I am just filled with gratitude as the feedback from readers comes in; grateful that they are reading Beautiful Affliction, grateful that they take the time to tell me about their experiences of reading my book, and grateful for amazing accounts like these:
- A mother with grown children tells me she will share Beautiful Affliction with all her children and their spouses.
- A man borrows Beautiful Affliction from the local library, but loves the book so much he wishes it for his birthday, and receives it as a gift from his wife.
- A woman sends copies of the book to her sisters after reading it.
- A reader starts copying quotes from the book while reading, but gets so caught up in the story, he can’t bring himself to stop reading to write the quotes down, telling me, they were everywhere! He says he will read the book again, and that time write the quotes down.
- A reader tells me her copy of the book is dog-eared and underlined all the way through after she read it.
- A reader friend here in Jakarta (from New Zealand) has his mother-in-law for visit (from the US). As he is reading Beautiful Affliction, she comes into the room and asks what book he is so immersed in. He tells her the title, and she asks to see the cover, then exclaims: Oh, I’ve read that one! We read it in our book club in Seattle!
- A reader tells me she brings Beautiful Affliction to work, and whenever someone asks about it, she tells them how much she loved it.
- Several readers say they read the book in one sitting, since they could not put it down (in some cases resulting in lack of sleep 🙂 ).
- A reader used stickers to mark sentences she wanted to remember, but ran out of stickers.
- Beautiful Affliction has been read on vacations, in kitchens, on numerous couches, on porches, on trains, on airplanes, in hotel rooms, and even on a boat!
I can’t tell you how much this means to me! After years of writing (not to mention living the story), wondering what future readers will think, it is such a joy to receive these accounts from readers.
Oh, and on a side note, I can’t tell you how many messages I have received from readers telling me how wonderful my husband is! 🙂 And yes, I agree, he totally is! ♥
With love,
Lene
That is some awesome feedback, but I’m not the least bit surprised! Your book has that X-factor, that special something, and people are just picking up on that.
On another note: Anders better watch out so his head doesn’t start swelling up from the plentiful praise on this character, haha!
He has been seen dancing in the kitchen a lot lately, he he! 🙂
And I also wanted to thank you again for your help with the Reader Group Discussion Questions, the latest book club told me they used them in their book club meeting and liked them a lot! Awesome!
Hej
Vad glad jag blir att läsa olika positiva kommentarer. Det är en fantastisk bok.
Hoppas den blir översatt till svenska.
Stor Bamsekram till dig Lene
Tack Ulla! Ja, det är sååå roligt att höra från läsare! Kram tillbaka till dig!
Härligt att få komma så nära olika läsupplevelser.Måste vara fantastiskt för dig att få alla dessa positiva kommentarer efter år av uthålligt skrivande. Du får många nya vänner – the icing of the cake!
Love you!
Det är så intressant att få höra vad olika läsare tar med sig. Många berättar om vilka kapitel de gillar mest och varför just de känns angelägna för dem. Mycket roligt att höra om deras läsupplevelser!
Inte överraskad alls över de fina kommentarerna. Du har lyckats skriva en fantastisk bok som berättar om ditt liv.
Tack snälla Eva!!
Your book is wonderful and gave me a new perspective on life. Thank you. (Your husband seems pretty cool!)
Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate it very much. And I agree, Anders is pretty cool 🙂
Dearest Lene – I just read your book (Kindle version) on my laptop. Once I started, I could not stop. Such an incredible story, so very beautifully written. It truly does seem that you came to the U.S. so that you could receive the operation you so desperately needed. Where you moved was so close to Dr. Holstein – one of the very best surgeons. Also, Dr. Howard’s obvious care and concern for you. And the ultrasound technician who made sure your results were given to him. And Mia’s husband being an instructor in this area of medicine who could direct you to Dr. Holstein. Then having to return to Sweden after you had your surgery and had recovered. It was certainly meant to be.
You are such a wonderfully talented writer. I look forward to reading more of your writing. However, I am not sure anything can touch me as deeply as your true story did. Wishing you wonderful life.
Thank you so much Joyce! Your kind comments renewed my enthusiasm and energy for writing, which I really love to do. And I am still amazed when I think about the miraculous chain of events that saved my life in Philadelphia, and so very grateful. Wishing you too beautiful days, filled with health and happiness. <3
Dear Lene, I just finished your beautiful memoir, practically in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. Your writing is exquisite. I will post a review and would love to feature you on my blog. I’ll send you a FB message.Thank you for inviting us into your miraculous story. And I agree your husband is a keeper!
Thank you so much Kathleen for your kind words, they mean a lot to me! It would be an honor to be featured on your beautiful blog. Looking forward to hear from you. <3
Hello Lene
We spent several days in Plovdiv, Bulgaria last week. Late the first night, tired from a busy day in this interesting town, I began reading your lovesong to Life on my Kindle. Well, that put paid to any idea of sleep – it’s been a long time since I was so enthralled by a piece of writing. How very young you learned of life’s fragility, and how wonderful that you can now embrace it to the full. All the very best.
Hi Catherine
Thank you for sharing your experience of reading my book and for your kind words. It means a lot! I hope you had a wonderful stay in Bulgaria (never been there but have heard it is beautiful) and that you could catch up on sleep! 🙂 Love, Lene
This is abvsolutely awesome and so well deserved. I think hearing comments from readersa and learning how the book touched them is what writing is really all about.
Thank you Sarah! These months have been overwhelming. So touched by the reader response. <3