The Song Reader

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Lisa Tucker's first book is wonderful. The clever device of song-reading will spark your interest, but soon you will find yourself immersed in the lives of Leeann and Mary Beth. Be prepared for some late nights as this book is hard to put down. I can't wait for Tucker's next book!

Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: Lisa Tucker's The Song Reader is a very well done novel about two sisters, Leeann, the teenage narrator and her older sister Mary Beth, the song reader of the title. The sisters live on their own--their father left years ago and then their mom died tragically in a car accident. Mary Beth seeks to supplement their income using her talents as a song reader--sort of like a psychic, but instead of reading palms, she reads the songs people have in their heads. This story isn't so much about Mary Beth as it is about Leeann and her growing up. You will root for the sisters to succeed in both life and love in this enjoyable and engaging novel.

Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: Lisa Tucker's The Song Reader is a very well done novel about two sisters, Leeann, the teenage narrator and her older sister Mary Beth, the song reader of the title. The sisters live on their own--their father left years ago and then their mom died tragically in a car accident. Mary Beth seeks to supplement their income using her talents as a song reader--sort of like a psychic, but instead of reading palms, she reads the songs people have in their heads. This story isn't so much about Mary Beth as it is about Leeann and her growing up. You will root for the sisters to succeed in both life and love in this enjoyable and engaging novel.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read this year (and I read way too much)
Review: My book club decided to choose this book and at first I wasn't too pleased about it. I expected another cliche chick lit novel with cardboard characters who worry about how much weight they've gained while chasing after men who are no good for them. I also was initially turned off by the idea of song-reading because I figured it was the only reason this book was getting any press. I was ENTIRELY wrong.

Instead I got an A-plus novel filled with nuanced characters that were really engrossing. The plot isn't contrived and I had no idea about the twists that were coming. I really enjoyed it and I'm not a typical reader of family dramas. Lisa Tucker is now on my favorite author list and I'll be reading each new novel as it appears. I'm already knee-deep in 'Shout Down the Moon' and that is not disappointing me by any means!

Rating:
Summary: much more than "chick lit"
Review: My book club decided to choose this book and at first I wasn't too pleased about it. I expected another cliche chick lit novel with cardboard characters who worry about how much weight they've gained while chasing after men who are no good for them. I also was initially turned off by the idea of song-reading because I figured it was the only reason this book was getting any press. I was ENTIRELY wrong.

Instead I got an A-plus novel filled with nuanced characters that were really engrossing. The plot isn't contrived and I had no idea about the twists that were coming. I really enjoyed it and I'm not a typical reader of family dramas. Lisa Tucker is now on my favorite author list and I'll be reading each new novel as it appears. I'm already knee-deep in 'Shout Down the Moon' and that is not disappointing me by any means!

Rating:
Summary: A stunning debut
Review: Some first novels show promise and make you think that this author or that one might have success ahead.

But Lisa Tucker's first novel, The Song Reader, doesn't leave any doubt.

You don' think she's going to be a fine writer one day, you know she already is.

Tucker writes about a small town and two sisters and a missing father with a sensitivity to detail and a warm, but honest heart. This is not just literary fiction but literary fiction that that is accessible.

From the very first page you know you are reading both something smart, but also an excellent story. You want to slow down and read the sentances but you want to speed up and find out what is going to happen.

Artful, substantive, compelling - The Song Reader is so well done all I want to know is - when is the next book coming?

Rating:
Summary: If you love Music
Review: Song Reader is a wonderful book that explores just how far we will go for the people we love. It tells the story of LeAnn and her older sister MaryBeth, who reads songs for people. The concept is sort of confusing at the beginning, but if you keep with the book it becomes clearer. MaryBeth is a mystery, even to her sister. She does things LeAnn does not understand, nor does the reader. As LeAnn makes discoveries about the past and the world around her we are also making the same discoveries. It's what makes you want to read the book. It's difficult to review this book and not give anything away, but somewhere in the middle of the story MaryBeth uncovers a secret no one really wants to know about and as a result she becomes a shell of a person. It's heartbreaking to read because it reminds the reader like so many other incidents in this book, just because you don't do anything wrong doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to you. I loved this book. The characters seemed real and it is told with a simplicity and frankness that is hard to find in books these days. The only complaint I have with this book is the ending, it seems a little choppy. I recommend this book to anyone, particularly if you love music.

Rating:
Summary: A seriously well-crafted coming of age novel
Review: The characters in this book will immediatly capture your imagination; they're tough, funny, vivid and alive. This is one of those rare tales that appeals to both adults and teens because it speaks so directly to the human experience. Tucker's skill in portraying complex relationships, setting a scene, and helping you lose yourself in the world she's formed is really staggering. Seriously, pick this one up--you won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written. Warms the readers heart.
Review: The Song Reader was a wonderful book which I recommend to everyone. The connection between the sisters is amazing, as well as the ideas behind their pasts. When you learn about song reading, you find yourself wanting to remember every song that you hummed during work that day. All the characters are well-devoloped and the plot is exciting. You won't want to put the book down. As long as you don't get attached to the character Ben, this book will be one of the best you have read in a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Good Summer Read
Review: The Song Reader will be an excellent book for relaxed summer reading. It is an easy read based on an interesting premise.Lee Ann tells the story of her sister Mary Beth who has the unusual psychic ability to help people by analyzing the tunes that play in their mind. MaryBeth helps a number of people in her small town before this ability causes serious complications.The crux of the book emerges when the song reading backfires and in so doing takes Mary Beth and Lee Ann on a journey into their own family's past.As Mary Beth's life takes a drastic turn, a family secret is uncovered which will change the course of both sisters' lives forever.
This selection would be an excellent choice for young adults. The writing style is very basic and easy to comprehend.