Saturday, June 29, 2013

The Interestings

By Meg Wolitzer    Summertime during adolescence, torture for some, defining moments for others. The Interestings, a self named group of teens at Spirit-in-the-Woods, an arts camp in the Berkshires. It is the mid 1970's. Womens rights, freedom of expression and spin the bottle are the hot topics of the summer. These new friends share experiences, dreams and hopes that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Jules the comic actress, Ash the playwright, her brother Goodman - the spoiled good looking one, Jonah - a talented musician with a famous mother, and Ethan - whose talent as an animator outweighs all others from the very beginning. These teens are self conscience and curious. The loving friendships they form evolve and struggle through the years but never disappear, even as some of their dreams and visions fade into memory. Success, envy, jealousy and change, always change. This novel is superbly written, the characters are crisp and clear, their journey created by many pieces of real life. A heartwarming story filled with creativity and love. As I highly recommend (and I do!!), the only note is that it is long. The chapters are long, the book is long. I thoroughly enjoyed each part but it is a time consuming read. Perfect for the summer when you have the time and inclination to read and reminisce.
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Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

By Mohsin Hamid  
 A table in an outdoor cafe in Lahore Pakistan, two men, one evening, a tale that is both simplistic and complicated. Told in a dramatic narrative form, Changez details his recent years to man who could either be a friend or foe, the reader is never sure. A top student, from an old Pakistani family, Changez graduated from Princeton and was living in NYC, working at an upscale financial establishment. He was a shining star at work, had a blossoming friendship with Erica, a beautiful fellow Princeton graduate and was enjoying an expense account for the first time in his life. And then it is September 11, 2001. Changez recounts his sense of betrayal, loss and confusion to his newfound dinner companion. How his life and future changed in an instant. One of the most unique styles of writing I have ever encountered. A story that will fill your imagination with images and your heart with questions. Do not miss this extraordinary read.
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Monday, June 17, 2013

Austenland

By Shannon Hale  
 A single girl in NYC, working as a graphic designer at a magazine, dating one disappointing man after another, Jane secretly dreams of another man, in another time. Jane is obsessed with Jane Austen novels and the romantic idea of Mr. Darcy. Not a single date in real time can ever live up to the idea and notions she has of a real gentleman and true love. When her Aunt Carolyn passes away she wills Jane a 3 week vacation at Pembroke Park, hence Austenland. And so begins a modern day Austen tale of this beautiful young woman finding love and most importantly finding herself in the process. If you loved Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict or Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, enjoy this quick summer read, loved it!!
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Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Best of Us

By Sarah Pekkanen
Four college friends and their spouses find themselves on the tropical island of Jamaica to celebrate Dwight's 35th birthday. Isolated in a magnificent vacation villa they realize a lot has changed since college days as they explore their lives, and question their choices, desires and dreams. Suitcases are filled with sexy swimsuits, sunscreen and unfortunately all their fears and worries tag along. Although this story is one that most of us could write (and definitely relate to!) - predictable, simple, honest writing, make this novel a fun, mindless, quick beachy chic read for summer. Enjoy, I did!!  BUY NOW!!
The Best of Us: A Novel

Saturday, June 8, 2013

And the Mountains Echoed

By Khaled Hosseini 
As many streams flow into a central river, so does this novel by esteemed author Khaled Hosseini. When Pari is four years old, she is taken to the big city of Kabul, away from her small village family, never to see them again. Abdullah, her older brother has cared for her since the day she was born, as their mother died during Pari's delivery. Their father, remarried, works day and night to provide for his family in this poor village in Afghanistan. The separation of Pari and her brother begins a chain of effects lasting through decades and changing the lives of everyone it touches. Written with beautiful language, these chapters are almost short stories in themselves woven together with the central thread of Pari, who spends her life mystified by an empty void she does not understand and Abdullah, who never fully accepts the loss of the special bond they shared. Do not get frustrated by the numerous names, dates and places. This is an enjoyable read but one must pay close attention as it jumps forward and back through time.  A must read for summer!
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Saturday, June 1, 2013

The Storyteller

By Jodi Picoult
Sage Singer is a twenty five year old lost soul. At such a young age Sage feels she has lost everything has ever mattered. Her parents, her beauty, her friends and sadly, her hope. Living in a small town in New Hampshire, Sage has spent her life in the shadows of her outspoken sisters and questionable faith. She squirrels herself away as a baker, working nights for an ex-nun and sleeping all day while the world spins forward without her. Until Sage meets Josef Weber. A 95 yr old German man could that will change her path and life forever. Sage is deeply connected to her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, who has never shared her past but continued on to a loving full life. The Storyteller is more than another Holocaust story of survival. The moral codes of guilt, forgiveness and regret are dissected through a story within a story. Jodi Picoult never fails to amaze the reader with her intricate web of characters connecting in ways never imagined. There is no doubt that she is the ultimate storyteller. Don not miss this awesome summer read!
BUY NOW!! The Storyteller