lit*chick

TLC Book Tour: Butterfly's Child by Angela Davis-Gardner

Butterfly's Child: A Novel by Angela Davis-Gardner, 384 pages. Available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, and ebook from Dial Press.

When three-year-old Benji is plucked from the security of his home in Nagasaki to live with his American father, Lt. Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, and stepmother, Kate, on their farm in Illinois, the family conceals Benji’s true identity as a child born from a liaison between an officer and a geisha—and instead tells everyone that he is an orphan. When the truth surfaces, it will splinter this family’s fragile dynamic and send Benji on the journey of a lifetime from Illinois to the Japanese settlements in Denver and San Francisco, then across the ocean to Nagasaki, where he will uncover the truth about his mother’s tragic death.

Triple bonus points if you recognized the main characters of Madame Butterfly in the above description. For those not familiar with Puccini's opera, like me, you will quickly be brought up to speed with a helpful summary contained in the preface. From there the tale of young Benji takes off with a unique coming of age story that spans two continents. In the face of harsh and unyielding conditions, Benji's spirit never wanes. Author Davis-Gardner's extensive knowledge of Japan - its customs, history, and people- is apparent, as she enhances the opera's imagined aftermath with a sly and well placed wink at the original.  And it is quite a balancing act - taking characters from one art form and developing them in another - with a risk that pays off as the extension seems natural and believable. I found the unflinching portrayal of the Pinkertons' and the consequences for their poor choices to be particularly genuine. A couple minor blips with a bit too much coincidental good fortune on Benji's travels and some other loose ends occur so far into the story they can almost be overlooked. The pace is brisk but not hurried, which makes for an engrossing read. Butterfly's Child defies easy categorization but is a wonderfully rich continuation of a celebrated classic, with a twist. 

thanks to the sweet ladies at TLC Book Tours for the review copy

visit the author's website here: http://www.angeladavisgardner.com

for more reviews check the blog tour schedule here: TLC Book Tours

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Elegy for Eddie (Maisie Dobbs #9) by Jacqueline Winspear

Elegy for Eddie (Maisie Dobbs #9) by Jacqueline Winspear, 352 pages. Available in hardcover, ebook, Kindle and Nook from HarperCollins.

Early April 1933. To the costermongers of Covent Garden—sellers of fruit and vegetables on the streets of London—Eddie Pettit was a gentle soul with a near-magical gift for working with horses. When Eddie is killed in a violent accident, the grieving costers are deeply skeptical about the cause of his death. Who would want to kill Eddie—and why?

Maisie Dobbs' father, Frankie, had been a costermonger, so she had known the men since childhood. She remembers Eddie fondly and is determined to offer her help. But it soon becomes clear that powerful political and financial forces are equally determined to prevent her from learning the truth behind Eddie's death. Plunging into the investigation, Maisie begins her search for answers on the working-class streets of Lambeth where Eddie had lived and where she had grown up. The inquiry quickly leads her to a callous press baron; a has-been politician named Winston Churchill, lingering in the hinterlands of power; and, most surprisingly, to Douglas Partridge, the husband of her dearest friend, Priscilla. As Maisie uncovers lies and manipulation on a national scale, she must decide whether to risk it all to see justice done.

While I enjoyed the last couple Maisie books for their dependable comfort, I was resigned that our calm, cool, and collected heroine was never going to show signs of cracking. I am happy to report that this book delivers for all the fans (like me) who were waiting for Maisie to soften a bit. She remains true to form - smart, practical, composed - but we are exposed to her thoughts of self doubt as she confronts some of her controlling tendencies. Also, I thought setting the mystery in Maisie's childhood home was a fitting contrast and backdrop to her inner struggles.  Elegy for Eddie has reignited my anticipation for more, author Winspear reveals Maisie has more going on than just reliability. Not only does the character  continue to grow but the historical atmosphere gains much from World War II looming on the horizon.

And what a difference a year makes...I think Maisie will enjoy a surge in popularity with the Downton Abbey craze - since she lives in post WW 1 London and was raised as a housemaid.  I am planning to reread Maisie no. 1 just to remind myself of her humble beginnings.

Visit the author here: http://www.jacquelinewinspear.com

Thank you to HarperCollins for the review copy.

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The Darlings by Cristina Alger & Giveaway

The Darlings by Cristina Alger, 352 pages.Available in hardcover, ebook, Kindle, and Nook from Pamela Dorman Books.

