Jennifer Mcbride

Touching the Trees Jennifer Mcbride

With wit and sensitivity, Jennifer McBride has captured the gamut of emotions that accompany a rebirth of identity. From a traumatic, life-altering decision as a young woman through a long-term marriage that ultimately ended in divorce, she seeks out the truth of her life -- who she was then and who she wants to be now. Praised for her ability to take an ordinary situation and learn indelible life lessons, Jennifer McBride touches people who are in transition -- from married to single, from single to committed, from mired to free, and from fearful to joyous. Each chapter is beautifully crafted to allow the reader to pull what he or she needs from the experience. Taken as a whole, though, the book offers a story that is unerringly honest and powerful. It resonates with hope. "Jennifer McBride's writing is insightful, thought-provoking and comforting all at the same time. 'Plastic Bags' seems to be written especially for me and about my relationship. Thank you for giving a voice to the thoughts in my head." -- Shannon Stewart Heer, House Springs, Missouri

From the Touching the Trees email and Facebook comments:
"I loved this book and I am not a book reader. Read it in 3 days - a record for me! My favorite chapter was Touching the Trees Part 1. I wish I had read that before some of the big events in my life. I think I will embrace them differently in the future. Thanks Jennifer!" -- L. A.

"My favorite chapter is Touching the Trees, Part 1. I liked it because I do like symbolism and tradition, wisdom from years past...it has stayed with me and gives me a visual warmth." --H. C.

"I guess we always are saying goodbye to things, tangible or not, as we go through life. Thanks for causing me to stop and think of these things and not just paint over my life and start anew." -- R. M.
"I actually have two favorite chapters. The first is Labels and Boxes and the second is Hanging Light Fixtures. Labels and Boxes wraps up the issue of being a women, with all of the different responsibilities that we place on ourselves. Pers...onally I have always been the person that could meld myself to fit in with different groups. I thought that was such a benefit, but it is getting harder to do and now seems like it is dividing me into distinct smaller pieces. The big part of the chapter for me is expectations of others and expectations of self.

Hanging Light Fixtures hit a chord for me because of the music. There are several events in my life that always come flooding back when I hear a certain tune. The other part why this chapter is meaningful to me is that it is a reminder to tell myself, and my family, that you can do more things than you think, but first you have to try something new. Fear of failure and exhaustion seem to be the blocker in this case.

Thank you again for the enjoyment and inspiration that I gained by reading your book "Touching the Trees". You have a wonderful way of storytelling that flows directly off the page and into the soul. As I was reading I kept thinking about two TV shows (I know, TV...but I will explain) Sex in the City and How I met your Mother. Each of these shows at times, are narrated by the lead character of the show. They ask questions, make statements, and tell stories. There are definite stylistic similarities, and for me this contributes to an ease of not only reading the words, but hearing them and seeing the pictures of the events in my eyes." - KV