22. Book Review: The Girl You Left Behind (2014)

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Synopsis

France, 1916: Artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his young wife, Sophie, to fight at the front. When their small town falls to the Germans in the midst of World War I, Edouard’s portrait of Sophie draws the eye of the new Kommandant. As the officer’s dangerous obsession deepens, Sophie will risk everything—her family, her reputation, and her life—to see her husband again. 

 Almost a century later, Sophie’s portrait is given to Liv Halston by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. A chance encounter reveals the painting’s true worth, and a battle begins for who its legitimate owner is—putting Liv’s belief in what is right to the ultimate test. 

 Review

I just love Jojo Moyes. I love the way she tells a tale and the heart with which she tells it.  Each book she writes is so enjoyable and heart wrenching to read.  I loved reading this book on the heels of The Goldfinch as it's story was a bit lighter (although at some points this story was quite heavy) but mostly because it followed the theme of art and what it means to those who behold it. And I have said this before and I'll say it again, she writes a darn good love story.  This book is a great beach read or summer vacation read. It goes quickly but deeply.

Other books you may like…

Suite Francaise

The Secret Keeper: A Novel

21. Book Review: The Goldfinch (2014)

The Goldfinch: A Novel by Donna Tartt

Synopsis

Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art. 

 As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love--and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle. 

 The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the ruthless machinations of fate.

Review

After hearing so many polarizing opinions (I LOVED IT! I HATED IT!) reviews about this book I was pretty sure I was going to avoid it.  I was afraid it was overhyped and I usually like to know in advance of reading a book if I am going to remotely like it… and since it was polarizing I didn't think I would take the chance or I would at least just wait for a copy to show up at the library randomly (fate! then it's meant to be, right?!).  

Then it became the next book club selection for my book club and I realized I was actually glad it was "assigned" reading.  Now I could find out what all the hype was about with out buying into the hype (or something… that was my reasoning).  Let me say that this book really did live up the hype. It was moving and sad and thought-provoking and redeeming and full to the brim with humanity.  It was quite a long book but I read it less than a week… just pouring over the pages and absorbing them and not even realizing what was going on around me.  And for all it's depth and sadness and tragic story lines… it absolutely redeemed itself at the end.  And even if it hadn't of (which it absolutely did - the last chapter is so beautiful and meant to be read and re-read) it still would have been an amazing literary experience.  I am now quite curious as to what this authors other books are like.  This is a great book club selection with so many juicy parts to dissect and discuss among friends.

Other books you may like…

The Interestings: A Novel
Tell the Wolves I'm Home: A Novel

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo  

(for some reason The Goldfinch reminded me so much of Dragon Tattoo… plus, Goldfinch even references Dragon Tattoo… funny, huh?!)

20. Book Review: What Alice Forgot (2014)

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Synopsis

Alice Love is twenty-nine, crazy about her husband, and pregnant with her first child. 

 So imagine Alice’s surprise when she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! She HATES the gym) and is whisked off to the hospital where she discovers the honeymoon is truly over — she’s getting divorced, she has three kids, and she’s actually 39 years old. Alice must reconstruct the events of a lost decade, and find out whether it’s possible to reconstruct her life at the same time. She has to figure out why her sister hardly talks to her, and how is it that she’s become one of those super skinny moms with really expensive clothes. Ultimately, Alice must discover whether forgetting is a blessing or a curse, and whether it’s possible to start over… 

 Review

I absolutely LOVED the premise and the story line of this book. But with one caveat, this book seemed to take me FOREVER to read.  The story line moved dreadfully slow at some points and Elizabeth & Frannie's story lines seem to detract at times from Alice's - or I just found myself only wanting to read about Alice.  But that is the only bad thing I am going to say about this book.  Because really it was so well written and so visual - I could totally picture the whole thing.  The meringue pie making scene was so hilarious and one I think I will always remember.

