Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Stars Are Fire
Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
From the New York Times best-selling author of The Weight of Water and The Pilot's Wife (an Oprah's Book Club selection): an exquisitely suspenseful new novel about an extraordinary young woman tested by a catastrophic event and its devastating aftermath--based on the true story of the largest fire in Maine's history In October 1947, after a summer long drought, fires break out all along the Maine coast from Bar Harbor to Kittery and are soon racing out of control from town to village. Five months pregnant, Grace Holland is left alone to protect her two toddlers when her husband, Gene, joins the volunteer firefighters. Along with her best friend, Rosie, and Rosie's two young children, Grace watches helplessly as their houses burn to the ground, the flames finally forcing them all into the ocean as a last resort. The women spend the night frantically protecting their children, and in the morning find their lives forever changed: homeless, penniless, awaiting news of their husbands' fate, and left to face an uncertain future in a town that no longer exists. In the midst of this devastating loss, Grace discovers glorious new freedoms--joys and triumphs she could never have expected her narrow life with Gene could contain--and her spirit soars. And then the unthinkable happens--and Grace's bravery is tested as never before.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Beatlefan129
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

It was a surreal experience listening to this audiobook based on the true story of a massive fire that destroyed the Maine coast in October 1947 while at the same time listening to the sounds of the fire-fighting planes dipping into the reservoir to battle a fire that was raging just over the foothills from my own home. Lucky for me my home was spared, but in October 1947 entire towns were destroyed. This book was haunting and so well-written.

kspenmoll I am beyond happy you were spared! 3mo
Beatlefan129 Thank you @kspenmoll , unfortunately fires are all too common in Colorado and so horribly devastating 3mo
TheBookgeekFrau Were you near the Stone Ridge fire? My BIL and his wife had to evacuate from it. Luckily it was only for overnight, and all is well. But it was scary for a while 3mo
See All 7 Comments
Bookwormjillk I‘m so glad you didn‘t have any damage from the fire. So scary. 3mo
Beatlefan129 @TheBookgeekFrau No, I was near the Quarry fire. I‘m glad all is well with your family, it is very scary 3mo
Beatlefan129 @Bookwormjillk Thank you, these fires are so scary 3mo
TheBookgeekFrau @Beatlefan129 Thank you; and glad all is well with you too!🙏🏼 3mo
70 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
ferskner
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

Somehow I've never read Anita Shreve before! This wouldn't have been something I'd pick on my own, but I'm really glad my book club read it. She writes complex relationships and traumas so beautifully.

#booked2019 #nightorientedtitle @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft #pop19 #bookwithazodiacorastrologyterminthetitle

rather_be_reading i havent either 5y
LeeRHarry I have read a few of hers, it is sad she is no longer with us 😔 5y
Cinfhen I haven‘t read her before but I‘ve always been curious. I‘m adding this to my potential bookclub list of books!! 5y
See All 6 Comments
ferskner @LeeRHarry oh my gosh I had no idea she'd passed away! That is so sad. @Cinfhen this would be FANTASTIC as a book club pick. 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I read maybe two of her early books. Glad to know others are good too! (And sorry to hear she‘s died. 😢) 5y
Crazeedi I enjoyed this one, I've read several of hers, it was sad to heat shes gone 5y
68 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Amoon
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

Fantastic book. Set in Maine, Grace is in a loveless marriage, enduring horrible sex with her husband. A sudden wildfire changes everything in Grace‘s life. Being a pianist, I especially loved the parts about the power of music. The descriptions of the scenery, heat from the fire, cold in the winter seem so real. I found this book by chance on the home page of a library. Ever since The Pilot‘s Wife, Anita Shreve‘s books haven‘t disappointed

review
Chelsea.Poole
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

I read a book by Anita Shreve years ago; I was probably too young to really "get" her then. Just finished this lovely little thing and I feel like I should go back and read her work because it would be so much more meaningful to me at this point in my life. I found this one to be an excellent portrayal of the life of an American housewife in the late 40s-50s. Both literary and compelling. Read for #bookclub at the #library ?

Scochrane26 I‘ve read the Pilot‘s wife and The Weight of Water yrs ago. I remember liking both but haven‘t read her others. 5y
LeeRHarry I have read most of her books. So sad she is no longer with us. 😔 5y
Chelsea.Poole @Scochrane26 I was thinking of starting with The Pilot's Wife. Seems to be her most well-known 😊 5y
Chelsea.Poole @LeeRHarry agreed!! 😔 5y
92 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

This weather is perfection. Blue skies, sun, and a cool breeze; couldn't be better.
My boys are playing on the playground and I'm reading on a quilt. We also brought a picnic. Life is good ☀️
I'm really enjoying this one for #bookclub on Monday.

