Customer Reviews

Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made

5 star:		(240)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Tryin' to Sleep in The Bed You Made written by friends, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant is one of most beautiful and memorable novels I've read. This novel was originally published in 1997 but republished this year. This edition includes an all-new chapter that has not been published before. Now lets get to the story.

Gayle Saunders and Patricia Reid have been friends since childhood. They chose each other for their best friend. They are completely opposite. Gayle is beautiful and well loved by her parents. Her only ambition is to marry a man who has money and is someone with high standing in the community. Pat on the other hand comes from an unstable home. She is smart and determined to work her way to the top. Circumstances change for Pat and Gayle's parents adopt her. They grow up together like sisters. Pat is accepted into a prep school and their lives take different paths. Gayle marries Ramsey, a gambler who almost destroys her life. She does not have a clue about her husband's secret life. He is very controlling and Gayle lives to be the dutiful wife. Needless to say Pat graduated from college with honors. Her determination and hard work took her to top of her career in Advertising. After reaching the top Pat was not satisfied. She was still trying to find a place that she could call home. After years of separation and many trials and tribulations Pat and Gayle find the meaning of true friendship.

Marcus Carter who is a childhood friend of Pat and Gayle is troubled. He is being haunted by a tragic accident that occurred during his childhood. The details of the accident are a well-kept secret. Pat and Gayle share this secret with him.

The new chapter is an expansion of the original storyline and is well written. There is more about how you sleep in that bed you made. You are in for a surprise.

DeBerry and Grant have written a novel that is filled with so much honesty in their characterizations. The writing is clear and easy to follow. They have succeeded in making the characters feel like real people.

I was really touched by this book. It made me think about my friendships with other women. There is many twist and turns in this book but you are never confused about what really happens. This is a good book one that I could not put down until I finished.
I would recommend this book to all women.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

I purchased this book at the airport in Atlanta, GA in Oct. 1997 while waiting for my ride. I was there to visit my best friend and Godson. I couldn't put the book down. Imagine being on vacation and not wanting to do anything but read a book. I read the book every chance I got. I stayed up late while everyone was sleeping and I finished it in 2 nights. This is my favorite book to this day. Pat and Gayle's story was so interesting. Just because you are best friends doesn't mean you have the exact same views on life. And you still love and respect each other. This was so true for Pat and Gayle in the end. I recommended this book to at least 10 others and they enjoyed it as just as much as I.

My best friend is not a big time reader, but she called me one day and told me that I had to read this really good book she was reading and I asked her for the title and she said... Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made. I laughed and reminded her of the time when I visited in Oct. 1997 and she laughed because she remembered that I couldn't stop reading a certain book and to find out that this was the book she couldn't stop laughing.

Maybe this was boring to you, if so I'm sorry. I read this book for a 2nd time in July of this year and it was still as excellent as the 1st time. I've recently purchased Virginia and Donna's new book called Far From the Tree. So far it's excellent as well.

Tryin' to sleep in the Bed you Made is a MUST read.

I finished reading this book yesterday, and I'm still in awe! DeBerry and Grant did a superb job of telling a beautiful story of frienship, betrayal, love, forgiveness, and letting go of the pain of the past. I wonder how the authors went about writing the book together, because it reads as though it was written by one person. One person with a profound voice, and a way with words that had me laughing out loud at some points, pissed off at some points, and crying like a baby at other points. And the way they wrote that Ramsey character! I fell in love with him right along with Gayle in the scene where she lost her virginity to him! And I was ready to take him back for Gayle in that scene in the cemetary! I think I identify more with Gayle than with any of the other characters in the book, but I loved them all!

This was definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, and I would even read it again. And I don't usually read books more than once, no matter how much I like them! I would also love to see this book made into a movie. For some reason, I see Vanessa L. Williams as the perfect Gayle. But enough of my raving about the book. If you haven't read it, you should! Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

I bought this book a few years ago never hearing one word about whether or not the book was "good". They had copies on display in the bookstore and it sounded interesting so I took a chance. Well, this is, was, and always will be one of my all-time favorites. I really got into both characters and I was very happy to see Gayle and Pat, two former best friends get through their differences and problems with each other and realize that true friendship never dies. An excellent book that should not be missed!

My book club The Sistah Circle Book Club read this book back in November(1999) and we all truly enjoyed it. It was surreal, refreshing and very touching. Both DeBerry and Grant are a breath of fresh air in the literary world and I'm on pins and needles waiting for their new novel, due for release later this summer.

