Paris for One by Jojo Moyes

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This compendium of short stories, including a short novella, Paris for One, is a delightful collection of stories about love: discarded and reborn, withered and blossoming. In the story Paris for One, we find Nell as she is poised for her romantic weekend with Pete, her boyfriend whom she’s convinced to join her for her first impulsive move ever: a weekend away in Paris. Not surprising to anyone who cares about Nell, Pete doesn’t show up to the airport and Nell finds herself alone in a city where she knows no one and doesn’t speak the language. Nell surprises especially herself when she, in fact, makes the very best of it! And in each story, there are similar, fun twists that will keep you guessing and turning every page.

My favorite story is the one called Between the Tweets. It is short, hilarious, and fully unexpected. It is, in my opinion, an example of the perfect short story!

While it is certainly a mix, and some stories are better than others, this is a wholly entertaining, satisfying book of short stories. [Of note, there is one that is the seed for a novel that I’ve actually written about here in this blog… but I’m not going to give away which one!]

If you’re into love stories, and/or short stories, this is for you!

Monogamy by Sue Miller

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After her first marriage that was over almost before it started, Annie is surprised when she meets Graham, who is so gleeful, so larger than life in every way. She can not help but be taken in by his joy, his thirst for life, friendship and love. At the same time, she fears being swallowed up somehow by this enormous personality, and she clings to her own pursuits, her photography, her tiny bits of independence, even as she struggles to find success. When tragedy hits, she realizes that in spite of her efforts, she’s relinquished more than she’d realized, or perhaps just less than Graham was willing to.

I found that this was one of those books that upon completing I wondered, ‘well, what was the point of that one?’

Yes, it is clearly a contemplation on the worthiness of the institution of marriage, of vowing to be with one person for all of one’s life. It calls into question whether it is for everyone – and it may just not be. It also raises the issue of trust; of the understanding that one has agreed to this arrangement and if there is a break in that bond, that it will be handled with honesty and respect. When this doesn’t happen, when there are different expectations on either side, it can break hearts into pieces. Sometimes irrevocably.

But this is stating the obvious. And the obvious is what we see happen in both Annie and Frieda (Graham’s first wife with whom he stays uncomfortably close). And we see this happen in exquisite (and almost painful) detail. The problem is that beyond this, and of course the one major event, almost nothing else actually happens in the story. Truly. Not much of anything else. (One might consider renaming the title Monotony…)

Quite disappointing. And yes, NOT a must read…

Three by Valerie Perrin

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Nina, Etienne, and Adrien can barely remember a time when they were not inseparable, when Nina was not in the middle, Etienne was to her right, Adrien to her left. While they each have their respective family challenges – Nina being raised by her grandfather, Adrien being raised by his single mom, and Adrienne never feeling approval from his father – they promise to always be there for each other. As they grow into their teen years, when those around them expect they’ll drift apart, they remain steadfast, tolerating Etienne’s many girlfriends, Nina’s eccentricities, and Adrien’s quiet. When two tragedies strike on the same day, quite suddenly, life takes a dramatic turn, and their friendship is tested, bringing misunderstanding and miscommunication to a whole new level.

I loved this novel. The construction of the plot is ingenious, as if the author has created a puzzle, or rather, a maze that she is guiding us through. But as the plot unfolds, we are also getting to know the characters as well, and we bond with each of these quirky but lovable, heartbreaking characters as they are bonding with each other. And as we go back and forth in time, between the mid-1990’s and 2017, the plot builds in a way that is not only engaging but also utterly surprising. The story we think we know becomes a completely different tale that we learn anew.

I am refraining from describing it in too much detail because I do not want to give too much away, so I’m leaving it at this. I encourage you to read it, in spite of its length. (Don’t let the over 600 pages scare you – it flies by!) Read this MUST READ and allow yourself to love these characters, worry for them, perhaps even cry a bit. Isn’t that what fiction should do?

The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager

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Claire cannot believe her fortune – although she is merely a cleaner in this small but packed museum, she has the opportunity to be surrounded, for the first time in her young life, by all this beautiful art. With the exception of Linda, her supervisor, she is virtually alone with these stunning paintings every night. And while she knows she needs to focus on the cleaning, as Linda keeps insisting, she cannot take her eyes off some of the paintings, particularly the one of Matisse’s family, the one with his handsome son. And then when something magical happens, her life changes in ways she could never have imagined.

This book is imaginative, creative, one might even call it playful – but honestly, in my opinion, incredibly boring. Once the magical idea is revealed, it feels like the author isn’t quite sure what to do with it and the story meanders, repeats, and flounders. The characters are as flat as the paintings they are caught up in and have woefully less color. Jean, Claire’s love interest, is annoyingly perfect, and none of the other characters are developed beyond what is absolutely necessary for the miserly plot line.

