Pack Up the Moon

"Pack Up the Moon" is not a book I would generally gravitate to, but, in this case, I'm so glad I did! Rachael Herron takes us on a heartfelt journey into the not-so-ordinary lives of ordinary, flawed people. I'm more accustomed to storylines seeded with plot twists and unexpected revelations, but in "Pack Up the Moon" you pretty much know what is going on the entire book. It's the journey the characters take in their relationships that makes this such a great read and really showcases the art of Rachael's writing. To me, it seems far easier to shake up a story and take it in a totally new direction for plot progression than to really delve into character development and provide a meaningful glimpse into human emotion and interaction. This book was the ideal introduction for a foray into a genre outside my reading comfort zone. I don't know that I'll explore similar books by other authors, but chances are better than not I'll read more of Rachael Herron.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a big fan of Rachael in general. I love her Cyprus Hollow series and think she's an awesome writer. So when this book came out, I was super excited, and luckily, it did not disappoint. I have to admit, I wasn't too sure about it at first, even after finishing it. The emotion is so raw, so real, it can be an almost painful read. There is a lot going on in the novel, and a lot the characters have to deal with. Though I wasn't sure I loved it right after I finished, it's lingered with me, and I find myself wondering about the characters and imagining myself in situations from the book. The true mark of an excellent piece of literature. This is definitely a story that will stick with you, and a kind of modern romance novel, about all of the various types of love you encounter in your life.

Pack Up The Moon by Rachael Herron packs a powerful punch. I was completely transported into the world of the characters who inhabit this story and who felt so real, as though I could reach out and touch them. During the last few pages, I was able to crawl back into my own skin.This deep and provocative story may be a difficult book for many people to read. Rachael writes deeply and thoughtfully about emotional subject matters with an expert's eye to juggling several characters and their emotions. She weaves in backstory seamlessly with smooth transitions.If you like Jodi Piccoult's writing, you will like Pack Up the Moon, which has intriguing twists. Amazing and gorgeous writing.

I normally can breeze through most any novel pretty quickly. Not so with this one. For me this was neither a fast nor an easy read. The author chooses her words with such care that it made me frequently pause to absorb the thoughts and emotions. The characters are utterly and gloriously human and yes, “perfect in their imperfections.” If you are a parent or you’ve had a parent, this book will resonate deeply and should move to the top of your reading list.

I blame the author for making me late to work; it was just too hard to put this down. I've read Rachael Herron's other books and enjoyed them. (Her series of memoir essays, A Life in Stitches, is probably my favorite.) But this? Oh, she's grown as a writer. This is beautiful and complex with layers of emotion and grief and pain and healing, all mixed up with the complicated definitions of what exactly makes a family. There's heartbreak here, plenty of it, but hope and healing, too.

Rachael Herron has produced a masterpiece that will be a classic. This book is about real life that is messy, hurtful and tragic, and yes, people swear in real life! People lash out, keep secrets, and make bad decisions. She manages to put the reader right into the story In a way that is so special. This is not a "feel good" beach read like her Cypress Hollow series (which I love); this is a look at real life joy and grief, and I hope the world finds this book. It's very powerful and moving. I love the way it plays out over a period of a couple weeks. It would make a great movie.

oh man, this book. The characters pull you in immediately, and then they take you down so many unexpected paths. We get to see the characters at different points in their lives, and the secrets and details unfold in such a beautiful way. There is sadness and darkness in this book, but also fierce love and hope. My heart ACHED for the people in this book, and I was rooting for them the entire way through. It's a really lovely story, and Rachael is such a beautiful writer. You should read Pack Up the Moon so you get to meet the people in it.

Wow, just wow.I am already recommending this book to friends. As many other reviewers have said, I cried, a lot. I love a book that makes me cry the way this one did. Not sad crying, but the kind of crying you do when your emotions are touched.This book is beautifully written by someone who seems to understand the devastating loss of a family member and the long slow road to some sort of healing.

I am a huge fan of Rachael Herron's Cypress Hollow series but this book...wow! It is gut-wrenching, touching, moving.....such a lovely story told so well I wanted it to last but I rushed through the last few chapters because I just HAD to know how it ended. Now the wait for her next book......I have a "book hangover" from Pack Up The Moon, not ready to read any other book yet while I digest this one! Love, love, love it!