If These Walls Could Talk

The book was extremely entertaining, but also informative. I could personally relate to several scenarios showing unsupportive family members. Specifically, snide remarks by non-home owning family members about the burdens of home ownership; family members trying to mooch off the new homeowner; and family members who distance themselves from the new homeowner. I was particularly amused by the situation at the birthday party given by one of the homeowner's sister from New York. I agonized with the couples over their complications in commuting to work; finding adequate, affordable child care; juggle schedules; deal with mounting debt and dwindling savings; and generally adjust to being new home owners. The book informed readers by illustrating the high pressure techniques of the real estate salesman and all the negative consequences of the lack of pre-purchase research and preparation by two of the couples (money and credit management, types of mortgages, job market in new home area, availability of mass transportation, availability of child care, association fees, etc.) I also noted that the couple who fared the best probably had better education/training than the other two couples. Their jobs were in high demand and made them more portable. The book contained other subtle messages such as: (1) Choose character over appearance when selecting a mate; (2) Be careful how you treat people because you never know when you'll have to ask someone for a favor; (3) Plan today for what you want tomorrow; and (4) Always expect the unexpected. Thought-provoking questions also served to enhance readers' knowledge. The realistic dialog and compelling scenes made this book a real page turner. I look forward to reading more of the author's books.

There's no melodrama for those who are into that, but this is still a refreshing and engaging story. It's about three African-American families going for their piece of the American dream. I don't have to do much recap because there's enough posted here for potential readers to get the gist of the plot. You don't have to be in the market for your first home to enjoy it. It's for anyone who appreciates solid writing and realistic characters. Highly recommended.

This book was good from beginning to end! I found myself laughing out loud at some of the scenes. The couples in this story seem like people who you know. As a first time home buyer, I found myself cringing at what they went through. I will be so much more informed when my husband and I start our home search!

I always enjoyed Bettye Griffin books. I rank this one as one of her best. She writes about three couples in search of the american dream, to own a home. They are all middle class, but due to the high housing cost in New York, can't afford to do nothing but rent. On tv they all saw the dream of owning a home for less than what they were paying in rent. The catch? Moving 100 miles from New York to Pennslyvania. What I enjoyed with this book is how true the writing is concerning first time home buyers. There are some who rush into it with full figuring all of the cost. There are those who buy more than they can afford. There are also those who buy within their means and make it grow. Where I live at right now, this book can relate to some of my former neighbors. Many moved in with adjustable rates and the promise of paying $500 a month for a home. Now, there are quite a few that end up foreclosing, or selling because the adjustable rates shot their monthly loan up. This is a book that anyone who is looking to buy a home should read.

I've been a fan of Bettye Griffin's for years, and I have finally found a book that tops my fave of hers (for those who want to know my PAST fave, it's STRAIGHT TO THE HEART): the latest fave is If These Walls Could Talk. This is a story about having dreams and pursuing them, but not seeing the devastating consequences of your pursuit until it's too late. The novel centers around three New York families who all have one dream, an American dream: having a home of their own. Each family has its reason for wanting a home: more space for their children; the appearance of moving upward, of succeeding; safety; affordability. Enter Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, a community where families can come and buy newly developed homes, affordably, and live the American dream. Two of the families are drawn to the shiny brightness, newness of the community and are quickly lured into buying homes in the development; the other family opts to buying an older, less expensive home in the area. All three of the families, as they move into their journey of being home owners, are in for a rude awakening as they realize that sometimes dreams can turn into nightmares. This is a novel that I think will resonate with readers of all kinds. It's a book that teaches patience because none of the characters had it; they wanted their dream, and none of them took heed to the WHAT IFs of home ownership. I liken this book to that old saying, "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach." These characters' eyes are wide to the positive possibilities of owning a home. Their eyes are bigger than the WHAT IFs, bigger than the consequences, sometimes negative ones, that can occur because of home ownership. None of them thinks their relationships will end, or their homes were built shabbily, or they will have to foreclose, or they will gain weight, or they will lose their jobs, or they will have to live - for a while - without their children with them. Don't understand how some of these things can happen? Then you need to read If These Walls Could Talk because as a future homeowner, it opened my eyes to what can happen if your dreams block your common sense. Griffin did a great job in taking a serious issue and planted it within solid, credible characters that you feel for, that you want to see succeed. I truly enjoyed this story on several levels: it's a great story, it has good characters, it has great subject matter, and just as important as these, it taught me something. When a book can do that, I'm sold. I hope you are, too.