Once again, I feel we have a clever idea tragically executed. A magical disappointment!

The Moonshiner’s Daughter by Donna Everhart

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Ever since witnessing her mother’s violent death at the age of 4, Jessie has resented her father’s source of income – that of making moonshine. As Jessie remembers it, there was an explosion at one of the stills that caused her mother’s death and she feels that this was – and still is – the root of all their family’s ills. In fact, if it weren’t for their continued success, there wouldn’t be the ongoing competition with the evil Murry family, which is wreaking havoc on their lives at the moment. Can’t her father see this? Perhaps Jessie has to take matters into her own hands and make it all stop, once and for all.

This is the painful story of a young teen – depressed, with rock-bottom self esteem and an outsider in her own family. Her character is complex as she is kind and striving to be good but she is also lonely and angry and terrified. She has no support, until her school nurse takes an interest in her and becomes her strongest ally. But the plot thickens and the suspense intensifies as the rivalry with the Murry family amps up. This also focuses blame back to Jessie, with her own family suspecting her of sabotaging their success.

Jessie then turns, as many do, to her only reliable form of soothing: food. But this comes in the form of bingeing, followed by purging and then periods of fasting. The author very graphically but astutely depicts this cycling, describing the determined push during the fast even as the physical symptoms can overwhelm, the numbness during the binges, and the self-loathing, guilt and mortification of the purging. It is unsatisfying because it is not filling the true void that is present, but it is a way to cope. And it becomes addictive.

This is a gritty, authentic novel that depicts a family in crisis that cannot communicate, leading to devastating consequences. The writing is extraordinary, the plot suspenseful, and the characters colorful. It is not a light read, though, so not for the beach. Perhaps more for when you’re already back from vacation?

Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

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One cold, New Hampshire winter evening, NIcky joins her father, Robert, on a walk in the woods by their home just before sunset, and much to their shock they hear a mewling sound, which turns out to be an abandoned newborn baby. They immediately jump into action, Robert tucking the baby into his shirt to warm her up, and running back to their home, hopping into their car and driving the slick roads as fast as possible to the hospital. And while Robert has been seeking to be as inconspicuous as possible, ever since the “accident,” this simple act of kindness has changed all of that, bringing them into a spotlight of sorts. When a stranger appears under the guise of shopping for furniture built by Nicky’s father, it both endangers them and opens up conversations Nicky and her father have been unable to have.

Anita Shreve is another author who can richly craft a story piece by gradual piece. As Nicky and Robert are blundering through their painful present, we learn in small morsels of their happier past, before the tragic accident that changed their lives forever. We peek at moments of their life back in New York, when Nicky had friends and sleepovers and after-school activities. Not like now, when she’s living deep in the woods, secluded with her father who loves her but has been silenced by his own pain. Their story unfolds as they remember, as they open up, as they gradually attempt to heal.

There is also an ever-present suspense that thrums in the background throughout and builds as the story progresses. This adds to the reader’s urge to move on, to need to know what happens, even as the pace is as plodding as the snow that piles high and pauses the action in the story. It is very effective and keeps one glued to these pages.

I highly recommend this novel – excellent writing, richly developed characters, and a strongly constructed plot.

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey

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Millicent or “Missy” has been feeling quite lost since her son, along with her beloved grandson, moved all the way to Australia. Her loneliness has been a constant for her, as she is not a gregarious sort, never made friends easily. That had always been her husband’s gift. But now she finds herself mostly in her large, empty home, occasionally venturing out merely to get necessities. That is, until she inadvertently meets the very colorful Angela and her young son (who reminds Missy of her grandson). When Angela begs Missy to care for her friend’s dog, Bob (a female dog, by the way), this opens up possibilities for Missy in the most unexpected ways.

This is one of those unique books that upon opening the pages, opens your heart. While Missy may be awkward and uneasy around others, she is also insightful and kind and loyal, and those around her see this and gravitate to her, in spite of her own discomfort. She has also been wronged and has pent-up anger and resentment. She is a complex human – but aren’t we all? It still fills me with awe how an author can create a character as genuine as Missy, that we can love and relate to on such a basic level.

There are also surprises here, some unseen truths that are gradually revealed. Missy’s story is told in slices, in past memories that are triggered by her experiences in the present. We learn of her relationship with her husband, more complicated than it appears to be at first. We learn why she’s been estranged from her daughter and how they might find a way back to each other. And we learn how she might forge a path to a life that balances her own needs with the needs of others, a struggle she’s had since early days.

