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The Accidental Tourist, by Anne Tyler

September 3, 2014 by Mom on the Make 1 Comment

accidental touristI decided to read The Accidental Tourist after finding it on Liane Moriarty’s list of her top ten most loved books.  Moriarty wrote What Alice Forgot which I adored, and so I decided to read a few of her top ten.

Tyler has the ability to make her characters so very real.  You feel each emotion they feel and it seems that you are right there with them as they go through the various ups and downs of life.

The story is mainly about Macon Leary, a travel guide writer, who is coping with losing his son and separating from his wife.  He meets Muriel, an employee at the Meow Bow, a pet boarding business, and begins to date her.  Muriel is Macon’s polar opposite, but for whatever reason, this is exactly what he needs at this point in his life.

The story is not light or hilarious, like some of my recent reads.  Instead, it is very tender and sweet.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a well written, very real story. You will find yourself really caring about the characters and hoping for the best for them as they sort out their topsy turvy lives.

The movie has William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis playing the main characters.  Its on my list of movies to watch soon.

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: accidental tourist, anne tyler

What Alice Forgot, By Liane Moriarty

August 23, 2014 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

Stop everything you’re doing and get your hands on this book.  If you are a 40 what alice forgotsomething Mom with young kids, you will love this.

The story begins with Alice falling off her bike at spinning class and bumping her head.  When she bumps her head, she forgets the last decade of her life.  In that last decade, she completely renovated a house and had three kids.  She has absolutely no recollection of any of this happening in her life.

When she wakes from her fall, she wonders where Nick, her husband, is….why is he not racing to the hospital to be by her side??  And so, the story begins.

The novel takes you through the history of Alice and Nick’s relationship, the ups and downs and everything in between.  The mystery of the last 10 years unravels.

This story is so unique, so well written and completely riveting.

Love, love, love this one.  I immediately looked up Liane Moriarty to check out her other books.  Will review them as well.  I also looked up on goodreads to see Moriarty’s favorite authors and books.

Its fun to love see what writers inspired a writer I love.

I’m reading one of her favorite books right now and will report on that later.

 

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: liane moriarty, what alice forgot

Where’d you go Bernadette? By Maria Semple

August 23, 2014 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

Love this book so much, I can’t even believe it.

So, so funny.  This is a hilarious, while sometimes serious, journey of one Mom in a dilapidated old house with a software engineer husband and a bright eighth grade daughter.

There are misadventures galore that will make you smile throughout.

Bernadette is kooky and so very real.

I have recommended this book to several friends who have subsequently read it and LOVED it.

Highly recommend.

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: good book for 40 something mom, maria semple, where'd you go bernadette

“Little Lady, Big Apple”, by Hester Browne

January 8, 2013 by Mom on the Make 3 Comments

little lady big appleI just finished Little Lady, Big Apple, by Hester Browne last night, and loved it.

This is the second novel in the three part Little Lady Agency series.   The first book is called The Little Lady Agency, and was my first exposure to Hester Browne’s work.

Browne has the ability to create characters that you are consistently rooting for throughout the story.  Melissa Romney-Jones is the main character in this series and is a relatable, funny, trustworthy person that you can easily imagine having as a good friend.

She is real.  She is kind.  She is a master at the subject of proper etiquette.  And, she enjoys helping people deal with the little struggles of their lives.  She is there for you.

Her agency helps clients with all sorts of life issues.  Picking presents out for an anniversary.  Choosing the right wardrobe for their lifestyle.  Finding the right toothbrush and whitening gel for their dental needs.  Relationship advice.  Advice on how to deal with the press for her more “in the spotlight” type clients.  In a nutshell, her clients are all men who are a bit lost, and need the helpful guidance of a fashionable, smart, quick witted woman to help them through their trials and tribulations.

This particular book takes Melissa to New York City, where her boyfriend, Jonathan, has recently moved due to a promotion at his real estate company.  Melissa agrees to take a one month vacation in the Big Apple to be near him, and the fun begins.

Because Melissa likes fixing people’s lives, she tends to get caught up in some pretty hilarious situations and adventures that we, as the readers, are lucky enough to witness and enjoy.

I LOVE the ending.  I’m such a sucker for good endings, and this one does not disappoint.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The Little Lady Agency and the Prince.

If you enjoy chick lit, I recommend this series.  Super fun and entertaining.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: books

“An Offer You Can’t Refuse”, by Jill Mansell

December 9, 2012 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

an offer you cant refuse, by jill mansellJust finished my first Jill Mansell book, An Offer you can’t Refuse, and LOVED it.

I think I have found a new author to add to my favorite’s list in the Chick Lit genre.

This story is about Lola, a 17 year old, who is offered 10K from her boyfriend’s icy Mother to break up with her son, Dougie.  Lola is crazy about Dougie as is Dougie about Lola.

A very strong reason emerges for Lola to accept this money in order to take care of an unexpected emergency.  The heartbreak involved with breaking up with Dougie is severe, but she pushes through.

Fast forward ten years later when Lola and Dougie meet again in a very unusual circumstance.

The book’s focus is on the broken hearts of Lola and Dougie and trying to understand what happened 10 years ago.  You understand the confusion and hurt the two of them must work through and really grow to like each character separately as individuals.

Of course, since you like both characters, you naturally want the two to reconcile and get back together.  So, I found myself rooting for them as a couple throughout the book.

I really loved the secondary characters in this book as well including Sally, Dougie’s brother, Gabe, Lola’s neighbor, and Blythe, Lola’s Mother.  Stories about these characters are well developed and engaging as well.

I was gripped throughout the book , and just love Mansell’s writing style.

Although there are a few very welcome predictable parts, there are plenty of zingers throughout this story, which make it a pageturner.

You simply will not be able to put this book down until you find out what happens to Lola and Dougie.

With all of the twists and turns to this story, the likable characters, and the comical tone throughout, this really is a very enjoyable read.

Can’t wait to read another one from Mansell.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: books

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