What I loved most about this book was the way it made me look at my own life (and isn't that what we love so much about books?) as if it were through Alice's point of view.  What decisions do we make in life that take us to where we are now versus ten years ago or ten years in the future?  Are we building the life we always imagined or are we off course?  This book was a thinker for sure. And for a reader that is usually hypercritical of book endings, I really liked the way this book ended.  To make the book even more interesting I just heard about a real-life example of memory loss like this that mirrored the book quite closely on The American Life's recent episode.  Check that out - it's in Act 2 and is definitely worth a listen!

Other books you may like…

The Husband's Secret by the same author (review found here)

The Light Between Oceans: A Novel

19. Book Review: A Well Tempered Heart (2014)

A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Synopsis

The sequel to the international best-selling novel The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. 

 Almost ten years have passed since Julia Win came back from Burma, her father’s native country. Though she is a successful Manhattan lawyer, her private life is at a crossroads; her boyfriend has recently left her and she is, despite her wealth, unhappy with her professional life. Julia is lost and exhausted. 

 One day, in the middle of an important business meeting, she hears a stranger’s voice in her head that causes her to leave the office without explanation. In the following days, her crisis only deepens. Not only does the female voice refuse to disappear, but it starts to ask questions Julia has been trying to avoid. Why do you live alone? To whom do you feel close? What do you want in life? Interwoven with Julia’s story is that of a Burmese woman named Nu Nu who finds her world turned upside down when Burma goes to war and calls on her two young sons to be child soldiers. This spirited sequel, like The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, explores the most inspiring and passionate terrain: the human heart.

Review

I absolutely adored Sendker's novel The Art of Hearing Heartbeats and I was so excited to pick up this sequel to that epic and moving story.  Sedker's gift as an author was still vibrantly apparent in this follow up novel but the storyline left a little to be desired - mostly with the ending.  The story did move quickly with inspiring and lovable characters that had a lot of depth. While I loved the visuals this book presented, it seemed like the author had a great idea for the story, which was beautiful, but felt compelled to frame it within the first novel's storyline.  This made the book feel fragmented and unfinished at times. The author no doubt left off with the expectations of a forthcoming third book in this (presumable) series.  I don't want to get to "down" on this book though because really it was a quick and beautiful read from an extremely gifted author.  It's worth checking out.

Other books you may like…

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (by the same author)
The Lowland

18. Book Review: Astonish Me (2014)

Astonish Me: A Novel by Maggie Shipstead

Synopsis

Astonish Me is the irresistible story of Joan, a young American dancer who helps a Soviet ballet star, the great Arslan Rusakov, defect in 1975. A flash of fame and a passionate love affair follow, but Joan knows that, onstage and off, she is destined to remain in the background. She will never possess Arslan, and she will never be a prima ballerina. She will rise no higher than the corps, one dancer among many. 

After her relationship with Arslan sours, Joan plots to make a new life for herself. She quits ballet, marries a good man, and settles in California with him and their son, Harry. But as the years pass, Joan comes to understand that ballet isn’t finished with her yet, for there is no mistaking that Harry is a prodigy. Through Harry, Joan is pulled back into a world she thought she’d left behind—back into dangerous secrets, and back, inevitably, to Arslan. 

 Combining a sweeping, operatic plot with subtly observed characters, Maggie Shipstead gives us a novel of stunning intensity and deft psychological nuance. Gripping, dramatic, and brilliantly conjured, Astonish Me confirms Shipstead’s range and ability and raises provocative questions about the nature of talent, the choices we must make in search of fulfillment, and how we square the yearning for comfort with the demands of art. 

 Review

First off, isn't this a gorgeous cover? I loved it. Sometimes it is fun to judge a book by it's cover! I picked up this book in 10 and 15 minute increments at first and had a hard time getting into it… but once I had more than 30 minutes to really dig into it I didn't put it down until I was done.  This book really pulled me in.  So much so that there was a twist at the end which I was surprised I didn't see coming. I hope that doesn't give too much away! 