Izaday anita shreve is a classic good read 5y
Kloves2read Love Anita Shreve! I haven't read this one yet but, Fortune's Rock's amd Sea Glass are my favorite from her. Enjoy! 5y
85 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Next up for #bookclub 📖

Samplergal I hope you enjoy it. I really liked it. 5y
Buechersuechtling Oh, Anita Shreve. Long ago that I read one of her books. Maybe I should have a look at her books again. 5y
75 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
JenReadsAlot
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Mehso-so

This was okay. I've enjoyed other books by this author a lot more.

Crazeedi I thought the same, this one was meh... 5y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
SaraHasClass
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

This is a story of perseverance. Set in 1947, Grace Holland experiences loss in an unimaginable tragedy. Suprisingly she will emerge stronger than she knows herself capable, just in time to face her biggest challenge yet. Does she find happily ever after? (You'll have to read the Epilogue to find out.)

review
Samplergal
Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. I stayed up reading it until midnight and finished this morning. I have loved some of Anita Shreve‘s work in the past, and I believe this one to be just as good, if not better, than The Pilot‘s Wife. Just what I needed to read yesterday. 4.5 stars. #historicalfiction

Prairiegirl_reading I‘ve been meaning to read this for a while. I‘m glad you liked it!! 6y
91 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Samplergal
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

This came through on my library hold today and I‘ve put aside “Robin” for a bit for this. I adore this era of history, post WW2 historical fiction. Based on actual events, a horrible fire in Maine, where residents were forced into the sea to save their lives. It‘s one of Anita Shreve‘s better books. #25inFive

Andrew65 Sounds good! 6y
LeeRHarry So sad she‘s no longer with us - her books are great. 6y
95 likes5 stack adds2 comments
blurb
queerbookreader
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

At grandparents this weekend. Here are some books my Grammy has been reading lately ✨

What books and authors are/were some of your grandparent's favorites? My gram loves anything Jan Karon and political memoirs (as this photo can prove). Pop pop reads Tom Clancy & and all those related crime/spy/thrillers. My nana didn't really read much because her English literacy wasn't super great, but she raised a kid (my dad) who LOVES to read 💁🏻‍♂️

Soubhiville My Grammy was a huge Dickens fan, but also introduced my to one of her (and therefore my) favorite authors: @ChrisBohjalian 6y
jmofo My gramma loves Tony Hillerman and books about art history and the Bible. My grandpa loved Robert Service and Longfellow and history books. I don‘t know what my dad‘s parents read. 6y
emtobiasz My granny read everything, voraciously, until dementia set in. I remember her giving my parents a lot of Dick Francis horse racing thrillers. She also had every book Malcolm Gladwell ever wrote in the house when she died. 6y
43 likes3 comments
blurb
all_4_kb
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

I‘ve read every single book by Anita Shreve (she‘s one of my faves) so I couldn‘t wait to get my hands on her newest book! No doubt it will be amazing!

11 likes1 stack add
blurb
Annashep
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Picked a load of books up from the library this is my first read of the pile.. looking forward to it 😊📚😊

Annashep About half way through this book now, it‘s very well written, heart wrenching and such bravery ..... great so far 😊 6y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Kerrbearlib
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Sunday morning read + Tulsi Spiced Berry tea = ❤️

12 likes1 stack add
blurb
Arudakewiz
Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

I was immediately captured by this book and couldn‘t put it down from the start. This book shows how unfair it was for women in the 1940s to be in an abusive marriage with divorce being frowned upon and even your own mother tells you that you don‘t have anywhere to go because he‘s your husband. The courage, strength and wit that Sarah proves to have by the end is admirable and inspiring. Only critique is that it‘s only 303 pages.

blurb
LisaJo
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

1. I had my first experience with mansplaining.
2. Movie with a friend.
3. Cray-on
4. The one tagged
5. And, it is the weekend now.

#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

review
LisaJo
Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

This is our book club pick for August. It‘s 2 AM in the morning. I have to work tomorrow. But, I only had 50 pages left. And I couldn‘t sleep. Enjoyed this book. I have not read anything by this author before this book. It was a good book club pick.

Joanne1 We've all been there. Just think about how much you enjoyed those last 50 pages when tomorrow afternoon starts to drag and your exhaustion shifts up gear. 6y
LisaJo @Joanne1 Thanks. That thought and a gallon of coffee will get me through today. 6y
47 likes2 stack adds2 comments
quote
LisaJo
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

“...more of a wish than a fact.”

jouleian I'm gonna add that to the end of a few of my fibs 😂😂😂😂 6y
LisaJo @jouleian 😂😂😂😂😂 too funny!!!! 6y
36 likes2 comments
review
CleverGirl
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

My house is a mess, the kids are out of school, and I spent my afternoon reading this book. I don't think I've ever hated a fictional character as much as I hated Gene!!!

