Yes, that is the corniest blog post title ever, but it fits this round of book reviews. The weather is cooler, football is in full swing, and I’ve had a pumpkin latte two days in a row. Fall is here!
As the days get shorter, I love to curl up in the evenings with a good book. Here are four reviews of books I’ve read and enjoyed over the past two months, with a special announcement – but no skipping ahead to the end!
The Light in the Ruins
by Chris Bohjalian
I’m a big fan of Bohjalian, and while this wasn’t my favorite of his books, I did enjoy it. I’ve read more than my share of books set during World War II, but each one has a different focus. In 1955 someone is murdering members of the Rosati family, and detective Serafina Bettini is investigating. In 1943, the Rosantis’ idyllic life is shattered by occupying German troops and a forbidden love. As the novel unfolds by alternating between past and present, we learn the secrets of Serafina’s past and how she may be linked to the Rosatis in a way no one imagined. This book was an engrossing, quick read – historical fiction meets mystery.
Sisterland
by Curtis Sittenfeld
I loved Sittenfeld’s previous novels, Prep and American Wife, so I was excited about her newest novel. Sisterland is the story of identical twins Kate and Violet, both of whom have “senses” that give them glimpses of the future. When Vi predicts an earthquake will rock St Louis, she also rocks the happy suburban existence of her twin who has tried to shed her senses.
The plot summary led me to believe that the book was primarily about these senses, but it was instead an exploration of the women’s lives from childhood. It is a story primarily about relationships, and it is told from Kate’s perspective. I found Kate an interesting character, although I was not particularly fond of her. Regardless, I was invested in the story, particularly in the final third of the book. While I would recommend reading it, I would rank it #3 of the three Sittenfeld books I have read. If you haven’t read Prep or American Wife, give them a try before Sisterland.
The House Girl
by Tara Conklin
This is yet another novel that tells parallel stories of two women separated by 150 years but linked in the present day. Josephine Bell is the seventeen-year-old house girl on a Virginia plantation in 1852, and Lina Sparrow is a young corporate lawyer in Manhattan in 2004. As Lina searches for a descendent of Josephine to be lead plaintiff in a history-making slave reparation case, both women’s stories unfold. The storytelling format is ubiquitous; I have read many novels in which a present day character slowly uncovers the tale of an historical character while discovering mysteries in their own life. Yet the plot was not as predictable as I imagined it would be, and I devoured the final third of the book in my eagerness to discover the resolution. Family secrets and the search for justice take forefront in this novel, which is a fast and satisfying read.
The Girl You Left Behind
by JoJo Moyes
I loved Moyes’ Me Before You, so I was excited to read her newest novel. While it didn’t resonate with me quite as much as her previous book, it did not disappoint. I was so engrossed in Sophie’s story set during World War II that it was a shock to be brought to present day for Liv’s story. Moyes weaves the two together well, although I think Sophie’s tale was the stronger one. I read in anticipation of learning more of her story once the novel switches to the present, and I was invested from the beginning. The perspective from a German-occupied French town in World War II was a new one for me.
The plot is neither boringly predictable or utterly shocking; it was satisfyingly somewhere in between. Tales of war, loss, redemption and love make for a completely enjoyable read. This is my review for Red Letter Reads; for a short summary and other reader’s opinions, click here.
And coming very soon…
The Mother of All Meltdowns
This brand new book is an anthology of stories from thirty moms who have been there. Guess who is one of those women? Me! I’m super excited to be a contributor. The book is for every mom, grandmother, or caregiver who has ever experienced the so-called “adult tantrum.”
Have you read a fabulous book lately? Please tell me in the comments so I can add it to my to-read list!
I’m excited to read Sisterland & The Housegirl! I am still so new to your blog! I am sitting here totally envious that you’ve read 4 novels in 2 months!!! I am doing good to read my 1 bookclub book per period. I won’t mention the period between meetings bc I’d have to hang my head in shame 🙂 !
I just let the house fall down around me while I read, Joi 🙂 I read when I walk the dog everyday, so I’m guaranteed 20 minutes of book time at the very least!
The Bohalian book sound right up my alley – I love historical fiction and mysteries? Which one is your favorite?
Out of the four novels – that’s a tough call. I think I’d have to say Moyes’ book, but you can’t go wrong with Bohjalian’s either.
I can admit, I haven’t read for leisure in a WHILE, but I am definitely interested in The Mother of Meltdowns! I love books that contain short stories and I can’t wait to read this! Congrats on being chosen as one of the contributors!
Thanks, Britton! With your new job (yay!) I’m sure you’ll be busy – but short stories are easy to read when you get a few spare moments, right?
I have Sisterland and House Girl in my to read stack. Just finished The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen. It’s not a brand new book, think it came out last year or so, but it was very good. The Mother of All Meltdowns sounds like it will be a great read!
I will check out the Secrets book – thanks for the recommendation. And The Mother of All Meltdowns is a great read – any mom (or parent, or caregiver) will relate!
I haven’t read ANY of those (ugh I used to read so much more) but I love love love that you shared Mother of All Meltdowns <3
Like how I worked that in there? 😉
1. Your title sounds like a poster in an elementary school library.
2. Your list makes me realize balanced reading doesn’t mean a Sports Illustrated on the nightstand and an ESPN the Magazine on the couch. (This has been my reading lately).
3. You remind me that I started reading “Lean In,” by Sheryl Sandberg, and I need to finish it for work.
4. The Light in the Ruins sounds like the book for me out of your list!
1. You’re right, it does!
2. That sounds like balanced reading according to my husband, too.
3. Haven’t read that – probably should.
4. Yeah, I don’t think this round of books would be very appealing to you, Eli. Stick to your magazines 🙂
It’s dangerous to tell me not to skip ahead. I am the girl that reads the plot summary on Wikipedia before watching the movie and I have on more that one occasion skipped the last chapter to find out how it ends and the coming back and reading the rest. I can’t stand suspense. But I waited, because you asked so nicely. I’m excited for the The Mother of All Meltdowns!