I loved this author's previous book Seating Arrangements and was pleasantly surprised by this follow up novel (which doesn't seem to happen to me lately).  The characters were brilliantly written, the story line while jumping back and forth to different years and locations was perfectly choreographed (love the pun) and the writing about ballet was exquisite without being overly involved or confusing.  The world of ballet has always intrigued me and this book was no exception.  Bravo Maggie Shipstead on this fantastic novel!  I never wanted it to end…

Other books you may like…

Seating Arrangements (by the same author)
Tell the Wolves I'm Home: A Novel

6 books to kick off your summer!

Summer (un)officially starts this weekend and if you are like me you are already planning what books to read at the beach this weekend or what books to take on vacation with you this summer.  Here are six of my favorite books to read poolside or with sand between your toes… put these reads at the top of your list for summer reading!

Beautiful Ruins: A Novel… An epic love story that takes place in Italy and LA over the span of 50 years.  Even if you don't have sunny plans this weekend you will feel the sun on your shoulders as the author plops you on the picturesque Italian coastline.

Rules of Civility: A Novel… this is one of my all time favorite books.   It's a glitzy and glamorous story that takes place in New York City among high society in the 1930's.  Grab a gin and tonic and settle in with this gem of a book.

Me Before You: A Novel… wear your darkest sunglasses and grab a tissue (or ten) as you settle in to this moving and deliciously tragic story of love and hardship.  You won't be able to put it down.

The Interestings: A Novel… this book begins with the characters at summer camp (serious summer nostalgia included!) and takes us through the lives of the six campers as they grow up and change.  This is a sweeping story of life and love and the decisions we make. 

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats… mystery, love and inspiration abound in this unique love story.  This is a story that will move and amaze you. This author just released a sequel too, which I can't wait to read, called A Well-Tempered Heart.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel… a hilarious story of Bernadette Fox, opinionated and quirky mom living in Seattle.  There are crazy private school mothers, virtual assistants in India, email trails and trips to Antarctica in this adventure of a book.

17. Book Review: The Wives of Los Alamos (2014)

The Wives of Los Alamos: A Novel by Tarashea Nesbit

Synopsis 

They arrived in New Mexico ready for adventure, or at least resigned to it. But hope quickly turned to hardship as they were forced to adapt to a rugged military town where everything was a secret—including what their husbands were doing at the lab. 

Though they were strangers, they joined together—adapting to a landscape as fierce as it was absorbing, full of the banalities of everyday life and the drama of scientific discovery. While the bomb was being invented, babies were born, friendships were forged, children grew up, and Los Alamos gradually transformed into a real community: one that was strained by the words they couldn’t say out loud or in letters, and by the freedom they didn’t have. But the end of the war would bring even bigger challenges, as the scientists and their families struggled with the burden of their contribution to the most destructive force in the history of mankind. 

 The Wives of Los Alamos is a testament to a remarkable group of real-life women and an exploration of a crucial, largely unconsidered aspect of one of the most monumental research projects in modern history.

Review

I first heard about this book from the Books on the Nightstand podcast (have you ever listened? I'm a huge fan!) and I was excited to check it out, so when I randomly found it at the library recently I was thrilled.  The book is written in the first person plural (as in "we" or "us") and I was hoping that I would get used to it as I read it, but I just couldn't relate to it. The way it was written it seemed to tell all the story and none of the story at the first time.  And while I am sure that a lot of work went into this book, the tense of first person plural made it seem really shallow. HOWEVER (and this is a big however) the book was quite intriguing.  I think this is a book that will really stick with me as the imagery was fantastic and the history of the Manhattan Project and the women that picked up their lives to follow their husbands who were working on it is a riveting subject.  In addition this book was a super quick and easy read.  It would be a great palette cleanser after perhaps a tough or lengthy book.