Another aspect of this book I appreciated is how it highlights the wonders of caring for a pet. While not everyone feels that the benefit outweighs the cost, I believe that these small creatures we care for truly give back more than they receive. As I sit here writing this with my own cat nestled contentedly on a stack of papers right next to my computer, I smile as I think of how Bob brought a new kind of love to Missy and opened her up to a whole new community (of dog walkers in her neighborhood). It is a unique and tender connection (except of course when my cat decides to communicate his love by nibbling on me…).

This is a MUST READ, in my opinion. Just a heartwarming story with lovable, imperfect, characters. I’d love to hear what others think!

The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank

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It all begins with a family dinner celebrating Maisie’s 80th birthday. We hear the story from Maisie, who feels she is just misunderstood, as she just happened to fall in love with her 65-year old driver, who now lives with her. Liz, her daughter, feels it is absurd, but would just be happy to hear a single word of approval from this mother of hers. Her own daughter, Ashley, feels quite the same way toward Liz, feeling that both parents have been critical of her life choices, never appreciating her for who she is, her talents, her aspirations. And we learn this directly from each character, as the family goes through one crisis after another – first breaking apart, but ultimately coming back together.

I loved how this book began. The writing was clever, the characters colorful and the dialogue sharp. There were some cringy moments, but it was it was all working. And I loved hearing from each of the characters, as if they were speaking to me. Great start. Very optimistic.

Unfortunately, about halfway in, it became much too clear where the plot was headed and from there on, I might have written it myself (not a good sign!). There were no surprises, no twists, no unpredictable scenes whatsoever. It continued to be cringy but not in a good way, and everything fell into just the perfect ending. Everyone kissed and made up and loved each other in the end.

Isn’t that just how life always works out?

So, unfortunately, I would not recommend this book. I think there is good intention, as the author is trying to underscore an important social issue – spousal abuse. But because we are beaten over the head with it (pardon the pun!), it diminishes the impact.

The Wicked Redhead AND The Wicked Widow both by Beatriz Williams

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After leaving us with Gin Kelly down in Florida with her beloved and her much younger sister, we find that she is still in hot water, so to speak. While her true love, Anson, has sworn to remain out of the business of going after those defying the law to cash in on quenching the thirst of their fellow Americans (with illegal alcohol), he cannot help but be pulled back in by those who have been after him – just this one more time. We see this happening over and over, and because he is such a straight-laced, ethical, devoted person, we go along with his life-threatening choices again and again, just as Gin does.

Meanwhile, we continue to follow Ella’s timeline, as she also struggles with her complicated situation. She is juggling her ex-husband and the newly discovered “gift” he’s left her newfound love, Hector. How could she possibly contend with all of this and the possibility of losing her job on top of this? It feels like too much. But as Ella sorts out her life, she also discovers how she is connected to her past and to the past lives of those who have lived in her building before her…

These last two stories in the trilogy are as suspenseful and as tantalizing as the first one and I have to say that I devoured them hungrily. Williams’ writing is consistently engaging, with the dialogue crisp, characters snarky and heartful, and plot twisty and surprising. I was kept guessing throughout. I especially loved Gin’s story – it was never dull, never lagged, never felt predictable. I am envious of Williams talent down to my core.

You may end at the first book, but you will be left hanging. Honestly, even reading to the third, you will be left with a few ends to be tied – but that is how life is, isn’t it?

Loved these books!

Run by Ann Patchett

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Both Tip and Teddy have really had enough of their father dragging them to political events; they both feel they’ve done their share and they’re pretty over it; but at the same time, neither has the ability to say no to him. Tip is more annoyed than usual on this particular night, since he’s got so much work to do before his final exams, so much more to finish up in his lab, and it’s snowing like crazy outside (and of course he did not bring an appropriate jacket). When the speech has concluded, they are outside negotiating their next step – their father is still wanting more from them – a shocking and terrifying event occurs that completely rocks their world.

This is a beautifully crafted story about a complicated family and their complicated relationships. Tip and Teddy had been adopted by Doyle and his late wife when their older son Sullivan was 12 years old. This had a very negative impact on Sullivan, as we learn in the course of the narrative. But the relationship between the younger boys and Doyle is quite tender, in spite of their friction over his ambitions for them. To complicate things further, it appears, as they learn as the story unfolds, Tip and Teddy’s biological mother has been keeping an eye on them their whole lives without them having any clue.

It is almost impossible, I believe, to not love each of these characters and therefore to not love the story itself. Each has a vulnerability, a longing, a concern for the others that is endearing and present almost in spite of him or herself. Each is tied to the other because of their sense of family that goes way beyond genetics.

I highly recommend this book – not only because most anything written by Ann Patchett is extraordinary, but because it is a unique story, rich with complex characters, and told with her remarkable wit, imagination, and gift for words.