The Letter Carrier

The Letter Carrier by Francesca Giannone, 416 pages

When Carlo returns to his small Italian hometown of Lizzanello with a new wife, Anna, everyone is intrigued by her beauty and unconventional ways. When she takes over the job of letter carrier after the previous one dies, she's seen as even stranger, as no woman has ever held the position. But Anna slowly works her way into the hearts of Lizzanello's people, though she never ceases to be a subject of gossip, especially once she creates a home and learning space for women.

Beginning in 1934 and spanning several decades, I expected this book to really give us a flavor of the political and social changes throughout the 20th century in Italy. And while those were touched on, it was very much pushed to the margins. While the relationships were well created, a few of the characters had me rolling my eyes (you'll know which ones if you read it) and itching to get back to Anna.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley, 368 pages

Jane and Dan won a raffle for a reservation at one of the fanciest restaurants in the country, so that's how they're planning on celebrating their 19th anniversary. Unfortunately, that's also when Jane decides to tell Dan that she wants a divorce. After all, she's being ignored by their kids, she has no real direction in life, and she's pretty sure Dan's cheating on her. But even her plans for this announcement go wrong, as not long after being served their tiny first course of snooty food, a group of militant climate change activists takes everyone in the restaurant hostage. What ensues is a bitingly funny crime scene, full of inept hostage-takers and police officers, miscommunications, and even a bit of self-realization. It's hilarious, it's action-packed, and definitely a bunch of fun.

A Great Marriage

A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes (2024) 298 pages

Dara and Austin are set to be married in a short time. Dara and all of her family loves Austin—the Londoner is so much better for her than most of the guys Dara dated in her younger years, and her family and friends note the sparks between the couple are strong. Austin cannot believe his good fortune in his relationship with Dara, as well. When Austin gets unexpected news, it upends their relationship, and Dara won't tell her family and friends why.

The novel explores romantic relationships while showing us families with strong ties. The action is slow, but fitting for a story where the main characters, as well as some of the secondary characters, need to figure out what the way forward could be.

On Turpentine Lane

On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman (2017) 305 pages

Faith Frankel is thirty two. She's returned to her hometown after time in NY and now works for a private school, writing thank you notes to donors. Her fiance, Stuart, is attempting to cross the country on foot, financed by her and by his parents, but he spends more time posting photos with himself and women he meets, than returning Faith's calls. In addition to dealing with Stuart, she is trying to buy a house that may have a history of people dying in it, is trying to intercede between her parents (her father has moved away to become an oil painter), and she is trying to save her job, which is suddenly in jeopardy because she is so good at it. Luckily, her brother Joel and her office mate, Nick, are there to listen.

All these rather separate issues take on life. Even the stable guys in Faith's life have their own drama. As the camera rolls, all the action keeps the reader laughing (or catching one's breath). Most of Lipman's books are the kind I reach for when I want a fast, fun escape. This one fit the bill.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) 401 pages

I listened to the audiobook on Libby narrated by Jennifer Kim with a short section narrated by Julian Cihi. The title comes from a speech in Shakespeare's Macbeth. A couple of my co-workers have also read and reviewed this novel here on the blog. I really enjoyed this story of two friends, their love of video games, and their careers as game designers. The characters of Sam and Sadie are just a bit older than I am growing up in the '80s and '90s. I remember learning computer skills in elementary school, in part, by playing Oregon Trail. Sadie also shares a love of Magic Eye images, those repetitive patterns that you stare beyond to bring out a hidden 3D object. Their lives and the other people in their lives are so richly drawn and realistic. I found exploring the process of video game design fascinating. The ups and downs of building and marketing their games, as well as family and romantic relationships kept me engaged.

 

The Dinner List

 

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle (2018) 273 pages

Sabrina is celebrating her thirtieth birthday, meeting her best friend Jessica at a restaurant. But Sabrina is surprised: this is not an ordinary dinner, it's a party of six, some living and some dead, from a list Sabrina compiled in college (and later edited a bit). The list includes Audrey Hepburn, because (of course) everyone wants Audrey Hepburn on the roster at their imagined six people at dinner. Also included is Sabrina's father, who was an alcoholic whom her mother kicked out when Sabrina was five years old. Her philosophy teacher, Professor Conrad, is included, too. As is Tobias, a man that Sabrina first met at an art show on the beach at Santa Monica Pier when she was in college, and later found again by chance in New York City years later. Sabrina feels that she and Tobias were meant to be. Their relationship, as well as the relationship between Sabrina and her father and Sabrina and Jessica come under the microscope. The fatherly Professor Conrad and the surprisingly motherly Audrey Hepburn help move the process gently along. 