A sophisticated page-turner about a wealthy New York family embroiled in a financial scandal with cataclysmic consequences.

Now that he's married to Merrill Darling, daughter of billionaire financier Carter Darling, attorney Paul Ross has grown accustomed to New York society and all of its luxuries: a Park Avenue apartment, weekends in the Hamptons, bespoke suits. When Paul loses his job, Carter offers him the chance to head the legal team at his hedge fund. Thrilled with his good fortune in the midst of the worst financial downturn since the Great Depression, Paul accepts the position.

But Paul's luck is about to shift: a tragic event catapults the Darling family into the media spotlight, a regulatory investigation, and a red-hot scandal with enormous implications for everyone involved. Suddenly, Paul must decide where his loyalties lie-will he save himself while betraying his wife and in-laws or protect the family business at all costs?

A few weeks ago, I finished the memoir of Stephanie Madoff Mack whose husband Mark (Bernie's son) comitted suicide after despairing over his father's lies and thievery. Having read that book added a bit of extra dimension to The Darlings, which gives a 360 degree view of a fictional (but similar) financial scandal.  It was a fast moving, engaging story that skims the surface of all involved - from the family whose reputation is ruined, to the SEC investigators, the reporter, attorneys, and secretaries. If you have ever had an office job, you know it is the administrative support staff that really knows what's going on. While I found all the perspectives had something to offer, I did wish that Paul and Merrill's story had gone a bit deeper.  In a story with so many shifty characters, it is natural to want to rally behind the "good" guys and I wanted to know more about their relationship, in particular. I appreciated the quick pace and how Alger managed to keep it moving and still connect the dots. She also had a gentle touch with her characters, giving insight into their motivations without condoning their behavior. And I was surprised by the element of suspense - not a thriller, but definitely a slow simmer.  I found it to be a fascinating look into a world of privilege, excess, and deception, where loyalty is not necessarily a virtue.  If you are looking for a timely and effortless read, The Darlings would be a good fit for your outdoor reading bag. (Hello Spring, welcome!)

Would you like to win a copy?  Leave me a comment by Saturday at midnight EST to enter and tell me what you're reading now :)

Thank you the kind folks at Viking for providing both a review & giveaway copy!

Visit the author website:  http://cristinaalger.com

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Review & Giveaway: Julia's Child by Sarah Pinneo

Julia's Child by Sarah Pinneo, 279 pages. Available in paperback, ebook, Kindle, and Nook from Plume.

A delectable comedy for every woman who's ever wondered if buying that six-dollar box of organic crackers makes her a hero or a sucker.
Julia Bailey is a mompreneur with too many principles and too little time.  Her fledgling company, Julia's Child, makes organic toddler meals with names like Gentle Lentil and Give Peas a Chance. But before she can realize her dream of seeing them on the shelves of Whole Foods, she will have to make peace between her professional aspirations and her toughest food critics: the two little boys waiting at home. Is it possible to save the world while turning a profit?
Julia's Child is a warmhearted, laugh-out-loud story about motherhood's choices: organic vs. local, paper vs. plastic, staying at home vs. risking it all.

This book came at the perfect time - I have been slogging through a few books lately and I was able to zip through this entertaining read that appeals to my foodie interests and mom sensibilities.  Sometimes I can identify exactly why I like a book - and in this case, it reminded me of my little start up biscotti baking business. In my twenties, working at my first job as an accountant (bleck) I became fast friends with the only other fresh out of college gal- hiya L!  We shared a love of cooking, taking classes together at Williams Sonoma and baking cookies at Christmas. We received such good feedback on our biscotti we went into business - making them in a small rented community center kitchen and selling them to a few coffee shops. This was before Starbucks left Seattle and coffee was all the rage - oh if we'd only known! We entered into this venture completely blind, sans business plan - totally flying by the seat of our pants. It was fun, and exhausting - we had a good chuckle about baking while aerobics class was going on in the adjoining gymnasium, those ladies must have wanted to throttle us. I also recall waking up my sister right after she had a baby to see if she would make a delivery to my building as I had been up all night cooking and called in sick. Sorry, C - you were very kind not to smack me. It didn't last long - we came to the point where we needed help but didn't know how to expand properly and didn't seek out any guidance. I think we were too tired to think more than a week in advance. But I remember those months fondly and this book brought me right back. And I wonder if I had been 30 something with kids during this time, if my life wouldn't have looked EXACTLY like Julia's.