Kerrbearlib He was the worst! 6y
14 likes1 comment
blurb
bookishkai
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Book haul!! Getting my reading ready for summer. These new additions are joining my epic bedroom bookshelves. My goal is to read as many as I can off that shelve between Saturday (opening day of the pool in our complex) and the day the pool closes. Since I‘m not working it‘s going to be lots of swimming my rehab (why do I feel like I‘m always going to be rehabbing from the stroke?) and reading books by the pool.

Jennick2004 She wrote the pilots wife right? 6y
bookishkai I believe so. 6y
PenguinInFlight Oh, I LOVE Anita Shreve. 😍😍And she did write The Pilot‘s Wife. She passed away earlier this year. 😔 6y
MeJeMiller I loved The Invisible Bridge. I read it right after living in Hungary 6y
48 likes5 comments
review
Bookartbookmarks
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

1947, Maine, Grace Holland is five months pregnant and caring for two toddlers. Her husband and her barely speak and she has prepared herself for a life of loneliness. One night a wildfire changes her life forever. She drags her children to the ocean to save their lives, but where is her husband? As she fights loss and being homeless she must be courageous and take on new challenges to make a new life for herself and her children.

Penny_LiteraryHoarders I loved this one! Go Grace! Love this cover too. 7y
Bookartbookmarks @Penny_LiteraryHoarders ❤️! I know. This one I bought for my grandmother to read, but mine had a different cover. So gorgeous! 7y
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Judybskt
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

Loved this! One of my favorite authors. Can‘t believe she died.

8 likes1 stack add
blurb
Judybskt
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Getting into this.

review
bookmaiden
Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
Pickpick

Distraught from Anita Shreve's death, I picked up her latest --- the only one I hadn't read. It was beautiful. I'm so sad that it is the last of Anita Shreve that I will have a chance to read. I guess the next time I am longing for her books, as I often do every year or so, I will have to start rereading!

review
LauraRenae
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Mehso-so

Still love Shreve‘s writing. It could have used a little more fleshing out towards the end but still an enjoyable read. #aroundtheyearin52books

blurb
Graciouswarriorprincess
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

So sad to hear about the passing of Anita Shreve this morning. She was a wonderful story teller and I will miss her work. #AnitaShreve

Suet624 Was she from Boston or something? Because the Boston Globe sent out a breaking news update as if the pope had died. 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Suet624 She lived in the New England area. 7y
Suet624 Got it. Makes sense now. 7y
See All 8 Comments
monkeygirlsmama What? She passed? I didn‘t even hear this. 😢 7y
tammysue 😢 7y
SandyW I hadn't heard yet. How sad. I loved The Pilots Wife... and many of her other works. 7y
49 likes1 stack add8 comments
blurb
Branwen
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

My library haul for today! Everytime i take a couple back I leave with even more! 🤣📚 #bookhaul #librarylove

VelvetSpade Story of my life 😂📚 7y
Branwen @VelvetSpade Right?!?! 🤣 7y
VelvetSpade @Branwen I was just thinking we could have worse problems 😜 7y
See All 7 Comments
katiekrug Every single one of these is on my TBR list! 7y
Jess7 Same! I don‘t think I‘ve ever been to the library and not left with at least one book! 7y
Louise Yup! I can relate! Even when I'm not at the library, I'm piling up inter library loan requests! 😆 7y
Branwen @VelvetSpade That is so very true! 😁 @katiekrug Thats so awesome! Are there any you want to read more than others? @Jess7 Same! Im starting to think its impossible! 😆 @Louise Same here! The list never ends! 😃📚 7y
42 likes7 comments
blurb
krissylovesbooks75
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Her books are so good! I just started this one and so far, so good 😊

TheBookgeekFrau What‘s the release date? 7y
krissylovesbooks75 It came out May of last year...it's just taken me forever to read it! 7y
See All 7 Comments
krissylovesbooks75 Thank you! 7y
jfalkens Welcome to Litsy and happy reading 🤓🎊📖🎉📚 7y
DivineDiana Glad you joined us!👏🏻📚👏🏻 7y
20 likes3 stack adds7 comments
review
Bookartbookmarks
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
Pickpick

In every way a good historical fiction. Hard to stick with in beginning. The character transforms and leaves you in awe.