I’m intrigued by Sisterland. I was absolutely haunted by Prep, but I haven’t read American Wife yet.
Thanks for restraining yourself, Stevie 🙂 I’m excited about our book too! Try American Wife and Sisterland – both good (and entirely different) books.
The House Girl sounds like the book for me. The Mother of All Meltdowns, sounds hilarious. If you haven’t already read it, Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a bittersweet story about a woman who loses herself due to the terrible disease, Alzheimer’s. It was quite an awakening to me.
I just finished The House Girl two days ago, and really enjoyed it. I’ve heard good things about Still Alice – I will definitely put it on my to-read list. Thanks, Barbara!
congratulations, dana! i am so happy for you and cannot wait to read the anthology. keep us posted! i love these book reviews. i wish i had more time to read…sigh.
I will keep you posted, Catherine – thanks!
Thanks for the book recommendations – I only seem to read when on vacation, but I’ll keep this list handy! Also I can’t wait to read Mother of all Meltdowns! That’s awesome!!
These are great Dana. I could see reading each one of them. Is The Girl You Left Behind a sequel? I’ve done quite a bit of audiobooks lately simply because I’m able to multi-task. The last one was Guilty Wives by James Patterson it was very good. Between you and Janine Huldie, I’ve got quite a list I need to check out.
It’s not a sequel, Kenya – totally different book than Me Before You. But if you read that, I can see where the title would make you think it was a sequel. Hope you have recovered from the challenge 🙂
I’m so excited for the Mother of All Meltdowns! Congratulations, Dana! And I love your list. I just started The Girl You Left Behind last night. I’m engrossed already!
Thanks, Jessica – I’m really exited about the book. And I’m sure you’ll love The Girl You Left Behind.
Congrats on your book, Dana! That is major news and super exciting! 🙂 My book club is always looking for new ideas, I will have to let them in on your list…did you ever read The Lost Wife? Author’s name escapes me at the moment, but set in WWII, historical fiction as well…great read.
The Lost Wife as been on my to-read list for awhile, Kim, but I haven’t read it yet. I’ll try it after I take a little break from WWII – I’ve read a lot from that time period lately!
Thanks for the great book recommendations!! I love to read. Right now I have a stack on my nightstand from summer that I need to get through. And I cannot wait for our Mother of all Meltdowns book to come out!!
Neither can I Michelle! Woot!
Yay I love when my fav bloggers do a book round up. We are always looking for new books for our book club and these are some great books to add to the list. Thanks for sharing Dana!
My pleasure, Shae. They all would make good book club picks – lots to discuss. Happy reading!
I am reading “Beautiful Day” by Elin Hilderbran but it’s too soon to give an opinion.
I love your book reviews. I consume books the way I consume pumpkin spice lattes – often at the same time.
Me too 🙂 I liked Beautiful Day – you didn’t see the movie first, did you? Don’t. I won’t say anything else, but let me know what you think when you finish it.
I thank you for your timely reviews! Every time I am looking for something to read, presto there you are with a recommendation 🙂 I am heading to Amazon now…
I aim to please, ma’am! I should get an affiliate link from Amazon and make some money off of you 😉
Thanks for sharing your recent reads. I’m always looking for titles to add to my reading list. Right now I’m reading ‘And the Mountains Echoed’ and can’t put it down!
Most importantly, YAY for The Mother of All Meltdowns!! As a fellow contributor/conspirator/victim of an epic meltdown, I can’t wait for this to release!! I’ll be doing a sneak peek on my blog next week. HOORAY!
I reviewed Mountains the last time I did a review post – I loved it! And yes, YAY for our book! Thought this was a perfect time to share the news 🙂
Congratulations on your book debut- so cool! Sisterland and The Girl You Left Behind are both on my to be read list. I have heard mixed reviews about both of them as you seem to agree.
They were both decent, but in comparison to their author’s previous books, they didn’t quite measure up. And thanks for the congrats – I’m very excited!
Congratulations – so exciting that you are one of the moms featured in “The Mother of All Meltdowns”!!! Can’t wait to read it.
Lately my reading has been very minimal (no more afternoons at the beach!!) because the only time I read is at night and I usually only last for about 1-2 pages these days. I think I’ve been reading the same book for almost a month – rare for me.
Then the new book will be perfect for you – you can read one story a night and it will last you for a month!
Going on my library list! I needed some good books!
Happy to give you some to try – let me know if you read any and what you thought!
We are SO EXCITED for The Mother of All Meltdowns! 🙂 So happy for you! You are spot on with your assessment of Sisterland. Prep is still one of my all-time favorite novels. And actually so is American Wife.-Ashley
Thanks, Ashley – and thanks for your awesome review. Prep was my favorite of her three books too. I like to recommend what I think are the strongest books from an author, in case someone hasn’t read any of his/her books before. Sisterland was good, but just not the best.
Love how you teased The Mother of All Meltdowns at the end of your post and so excited for the book to be released now!! Thanks also for all the great book reviews here and definitely gave so many great choices to pick from!! 🙂
Me too, Janine! Hope you can find time to read at least one book this fall.
I love when you share book titles. Here are two books I recently finished and loved:
1. I’ll Be Seeing You by Suzanne Hayes & Loretta Nyhan – written entirely in letters between the two main characters. Wonderful story and beautifully written.
2. The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman – A somewhat predictable plot line, but interesting and well written.
Thanks for the recommendations, Karen – I will check them out!