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on October 7, 2014
I don't know why I've never left a review for any of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books, but I thought it was time to rectify that. Everything this woman writes is simply amazing and Take Me With You is no exception.
It tells the story of August, a lonely science teacher, who has to deal with the death of his son and the loss of his marriage. August takes an annual trek to several National Parks and this year he has a special task in mind.
Along the way, his RV breaks down in a remote town and the mechanic, Wes, asks a big favor of August...to take his two young sons with him while Wes spends time in jail.
At first August is reluctant but finally submits to the unusual request. Along the way, August and the boys, Seth and Henry, form a strong bond that will change all their lives.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. If there were more than five stars, I'd certainly rate it higher!
It tells the story of August, a lonely science teacher, who has to deal with the death of his son and the loss of his marriage. August takes an annual trek to several National Parks and this year he has a special task in mind.
Along the way, his RV breaks down in a remote town and the mechanic, Wes, asks a big favor of August...to take his two young sons with him while Wes spends time in jail.
At first August is reluctant but finally submits to the unusual request. Along the way, August and the boys, Seth and Henry, form a strong bond that will change all their lives.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. If there were more than five stars, I'd certainly rate it higher!
on June 29, 2016
Wow..... it is rare that a book can be so interesting and teach you about yourself at the same time. I would have sworn that this was written for me. I learned so much about being true to yourself and the power of friendship, and how God can put people together when they need them most. We all wish that August was our friend. He is not perfect but just like Seth and Henry they embark on a voyage of self discovery while traveling the good ol' USA. I recommend this book to anyone. It evokes emotions on many levels. I just wish there was a part two for me to continue learning about the lives of August, Seth and Henry. Thank you for a most enjoyable and knowledgeable book!
on July 6, 2017
A truly interesting and intriguing concept. August is basically running from his own life and falls into a life with two young boys who would also like to run, but can't. As the three bond over a summer spent in an RV traveling from one park to the next, you begin to fall in love with each character and do not want the summer to end. Each of these three have their own struggles. Each work together to help one another along the way. It's a story of friendship, love and a bond like no other.
My only issue was that I felt like the book went on too long. I would have wrapped it up sooner - left the reader guessing more. Otherwise, this is a sweet, deeply engaging read. I cried several times throughout the book and felt drawn into the story. The characters stayed with me for days after.
My only issue was that I felt like the book went on too long. I would have wrapped it up sooner - left the reader guessing more. Otherwise, this is a sweet, deeply engaging read. I cried several times throughout the book and felt drawn into the story. The characters stayed with me for days after.
on June 1, 2016
Stopped reading it after the first 63 pages as did the rest of the members in our book club. Boring. Can't understand why it got such a high rating. The premise was too unbelievable. I realize this was a work of fiction but even fiction has to have some believability about it and this didn't.
on April 19, 2016
I probably would've given this book 3 stars had it not been so personal for me. I will say this author makes you really think about how you perceive others. I found myself at times throughout the book seriously contemplating how I treat certain people in my life and I feel like the wisdom from some of the characters allowed me to see loved ones from a different perspective. I didn't give it 5 stars because one of the main characters, Seth, is 12 years old and I don't care how mature one may be, 12 year olds just don't talk like that! Some of the dialogue was very believable but then it would drag on and become unconvincing. I do love the characters however...all of them. Even when they're being annoying or unreasonable the author, like I said, gives you reasoning into why they're acting like they do and why it should be accepted, allowing me to root for basically everyone in the book! I'm not gonna lie, this story caused some waterworks...but maybe that's just because it was too personal and relatable to me. Overall, a good story, heartfelt and touching. Made me wanna grab my dog, my son, and hit the open road!!
on August 3, 2014
August reaches out to us immediately. In the first few pages we know his little motor home has broken down, , he's a teacher traveling alone to Yellow Stone Park with just a little dog and a tremendous amount of pain, and he is kind despite that pain.
The story read true all the way through. Sometimes. Catherine Ryan Hydes books include so much sorrow, that as much as I love her writing, I hesitate to read her book because the grief within is all too real.
This book is real with great human experiences. The emotions evoked are real a spoke to my heart, but there were no moments that had me sobbing and feeling like I lost a loved one.
This book left me feeling good. There were some regrets for the characters, but what life has no regrets? This book speaks to your heart, but leaves it a little stronger when you finish the story.
The story read true all the way through. Sometimes. Catherine Ryan Hydes books include so much sorrow, that as much as I love her writing, I hesitate to read her book because the grief within is all too real.
This book is real with great human experiences. The emotions evoked are real a spoke to my heart, but there were no moments that had me sobbing and feeling like I lost a loved one.
This book left me feeling good. There were some regrets for the characters, but what life has no regrets? This book speaks to your heart, but leaves it a little stronger when you finish the story.
on July 26, 2014
A journey to find ones self.......attention-holding storyline, a series of beautiful pictures painted with words. This really should be made into a movie....seriously. important life-lessons in this story. I would whole-heartedly recommend!
on November 3, 2014
I loved this book and read it less than two days. Such well-developed, endearing characters tugged at my heart and brought out the tissues a few times.
It's a story of love, adventure, sadness, regret and honesty. August lost his adult son in a car accident. Two years later, and August is still struggling immensely with his loss. When he meets brothers 12-year-old Seth and 7-year-old Henry, he's immediately intrigued by the boys. They end up accompanying him on a summer tour through the southwest national parks via August's RV. The writer guides us through the boys' excitement and awe at discovering the serene beauty of the parks and their exposure to the wonders of nature, while tearing us apart by their heart-wrenching need to be nurtured, loved and cared about.
Beautifully told, you feel like you're right there with them hiking up to Dead Horse Point State Park. You marvel at Seth's urgent need to say and do the right thing, finally experience the father figure he has longed for, while simultaneously cheering on silent Henry as he slowly lets down his strong guard to begin bonding with August. In fact, Henry is my favorite character, but brought me to tears the most.
It's a story of love, adventure, sadness, regret and honesty. August lost his adult son in a car accident. Two years later, and August is still struggling immensely with his loss. When he meets brothers 12-year-old Seth and 7-year-old Henry, he's immediately intrigued by the boys. They end up accompanying him on a summer tour through the southwest national parks via August's RV. The writer guides us through the boys' excitement and awe at discovering the serene beauty of the parks and their exposure to the wonders of nature, while tearing us apart by their heart-wrenching need to be nurtured, loved and cared about.
Beautifully told, you feel like you're right there with them hiking up to Dead Horse Point State Park. You marvel at Seth's urgent need to say and do the right thing, finally experience the father figure he has longed for, while simultaneously cheering on silent Henry as he slowly lets down his strong guard to begin bonding with August. In fact, Henry is my favorite character, but brought me to tears the most.
on November 23, 2014
It seems like a wonderful idea for a book, but I found the characters unbelievable, and one-dimensional. It's difficult to imagine how two boys, abandoned by their mother and raised by their alcoholic father, could end up with such good manners and healthy relationships. Where is their mom, anyway? Did she fall off the edge of the earth? Does August have any friendships outside of his AA meetings and his sponsor? How does he teach science when he has only a tepid interest in the natural wonders around him? How could the boys enjoy his company when he seems like such a killjoy at times. Even though the characters seem completely fabricated, I enjoyed imagining all of the places they camped. It gave me some ideas for places to see when I start toasting marshmallows over the campfire.
