 | The Distance Home by Paula Saunders 288 pages What’s it about? This is the story of a family growing up on the plains of South Dakota after World War Two. Eve and Al fall in love after high school and soon have three children. Their oldest two, Leon and Rene, share a love of ballet but have very different temperaments. We watch the years pass and watch life take it’s toll on the whole family. What did it make me think about? This novel highlights the difficulties of growing up different in small town America. Should I read it? I truly wanted to love this book… but I just didn’t. I just wasn’t completely engaged with the characters and the plot did not keep me that interested. It wasn’t a bad book and the writing is pretty- it just didn’t tug at my heart. Quote- “And as Rene sat in her bed that night, looking across the hall at Leon’s closed bedroom door, she couldn’t help but wonder where all the hurt and anger went after something like that. Did it just disappear as a person are older, dissolving in a mist of resignation and forgetfulness? Or did it crystallize, so that you carried it with you building layer upon layer as the years went by, each incident adding to a more solid core of pain, until you cane to face the world more tock than flesh?” If you like this try- How to Stop Time by Matt Haig Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li The Nest by Cynthia D''Aprix Sweeney A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler 6 stars |
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 Tangerine by Christine Mangan
308 pages What’s it about? Lucy and Alice are inseparable college roommates until a terrible accident tears them apart. Alice leaves college and marries. She moves to Tangiers with her new husband John. Unexpectedly Lucy appears in Tangiers and at her door one day. What did it make me think about? This novel is all style and suspense. This book had me turning the page and not thinking too much at all. Should I read it? Something about this book reminded me of “Rebecca”. Not the plot but the stylish writing and the sense that at any moment something is going to happen. If you like a psychological thriller then try this one. It is not amazing- but it is fun. I hear George Clooney has bought the rights so you may be seeing it in a theatre near you soon. Quote- "Over a year now, and it was still cast in a hazy fog that I could not seem to work my way out of, no matter how long I tripped through the labyrinth. It's better that way, my aunt had said afterward, when I told her about the vaporous sheen my memories had taken on, how I could no longer remember details of that horrible night, of the days that followed. Leave it in the past, she had urged as if my memories were objects that could be packed away in boxes secure enough to ensure they would never let loose the secrets within." If you like this try- The Loney by Micahel Andrew Hurley Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller So Say theFallen by Stuart Neville The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins 7 1/2 stars
 A Place For Us by Fatima Farheer Mirza
382 pages What’s it about? This book opens at a family wedding in California. Hadia is getting married in a traditional Indian- Muslim ceremony. Hadia’s mother, father, younger sister-Huda, and younger brother-Amar are all in attendance. As the story opens you realize that for an unknown reason Amar is estranged from the family. The rest of the novel goes back and forth in time and viewpoints to explain Amar’s place in the family. What did it make me think about? This book captures the complexity of family relationships. It made me think of how we all see shared experiences so very differently. This story emphasizes how our age, our generation, and our life experiences influence those viewpoints. What grandparent can't understand this quote- “ A young child was asleep on her father’s shoulder, her little feet bare, her mother following with her shoes hooked on curled fingers. They had their whole lives ahead of them: they moved through the world where anything was possible and did not even know to be grateful for it. " Should I read it? So this book has gotten a lot of hype because it is the first book from Sarah Jessica Parker’s line for Hogarth. Such a shame as all the hype should be about this amazing new writer. I thought this book was a treasure. I wanted to slow down and just savor the last fifty pages. One of my favorite books I have read in years! Don’t miss the one. Quote-couldn't choose just one! “She knows her father. His pride, his values, his adherence to religious rules. They are more important than love. More important than loyalty to one’s child. She always sensed conditions to their parents’ love so she did nothing to threaten it. Amar senses the same and only thought to test its limits. See how far he could push them before they left him.” “We pray together and when it is time for us to ask our hearts desire, my first wish is that he remain steadfast in faith, and then, if he does not, that he never believe that God is a being with a heart like a human’s, capable of being small and vindictive.” If you liked this try- And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout 9 1/2 stars
