The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo This family saga is all encompassing – the trials of marriage, bearing children, and sisterhood with a special twist added in for good measure. As I listened to the pages of this book, I became completely wrapped up in the dynamic of the Sorensen family. The […]
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid I really liked the voice and pace of this novel. I enjoyed the premise as well. Reid writes Hollywood well – I was curious about this novel after having enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six! It is a great portrayal of the price of fame, […]
This essay was originally published on Medium.com. Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through one of these links, I may make a small commission (at no additional cost to you), which I will donate to literary organizations in Boston. Thanks! In Jonathan Safran Foer’s recent book, […]
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout Olive Again is a wonderful collection of independent chapters continuing in the vein of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kittredge. As Olive ages, remarries, and navigates grand-motherhood, her cutting and wry observations are portrayed in her own voice as well as through the point of view of others. Her aging seems to […]
Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me by Adrienne Brodeur Wild Game is a memoir that dissects an especially complicated bond between a mother and daughter. Adrienne Brodeur’s mother violated acceptable boundaries when she made 14 year old Adrienne her confidante and accomplice to her illicit affair. Desperate for her mother’s love and approval, […]
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes This rom-com was fresh and fun to read. I’ve been looking forward to digging in ever since hearing Linda Holmes speak about her debut in June. Indeed, the characters are original and nothing was formulaic. The setting is painted as relaxing, a destination for a star Yankee pitcher […]
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett The Dutch House is a beautifully structured novel about a brother and sister who live in their memories as much as in the present moment. I was enraptured by the language and by the characters as well. There are ghosts in all of our lives, but witnessing Danny and […]
Bunny by Mona Awad I picked up this book because of the campus novel aspect, a genre I am invested in! The work is unique and experimental, reminiscent of the MFA program that is described within it. The whole work has a very Alice fell down the rabbit hole quality – as in a wonder […]
This essay was originally published on Medium.com. Throughout my recent travels, I’ve been reflecting on the idea of return. I often re-visit favorite books, reading them in their entirety or just special sections. It’s remarkable the way literature finds unique relevance for me as I age. It’s why my tradition encourages the reading of weekly […]
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong Listening to the author narrate this work is like listening to a 7 hour long poem. What beautiful, evocative language. I was in a trance. Not only is this a beautifully wrought narrative, it is an important and timely letter from a son to his mother and […]
