I just finished reading More Than It Hurts You by Darin Strauss and can I tell you how amazing it was?

I have to admit that I’m pretty clueless when it comes to finding new authors.  I typically stick with my favorites or the genres that I like, but I’ve found recently that there is so much more out there.

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book.  It’s just that simple.  It’s not Patterson-esque but I was determined to read with an open mind, and I’m so glad that I did.

I’m not used to overly descriptive writing.  While I realize that description is important in writing as to allow us to visualize where the events are unfolding, I often view it as overly wordy and unneccessay.  Perhaps it’s because the books that I read aren’t overly descriptive, but Strauss has a way of writing so that I felt that I was right there.  When he described a drive that main characters, Josh and Dori, were driving, he listed the stores that they passed.  I could see the street lined with each of those eating establishments, supermarkets, and retail outlets.  It’s almost as if I feel at some point in time, I will find that street and know exactly where I am.

In the beginning, I had a little trouble following the intertwining story lines.  There were a few characters that needed to be introduced that were key to the story line.  Once the background information was presented on each of the main and supporting characters was done, the story line really picked up.

The characters were people that I could picture in my own life.  Josh, the husband, father, and tv sales person.  The descriptions of the Upfronts for his network were awesome to read simply because I work in TV.  I know all about the upfronts, but I’ve never actually attended one.  His description was much like what I’ve heard from colleagues who have attended.  His wife, Dori, wants to be the best wife and mother.  But she struggles with the battle going on in her mind and I can relate to this.  Darlene, the head of pediatrics, comes from a non-traditional background, single mother, and has reached much success in her life.  Her confidence and strength were much admired by me the entire time that I was reading this book and very encouraging to me.

After reading More Than It Hurts You, I’ve been able to step back and look at my own parenting skills.  I spent the entire book going back and forth between HATING Dori and wanting to give her a HUGE hug.  That emotion could change as quickly as I could turn the page.  I could identify with the feelings that she had but I could never condone the thoughts that she carried out.  I was angry with her, I was sad for her.  And at the same time, I could feel for Josh and Darlene as well with their struggles, although I was never angry with them.  But it did make me stop and think if outsiders, looking in to my life, could also say the same thing?  Am I entitled to some of the thoughts that I have if I don’t follow through with them?  As mothers, I think there are times that our mind tends to stray, but I bring it back.

All in all, I highly recommend More Than It Hurts You.  Not only was it a story filled with great story lines and twists, but the characters were real and I was able to challenge my mind while reading it.  I’ll be adding his other books, The Real McCoy and Chang and Eng, to my summer reading list.

If you want to hear what others are saying about More Than It Hurts you, you can follow the book tour here.

Until next time…

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