Daughters of Rome by Kate Quinn

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

In the year 69 AD, Rome was the center of upheaval and violence, as the title of Emperor became as changeable as the seasons. During this tumultuous time, the “Cornelias,” as they were referred to — two sisters and their two cousins — were very much a part of the events, as they were in the “inner circle” of the elite. The first Cornelia, the eldest and most dignified, was married to a man expected to be named heir to the Emperor, so she saw her place by his side. Her sister, Marcella, the historian, kept occupied recording – and somehow impacting – the historical events of the year. Lollia, one of the cousins, was serially married off to the power-broker of the day by her wealthy and strategic grandfather. And the youngest and wildest, Diana, was one obsessed not by men but by horses. And while each brought vulnerability to each other, each brought strength as well, as they fought to survive the many changes this year brought to their lives.

While it did take me a bit of time to be fully engaged in this story, perhaps because of my own ignorance of the historical details of this era, once I got to know the characters (and appreciate their depth), I was all in. Because I came to love these Cornelias, I became invested in their welfare and as the plot became more entangled, so did my fascination with their story. This plot had intrigue, romance, suspense, and twists that brought both smiles and tears as I got to know these characters better and better.

My favorite character, I have to admit, is Lollia. When we first meet her, she appears, on the surface, to be just that – all surface. She appears vain, coddled by her wealthy grandfather, and only concerned with what she can gain by her marriages. But as we get to know her, we really see her: her generosity, her kindness, her humility, and her ability to love deeply and to look beyond what is expected and to do what is right.

Not only will you fall in love with these beautiful characters and their bond with each other, but you will also learn about this wild year in the history of the Roman Empire, where there were four different Emperors in a brief, bloody period of time. It’s what I love most about historical fiction – and Kate Quinn is the master!

Z by Therese Anne Fowler

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Toward the end of the first World War, many young folk, including Zelda Sayres, sought relief from all the death and sadness. For someone as beautiful and vibrant as she, any excuse to be able to dance or attend a gathering was welcome, but on one particular evening, when she was performing a ballet solo for soldiers, she noted one solder who stood out to her. He was tall and blond and had an air of confidence she’d rarely encountered in the boys she knew in her small southern town. He was also an author, something that also attracted her, as she was an avid reader and dabbled in writing herself. Unfortunately, her father did not appreciate the attraction of an author, something he perceived as a sideline and not a steady career, and he insisted this was not suitable for his daughter. It took a couple of years, but Scott Fitzgerald proved himself worthy, at least to Zelda, and she followed him to New York City, where their adventure together began. For better and for worse…

This novel provided a peek inside the glamorous but exhausting lives of both F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda. Based on extensive research and told from her vision, it not only showed the wonders of the time and the artists they rubbed shoulders with. It also shed light on the struggles they had, with each other and each with their own demons. To an outsider, it may have seemed the perfect life, with world travel, sophisticated parties, knowing the most famous of the writers, dancers, and artists of their era. But to Zelda, it was a constant challenge; keeping up, maintaining appearances physically, financially, and emotionally. Multiple times the pressure was so high, it necessitated hospitalization and inhumane treatments for Zelda.

What is apparent is that while on the outside, Zelda did not see herself as a feminist in the stereotypical sense, she was one at heart, and this is what likely ate at her throughout her life. She could not see why she needed to suppress her own artistic endeavors just because her husband needed to pursue his. His jealousy was so overpowering that even when she wrote stories, he published them under his own name, claiming they’d get more acclaim if he did so. This undermining of her, the constant repression she had to force upon herself, slowly ate at her, giving her both physical and psychological pains throughout her adult life.

This is a very dramatic, historical fiction account of Zelda’s life with F. Scott Fitzgerald. I highly recommend it!

 

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Amy has had it rough over the past 3 years. After 18 years of marriage, her husband flew to Hong Kong on a business trip and never returned. Now, suddenly, he’s appeared, in a local pharmacy of all places, after all this time. What can he possibly be doing here? And what can she say to him? Does she want him back after all he’s done? Or not done, as the case may be? And what about the kids? His proposal of giving her a week away from them while he tries to reconnect with the kids at first glance is outrageous, but gradually, the idea grows on her. It just happens to coincide with a conference she’s been interested in attending in NYC, where her oldest, bestie happens to live. Could she actually do this? Could she leave her kids who she’s been sole caretaker for a whole week? Give herself this tiny gift?

I present you here with another perfect summer read – light, with just enough substance so you don’t have to feel too guilty spending your time in the sun leafing – and laughing- through these pages. And while there are a few emotional moments, there are a couple of moments where the giggles will slip out from you, in spite of yourself.

Amy’s adventure in NYC exemplifies the wish of many moms: Just a brief escape from the constant pressure of bearing responsibility for everyone else’s happiness. And it’s not that we don’t adore our loved ones – of course not! But caring for them, while of course working to earn money to support them, ensuring they have balanced meals, clean (and acceptable) clothes, and are kept safe — well, it’s a constant drumroll in the back of one’s mind that can build into a crescendo that becomes explosive unless one can let off steam every once in awhile. If one is not given a break, one can actually break.

