On My Bedside {Where the Crawdads Sing}

After sitting on my bedside since the Christmas holidays, I finally read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Really, “read” is such a small word to describe what I did with this book. I devoured it. But, not in a race to finish it. Rather, to soak up every word, get to know every person, imagine myself in the marsh shack, shed tears over a child raising herself, and celebrate the woman she becomes. I would read a chapter and then read it again. Not because I didn’t understand it but because I wanted to make sure I had the picture painted in my mind’s eye. I have not loved a book so much in a very, very long time. In fact, when I loaned it to a friend I told her I wanted it back. I have only five books I could never bear to part with, and Where the Crawdads Sing makes six.

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

I’d love to know what you thought of this book. Mother and I still can’t get over how much we enjoyed it. And, as always, let me know what’s on your bedside! I need to stock up for my trip next month.

Updated to add my other 5 I can’t part with: Gone With the Wind, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, America’s First Daughter, The Help and Christmas Jars. I forgot to count the Harry Potter series because those are in John’s room now. I would have kept the Outlander Series but I checked all of those out from the library. I also would have kept All the Light we Cannot See but that was another library book. <3

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33 thoughts on “On My Bedside {Where the Crawdads Sing}

  1. Your review made me so excited to read this book! Have you read any of Katherine Center? How to walk away, the lost Husband and happiness for beginners are fantastic!

  2. I felt exactly the same way about this book. It was a mix of wanting to read quickly because I couldn’t put it down, but wanting to slow down because I didn’t want it to be over. The best book I’ve read in a really long time. xo

  3. I’m curious as to the other five books you’ve coveted – please share those, as well! I’m waiting for my turn as my sister finishes up reading my Mom’s copy of “Where the Crawdads Sing.” My dad even read it!

  4. I recently told my mom and sister that Where the Crawdads Sing is the best book I’ve read in a decade. Maybe a top three favorite ever!

  5. Yes, it was indeed a good book. The subject matter was unique and it was definitely written well. It made me think which I love it when a book does that. I almost didn’t read it after reading reviews on Amazon. Believe it or not there were some who didn’t like it, but everyone I have talked to in person has loved it. I thought it was the best book I had read since The Help. Love it when that happens.

  6. I loved this book too. I’ve loaned it out and want it back so I can read it again! It’s definitely a keeper.

  7. Would you be willing to share the 5 other books that you couldn’t part with?! I would love some other great suggestions! Thanks!

  8. Loved this book as well!
    I just read The Quintland Sisters and Necessary Lies. They’re both historical fiction and really good. Up next for me is The Lost Man.

  9. I have read a ton of great books lately. Some of my most recent faves are The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Sometimes I Lie, Daisy Jones & the Six, Sunset Beach, and Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand. (just came out Tuesday)

    Also, Only Child by Rhiannon Navin was a hard read, but a fantastic one.

  10. I am currently reading two. The End of Normal is written by Bernie Madoff’s daughter in law and it is the book I am currently reading a chapter or two of at bedtime, and it is a & quick & interesting read. I am also listening to The Mermaid Chair in my car—I just love that I can “read” a book while multi-tasking w/my errands. The Mermaid Chair is a bit odd; I am about 75% of the way thru it. I like that the main character is from Atlanta and she mentions a lot of Atlanta places I am familiar with, and most of the story takes place on one of the SC islands near Charleston. The story itself is a bit bizarre, but I will stick with it to see what happens. My daughter gave me “Where the Crawdads Sing” for Mother’s Day but I didn’t have room to bring it back on the plane, so she will bring it to me when I see her next week. After your review, I can’t wait to read it!

  11. One of the best things I’ve read in a long time and that’s saying a lot since I just finished my 41st book this year. I never saw that ending coming but I certainly cheered!

  12. It was an amazing read, both of survival and strength. I loved it! On my nightstand is Mary Kay Andrews new book. I love to read my way through the Southern Living recommendations each summer.

  13. If you are looking for an easy beach read you might enjoy Kristy Woodson Harvey’s The Peachtree Bluff Series.

  14. Agree. We read this for my book club, and we all loved it. I also really enjoyed “Educated” by Tara Westover.

  15. Amanda, would love to see your list of the 5 books you couldn’t bear to part with.

    I, too, loved this book and its brilliant descriptive writing

  16. I was highly anticipating reading this book after all the hype about it. I actually read it in two days while on vacation in Florida so it definitely held my attention. But after I finished this book and thought about it, I realized I really didn’t like it. I struggled with believeabilty even while reading the book. The implausibilty of every plot was something I couldn’t get past. I wasn’t interested in the long descriptive passages about nature and I hated the ending. I realize I am in the minority on this book so feel free to ignore me.

  17. Now I am curious: What are the titles of the other books you won’t give up? I am a book hoarder and I have trouble giving up any books!

    1. Really, they are more sentimental to me. Gone with the wind, America’s first daughter, midnight in the garden of good and evil. I forgot about all of the Harry Potter series too.

  18. I did really like this book but for some reason I didn’t love it. It was heart wrenching to me and very well written. I did recommend it to my girlfriends yesterday. It really makes you think.
    A couple of my favorite books ever are To Kill A Mockingbird and East of Eden. I also love anything by Elin Hildebrandt and for a great mystery Harlan Cobin is a master.
    Have a great weekend!

  19. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I finished it a few weeks ago for my book club and all of us loved it. I gave it to my Mom and she loved it too. The words were so lovely and I ended up highlighting some of her phrases because they were just so beautifully written. It was so good!!

  20. I loved the book too..it was so sad and happy and exciting..well just about every emotion. I too keep books. a good many but some are special to me…Gone With the Wind. And Midnight in the Garden of good and evil. I have a funny story about that..I read it many years ago not long afyer it came out
    We were in Savannah a few months later. We ate at Williams Seafood, at a table near us there were two men eating. well, I knew that I knew one of men ..even asked my husband where we knew him from..he tells me he has never seen him before..such a puzzle to me..when they stood up to leave it hit me..it was Peter Berendt, the author of Midnight..I’m sure it showed on my face that I recognized him..we gave each other a little smile and he was gone. I’m sure others knew him, but no one their bothered him.

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