78 likes1 stack add
blurb
Bookartbookmarks
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

I don‘t know why I thought this was during current times when I bought it, but it‘s not. This bookmark is inspired by Grace‘s mother in laws jewelry. I really am enjoying this book.

Sace It's so pretty! 😍 7y
Bookartbookmarks @RestlessFickleBookSlut thank you! Also, love your name. 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful pic!!! 7y
See All 9 Comments
Bookartbookmarks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank you! I love anything antique looking. 7y
Aims42 So pretty!!! 7y
Bookartbookmarks @Aims42 thank you! How‘s yours? :) 7y
nelehelen Beautiful! 7y
Aims42 @Babiesandbooks I LOVE it!! Showed it to my mom and she said she needed one too. Hence my recent order LOL Your designs are beautiful 💕 7y
100 likes9 comments
blurb
Bookartbookmarks
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Asthecroweflies Did you make that? 7y
Bookartbookmarks I didn‘t make the charm, but I made the bookmark. :) 7y
Sheryl63 Beautiful, I love it. 7y
70 likes3 comments
blurb
mgallo1968
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
blurb
mgallo1968
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

#reindeerreads Day 3. Historical fiction. Set during the Great Fires of 1947 in coastal Maine

4 likes1 stack add
review
Aseleener
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

Interesting historical drama about the aftermath of a real-life event. We follow Grace along on her journey after losing her house and everything in it to a wildfire in Maine in 1947. I didn't always feel like Grace made the best decisions, but I got wrapped up in her story regardless. She was a likable character. I liked this book much better than The Pilot's Wife, which I read many years ago. #secondchances ⭐⭐⭐⭐

27 likes1 stack add
review
jillannjohn
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Pickpick

I loved seeing how Grace grew through this story. She found her strength when she most needed it.

review
BlueStockingReviews
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Mehso-so

A woman‘s heart stopping tale of the emotional strength and courage to survive Maine‘s October, 1947 devastating fire and all of its‘ aftermath. https://lharvey250.tumblr.com/post/162168883459/the-stars-are-fire-anita-shreve-...

blurb
jillannjohn
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Starting this today - book club next week! #toomanybooksnotenoughtime

SilversReviews Have a good book club discussion. Love that cup. 7y
TricksyTails That's a fun mug! 7y
16 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Howseldomtheydo
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

19 books to go, 14 weeks left in the year, better not tackle any LONG books. 😂 #Goodreads #readingchallenge

MallenNC You can do it! 7y
Howseldomtheydo @MallenNC Thanks for the vote of confidence 😂 7y
102 likes2 comments
blurb
GinEyre22
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

I'm back from vacation and here's the final tally of books read. Not bad for two weeks...

CrowCAH Wow; you read all those?! A relaxing vacation! 7y
18 likes1 comment
blurb
Read-eat-travel-repeat
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

Whoops, a couple of holds came off all at once!

Laura317 Gah! It always makes me panic read when that happens! 7y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
mrsthilkey
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

I posted about our May book club choice after I read it, and it definitely deserves more love. It's still one of the best books I've read this year. A friend who has read from Shreve's backlist said this is her best! Read the synopsis on GR, it's a pretty unique story.

#needsmorelove #anditsaugust

Clwojick Such a gorgeous cover. ❤️💗❤️️ 7y
mrsthilkey @Clwojick i know, my phone doesn't do it justice 7y
SassenachTheBookWizard *wide eyes seeing book cover and adds to TBR without reading summary * 7y
38 likes3 stack adds5 comments
blurb
MrBook
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

#TBRtemptation post 2! I love this cover too. Released in May. October 1947, fire breaks out all along Maine's coast thanks to drought. 5 months pregnant, and her husband away as a firefighter, Grace and best friend Rosie watch their houses burn down and flee into the ocean with their children. Homeless, penniless, waiting for their husbands, in a town that no longer exists, they will be tested like never before. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

63 likes11 stack adds
quote
readingallthetime
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

A fictional take on the wildfires of Maine in 1947 . It's such a popular book my small library had two copies. The author had scheduled an author visit at Jesup Library but she discovered she was ill shortly afterwards. I own 4 of her books in paperback on my TBR bookshelf.
I finished it but it was a bit boring.

4 likes1 stack add
blurb
MsLeah8417
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image

What's the word on this read? It's my book group's pick of the month. #bookgroup #anitashreve #thestarsarefire

readingallthetime It's a quick read. 7y
9 likes1 comment
review
MEGR
The Stars Are Fire | Anita Shreve
post image
Mehso-so

I debated on the rating for this book. The beginning was phenomenal, the middle so-so and the ending is intense. Overall, an interesting story about a woman trying to find balance and happiness despite difficult circumstances.