Julia is principled and frazzled, cobbling together bits & pieces of a business plan as she goes. Having sunk her family's savings into making organic baby food, she is quickly approaching the time when  she either needs to hit it big or pack it in.  If I hadn't known better (see above) I would have thought she was a real mess and wondered how she had even come this far. But a supportive husband, and savvy business partner, along with some luck start to open doors and then it gets crazier.  I agree with Kirkus Reviews that this is an I Don't Know How She Does It for foodies (good thing I saw that blurb before I hit publish, apparently what began as an original thought turns out isn't). Clearly it's success hinges on whether Julia is likeable and real - I thought so. It is amusing, timely, and entertaining - a perfect antedote to being stuck in the reading weeds. Or like skipping over a heavy dinner and going straight for the dessert.

Okay - want to win a copy of Julia's Child? The kind folks at Plume have provided one to give. Just leave me a comment and tell me about your entreprenuerial dream job (it can be totally made up - like I wish someone would pay me to read all day :))

I'll choose the winners Friday noonish est.

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Paris My Sweet by Amy Thomas

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas, 304 pages. Available now in paperback, Nook, Kindle and ebook from Sourcebooks.

Forever a girl obsessed with all things French, sweet freak Amy Thomas landed a gig as rich as the purest dark chocolate: leave Manhattan for Paris to write ad copy for Louis Vuitton. Working on the Champs-Élysées, strolling the charming streets, and exploring the best patisseries and boulangeries, Amy marveled at the magnificence of the City of Light.

But does falling in love with one city mean turning your back on another? As much as Amy adored Paris, there was part of her that felt like a humble chocolate chip cookie in a sea of pristine macarons. PARIS, MY SWEET explores how the search for happiness can be as fleeting as a salted caramel souffle's rise, as intensely satisfying as molten chocolate cake, and about how the life you're meant to live doesn't always taste like the one you envisioned.

Less a memoir than an anecdotal travelogue to delectable desserts - this could easily be titled Sweets and the Single Girl. While there is the standard lament over romantic prospects - Thomas' biggest quandary seems to be more like torn between two cities. Where shall I make my home? What should my life look like?  Why aren't I happy/content? Do not fear,for it does venture far into the philosophical, but veers instead into her diversion of choice - seeking out the best fill-in-the-blank treat. For every dessert sampled in Paris, Thomas can relate or compare to an item from NYC and you end up with a she said/she said tour of the patisseries and bakeries in both cities. I particularly enjoyed reading the stories of the New York start ups and the rich history of Paris shops. And while I found the personal bits stretched thin, the descriptions of sugary goodness are where her writing shines.  Be sure to have something sweet nearby - you cannot help but crave a little somethin' while reading this one.

One element that is lost reading it on the Kindle is the handy reference list at the end of the book which details all the places to get the best you name it sweets (and maps too). That is info I like to see on paper, but that's what libraries are for, yes? And I recommend you find this book before you go to either place - it takes you a bit off the beaten path toward less obvious or touristy spots.

Amy Thomas' blog complete with mouth watering photos is http://www.godiloveparis.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

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The Odds by Stewart O'Nan

I know I should be posting something cute for Valentine's Day, but this book is a valentine of sorts...and if you read it while eating chocolate then by golly you've celebrated.

The Odds: A Love Story by Stewart O'Nan, 192 pages. Available in hardcover, Kindle, Nook, and ebook from Viking.

Nobody writes the ordinaryness of life better than Stewart O'Nan. The Fowlers are a regular couple - married for 30 years, facing divorce and bankruptcy, they are headed to Niagara Falls (where they honeymooned) to risk their remaining savings at the roulette wheel.  The reader is treated to their thoughts and reflections as what is unspoken between them blankets every interaction. I couldn't help but recall Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach, another small book that packs a big punch, although about newlyweds. All those expectations and things unsaid are interesting to note both at the beginning and end of a marriage, as both stories so elegantly attest.

Even in this slim volume, O'Nan's attention to detail is staggering, ie. including bathroom habits, which I could have done without, but such is the intimacy between characters and reader. His prose remains crisp even though it is packed with insight and particulars. The backdrop of Niagara Falls is so fitting with it's cheesy romantic vibe in contrast with the cynicism of Marion and powerful but controlled chaos of the Falls - compared to the calculated recklessness of Art. It is a modern fable of unfinished people - more beautiful still, it is contained in a tightly crafted tiny package. It required so little commitment to read yet has proven its worth in reflection many times over.  I will say if you did not enjoy his book Last Night at the Lobster, this one may not be for you. His style varies so much between novels (he writes non-fiction too- see below), that is possible to pick and choose, but I like it all.