It is also a lesson in how to ask for help. We, none of us, can live our lives without others. Man is not an island, as we know, and it is not a sign of weakness, but rather of humanity, that we need help from time to time. Asking advice, support, even an extra hand, not only helps the one asking but also gifts the one helping the opportunity to help, which is always, truly, a gift.

This is a very sweet story that is fun to read and gives you a chance to relax yourself. Give yourself this gift!

 

 

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Mia Farraday has not always hidden in the shadow of her twin, Zach, but since middle school, she’s felt that life has just given her lemons when he’s been handed the lemonade. While Zach is the popular one with friends surrounding him constantly, she’s the one with the braces, the acne, and clearly no sense of what is normal because she cannot seem to attract anyone to her side. That is, until Lexi approaches her during lunchtime on their first day of high school, in spite of Mia warning that it might be “social suicide” to do so. Lexi, for her part, is used to being on the outs, as she has been in foster care until only a couple of weeks ago, so she’s just glad to find someone who will deign to speak to her. The two instantly bond, and while Mia and Zach’s mom, Jude is leery – Mia’s been hurt before – she finds it in her heart to accept Lexi for the kind and genuine friend she is to Mia. That is, until tragedy ensues. And how could she possibly find it in her heart to accept her then?

This is a heart-wrenching story of love and friendship that is challenged in unfathomable ways. We are brought into their world as one would be a warm hug, charmed by their love for each other even as we see their imperfections, their enmeshment. Jude is a loving mother but is overinvolved, overprotective, and enabling. Mia and Zach are quite different from each other but are not necessarily given the space to be so. And they accept Lexi for who she is, they see her kindness, her ability to give and to love and take her in as another member of the Farraday family. Until…

This is also a story of how pain distorts us. We all grieve in different ways, we all need to cope in different time frames. Some of us pull others to ourselves for support, others push away. Most of us need support even when we don’t realize it, however, and that is the key. We all need to recognize this need in others and see that when others strike out, are mean, or act out, it may be coming from a place of pain.

The other point that is underscored appropriately here is a word of advice for parents of teens (which I highlight from a professional perspective as well). When you are advising your teens on going out, no matter how much you trust them, no matter what their story is, tell them this: if they sense they are unsafe for any reason (alcohol, drugs, sexual encounter – whatever), that you will come get them at any time of day or night, NO QUESTIONS ASKED AND WITH NO CONSEQUENCES. And mean it! Follow through. No consequences, no questions asked. Full stop. You may be saving your kid’s life.

Another powerful, heartbreaker by Kristin Hannah…!

 

 

The Beekeeper’s Daughter by Santa Montefiore

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Grace is a bit appalled by how quick her peers are to judge the young folk of their tiny island off of Cape Cod. She knows that she has not been a saint – nor can anyone else make that claim – so she is never one to judge. So she tries to be compassionate when her own daughter becomes the target of some of the island’s whisperings, when her daughter is seen cavorting with a singer in a band staying on the island to record an album. Though she knows how this will end, she remains supportive of her daughter. But Grace has no idea how deeply her own history is tied to her daughter’s broken heart.

This is a sweetly presented narrative about love, love lost, and love rediscovered in unpredicted ways. In both mom and daughter, we see how love lost can impact actions that have repercussions for years to come. We see how honesty could unleash suppressed love and we see how love can heal and help us through our darkest moments.

We also learn here about the magic of bees. They are truly a remarkable resource on so many levels. Not only do they create honey for all of us, but they do so as a team. They work together, devoting themselves to the benefit of the hive, saving the queen and her eggs so that the hive can survive. If they sense danger, they sting the encroaching threat, giving their lives for the benefit of the whole. We in our “me”-focused culture can learn much from this concept. When we give, when we think of others, when we do for others, we feel a sense of gratification that is uplifting and rewarding. When this is not the motivation behind these generous acts, it becomes a byproduct of them.

This is a tender story that I would definitely recommend bringing with you on your next vacation.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffin

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Nina is appalled and ashamed. How can Finch, her son, the one she’s only known to be a “good kid,” have possibly been involved in the treacherous deed he’s been accused of? Similarly, Lyla, from her perspective, cannot fathom that the guy she’s been crushing on for so long would do that to her either. it just couldn’t be. And even if he did, what’s the big deal? Why is her father freaking out? He’ll only make it worse… And from Lyla’s dad’s perspective, this legitimizes his general mistrust of the world. As they each confront the traumatic incident they have endured, their worlds explode in different directions, yet somehow converge as well.

This novel tackles a number of complicated issues: adolescent impulse sexting, class and wealth privilege, racism, and sexism. It does so in a non-preachy, non-threatening manner, albeit with a few cliches. But with charming characters (well, mostly)and a few unexpected surprises in the plot, the novel tells a good story, engages the reader and keeps us guessing until the last page.

