Telephone of the Tree by Alison McGhee caught my eye on the new-book shelf at the library. The book description says, "Ayla and her best friend Kiri have always been tree people. They each have their own special tree, and neighbors and family know that they are most likely to be found within the branches. But after an accident on their street, Kiri has gone somewhere so far away that Ayla can only wait and wait in her birch, longing to be able to talk with Kiri again. Then a mysterious, old-fashioned telephone appears one morning, nestled in the limbs of Ayla's birch tree. Where did it come from? she wonders. And why are people showing up to use this phone to call their loved ones? Especially loved ones who have passed on. All Ayla wants is for Kiri to come home. Until that day comes, she will keep Kiri's things safe. She'll keep her nightmares to herself. And she will not make a call on that telephone."
This was an interesting read. The beginning (like the entire first half plus some) was super slow for me, and I think it was because Ayla was in denial and it just felt like she (and the story) were kind of stuck. But then things shifted, and the book became super heartfelt and beautiful. I teared up a bit in the end sections of the book, and I thought the book taught some beautiful lessons about grief and losing those we love.
Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)
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