Where'd You Go, Bernadette-Maria Semple
I love the absurdity of life, especially in a hilarious book like this. Bernadette is a design legend, a stay at home mom and a potentially unbalanced person whose story is told through a series of emails and other documentation. She seems to be flying off the rails but I really had no idea where this book was headed and marveled at every turn of the page. I couldn’t put it down or stop laughing.
The First Husband-Laura Dave
This exploration of what love means and what you should be willing to give up for it was a compelling read. Annie Adams seems to have the perfect life as a globe-trotting travel reporter but after her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her without warning, she falls in love with and quickly marries a chef who sweeps her off her feet. When they move back to his small hometown where he is starting a restaurant she begins to question whether she made the right decision. I felt like I was friends with Annie throughout the book and wanted to call her to give her some advice on what to do next.
Island Beneath the Sea-Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende’s House of Spirits is one of my favorite historical fiction novels with a family drama at its center. Island beneath the Sea uses the slave rebellion in Haiti and the subsequent flight of many planters to other islands and eventually to New Orleans to tell the story of Zarite, a slave and Toulouse, a Frenchman brought to the island to assist his ailing father run their sugar plantation. Their interaction spans many years and many circumstances. I enjoyed all the historical information and found myself online searching for additional details along the way.
The Night Circus-Erin Morgenstern
This book has seemed to be everywhere for the last year. After reading it, I understand all the buzz. It is the story of two older magicians who have an on-going contest where they each train a pupil in their particular style of magic and then give them a challenge to determine who is better. This particular challenge takes place in a circus with all the peculiar characters of that world and intrigue as to how the circus seems to constantly create magical wonders. The writing was so vivid, I felt like I had attended the night circus.
Another Piece of my Heart-Jane Green
This book falls squarely into the Chick Lit category but I really enjoy the way Jane Green can tell a story. The stepmother/stepdaughter relationship is never an easy situation and in this novel it becomes more complicated than most. Andi has met a wonderful man in her late 30s and though she has always wanted her own children, she loves his children and is happy to have them in her life. Except often, Emily, the older daughter acts out and treats Andi badly leading to difficulties between her and her husband. The story unfolds somewhat as you would expect but I still enjoyed it.
