One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern

Author: Cecelia Ahern
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: May 2014 (paperback version)

Journalist Kitty Logan's career is being destroyed by scandal - and now she faces losing the woman who guided and taught her everything she knew. At her terminally ill friend's bedside, Kitty asks - what is the one story she always wanted to write? The answer lies in a file buried in Constance's office: a list of one hundred names. There is no synopsis, nothing to explain what the story is or who these people are. The list is simply a mystery. But before Kitty can talk to her friend, it is too late. With everything to prove, Kitty is assigned the most important task of her life: to write the story her mentor never had the opportunity to. Kitty not only has to track down and meet the people on the list, but find out what connects them. And, in the process of hearing ordinary people's stories, she starts to understand her own.

I went into One Hundred Names expecting a mystery, but instead I got a beautifully written story about the power of.human spirit.  The main character, Kitty Logan, made a huge professional mistake and as a result, has become a pariah in the journalism world.  In the aftermath, she begins to see how her career  priorities had changed enough that she would allow herself to make such a big mistake.  Before she dies, Constance who is her mentor and friend,  gives her the story of a life time.  Kitty just has to figure out what that story is.

I liked this concept.  A list of one hundred seemingly random people that have some connection to each other.  In the end, I absolutely loved what the connection turned out to be as it was something completely unexpected for me, but so perfect for Kitty. (No, I'm not telling!) The people that Kitty meets were all interesting in their own way.  What Kitty realizes along the way is that even the most boring person has a story to tell.  Everyone has a story and if you only take the time to listen to one of them, you might be surprised at what you hear.

I'm glad I got to go on this journey with Kitty.  This book is a great read and one I totally recommend! This is the first book that I have read by this author.  For some reason she never made it into my TBR pile.  But I know after reading this one, I'll be adding more of hers to the ever growing pile!

About the author:

Before she embarked on her writing career, Cecelia Ahern completed a degree in journalism and media communications. At 21, she wrote her first novel, P.S. I Love You, which became an international bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, starring Hilary Swank. Her successive novels—Love, Rosie; If You Could See Me Now; and There’s No Place Like Here—were also international bestsellers. Her books are published in 46 countries and have collectively sold more than 10 million copies. She is also the co-creator of the hit ABC comedy series Samantha Who?, starring Christina Applegate. The daughter of Ireland’s former prime minister, Ahern lives in Dublin, Ireland. 

Find out more about Ahern at her website and connect with her on Facebook.

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Cecilia’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, May 6th: The Well-Read Redhead

Wednesday, May 7th: A Patchwork of Books

Thursday, May 8th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, May 12th: Lesa’s book Critiques

Tuesday, May 13th: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Monday, May 19th: 5 Minutes For Books

Tuesday, May 20th: cupcake’s book cupboard

Wednesday, May 21st: Book Loving Hippo

Wednesday, May 21st: Stephany Writes

Monday, May 26th: Books  à la Mode

Monday, May 26th: West Metro Mommy

Tuesday, May 27th: A Bookish Way of Life

Wednesday, May 28th: BoundbyWords

Thursday, May 29th: Peeking Between the Pages

Friday, May 30th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Tuesday, June 3rd: A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, June 4th: Snowdrop Dreams of Books