I thought this was a well-done quick read, as we learn about Sabrina's life and her relationships.

The Unsinkable Greta James

 

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith (2022) 306 pages

Greta James has worked her way up in the music industry. She's now a well-known indie rock guitarist. But her career is at risk because just a week after her mother's sudden death a few months ago, she had an onstage meltdown that has gone viral. She hasn't gone back to perform anywhere since then, although her sophomore album is ready to be released and needs to be hyped.

Meanwhile, her father, whom she has butted heads with since she was in her teens, is set to go on a one-week Alaskan cruise that was supposed to be a 40th anniversary trip with his now-deceased wife. Greta's brother talks her into going on the cruise with their father. There are a lot of emotions that need to be addressed, and their conversations are frustrating for both of them.

When Greta meets a professor on the ship, there's a mutual attraction between them, in spite of him being quite different from anyone else she has dated. Oh, and he's not quite divorced yet, and has two young daughters. 

There's a lot that needs to be unpacked between her personal life and her professional life, but I feel that it is handled realistically.

The Happy Couple

The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan (2023) 258 pages

Books with multiple viewpoints always grab my interest. Here, Celine and Luke are engaged to be married. Celine is a pianist who loves nothing more than playing music. She's the kind who will just flit away with hardly a moment's notice to go play music, even if it means abandoning her boyfriend in Paris. Luke is quite nice in many ways, but he has cheated on Celine and lied to her. He also disappears during their engagement party. The author brings their relationship to life by giving each of them their own section of the book. Sections are also allotted to Celine's slightly wild sister Phoebe (the bridesmaid), who flunked out of university her first term; Luke's friend and former lover Archie, an attorney and a cokehead, who is to be the best man; and Vivian, one of the wedding guests (another former lover of Luke's who didn't put up with his baloney, which allows them to be close friends now). All of these viewpoints help the reader assess what's really going on with the engaged couple. Much of the book rests on wondering whether or not the wedding will actually take place. Also intriguing is getting a close look at nuances within so many of the relationships of these characters.

Hestia Strikes a Match

Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo (2023) 386 pages

With the second American Civil War as a backdrop to the story, we meet Hestia (named after a Greek goddess by her classics-educated parents). She is 42. The year is 2023 and the setting is Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States of America. The New Confederated States of America is comprised of 12 States which have seceded from the U.S. Rather than the Civil War being a military operation, more often it is a series of terrorist attacks of movie theaters and grocery stores, along with sabotage of water, sewer and power systems. The U.S. residents live with nightly curfews and U.N. Peacekeepers watching over them.

Hestia's husband, a Unionist like herself, has abandoned her to join a paramilitary group to fight against the confederates. He's been gone a while, and Hestia is finally thinking about trying to get a divorce.

Oddly, against the uncertainty of everyday life, Hestia's life is somewhat ordinary. She's a writer who works in a retirement community, where she is tasked with growing the community's online presence. She finds friends there, including her boss and her office mate, and with one of the residents in particular, a thrice-widowed woman named Mildred, who is a bit of a wild child. Mildred is always trying to get the details about the men that Hestia is dating or considering dating. Mildred is part of a group of residents that Hestia meets with regularly, to write out memories and opinions in answer to historical questions. As a bonus, we see the questions and their answers to the questions interspersed throughout the book.

Perhaps this book's storyline sounds depressing, but I thought it worked, and includes fine character-development and a slew of great details regarding war, dating, and life in general.

The Making of Her

The Making of Her by Bernadette Jiwa (2022) 336 pages

Joan lives in Dublin with her husband Martin and his very difficult mother, Molly. The year is 1996, and Joan finds herself still grieving for the daughter they gave up for adoption 30 years ago, before they were married. They went on to marry and have another daughter, Carmel. Although Joan puts up a front, her depression over Martin's insistence that they give up the baby continues all these years later, affecting her relationships with both her husband and their younger daughter. Martin had insisted that no one be told the secret about their first child, who was born in London, away from their hometown.

When Joan and Martin receive a letter from their first daughter, Martin is uninterested in meeting with her, afraid that her existence will hurt his reputation in the business community. Joan meets with the daughter, Emma, and learns what crisis has caused Emma to contact them after all of this time.

The book's title, The Making of Her, could be used to describe Joan, Emma, or Carmel. The story is a powerful reminder of women's issues and many of the nuanced emotions related to adoption and motherhood.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, 401 pages

Sam and Sadie first met at a hospital when they were kids — Sam was a patient, slowly recovering from a crushed foot, while Sadie was dragged along by her mom to visit her sister, who had cancer. But somehow, the two bonded over a shared love of video games, eventually leading them to found Unfair Games with Sam's college roommate, Marx. 

