That Summer, Jennifer Weiner 5*
That Summer is another book set in Cape Cod, in the area we became familiar with in last year’s Weiner novel, Big Summer. This time we meet two families, one being wealthy, boarding school educated and suburban Philadelphia society entrenched. The other is the created family of Diana, a young woman whose life changed after a traumatic assault when she was young. How the two families intertwine and the tangles along the way create a story you will worry about and test your own thoughts on “#metoo” and money.
Jennifer Weiner continues to grow as a writer, tackling complicated viewpoints and issues and packaging them into contemporary fiction. That this book is being called a beach read illustrates again how beach reads have evolved into important fiction. Complex characters and smooth transitions! Culture clashes and #metoo. Creativity v. Money orientation. A great read!
The Publisher sent me an early copy of this book, which is available now!
You Can Trust Me, by Emma Rowley 4*
I’m not generally a mystery reader but like to broaden my scope. When a popular online book club chose this book for a monthly “read along” I hopped on the bandwagon, because their recommendations have led me to many books I’ve enjoyed.
I count this one as one of them. An intriguing house, built on the site of a tragic fire, a wealthy social influencer with the requisite handsome husband and darling child. And the ghostwriter, who is there to expand the brand. Or is she?
The book twists and turns in both viewpoint and time, leading the reader down first one alley and then the next. Maybe it’s because this isn’t my normal genre, but I found it fun! The ending was mostly satisfying--no spoilers from me! If you like a mystery, or need a change, give this one a try.
The House on the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune 6*...if possible.
This may be my favorite book of the year. It reads like a children's book or maybe a fable, and the magical creatures who make up the characters are nothing like what I normally read, but what a beautiful story, beautifully told. The characters are exquisite, from the seemingly OCD Linus Baker to the fascinating master of the Orphanage, we are taught to look beyond appearances and preconceptions to the possibility of a kinder, more inclusive world. Linus is sent to investigate the orphanage, with almost no preparation, so we discover all the idiosyncrasies along with him. This writer makes us adore the spawn of Lucifer!
"How can we fight prejudice if we do nothing to change it? If we allow it to fester, what’s the point?”
Give yourself the gift of reading this one!
