Still Waters

I absolutely love Jennifer Lauck! My only complaint and the only negative part of my review of Still Waters is that this brings us to the end of Jennifer's story (unless she writes another sequel 30 years from now to show how the rest of her life turns out!). I hope Jennifer continues writing and will perhaps try her hand at fiction. One of the things I most loved about both Blackbird and Still Waters is how they read like a novel. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough yet I was so disappointed when I was done knowing that this completed her story bringing us up to current times. You will find yourself almost disbelieving some of the things that have happened to Jennifer believing that no one could suffer such heartache and still end up as sane and normal as Jennifer is. I have seen Jennifer on Oprah (last year when Blackbird was released) and The Rosie O'Donnell show (this year with Still Waters) and she is a beautiful, intelligent, happily married mother of two (yes, she is expecting - CONGRATULATIONS!) I was able to draw strength and courage from Jennifer's words - If she could survive the horrific things that happened to her and still turn out as wonderful as she has, there's hope for us all!!! Readers of true life stories, biographies, family related issues, and fiction will all find something to lover about Still Waters. It is Jennifer's memoirs yet filled with life lessons and as I said earlier, it reads like a novel. I hope Jennifer continues to write and I will be watching for future releases from this talented, beautiful, inspiring writer.

At the end of Blackbird, Jennifer Lauk's first memoir, 12 year old Jennifer's wicked stepmother (literally) finally relinquishes custody of her and her brother Bryan and we are left to believe she is finally safe. Unfortunately it was not to be.This book opens with the police report chronicling Bryan's suicide. We know then that maybe there is no happy ever after. Jennifer is first cared for by her grandparents, slowly settling in. She soon learns it is temporary and that her brother is living with one aunt and uncle, and she is going to live with another. Peggy and Dick Duemore eventually adopt Jennifer, but she is valued more for her Social Security check and housekeeping skills than anything else. She stumbles through her life unloved and barely cared for. Upon finally going to college and freeing herself from her `family' she begins to carve out a new life for herself, eventually finding the courage to face her past and her brother's death.Again a deeply sad story and although one can sense the anger in this memoir one is also rewarded with the knowledge that Jennifer Lauck has found some measure of peace and happiness in her life. She has a wonderful writing style and voice that makes you care deeply about her.

All I can say is, Wow. I picked up Lauck's first book, "Blackbird" at the library and loved it. So right after I finished it I bought Still Waters. I read it in about 2 days.A lot happens in her life. A lot happens in many of our lives. But the way Lauck sees things that go on in her life and in the world, are special. Her books opened my mind and my heart.Saying this is a memoir about a dysfunctional family does not do this book justice. Yes, her family is dysfunctional, but her attitude and experiences and how she draws these into her world view, are all woven through her book in a way that I wanted it to never end.Another thing, many sequels re-hash much of what happened in the first book. And for those of us who have read the first book, it's a bore to read about all this re-hashing. "Still Waters" does not do this. I really appreciated the fluidity with which Jennifer Lauck wrote her sequel.I look forward to more from this gifted writer.

The book is obviously used (purchased a used one), but is in a good condition and absolutely fine for me!As to the story itself, it is incredibly captivating, well written! If you liked the Blackbird by this author, you will love this one! Perfect continuation of the story.

Loved this! So glad there is a sequel to her epic debut, “Blackbird”. It’s incredible to think that someone could survive such a peripatetic childhood and be an over comer in life. She gives hope to all of us that we can survive life’s difficulties triumphantly with grace.

Absolutely fantastic means the book was great and well written. But Jennifer's story is so sad, and frustrating. How she turned out so wonderful is amazing. She went through so much abuse and neglect. I wanted to scream at her family. She's as cute as a button, and smart as a whip, and they treated her like crap. How can anyone do these things? Jennifer turned out to be a great writer with so much talent, and her own story in all her books is something you've just got to read. Much praise to Jennifer and also her brother for going through their ordeal. Her brother turned out great too, with all he dealt with. So sorry for his situation though. Buy this book and the other two, they're truly wonderful.

This is the second memoir that I have read by Ms. Lauck. This author, in my eyes is a true genius in getting a memoir down on paper. She is true to the memoir genre and just engages the reader with her clear,unfettered recount of a life that was,in no way easy,for a sensitive,basically loving young woman. The reader feels this young lady's experiences deep in her heart,as she tells her story. The story is most realistic and a tribute to the author as she triumphs over the cruelty,apathy and general obtuseness that surrounds her.

Sequel to Blackbird - she's growing up now but tragedy seems to follow her wherever she goes until she finally finds true love. The tragic end to this book stayed with me for weeks, and I had to read it all over again. So desperately sad, and this yet again is a true story.

good buy and so glad to get this book to finish her story at such a reasonable price too

I read "Blackbird" by Jennifer Lauck,her memoirs of her childhood and enjoyed it so much that I had to purchase "Still Waters" the sequel,which is also well written.Both these books are ideal for anyone who enjoys reading true stories!.

The book arrived fairly quickly.The story was very good, I wanted it as it was the follow on to the book I had just finished reading.I could not find a new version, so opted for this secondhand one, which was not in such good condition as I thought it would of been

After reading Blackbird I just had to read this book. I am half way through reading it and it is as 'cannot put it down' as the previous book