Other books you may like…

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Land Girls

16. Book Review: The Last Letter from Your Lover (2014)

The Last Letter from Your Lover: A Novel by Jojo Moyes

Synopsis

A heartbreaking, stay-up-all-night novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You and One Plus One A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing—not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate—hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. Remarkably moving, this is a novel for romantics of every age.

Review

If you've ever read one of Jojo Moyes book you all know that she writes one heck of a love story. I absolutely loved Me Before You and was actually a little skeptical that this book could meet my expectations for this author again. But let me say that this book was flawless. Without sappiness or any distaste she weaves a beautiful, tragic and hopeful love story with this book. The story has really great twists and turns… some are a little predictable but most of them are not, which makes this book a definite page turner. This is one of those books that I was so sad to finish and I am already missing the characters. The book has two story lines that intertwine, one in 1960 - which takes up the majority of the book and the other that takes place in 2003. I almost thought she lost me on the modern day story line, but the way she twists and turns the story I was instantly hooked. The 1960's story line is almost a scene straight out of Mad Men… I actually pictured the main character Jennifer as Betty Draper. Read this! (another side note, I also thought it was interesting that this was the second book I have read this year about a woman who lost her memory… must make for a compelling story in my book!)

Other books you may like…
Me Before You: A Novel
The Secret Keeper: A Novel

15. Book Review: End of Your Life Book Club (2014)

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

Synopsis

During her treatment for cancer, Mary Anne Schwalbe and her son Will spent many hours sitting in waiting rooms together. To pass the time, they would talk about the books they were reading. Once, by chance, they read the same book at the same time—and an informal book club of two was born. Through their wide-ranging reading, Will and Mary Anne—and we, their fellow readers—are reminded how books can be comforting, astonishing, and illuminating, changing the way that we feel about and interact with the world around us. A profoundly moving memoir of caregiving, mourning, and love—The End of Your Life Book Club is also about the joy of reading, and the ways that joy is multiplied when we share it with others.

Review

 I started this book skeptically wondering if it was going to be sappy or super sad only to discover it was neither of those. The author is one part chronicling the life and last years of his mother's life and one part reviewing and discussing books. It's a book about mothers and sons and about books and about family. The relationship between the author and his mother was extremely moving and inspiring. I love to read about books and this book talks about books in a deep and meaningful way - that is, how books because entwined in our lives and our own personal stories.  Most of the books that the author read with his mother were not books I had read already.  I found this book to be a delight to read and finished it quickly… by the end I had a warm feeling about familial love and specifically mother and son relationships - not too mention a few new books on my "to read" list!

Other books you may like…
A Happy Marriage: A Novel
The Fault in Our Stars

14. Book Review: Stella Bain (2014)

Stella Bain by Anita Shreve

Synopsis

An epic story, set against the backdrop of World War I, from bestselling author Anita Shreve. When an American woman, Stella Bain, is found suffering from severe shell shock in an exclusive garden in London, surgeon August Bridge and his wife selflessly agree to take her in. A gesture of goodwill turns into something more as Bridge quickly develops a clinical interest in his houseguest. Stella had been working as a nurse's aide near the front, but she can't remember anything prior to four months earlier when she was found wounded on a French battlefield. In a narrative that takes us from London to America and back again, Shreve has created an engrossing and wrenching tale about love and the meaning of memory, set against the haunting backdrop of a war that destroyed an entire generation.

Review

I picked this book up on a whim after finding it at the library without having heard anything about it previously.  After reading the book flap I was curious and brought it home with me.  I was pleasantly surprised by it. Anita Shreve also wrote The Pilot's Wife, which is a book I remember really enjoying reading. The story moves quickly and the writing is driven mostly by dialogue which in my opinion makes for a fast read. This book is a perfect "palate cleanser" after a deep, tough or lengthy book. Where some books can be equated to an epic movie… this was more of a one hour tv show. If that makes sense. The characters were likable and the story was an interesting albeit predictable one.  This book would make a great beach read.

Other books you may like…
The Pilot's Wife
The Aviator's Wife: A Novel
Sarah's Key