Here is his website: http://stewart-onan.com

And just for fun, I have a six degrees of separation story with Mr. O'Nan (well, technically three degrees). Several years ago he interviewed my husband's grandmother for his book The Circus Fire about the horrific Hartford Fire of 1945. He visited Grandma Jennie in her assisted living home to talk about her memories of that time as she volunteered with the Red Cross and I have no doubt he was surprised by her candor and wit. Her memory, even in her 90s, was incredibly sharp, she loved to share her knowledge and experience with others, with a particular passion for politics. And in one of her letters she told us of his visit.  She is no longer living, but I give her credit for introducing me to his work and can't help but think of her when I see one of his books.

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PS - Have a Happy Valentine's Day!  Any special plans? None here, but I'm feeling pretty festive and putting whipped cream in my coffee. :)

The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy

 

 The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy, 304 pages. Available in hardcover, Kindle, Nook, and ebook from Crown Publishing Group.

In 1945, Elsie Schmidt was a naïve teenager, as eager for her first sip of champagne as she was for her first kiss. But in the waning days of the Nazi empire, with food scarce and fears of sedition mounting, even the private yearnings of teenage girls were subject to suspicion and suppression. Elsie’s courtship by Josef Hub, a rising star in the Army of the Third Reich, has insulated her and her family from the terror and desperation overtaking her country. So when an escaped Jewish boy arrives on Elsie’s doorstep in the dead of night on Christmas Eve, Elsie understands that opening the door puts all she loves in danger.

Sixty years later, in El Paso, Texas, Reba Adams is trying to file a feel-good Christmas piece for the local magazine. Reba is a rolling stone, perpetually on the run from memories of a turbulent childhood, but she’s been in El Paso long enough to get a full-time job and a full-time fiancé, Riki Chavez. Riki, an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, finds comfort in strict rules and regulations, whereas Reba knows that in every good story, lines will be blurred.

Reba's latest assignment has brought her to the shop of an elderly baker across town. The interview should take a few hours at most, but the owner of Elsie's German Bakery is no easy subject. Elsie keeps turning the tables on Reba, and Reba finds herself returning to the bakery again and again, anxious to find the heart of the story. For Elsie, Reba's questions have been a stinging reminder of darker times: her life in Germany during that last bleak year of WWII. And as Elsie, Reba, and Riki's lives become more intertwined, all are forced to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past and seek out the courage to forgive.

This was one of those parallel stories in two parts  - one in the present, one the past - in this case one far exceeds the other and seemed strong enough to stand alone.  Elsie's story, as the titled baker's daughter, the correspondence with her sister in the Lebensborn program and experience as a German national with a heart of compassion are what make this book worth reading.

"Were you  a Nazi?"

"I was a German," replied Elsie.

"So you supported the Nazis?"

"I was German," Elsie repeated. "Being a Nazi is a political position, not an ethnicity. I am not a Nazi because I am German."  (pg. 60ish - hard to say on a e-reader!)

The book was weakened a bit by Reba's story - in part because her inability to move forward in life looks wan in comparison to the quiet dignity of Elsie. But also it seemed like the side story of her boyfriend's work with the border patrol was supposed to in some way mirror that of Nazi Germany. And I'm not sure it's a fitting connection, even the mere suggestion seemed out of place.  For me, Reba became more of a vehicle meant to give perspective to the wisdom and courage of Elsie. Despite my issues with the character of Reba, I would definitely recommend it as the WW 2 story is unique among books in this genre. Elsie's involvement with a Nazi soldier, the Lebensborn references and her unapologetic patriotism give a different perspective and tone to this historical fiction narrative, all handled in a way that doesn't stir up any sympathy for the cause of evil.

Review copy provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.  Just a note: the  e book version had some serious typo issues, specifically in the letter between sisters.  

For more info, visit the author's website: http://www.sarahmccoy.com

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I Read Memoirs in the Fall...Part 3: Foodie

Tout Sweet: A Memoir by Karen Wheeler, 320 pages. Available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, and ebook from Sourcebooks.

