Come In and Cover Me
Gin Phillips
2012
342 pages
Ren sees dead people (remember that movie?).
I know, this sounds like potentially a very bad set up (at least in my experience), but Phillips totally pulls it off. I loved this book wholeheartedly. I loved it so much I read it all in one day, and I think that qualifies it for the first marathon reading session of 2012 (although I could be wrong…while the year is flying by, January also feels like a really long time ago…go figure).
So anyhoosie. Ren (short for Aurenthia, of all things) is an archaeologist noted for her discovery of some obscure bowls. She’s also a bit (okay…a lot) of an emotional wasteland. Her older brother died when she was a young girl, and her family pretty much fell apart afterwards. To say she is emotionally distant is an understatement.
When Ren’s obscure pottery turns up at another archaeological dig, she heads out to see if she can uncover more of her mysterious potter’s history. As she works with (and falls in love with) Silas (the other archaeologist), Ren is forced to face her fears about love and loss, and also come to grips with her desire to force a story upon the past, both her own past and the historical past (and really, that makes sense, I swear).
Okay, so I’m not ‘splainin’ things very well, but Phillips really does a tremendous job with this story. Just as her first book, The Well and the Mine, was steeped in the south, this book is, well…not. It’s filled with archaeology and the southwest. Seriously, people…filled. I almost wanted to stop reading and take the book to Tucson with me, but I also didn’t want to wait that long to finish reading it. And okay, so it’s not really the modern southwest that I’ll be seeing in Tucson, but still…it was dry and hot and dusty and there were creepy bugs and pueblos and other things that I associate with the southwest. It’s obvious that Phillips did her research. For someone who wrote a very southern first book, this new setting came as a total surprise, in a very good way, because I love it when second books are so different but still so good.
I’m rambling, aren’t I?
Basically, all you need to know is that 1) I loved this book and 2) it’s very different from The Well and the Mine (which I also loved) and 3) I can’t wait for her next book.
Your opening line left me dubious, but by the end you won me over! This sounds really cool and not nearly as YAish as I initially thought it would be (since nearly all YA books have some supernatural, death-obsessed bent to them these days). Books and I still aren’t really on speaking terms (more like reading terms) at the moment, but this one does sound very good!
Steph´s last [type] ..Steph & Tony might be coming to a country near you!
Oh, I am SO glad you loved this one, Jill! This has been (so far) one of my best reads for 2012 – awesome writing. And like you, I wasn’t entirely sure the premise would work. But this author is so, so talented. Great review!
Wendy´s last [type] ..Some of My Favorite Quilts
This one sounds pretty good and I love the cover. I love it when a book is so good you can read it in one sitting. Wouldn’t it be great if all books were like that?
Ti´s last [type] ..When I Am Not Reading, I Play Gluten Detective (Part 1)
I’m off to go check this book out since you loved it so much!
I have seen this book around, but knew very little about it, and am glad that you loved it! I am always surprised when an author turns directions with their plots and settings, and manages to get various and wildly different stories right. This wounds like something I must seek out. Fantastic review today!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau — 416 pgs
If I had a name like that, I’d go by Ren too. This book sounds amazing!
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..At the movies: The Vow
I thought this was going to be a post about book covers … but I’ll take a really good book that you coudln’t put down.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop: Hobbies I’ve Tried (And Quit)
Sounds kinda awesome! I love books about archaeology.
heidenkind´s last [type] ..KINDLE vs NOOK
I’ve had a copy of this on my shelf for a while. I loved The Well and the Mine but after reading a few mixed reviews of this one I’ve been hesitant to pick it up. You’ve convinced me to give it a shot – thanks!!
SuziQoregon´s last [type] ..Audiobook – New Tricks by David Rosenfelt
This one sounds fascinating. I’d never really gotten much out of reviews I read before, but maybe I’ll get this one now. In a bit. I’d better not put any more holds on at the library since my cruise is in three weeks…
Amanda´s last [type] ..Magical March and DWJ Month
You’ve convinced me! That cover is also stunning. I can’t wait to read this one.
Lu´s last [type] ..Read More/Blog More Poetry February: Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey
This is the first time I’ve seen this one and it looks original.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..February’s 5 Word Movie Reviews – Join in & win $ for charity
I have this one from the library and I do plan to read it within the next couple of weeks. Your review definitely helped push me in that direction!
Heather´s last [type] ..The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
I was just looking at The Well and The Mine on my bookshelves the other day and thinking I needed to pick it up sooner rather than later. Sooner it is. And then, I believe, I’m going to have to go straight out and pick up this one; anything that you have to spend the whole day reading for is one for me!
Lisa´s last [type] ..Bleak House Readalong – Week One
Just added this to my wish list – great ramble
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking: Crock Pot Comfort
I have been hearing about this book around the blogosphere and I am very glad to see you enjoyed it!
Kailana´s last [type] ..Fair Game: An Alpha & Omega Novel (Book 3) by Patricia Briggs
I grabbed this book at ALA Midwinter, and I don’t even want to read your review because I don’t want to spoil anything about it. I loved loved loved The Well and the Mine, so I am glad you loved this too. (Ok, I read your first paragraph that said you loved it, but I stopped there.)
Kari´s last [type] ..Fiction | Ahwooo, Again