Customer Reviews

The Sunday List of Dreams

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I listened to this as an audio book and so didn't get bogged down in the writing style others have complained about. I loved the idea of the list and could identify with a lot of Connie's issues. The book was about the strength of women's friendships and not being afraid and that people can grow and change even after 50, but it seemed to me that the dominant theme was female sexuality. This author had a message to get across and I think sacrificed the plot and characters in order to preach about awakening sexuality in women. There were some fun parts and some poignant parts but mostly it struck me as a confused book looking for an identity and ended up sounding much like a 1960's-type consciousness-raising session.

Being a mother of 4 daughters, one living in NY this book was a good fit. A fun book about change, misconceptions, and family. It is a very real down to earth look at life with grown children, and a mom finally taking care of her self and having some fun.

This is the first book that I have ever read from Kris and it won't be the last...I loved it. It tapped into all my emotions. Kris is a brilliant writer who knows how to emotionally connect the reader. Her characters resemble women that we all have known, or loved. I adored this book so much that I bought 5 copies to hand out to friends.(one to my mother) Kris's love of language shines through on every page. I just bought Annie Freemans Traveling Funeral!(can't hardly wait to start it!) I hope to see her the next time she tours in Mi. Kris, You Rock sistah!

I agree with a couple of the other reviews...it is 100 pages too long and the writing is redundant. It IS an inspiring book that covers many women's issues (sex, growing old, men, etc.), the value of female friendships, the importance of personal empowerment, following your heart and taking chances and risks and jumping at new and sometimes terrifying opportunities that could change your life. However, the book slowed down at numerous points and those were the times when I either had to put the book down and do something else or I had to push myself to turn the page and keep going. By the end of the book, I was skipping paragraphs and trying to find the sentence that would take me to "the point." I understand that Connie, the main character, is a very strong woman/mother/nurse but the author pointed this out one too many times. I think the author's language is great, very vivid and descriptive, and I was really able to imagine everything she described from the swamps of New Orleans to the witty personalities of the girls working at Diva's, the sex-toy shop.

There are far wilder women than Connie Nixon --- she's a regular gal on the verge of retirement, a change she expects will find her hibernating from the crazy world outside her midwestern window. Connie fine-tunes her 30-year project called "The Sunday List of Dreams," pages and pages of things she wants to do, hopes to do, or dreams about doing someday (but nothing that she thinks will ever be completely accomplished).

And yet, when cleaning out her garage, she finds a box of her estranged oldest daughter's plans for a dream job she never shared with the family --- a franchised sex toy company that will help women find the satisfaction that is missing from their dreary American lives --- and Connie jumps into action. Packing the store address, her notebook and a heightened maternal instinct that has been dormant for years, Connie sets off for New York City, where an education in love and living is in store for her in the most unexpected ways.

Connie meets a stylist on the plane who ends up unleashing Connie's inner sex goddess. Connie's daughter, Jessica, finds herself drawn to her mom at a time when her own life is shifting, as her store is about to go national. A fluke trip to New Orleans to meet with the political strife of local conservatives at a toy production facility wakes up the two women to the twin excitements of romance and commerce as well as long-submerged familial connections that express themselves in surprising ways.

Connie gets a bayou kiss that shakes her very foundation and runs down Bourbon Street with Jessica in tow, baring breasts and letting go of all logic and inhibitions in a race for the promise of the future. One women's music festival and a gala store opening later, Connie's life (and that of her daughter) is completely altered, and this 60-something retiree ticks off the things in her life with growing confidence and a combination of hard-earned wisdom and open-hearted wonderment.

Kris Radish gives Connie a voice that is strong and direct, filled with the contradictions of self-trust and self-deception that anyone will be able to relate to, regardless of age. The way she inspires Jessica, the brave entrepreneur of sexual satisfaction who hasn't had a date in years, is a real coup for moms everywhere who cherish the notion that their struggles can teach and inspire their offspring as well as themselves. The only problem I have with the characters is that, although love is paramount to their adventures, the men are barely more than stereotypes --- Connie even calls one of her suitors "Burt" (he looks like Burt Reynolds).

In the end, this is a story about women helping women and the ability of one brave individual to inspire all of them to live their most authentic lives. It's an extreme metamorphosis that Connie undergoes --- the idea that she ends up running a sex shop for her formerly estranged daughter is a bit of a jump --- and yet, somehow, her good heart and gentle concern for womankind's happiness comes across as a feminist coming-of-age that shows how "coming-of-age" can happen at any age.

--- Reviewed by Jana Siciliano

Kris Radish has done it again! Every time I think she can't top herself she proves me wrong. It inspires and delights and challenges our belief in ourselves. Sunday List of Dreams and every book Ms. Radish writes is a must read for all women...and enlightened men.

Kris Radish has captured the essence of the contemporary woman entering the second half of life. Her characters are real, and she writes about life experiences that are easily related to. I've read all of her books now, bu this one inspired me to create my own list of dreams!

Radish ranks among the 'Annies' of female writers...Lamont, Tyler, etc.

I am about 2/3 through this book. I want to finish reading it only because I have come this far. The book is way too lenghty and I find myself loosing interest. As I have been reaing it, I am actually skipping paragraphs! I think the book's idea of a retired mom getting a "second chance at life" is good, but I could do without all the wordiness of it. Like others have said, I can't believe how many run-on sentences there are in this book. At some points I begin to think the main character, Connie, may need to be checked into a mental hospital because of her obsesson with her list! Also, her list is numbered yet it jumps around. I understand shifting priorities, but who can keep track of which number belongs to what item?
I am hoping for a good ending that will make the time I have invested in this book worthwhile.

To those who had said that they quit before finishing...you were right. If Amazon allowed no stars, that's how it would have been rated. This book was a waste of my time. The writer needs an editor, a believable plot, and characters whose lives the reader might believe matter. There are so many ridiculous situations (as mentioned in other reviews) but the one that really annoyed me was the Women's Festival where there is no crime, hostility,or other negative aspects simply because it was women only. PLEASE, get a reality check! Another thing, what's with the point made several times about the mother and daughter kissing on the lips? If this book hadn't been loaned to me, I'd throw it in the trash.

Sure, the book could have used some better editing. But, I think the measure of a good story is whether it leads you to think in new ways. I was on the fence with the writing style, then I got over myself and just enjoyed it. It may be that listening to the audiobook makes the difference. I loved Connie's list of dreams and enjoyed the fantasy romps through NYC, New Orleans, the parties, the idea of retirement and starting a fabulous business. I enjoyed the theme of feminism vs. post-modern feminism. I loved the idea of "coming of age" at 58 and what that means in today's world. I think there is still tons of room to explore this concept and look forward to reading more.