February was a BIG reading month for me, with equal numbers of fiction and non. I’ll save the nonfiction for next week. Here’s the fun stuff!
I have to say that this book was an enigma to me. I really liked Amy Bloom’s other novels, and the characters in this one were interesting and well-developed, but the story took so many twists and turns, which I suppose was part of the point she was making about the epic history of the 1940s, that I stopped caring about what would happen. Some of the transitions were awkward. I’m not sure why I finished it except out of loyalty to a favorite author. Disappointing.
I just love Anita Diamant and will read anything she cares to publish. I also love stories like this one about immigrants finding their way in America. Addie Baum is The Boston Girl and answers her granddaughter’s question, “how did you get to be the woman you are today?” The character was feminist in her own way, wanting to finish school and even attend college at a time of child labor and harsh conditions. This is a captivating story and a fun read. Recommend.
Blech. I am really not sure what happened here because I do like reading Sarah Jio’s novels. This one was so poorly written that I felt annoyed. The plot was far beyond predictable to be irritating, the characters were not interesting or complex, and I wasn’t at all interested in the nicely tied up ending. Such a disappointment. I hate to say that because I usually like this author so much.
Awful. I think I read about this in O Magazine and it sounded great because it’s about a woman working in her favorite bookstore. Except it really wasn’t. The main character finds herself pregnant just as she’s beginning grad school and is in a very shallow relationship, and then the book just goes on and on about that. She is sweet, but not compelling enough to read about. I put it down after a few chapters.
The beginning pages were all about the petty relationships and battles between school mothers. I kept going because a good friend loved this book, and I’m glad I did. It quickly got very interesting. I won’t spoil it for anyone, but do persevere and read past the first 100 pages. There are many mysteries to solve and it gets really intriguing.
Goodness goodness goodness. There must have been something hormonal going on with me when I started this book because I was crying and having trouble actually seeing the words through my tears. Not just a little emotional… I’m talking heaving sobs, people. Ridiculous. Anyway, it’s your basic amnesia story. A 40-year-old woman falls at the gym and then doesn’t remember anything after being 29. She gets to see what happened in her life without remembering any of it. Eventually it helps her reassess and make much better decisions. Thought-provoking and oh so good!
I didn’t even know Susan Vreeland, one of my absolutely favorite writers, had written a new novel! It was one of the Kindle recommendations after I finished Madame Picasso. Her books are worlds unto themselves and are filled with art history, excellent and lovable characters, and great storytelling. This one wasn’t nearly as compelling as her others, but Vreeland didn’t disappoint in creating an entire world unto itself as she always does so well and in inventing vivid characters you can’t help but love.
What have you been reading lately? And are you on Goodreads? I’d love to connect there.
Everything I’ve Ever Read (I think)
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What fun! Just put the Boston Girl on hold at the library!
Once again I am amazed by how fast you can read….I loved your review of the Boston Girl…I heard good and bad but I think I’ll give it a try….
If you haven’t read the Art of Hearing Heartbeats…I highly recommend it.
Cheryl recently posted…So French
Hi Cheryl. I have read that one and I remember really liking how different it was. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your reads! It’s my turn to pick the book for book club this month so I think I’ll share some of your ideas.