Reflections after Reading The Girl Who Chased the Moon

If you're not a fan of magic or fantasy, you might enjoy The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. The Girl Who Chased the Moon is the story of Emily Benedict arriving in Mullaby, North Carolina to live with a grandfather she doesn't know.  As she adjusts to her new life, she learns about her mother's life and the secrets of the town that her mother left many years before.

I can definitely identify with Emily Benedict moving to a strange new place.  In the last three years we've moved to Bella Vista, AR, Joplin, MO, and now Kansas City, MO.

I made a mistake when I moved to Denver in 1994,  and that was not visiting some of the tourist attractions to get to know the city.  I lived near the Molly Brown House Museum for years and didn't get there until 2007 (and I moved in 2008).  I made a pact with myself to make sure that I got to know the sites in the places that I would move to in the future.

We visited many of the places around Bella Vista.  I got my inspiration to write A Place to Call Their Own after visiting the Pea Ridge National Military Park.  The picture of Thomas and I was taken there and is one of my favorites of us.

We also visited The George Washington Carver Birthplace near Diamond,MO and other historical sites in Bentonville, AR including the Wal-Mart Visitor's Center on the town square.  We fell in love with the resort town of Eureka Springs, AR and love all the fun that can be had in Branson, MO.

I am not necessarily a fan of fantasy or magic myself, but I did enjoy the story, I'm sure you will, too.

Check out Sarah Addison Allen's web site for book club discussion questions, recipes, and a guide to the full moons of the year:

http://www.sarahaddisonallen.com/index.html

When you visit new places do you like to check out local tourist attractions?  What are some of your favorite?  Your comments are welcome!