“The Calamity Club” by Kathryn Stockett
This was a delightful read! After 15 years of writing “The Help,” Kathryn Stockett has written another powerful book. Set in 1933, during the Great Depression, the book follows an unlikely sisterhood of women–including an orphan named Meg and a struggling spinster named Birdie–who form a bond to survive societal hardships. It explores themes of female resilience, friendship, and defiance against a backdrop of poverty and hypocrisy. I gave this book 5 stars!
“Dolly All the Time” by Annabel Monaghan
If you’re looking for the perfect summer rom-com, this is your book! This is a fake dating romance about a single mom, Dolly Brick. She returns to her Rhode Island hometown to help her dad for the summer and suddenly enters a public relationship with wealthy heir Stewart Whitfield to help his image after a breakup. You can already imagine what happens but it does it in a believable, charming way. The book is witty, charming and full of second chances. I listened to it twice and gave it 5 stars!
“One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune
This was a reread for me. It came about because Prime TV released a series from Carley Fortune’s first book of this series “Every Summer After.” I finished the series and immediately wanted to be reminded of Charlie’s story. I heard they are working on this book for the second part of the series. It was one of my favorite reads last summer so I wasn’t disappointed to read it again. I gave it 4 stars.
“Revenge of the Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell
This is an addendum to Malcolm Gladwell’s first book written over 25 years ago. It is a mix of storytelling and social science. He offers a guide to making sense of the contagions of the modern world. It is fascinating the thought and research he has put into this book. In this book he explores Ivy League schools, the magic third and racial harmony. He talks about COVID and the opioid crisis. If you are interested in social trends and the workings behind certain norms, then this is the book for you. I gave it 4 stars.
“Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson
Major Pettigrew will become the unlikely hero of this story. An old, opinionated, and completely endearing character experiences the loss of his brother. What how the kindness of one person has the power to change his life. A sudden friendship sparks with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Through shared experiences they are drawn together through their love of literature and loss of their spouses. Will their friendship blossom into something more? You will love this love story and find that there can be love after loss.
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman
This was another reread for me. I had read it over 10 years ago and remember feeling the same feeling of hope after finishing it. No one ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine. Eleanor struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Her life is pretty predictable until she meets Raymond, a bubbly unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who had fallen on the sidewalk, the three begin to rescue each other from the isolation they had been living. You will learn to love Eleanor and cheer for the little changes she makes and the big steps she takes to begin to fit in. I gave this one 4 stars.
“Evvie Drake Starts Over” by Linda Holmes
Evvie had her bags packed and ready to leave her husband when she received a phone call she was not expecting. When Evvie’s life instantly changes, she is forced to bring in a roommate, former baseball star. This book explores themes of second chances, new found friendships and finding love in unlikely places. It will leave you cheering for the two most unlikely comebacks of the year. I gave this book 3 stars.
“The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston
Sometimes the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it. So, Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe. Seven years ago she met the perfect man. She would do anything to meet him again. This book explores the idea that love can be found again if it’s meant to be. Plus, living in her aunt’s magical apartment tends to help a bit. Would you go back and change time if you could? Read how Clementine learns to love and let go. I gave this one 4 stars.
“Twice” by Mitch Albom
What if you could do everything in your life-twice? When he was eight, Alfie discovers the magical ability to get a second chance at everything. He can undo any moment and do it again. The one catch–he must accept the consequences of the second try–for better or worse. He grows up correcting his mistakes and saving himself from embarrassment. He even takes some risks just to see what it’s like to come close to death. Eventually he turns his gift to his love life–learning about their interests, and going back to make himself more appealing. This is a love story that will make you think, weep and overflow with love. I gave this one 4 stars.
