Author: ondbookshelf
Blogging my way through my extensive to be read pile of books.
The Bookshop on the Shore
This Is Home
Searching for Sylvie Lee
Mrs. Everything
Mrs. Everything
Fiction
Atria Books
June 11, 2019
E-book
480
Publisher via NetGalley
From Jennifer Weiner, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Who Do You Love and In Her Shoes comes a smart, thoughtful, and timely exploration of two sisters’ lives from the 1950s to the present as they struggle to find their places—and be true to themselves—in a rapidly evolving world. Mrs. Everything is an ambitious, richly textured journey through history—and herstory—as these two sisters navigate a changing America over the course of their lives. Do we change or does the world change us? Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise. Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life. But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after? In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?
My review:
I've enjoyed the previous books I've read by this author, and would probably put them in the "chick lit" category if pressed to pick a genre. This book is a bit of a diversion for her, and I think definitely crosses into the more mainstream fiction realm. While still maintaining her style of writing about women, Mrs. Everything ends up being so much more of a commentary on all sorts of women's issues that are front and center newsworthy. The story of two sisters that spans multiple decades, this one explores issues of sexuality, societal norms, the Me Too movement, communes, and much more. How these issues effect the two sisters and their relationship, is at the core of this one, and I thoroughly liked what I read. I was completely invested in both sister's stories, and despite a few slow spots, I thought the flow and pacing was great. There was a lot going on, and a lot to think about with this one. Upon reading interviews with Ms. Weiner and finding out that the book was loosely based on the life of her mother, I was even more impressed with the content. I was born in the late 50's, so a lot of the newsworthy events discussed were things that I lived through, making it a bit of a trip down memory lane.
I really liked this one (although All Fall Down still remains my favorite of Weiner's works). I though it was a great multi-generational story about the expectations put on women, and their ability to adapt and survive despite obstacles put in their way. Well done!
The Southern Side of Paradise
The Southern Side of Paradise
Peachtree Bluff
Fiction
Gallery Books
May 7, 2019
Advanced reader copy
400
Free from publisher
From internationally bestselling author and “rising star of Southern fiction” (Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author) Kristy Woodson Harvey comes the third novel in her Peachtree Bluff series, in which a secret threatens the tight-knit bond between a trio of sisters and their mother. With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true. Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare. When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family. With Kristy Woodson Harvey’s signature charm, wit, and heart, The Southern Side of Paradise is another masterful Peachtree Bluff novel that proves she is a “Southern writer with staying power” (Booklist).
My review:
Ansley and her three daughters are back in this third book in the Peachtree Bluff series. This is the conclusion to the series (or is it?) and things wrap up well. As in the first two books (which I do recommend reading in order, to experience the most complete immersion into the family), this book focuses on one of the sisters told in alternating chapters with mother Ansley. This is youngest daughter Emerson's story. Of course she is facing a dilemma and the family has to rally around to help her solve it. I enjoyed the independence of Emerson and her drive to further her career, but alas that usually comes with some cost. The words in Kristy's books seem to flow across the page. Great descriptive places, southern phrases, and likeable characters immerse you into the story. This book was my second favorite of the series. Nothing will compare to Slightly South of Simple as that featured one of my all-time favorite characters Caroline! Of course we still got some good quips from my girl in this one, along with the rest of the family chiming in at every turn. And let's not forget that the big secret the reader knows in book one is revealed in this part, creating yet another drama to weather. And for those who became fans of "coffee Kyle" in the last book, you will definitely want to find out what happens to him in this one!
A lovely series with lots of southern charm! I can highly recommend, especially for fans of southern writers Mary Alice Monroe and Mary Kay Andrews.
The Night Visitors
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters
Tiny Hot Dogs
Lost Roses
Lost Roses
Fiction
Ballantine Books
April 2, 2019
Advanced reader copy
448
Free from publisher
The runaway bestseller Lilac Girls introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. This sweeping new novel, set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, features Caroline's mother, Eliza, and follows three equally indomitable women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of World War I. It is 1914 and the world has been on the brink of war so many times, many New Yorkers treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia. But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia's Imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortuneteller's daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya's letters suddenly stop coming she fears the worst for her best friend. From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg to the avenues of Paris and the society of fallen Russian émigrés who live there, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways, taking readers on a breathtaking ride through a momentous time in history.
My review:
The precursor to Lilac Girls, where we follow one of that book character's mother Eliza. I had already read Lilac Girls (and loved it), but I've seen people question if there is an order to read these if you have not read either. I would say no. Other than Caroline (from Lilac Girls) being referred to as a child in Lost Roses, the books are their own stories and can be read as such. This book shed more light on the history of World War I, which seems to not have many historical fiction books written about (or maybe I'm just not seeking them out?). I found this book to be harder to engage in at the beginning. It may be because I had little knowledge of the Russian side of the war, and there were a lot of characters to keep track of (particularly in the aristocratic family). Once I got over what I thought was a slow start, this ended up being an engaging read. Told in alternating chapters by the three main characters (much as in Lilac Girls), the writing was captivating, well researched, and the story flowed well. It was interesting how my perspective changed with some of the characters as the story progressed. Did anyone else think Eliza was kind of a crappy parent to Caroline at the beginning? I loved learning about the work that was done to try and make a life here in the U.S. for the Russian immigrants. There were definitely some intense moments in this one to make you flip pages!
I'm going to admit that I still prefer Lilac Girls, but by all means read this one as it definitely has merit unto itself.