Jennifer, Gwyneth and Me

Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me: 

The Pursuit of Happiness, One Celebrity at a Time

by Rachel Bertsche

Bertsche finds herself spending too much time on the Internet, comparing herself to celebrities, but decides to use them for inspiration instead of self-loathing. 

Author of MWFSeeking BFF, also recommended--see my review. My book club of twenty-something young women loved it.

Genre: Memoir

Review: After losing her job, Rachel pursues a writing career at home, but finds herself in a rut. She studies then emulates Jennifer Aniston's steps to a sexy body, Tina Fey's work ethic, and Jessica Alba's "honest" pregnancy. She aspires to Beyonce's total package, Jennifer Garner's marriage, Julia Roberts' serenity and Gwyneth's kitchen. 

Once again, I love the author's sense of humor, approachable yet reflective writing style, and sprinkling of scientific studies with personal anecdote. Her reflections on women and perfectionism were wise, while the experiences with fertility and pregnancy deepened the memoir. 

Author Website: http://www.rachelbertsche.com/

Summers on Nantucket are Back: The Matchmaker

The Matchmaker

by Elin Hilderbrand

Yes, it is summertime, and that means it is time for Nantucket summer days and nights by way of Elin Hilderbrand novel!

Genre: Women's fiction, Popular Fiction

Review: What if you were semi-happily married and then the love of your life emailed you? And he was moving back to your hometown after almost 30 away? 

So begins the story of Dabney and long-lost love Clendenin, her economist husband Box, and her confused daughter Agnes. The novel follows these four perspectives, but mostly, this is Dabney's story. Got-her-life-together-but-not-what-Dabney.

The setting: great! The desciptions of food: loved 'em! Characterization: real and unique Plot: engaging and believable.

Definitely tuck this book into your beach bag! But beware, it is not fluff--get ready for suspense or even tears. 

Someday, Someday, Maybe

Someday, Someday, Maybe

By Lauren Graham

Genre: Popular Fiction

Review: I am always hesitant to read a novel written by an actor or pop culture persona. However, this novel was well-written and a lot of fun to read. Individual sentences are funny and Graham captures the hope and lack of confidence and anxiety of trying to make it in acting. Anyone starting out in their career, especially creative careers, should be able to relate. This novel is fairly light with strong characters and moments of surprising depth. I loved the mid-90s period details, from scrunchies to Doc Martens. Your heart will be warmed by Franny's journey!

Other news:
The book is being developed into a pilot for the CW called Unfamous. Will it become a series?
There is also a sequel in the works

Close My Eyes

Close My Eyes

by Sophie McKenzie

Genre: Mystery

Review: This novel had an interesting premise. An unknown woman knocks on Gen’s door to tell her that her stillborn baby Beth is still alive. The novel is compelling for awhile. There were probably 100 more pages than necessary; by the end I was skimming just to find out what happened. To create a more suspenseful novel, the writing should have been tightened. Often ideas were repeated; the main characters doubts if she should trust Art, her husband, or Lorcan, a handsome stranger, were stated and restated.

Final thoughts: The novel was hailed as similar to Gone Girl, but it was not quite there. If you are desperate for a new mystery, you might want to read it, but for me it wasn’t a true thriller. As I read, I wished I had a Laura Lippman book, with fast-paced, clean prose, in my hand. 

Seating Arrangements

Seating Arrangements

by Maggie Shipstead

Seating Arrangements was the "book of the summer" in 2012, but I read it last month :)

Genre: Literary Fiction

Review: As the book begins, Winn Van Meter is headed to a Nantucket-like island, his summer house, and his older daughter Daphne's wedding. When he arrives, daughters, bridesmaids, wife, and sister-in-law have taken over his home. The book submerges you into the world of the WASPs. The novel's told from the perspective of Winn, who is sometimes sympathetic, other times just annoying. He is not the most likable character, and sometimes I got bored with him and it was hard to read, yet the writing itself is exquisite and the characters well-drawn. Livia, the younger daughter getting over a heartbreak and merely tolerating the wedding, was most interesting to me. 

Extras: Shipstead won a prestigious International Dylan Thomas Writing Prize as a result of this book.
 I watched part of this author discussion which mentions the book's genesis. 
I also appreciated the interview which noted Shipstead was aware that readers might be turned off by Winn's "first-world problems" of golf club waiting lists and such. 

**Out of her two books, I would recommend Astonish Me over this one.**

The Lost Sisterhood

The Lost Sisterhood

by Anne Fortier

Genre: Fiction

Review: While this book is long, it was definitely worth it. It follows Diana, a young Oxford academic who studies the origin of Amazon women. She is asked to go on a mysterious mission and can't resist tracking her beloved Amazons and trying to show that they really did exist, they aren't just mythology. Along the way there are adventures, vivid setting descriptions, and romantic moments. 

The novel's other thread follows Myrina and her sister throughout the ancient world from North Africa to Greece to the Troy of myth. 

I really liked the strong female characters and learning some history as well!

There is an interesting interview at the website on the homepage: http://www.annefortier.com/

She talks about how her next book is set in Paris!

Astonish Me

Astonish Me

by Maggie Shipstead

I loved this book--surely it will win best novel of the year awards!

Genre: Literary Fiction

Review: The novel opens the doors into the minds, the doubts, the fears, and the joys of aspiring ballerinas. If you enjoy entering the minds of the artists and reading poetic prose, check out this book.

Joan falls in love with principal dancer Arslan, a celebrated Russian defector but knows she is only meant to be a Corps dancer, so she is secretly happy when she finds she is pregnant. 

The story cuts between the 1970s through 2000s and follows Joan, Arslan, Joan's son Harry and his best friend Chloe, and Joan's friend Elaine. There is almost no way to describe the story, the writing style, the characters--just read it!

Author website: http://www.maggieshipstead.com/