the weekly sessions.

The book also follows the stories of the other scrapbooking women: Tara, a single grad student whose history with an absentee father colors her current search for love; and Libby, a semi-retired teacher who must deal with the shocking disillusionment after her son is charged in a corporate scandal.

Each scrapbooking session becomes therapy, as each woman in the group works through her personal crises with the help of sisterhood and crafts. The dialogue in the book is very similar to what you might hear at a scrapbooking crop, and will make any scrapbooking reader feel right at home. As each woman works on her pictures and albums, she shares details from her life, and the other women provide support and feedback that help her find her way. I loved that aspect of the book - that female friendship can provide a support network that can be immeasurably valuable. That was probably the biggest thing I took away from the book - a reminder of how much I value my own group of scrapbooking friends, and that I need to make it a priority to attend our meetings, as an investment in myself.

Overall, A Page Out of Life evokes a wonderful sense of "Will she, or won't she?"

Will Ashley be able to rediscover herself and her passions in life?

Will Libby be able to cope with life after her son's fall from grace?

Will Tara succumb to her decadent desires, conveniently forgetting her own family situation?

A Page Out of Life is a fairly quick read, despite its 320 pages - you can find the answers to these questions in a weekend!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite book. , March 7, 2009

By	J. Shunk - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Seemed a little hoakey and I didn't connect well with the characters.

That being said- it was an easy read- just not one I would want to own, so I passed it on.