Blogger and fashion editor Karen Wheeler has written an entertaining account of her spontaneous decision to move from London to the French countryside. She intends not just to renovate her falling apart home but her falling apart life. I found Wheeler's writing style very engaging as we follow her adventures navigating small town life and language, all with aplomb. She is honest about the highs and lows, particularly her relationships with new friends (you couldn't make up these characters). There was an odd side story involving one a disagreement with one of her crew that was never fully resolved and I can't help but wonder at what really happened, I found its inclusion curious.  Other than that I fell in love with the little details, the day-to-day - walking to the market, the boulangerie, and the bookstore seem so much grander (and possible) in France. Wheeler's story doesn't end here...there is a sequel, already published overseas and available used on amazon called Toute Allure and a third book Tout Soul coming out this year. There is also her blog http://www.toutsweet.net.

thank you to sourcebooks for providing the review copy

 

Season to Taste: How I Lost My Sense of Smell and Found My Way  by Molly Birnbaum, 320 pages. Available in hardcover, Kindle, Nook, and ebook from Ecco.

Less the foodie memoir I anticipated, and more about the science of smell, which it turns out is FASCINATING. Sometimes the science-y statistics can ruin books for me, but not in this case. Birnbaum knits together her narrative with visits to the smell clinic and flavor factory (where it seems all food develops its synthetic flavoring - yikes). I am always drawn to stories where the determined course appears fixed until something (tiny, or in this case near tragic) steers it in an altogether different direction. I obvioulsy knew of the link between smell and taste, as does anyone who has ever had a nasty head cold, but had not thought of the long term implications of losing one of those senses. Not to mention the association of scent and memory - our mother's perfume, best friend's house, freshly laundered sheets, the change of seasons, new baby. What about all the dangerous smells - like rotten food ?  Crazy, right? So of course, I led our family on a hold your nose while you eat this experiment. And it rocked our world a bit. If you are even a little curious, I recommend Season to Taste for skillfully combining personal and factual into a recipe for readable.

thank you to HarperCollins for providing review copy

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The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar

The World We Found: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar,320 pages. Available in hardcover,

As university students in late 1970s Bombay, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta were inseparable. Spirited and unconventional, they challenged authority and fought for a better world. But much has changed over the past thirty years. Following different paths, the quartet drifted apart, the day-to-day demands of work and family tempering the revolutionary fervor they once shared.

Then comes devastating news: Armaiti, who moved to America, is gravely ill and wants to see the old friends she left behind. For Laleh, reunion is a bittersweet reminder of unfulfilled dreams and unspoken guilt. For Kavita, it is an admission of forbidden passion. For Nishta, it is the promise of freedom from a bitter fundamentalist husband. And for Armaiti, it is an act of acceptance, of letting go on her own terms even if her ex-husband and daughter do not understand her choices.

Having liked her previous novels, I had high hopes that this would be the ONE I would love. I already knew Ms. Umrigar's strengths include vivid character development and the ability to draw the reader in from the beginning. I am never disappointed by the first half of any of her work. And in this case the same pattern held, The World We Found is just plain readable, up to a point.  I cannot say exactly when, but there was a subtle shift when it became both unfocused and forced. The big picture is the reunion of the four girlfriends, which includes flashbacks to their idealistic days as activist college students, and highlights their current disappointments and struggles, but even that plot was not fully realized. My sentimental side did enjoy the portrayal of lapsed yet loyal friendships. The story flirted with deeper themes - Nishta's storyline showed promise - but never penetrated the surface.One of the reasons I seek out international fiction is to learn something about a culture that is unfamiliar to me. But this seemed more like a Westernized novel dropped in the setting of India and then turned into a bit of a suspense tale towards the end.  Ms. Umrigar's writing is typically heavy with political and class struggles, in this case Nishta seemed like a token symbol of those themes. I was left a little confused, wanting a bit more, but remain open to reading this author to see where she goes next. This book would greatly benefit from a reading group discussion.

Curious? Check out her other books: The Space Between Us, If Today Be Sweet, The Weight of Heaven,, Bombay Time.

Here is a link to an interview on Goodreads where she lists her 5 Favorite Books About India.

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I Read Memoirs in the Springtime...Part 2 (that would be spring of 2011)

The Anti-Romantic Child: A Story of Unexpected Joy by Priscilla Gilman, 304 pages. Available in hardcover, Kindle, and ebook from HarperCollins. (paperback coming in April 2012)

Priscilla Gilman experienced childhood as a whirlwind of imagination and creative play. Later, as a student and a scholar of Wordsworth, she embraced the poet's romantic view of children—and eagerly anticipated her own son's birth, certain that he, too, would come “trailing clouds of glory.” Though extraordinary, Benjamin showed signs of a developmental dis-order that would require intensive therapies and special school-ing, altering the course Priscilla had imagined for her family.