In essence, this book is the story of Sadie and Sam and their complicated relationship with one another, with games, and with themselves. However, that's also a really REALLY misleading description, as it delves into emotional intimacy, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, the changing technologies and trends of video games over the past 30 years, grief, living as a minority in the U.S., and so many other things. And Zevin presents it all with grace and delicacy and a compelling plot full of video games that I, a non-gamer, would totally love to play. I really wish I'd read this one in 2022, as it definitely would have been on my Best of 2022 list. Oh well. I won't let that stop me from suggesting the heck out of this book.

The No-Show

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary (2022) 329 pages

Siobhan, Miranda and Jane have all been stood up by the same guy on Valentine's Day. Siobhan sees Joseph as a hook-up, Miranda thinks she has the whole package, and Jane, afraid of relationships, works to keep Joseph as a friend, although she secretly wants more. The women don't know about each other, at least not at first.

Joseph, the mystery man, seems to be the perfect guy, sensitive and thoughtful, but it's clear that he's holding back something in his relationships. The women are, too. Siobhan, who is a life coach, had a bad breakup and isn't as confident as she seems. Miranda climbs and trims trees for a living, and while dating Joseph, is avoiding one of her co-workers who is known for his many sexual hook-ups. Apparently Jane is suffering from something that happened at work a few years ago, after which she left London to find solace in smaller Winchester. She's living very quietly, avoiding most people. Even as the characters feel their doubts about their relationships, we slowly learn their secrets while additional surprises are queued up.

I did not expect to like all the main and (most of the) secondary characters so well in this book whose premise seems to indicate a "fluff" read. Nor did I expect the novel to be a deeper read than I anticipated.

The Judgment and The Mercy

 The Judgment (2011) 324 pages and The Mercy (2011) 303 pages, books 2 and 3 in a trilogy by Beverly Lewis

When a colleague and I wondered what Amish fiction was like, I pulled a Beverly Lewis book from the shelf to read, not realizing it was book 2 in a trilogy. No matter. The Judgment has a prologue that seems to summarize book 1 (The Thorn) just fine. 

Rose grew up in an Amish household. Her best friend was Nick, a boy next door who was a foster child who was never fully accepted by the community, nor by his "brother," the natural born son of the family that fostered him. Nick was blamed for a tragedy that caused the death of Christian, that same brother, and Nick fled the Amish community. Rose was heartbroken by his departure, but tried to move on with her life, including going through the "Singing," a regular Sunday night event for Amish youth who are old enough to be courting. Meanwhile, Rose's older sister, Hen, who is married to a non-Amish man, Brandon, is having a crisis of her own. They were living away from the Amish community and had a small child, Mattie Sue, when Hen started feeling a strong pull back to Amish life. She left her husband to live in a small house on her parents' property with Mattie Sue. Her husband is threatening to divorce her if she doesn't return to their home. 

The Mercy continues the story. Rose and Hen's mother, who has been in great pain as a result of a buggy accident ten years ago, is finally convinced to seek a doctor's help, and after extensive tests, is scheduled for surgery. Just prior to that, a freak accident brings Hen's husband to the Amish community to live with Hen and Mattie Sue as he recovers. Rose tries to move on in her quest for a husband, even as she spends so much time helping her parents with the farm. When Nick returns to the community, everything is shaken up.

If you like soap operas, you'll love these books; the storylines merge surprises with the obvious. There is much more in these stories, arcs that involve the Amish religious hierarchy, for example. The book is a little preachy, being from the Amish point of view, but I learned a few things about Amish lifestyles, and the characters were generally likeable.

Ghosts

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton (2020) 303 pages

Nina Dean is thirty-two. She has written a cookbook which "has a thread of memoir spun between the recipes," and is editing proofs of her second book, while working on a third. She has also bought a flat‒which is need of upgrading‒but it's hers. She's also ready to date again after a few years between the breakup she had with her longtime boyfriend, Joe (who is still a good friend). Other friends include Katherine, who's married with a second child on the way, and Lola, a stylish single who has found only short-term dates, rather than a long-term relationship, to her chagrin.

Nina's parents, who are 17 years apart in age, have their own issues: Nancy, her mom, now says her name is Mandy. Nina can't accept that at all, one more thing they seem to be butting heads about. Nina's dad is suffering from Alzheimer's, with bad days starting to become more frequent.