 The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
464 pages What’s it about? Greer Kadetsky is a college freshman when she experiences the full weight of being a woman in a man’s world. Not long after that she meets Faith Frank, a famous leader of the women’s movement. Greer becomes inspired. This is the story of Greer and her progression as both a feminist and a person. What did it make me think about? This book questions what feminism means. Should I read it? This was a good book. However, I have never been enthusiastic about Meg Wolitzer’s books. This story hasn’t changed my mind. I am not sure why? The writing is good, the plot moves along, and the characters are interesting. Still- just didn’t love it.... Quote- “So! Faith Frank hired me, originally based on nothing. She took me in and taught me things, and more than that she gave me permission. I think that’s what the people who change our lives do. They give us permission to be the person we secretly really long to be but maybe don’t feel we’re allowed to.” If you like this try- A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeymii The Nix by Nathan Hill The Nest by Cynthia D''Aprix Sweeney 7 stars
 Less by Andrew Sean Greer
261 pages What’s it about? Arthur Less is a novelist who is quickly approaching his fiftieth birthday. He is gay and has two decade-long relationships in his past. He receives an invitation to the wedding of his last great love and just can not face the ridicule he feels will be heaped upon him if he should attend. He conveniently takes every invitation, to every mediocre event he has been invited to attend in the last few months, and replies yes to them all. He will avoid the event and his fiftieth birthday by taking a trip around the world. What did it make me think about? The character of Arthur Less is a bumbling, innocent, kind gay man. Because of this, I have heard this book described as a “gay” novel. I could not disagree more- I just think it is a novel where the main character happens to be gay. This story is about being a human being. How we are more- and we are less- depending on the day. Arthur Less is often overlooked and forgotten, but he has also been loved- and that is everything. Should I read it? So I kept hearing about this novel being SO funny- I would say this novel looks at life with a wry sense of humor. It’s the writing and the sense of humor that set this novel apart- but do not expect to be guffawing through this book. You will smile a lot though. Andrew Sean Greer is a beautiful writer. I loved “The Story of a Marriage” and “The Adventures of Max Tivoli”. I was so pleased when I finally picked this book up to realize it was by the same author. I highly recommend this book!!! I can’t imagine who would not be rooting for Arthur Less by the last page. I can’t wait to re-read this one! If you like this try- Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Levels of Life by Julian Barnes 9 stars  Life Drawing by Robin Black
247 pages What’s it about? Augusta (Gus) and Owen move to the country to save their troubled marriage. After a few quiet years Allison moves in next door. Things quickly begin to unravel in Gus and Owen’s relationship. The novel opens with Owen’s death- but what caused it? What did it make me think about? This book was about the complexity of a long marriage. It also touched on betrayal, isolation, grief, and art. Should I read it? So I must admit this novel sat on my bedside for months. It has a cover that almost looks like a Harlequin romance. It just put me off. I am so glad I finally picked it up. This was the best novel I have never heard of! It reminded me in some ways of “Rebecca” or “Wuthering Heights”. So much atmosphere and tension- so many multi-dimensional characters. This was a most unexpected surprise! Quote- “But Owen was Owen. Owen was me. I was Owen. Anger and all. Owen would walk into a room and I might well want to kill him-so to speak- but at the same time, for much of my life, I couldn’t really of told you where I left off and he began. And then he died. Leaving me standing at a window, staring into a landscape as though, well, as though he might just reappear one day. Of course.” If you like this try- Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler Idaho by Emily Ruskovich Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 9 stars |
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A sad, poignant, mystical read. I won't give too much away. Quick and well worth it!
9 1/2 stars!
A coming of age story set in Mexico. It certainly gives you a whole new view of all the people coming over the border.
9 stars
Quirky characters and the story told through letters to Richard Gere. Who could ask for more? 9 stars
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“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
― Charles William Eliot
― Charles William Eliot
ratings
1 to 2- I did not enjoy this book.
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!