In The Anti-Romantic Child, an incredible synthesis of memoir and literature, Gilman explores the complexity of our hopes for our families and ourselves. Using Wordsworth's poetry as a touchstone, she describes her journey through crisis to a place of peace and resilience. Gilman illuminates the flourishing of life that occurs when we embrace the unexpected, and shows how events and situations often perceived as setbacks can actually enrich us.

Not since Beth Kephart's A Slant of Sun have I been so moved by a story of mother and child. I didn't fully understand the anti-romantic of the title, even though I knew Gilman was a romantic literature professor, until the story gracefully unfolded.  Because I don't always read the descriptions (I'm learning), I thought it was going to be about childrearing as an academic, and the unexpected rewards of motherhood, blah blah blah. Instead, she reveals her expectations, disappointments, and triumphs in raising her son with special needs - while seamlessly weaving Wordsworth ino the narrative. Which automatically gets extra points.  I was riveted by the richness of Gilman's writing - she articulates with precision and artistry how she navigates the winding and lonely road of advocating for her son. And  even more, I appreciated her honesty while struggling over parenting choices, struggles that every mother experiences, but felt more acutely when trying to gain ground against a disability.  It is a vivid and beautiful picture of mother love - a devotion that requires tending but cannot diminished by circumstance. Good stuff.

review copy provided by publisher

 

Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch, 260 pages. Available in hardcover, ebook, and Kindle from Harper Collins.

Nina Sankovitch has always been a reader. As a child, she discovered that a trip to the local bookmobile with her sisters was more exhilarating than a ride at the carnival. Books were the glue that held her immigrant family together. When Nina's eldest sister died at the age of forty-six, Nina turned to books for comfort, escape, and introspection. In her beloved purple chair, she rediscovered the magic of such writers as Toni Morrison, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ian McEwan, Edith Wharton, and, of course, Leo Tolstoy. Through the connections Nina made with books and authors (and even other readers), her life changed profoundly, and in unexpected ways. Reading, it turns out, can be the ultimate therapy.

Many of you already know my love for books about reading books. It is a wonderful feeling to bond with someone (even a stranger) over a shared love of reading. This book appeared to be the mother lode. And it was good, but not what I expected. Nina Sankovitch lost her beloved sister to cancer and as a way to deal with her tremendous grief she takes a year "off" to do nothing but read. A book a day. Seriously. Are you wondering how that is possible and if she has a family? Yes, a wonderfully supportive one.  And while she talks about many of the books she read during her magical year, it became a vehilcle to deal with her grief. Again, not exactly what I anticipated. As a result I started to think about how people cope with various trials and it made me sad for the author.  While I will be the first to tell you of the healing properties of curling up with a book, when it comes to deep sorrow there aren't enough books in the world to console the heart. And Sankovitch herself didn't seem truly satisfied or comforted which made it hard for this reader to see the point. Except that it's nice she got to read so much...

review copy provided by publisher

 

A Year and Six Seconds: A Love Story by Isabel Gillies, 256 pages. Available now in hardcover, ebook, and Kindle from Hyperion.

A Year and Six Seconds is the true story of New York Times bestselling memoirist Isabel Gillies's valiant yet bumbling efforts to pick herself up after her husband leaves her for another woman---and of how she stumbles upon true love.

Having read and enjoyed her first book Happens Every Day, I was curious about the rest of the story. What happened after she packs up her two boys, leaves her cheating college professor husband, and moves in with her parents in New York City?  Aside from being a giant mess...how does she navigate this next part? As in her first book, author Gillies does not seem to hold back, even when it portrays her in a poor light.

I am confused about the purpose of this book - is it supposed to be triumphant, insightful, inspiring, or just serve our leftover questions from the first book? (I'm guessing the latter, guilty as charged). I already knew she remarries...a curiosity aroused after finishing book one and sated by google.  Admittedly, I was expecting something a little less sloppy. And while I defended her right to fall apart while her marriage was crumbling, I didn't realize she was going to turn into one of those girls everyone knew in college (or high school) that always has a man or needs to have one or whatever.  Granted, living with your parents as an adult is stressful enough without the added issues that come from divorce but I didn't get the sense that she was moving forward at all.  She floated around, got her old job back, regularly swam in puddle of self pity,  stumbled on her husband and now she's happy again. Sorry if that was a spoiler...but I'm not sure there is a story to be spoiled here.

review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley

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