What happens here is a large slice of Nina's life: Nina gets onto a dating app, navigates friendships that sometimes seem to be more work than joy, helps manage her dad's declining health, and tries to handle the neighbor in the flat below her, who turns out to be loud and intimidating. And the main attraction is Max, whom she meets on the dating app, who seems so promising, before he ghosts her after several months of dating.

Going There

Going There by Katie Couric (2021) 510 pages

Katie Couric's new book seems to cover everything notable that has happened in her life, from growing up in Virginia to the present day. In her acknowledgements section, she notes that her husband told her if she wasn't ready to be honest, then don't write a book. And she tells it all, her honesty including mistakes she made and interviews that she wishes she had approached differently, something that I respect.

She covers her time at several networks, including her 15 years on NBC's Today Show. One memorable event during this time was her decision to be filmed getting a colonoscopy in 2000, part of her efforts to encourage people to get screened for colon cancer, which had killed her first husband at age 42.

Even more interesting to me were her experiences navigating a news world dominated by men and her feelings about the various networks, including which networks and programs were best to work for and which were more unwelcoming. With the "MeToo" movement gaining traction, she has her views on that, as well. Good book.

Early Morning Riser

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny, 317 pages

Jane lives in a small Michigan town and works as one of the elementary school's two second grade teachers. She doesn't have many friends, she buys almost everything in her house from the thrift store, and her boyfriend, Duncan, is the woodworker who has slept with just about every woman in town. Over the course of several years, Jane settles into her life, creating a family with Duncan, his bossy ex-wife and her odd new husband, Jane's mandolin-playing best friend, and Jimmy, Duncan's mentally challenged assistant. It's an odd life, yes, and sometimes particularly challenging, but it is what it is.

This was an odd, but oddly likeable book. Basically the entire plot is spelled out in that paragraph above, but the book is so much more about the relationships between the characters, and the humor of life. A quiet novel, but a good one.

The Midnight Library

 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) 288 pages

Nora has made a number of decisions in her life that have led her to feeling miserable. By halting her competitive swimming, she disappointed her father who dreamed for her to be in the Olympics. By quitting the band she was in with her brother– just as they were getting very popular–she disgusted her brother. She decided not to marry her fiancé at the last minute. The list goes on. 

Feeling despair after she loses her job and her cat dies, she takes an overdose of medication. However, she unexpectedly finds herself at the Midnight Library, a place between life and death. In the Midnight Library, time stands still and and an infinite number of books give her the opportunity to make a different choice at various junctures in her life.

First Nora fights the idea of trying any of these other lives, but encouraged by the librarian, she eventually makes choices–one after another–to change something in her life to see how her life would have been. It's a fascinating idea, to see what other possibilities are possible if only one had taken a different path here or there. Nora wonders how she will know if any of the alternate lives is the right one for her. Her philosophy degree gets a bit of a workout.

This book has been circulating from our library almost non-stop, and I was so glad to finally get a chance to read it.

The butchery

 

The Butchery / Bastien Vives, 85 pages.

Young people in love but with the lens focusing only on some small situations. Showing them brushing their teeth together, walking hand in hand, laying in bed together.  But when it ends, the pain and problems are very real.  This is a sketchbook of many minor moments that may end up being more important than we realize. Nice art work. Few words.

Onion Skin

 

Onion Skin / Edgar Camacho, 158 pgs.

I was thinking the title would be a hint of a layered story but instead, it is difficult to parse what is supposed to be a flashback, an alternative story line, and what is supposedly happening.  A young couple decides to fix up a food truck to travel around and live out their dreams.  When they accidently get on the wrong side of a gang, their truck is damaged and they are out for revenge.  I think this is the story line that we are supposed to see as "true."  Perhaps there is just a little too much confusion for me to appreciate all of this. 

Milk Blood Heat

 Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz (2021) 202 pages

In this selection of short stories, the protagonists are often girls or young women of color. In "Feast," a woman cannot get past her miscarriage. In "Necessary Bodies," a young married woman is not sure if she will bring her pregnancy to term. In "Thicker Than Water," an estranged sister and brother drive their father's ashes to Santa Fe at the behest of their mother. In "Snow," one of my favorites, Trinity is a bartender who wonders if she will stay with her husband. At work one night, Trinity finds herself drawn to one of her customers, a woman named Snow. Snow has been dreaming of her Vietnamese father who had recently died, talking about how his death affected her, even though they were not close. In a few other stories, girls deal with serious issues at far too young an age. 

These stories are haunting, woven with deep meaning. I usually prefer a full novel to a short story, but it feels right to have experienced what these stories have to offer.