This novel sent me on a journey from my own childhood to the present. It helped me to see that the choices we make or have made for us can greatly affect our lives and the path(s) we choose to take. This story also showed how lies and secrets can and will hurt and at times can kill when you least expect it. It celebrates a precious 20 year friendship, that's more like a sistahood between Patricia Reid and Gayle Saunders. Then there's the tragic day after school that changes not only their lives but that of their other friend-Marcus Carter. As they all grow and go on with their lives they realize love will see you through it all. I look forward to reading this book again and again. I've recommended this book to my sister-Joi, countless others and a woman in the bookstore who bought on "the spot."

This is one of my all time favorite books! Since I read 1-2 books a week, that is really a compliment. I very seldom find a book that feels so realistic with such three dimensional characters. It is a book of lessons, romance and mystery that engages you till the end. It teaches you that, just as the authors said in their note, we should all aim to "Sleep Well" for that means we are at peace with our lives. Not only could I not put the book down, but I recommended it to no less than 20 friends and relatives, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed it! If you're interested in a novel that captures you and holds you captive, this is it! This book is definitely worth the effort. If it feels slow to you in the beginning, stick with it and you will be richly rewarded. Finally, I have been waiting quite some time for the authors to come out with another book. I hope it is forthcoming!

Psst...Psst! Listen up, my fellow readers you ain't read nothin' 'till you've read "Trying To Sleep In the Bed you Made" an exquisite novel by Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant. I didn't have to read anybody's review in order to read this book. I was simply capitivated by the title, and instantaneously I knew that this was one novel that this was one novel worth reading. I had the sheer pleasure of reading this book back in the summer of '98, and let's just say that this is one summer that I'll never forget. This is one of my favorite books along with "Dissapearing Acts & Big Girls Don't Cry". I had the privilege of owning this novel in hardcover (wouldn't have it any other way). Today this novel proudly stands tall and graces my exquisite book collection. I consider this book near and dear to my heart, I treasure it as if it were part of a Brittanica Encyclodpedia Collection. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it, it was as if I saw bits and pieces of my life and my friends lives unfolding right before the very pages. Pat, Marcus and Gayle are characters that each and every one of us can identify with. In this book we experience their joys, pains and struggles of life. It took me a week to finish reading this novel and I have to admit, it simply took my breath away. I was overwhelmed with emotion after having completed reading this book. I just had to write to the authors to congratulate them on this well written treasure. I still have their response letter I received back tucked away neatly between the pages of my book. Personally, I think that this is one of the best books every written. This book left an impact on my life in so many ways than one. It taught me not to take life for granted, the way so many of us do. After reading this "I definetly try to make my bed carefully". There's definetly not enough stars to rate this novel; I give this book a perfect ten just for the way it's touched my life. If you don't already own a copy of this book go out and get one, and if you do write a review or recommend it to someone. It's worth every penny and every minute of your time. Keep up the good work, they've definetly inspired me to write.

These authors couldn't have picked a better title. With the exception of Patricia and Marcus who didn't have much choice. Everyone of these characters one way or another were paying a price for the choices that they made: Gail dream house, husband, and familly did come true, but what a price she had to pay. Marcus went through practically his whole life trying to sleep in a bed that his brother made for him. And Patricia, lets just say that her bed was also made for her . Now Ramsy is a perfect example of trying to sleep in the bed you made. Ramsy's bed was hot. He couldn't even sleep in it. For a moment I kind of felt sorry about what happened to Ramsy. But then I realized that Ramsy was just a poor soul who had to be taking out of his misery.

Patricia and Gails frienship shows the power of the word "if". I feel that Gail hitting rock bottom was a way to bring her and Patricia together. Which also taught her a great lesson. If things had gone smoothly for Gail, I don't think her and Pat would have reunited as friends. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom in order to appreciate what we have.

Outstanding!!!! This book was so well written, each character was developed to the fullest, the story line is so intriguing that it was impossible to put down. I loved every bit of it and hated to see it end. The realness of the individual characters and how their/our thought process affects every our actions made them so easy to relate to. This is probably the best read of the summer.

This is a must read! It took awhile for me to start but once I did I couldn't put the book down. Friendship is something that no one should ever take for granted (that is true friendship)After I finished reading I just had to call my best friend and tell her no matter what avenues we travel I'm only a phone call away. Cherish your true friends and never let pettiness block your blessings.