There is also a good argument amidst these pages for keeping smart phone use to a minimum among young folks. I know there is a movement among some youth to move the the old flip phones and I am all for it. Having cameras at hand to document every moment of one’s life often interferes with actually LIVING one’s life, being IN one’s life. Moreover, in the hands of impulsive adolescents, who do not have fully developed frontal cortexes, it may not be the best idea to have access to both cameras and texting ability and/or social media.

This is a solid read, great for either book club discussions or just a lighter read under your umbrella with your toes in the sand. Either way, I believe you’ll enjoy it!

 

 

The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Nantucket is a small island – perhaps too small, as those who live there year round seem to run out of things to talk about and perhaps create stories about others that may or may not even be true. For example, when Madeline gets a bit desperate to break her writer’s block and rents a space for herself in which to write, the neighbors begin to buzz about why she might need a place for herself. Just about everything becomes misconstrued, except for the actual, factual controversial actions taking place…

Grab your sunglasses, towel and sunblock, as you will definitely want to bring this one along with you to the beach this summer! This fun, lighthearted novel with its colorful characters, twisty plot, and sarcastic narrative will warm your heart, make you smile, and distract you from all the insanity that is going on in the “real world.” It is just substantive enough to keep you completely intrigued, but yet light enough to not get too anxious or worried about the characters. And really, don’t we have enough anxiety and worry right about now?

If you’re looking for something to read while on vacation – or just looking to feel like you’re on vacation! – here’s just the novel for you!

Table for Two by Amor Towles

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

As I’ve mentioned before in this blog, short stories are not my favorite – because I am never satisfied, always wanting more out of the story, more from the characters – but if anyone can pull it off, it is Amor Towles. And Table for Two shows us this is true.

We so quickly warm to each character that Towles creates within these pages – quickly enough to bond, to care, and to engage with the stories, brief as they are. And each vignette becomes a surprisingly fully formed story, leaving us almost as satisfied as we’d be if he’d written an entire novel for each of them. The final story, more a novella, is my favorite. In it, he creates suspense, unexpected twists, and characters with strength and wit whom we come to love almost immediately.

Most striking is the writing, which, as in all his books, is just stunning. Towles’ use of words is both descriptive and spare, witty and dry, almost poetic and yet prose at its best.

Of course this is a MUST READ – I am a die-hard fan.

 

The Au Pair by Emma Rous

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

There is something niggling at Seraphine as she mourns her father’s recent death. She’s been perusing their family photos and as one in particular catches her eye – one with her mother and only one newborn when she’s a twin – it has made her question her identity, whether she is really who she thinks she is. As she digs a bit into her family’s murky past, she finds there is more uncertainty and confusion than she ever could have imagined.

It’s a bit hard to describe this novel – I sort of liked it until I didn’t…

There is a lot of trust necessary for the reading of this book. While we are told that Seraphine has been teased most of her life that she doesn’t belong, that she’s not really part of her family – we are not really clear why just this one photo suddenly triggers her sudden exploration of her past. But we go with it, we trust the author. We are not really told much in the way of detail about Seraphine’s life, what she does for a living even, and how she has the free time to do the stalking she does to investigate the details of her past. Again, we go with it. And her findings are just too clean, just too easy, in my mind. But ok, again, we go with it.

If we go with it, as we do, there is an actual build up of suspense. We do want to find out what is going on with her past. We get a double story, from her and then from the au pair who was witness to the events leading up to the birth of the twins and to what really happened with Seraphine’s mother, which is an essential element to the mystery. This creates a nice back and forth, a crescendo to the narration. We are waiting and want to know. We’re with the author on this one.

But in the final moments is where the author really loses our trust completely. The explanation, the pinnacle to the story, is so outrageously implausible, that it is just an outright disappointment. And even here, many of the details are obscured and lost to us.

So while there is some suspense, it is, on the whole, so deeply unsatisfying, I cannot in good conscience, recommend this book. Sorry!

The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Finding herself married to a man she doesn’t love and pregnant with his child, Rose does the only thing she truly does love to do: she drives. She abandons her life – and her mother, whom she does love deeply – and drives herself across the country to a home for unwed mothers with the plan to give up her baby as soon as it is born. It is not at all in her plan to grow attached to anyone there, not to the kind, elderly sister who works with her in the kitchen, not to her naive roommate, and certainly not to the older, giant of a groundskeeper who barely says a word to anyone. And it is definitely not her plan to stay. But things don’t always happen as we plan them…

This is Ann Patchett’s first novel, and it is just as understated and pensive as her later books. Her characters, central to her story and artfully developed, are also mysterious and opaque, perhaps even to themselves. Everyone around Rose yearns to connect with her, to get to know her, her story. She is beautiful, quiet, hardworking and devoted to the few things she loves, but she keeps her secrets close. At the same time, Rose struggles with trying to know herself, and cannot forgive herself for her past.

What I also love about Patchett’s stories is that they end with some finality but also with some parts left to the reader’s imagination. And this in just the right proportion. I think this is a hard line to walk for authors, and Patchett has found that perfect balance, in my opinion.

This is an excellent story, with deeply moving characters that you will not forget for a time. Enjoy it!