The Book of Bright Ideas

I'm normally a mystery reader, but this book grabbed me right from the start. The characters in this story are so endearing, and the book is so well written.

There are a few reviews discussing the foul language in this book. First of all, yes, there is SOME, but not so much that it detracted in any way from the book's story line. In fact, the language, added to the character, and was, in many ways, necessary to really drive home the fact of how badly damaged this particular character was.Kring did an excellent job at characterization. You really get to know the characters, as people. Although sometimes, Kring's descriptions are unnecessarily long, and she over uses similes and metaphors sometimes, she is still an excellent writer. Another review said that the Book of Bright Ideas, itself was not enough of an integral part of the book to make it the title, furthermore, that the bright ideas in the book were not all that bright. I COMPLETELY disagree. The little nuggets of wisdom that came out of these nine-year-olds were charming and beautiful.Dont let four bad reviews give you the wrong impression about this book. It ws worth the read 100%.

I found, “The Book of Bright Ideas” after reading “Thank You for all Things.”In the Book of Bright Ideas, we get to see the world of Button (Evelyn) Peters through the perspective of an eight-year-old girl. I am very captivated by books about people who are damaged and fragmented and the lengths they willing to endure to either change or not change. We meet Button and her family who is dysfunctional at best. One-summer day two sisters come to town, Freeda and Winnalee. It is a summer of awakenings, secrets kept and secrets exposed.Lives are not only shaken up but also shaken to the foundations. Truth is a mirror that shows our deepest hopes and secrets. Everyone get to look at that mirror and we get to see those truths through the eyes of a child.We meet damaged people and learn how they became that way. We see people evolve, grow, and change. We see people encounter truth and learn to see and speak their own truths.I have read books that play to heartstrings that make us reach for a tissue but this book does it in an honest way because it is so real and bare bones honest.Some reviews object to cursing but this book is about real life. In real life people do cuss. Characters in this book face their demons and I think that is what makes this book so special.Many people get right to the very edge and face their demons and are so overcome with terror they run; never gathering the strength to push past that and actually see what happens. That is not the case in this book. Perhaps it is not by everyone’s choice, but truths are told and no one is ever the same.The characters are very real. I did not find the book predictable or trite either. I have loved books all my life. The Book of Bright Ideas is and wonderful adventure, and quite honestly, the most touching book that I have ever read. It is my hope that someone who may find difficulty finding and speaking their truth will read this book and see what it is like for someone to find their voice. Perhaps it may help them find their own.Tidal Miller11/01/14

It is rare that I read a book that makes me laugh out loud, but that is exactly what happened when I read The Book Of Bright Ideas. The narrator of Kring's newest novel is Evelyn, or Button as everyone seems to call her (except for her mother who uses her given name, especially when she really wants to get her attention). Button is a shy 9-year-old living in Rural Wisconsin with a stern, cold mother and a father who hardly notices that she is around. Fortunately she has a warm, loveable Aunt Verdella who watches her during the day when her parents are at work.When red-headed sexy Freeda Malone arrives in town with her younger sister Winnalee, Aunt Verdella makes it her business to not only make them feel welcomed, but also offers them her husband Rudy's late mother's house to live in, which just happens to be right next door. Winnalee, a precocious 10-year-old never goes anywhere without her silver urn with her mother's ashes as well as her Book Of Bright Ideas, where she keeps a record of all the important life lessons she learns along the way. Winnalee and Button become the best of friends and decide to work together to come up with 1oo bright ideas, many of which as so cute, and true and you can not help but smile!Bright idea #84- When you go through a new town that don't look like much, stop anyway, because you just might find a best friend waiting there.With the arrival of the Malone sisters the residents of the sleepy town of Dauber, Wisconsin will never be the same. Even Button's mother Jewel learns to let her hair down!Bright idea #90- After you play beauty shop, your husband might say you look like a beauty queen, or he might just ask you where the phillips screwdriver is. Either way, it doesn't matter as long as your new hair makes you think nice things about yourself.All is not what it seems and secrets are revealed! The Book Of Bright Ideas is a delightful book that I did not want to end. I am excited to have discovered Sandra Kring and look forward to reading other novels by this talented author!

Lots of conflicting adjectives come to mind to describe this story. At times I cried and at times I laughed along with the characters. Sandra does a great job of making the reader care about the people and relate to them in a personal way. Made me think about my relationships and how they were formed and how they have survived. Highly recommend.

I absolutely loved this book

Lovely book, covers whole range of issues in a great story. Couldn't put it down until the end. Definitely worth reading!

I absolutely fell in love with this book and it's characters. Such a sweet story of two little girls who are complete opposites - wild, free spirited Winalee and shy, awkward Button. What a beautiful gift their friendship was.I was so sad that ths book had to end, and absolutely delighted that there is another book yet to read!

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. If you like books like the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood you will love this.

Brilliant. The author expertly weaves the vast array of human emotion into loveable (and detestable) characters each with their own challenges and triumphs. A beautiful tale of childhood friendship that will leave you wanting more.