Catching up

Over the past few months, I haven't found much in the new books section worthy of my time, so I've been going back and reading the early books of my favorite authors.

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner: Great book, better than the movie (of course), but I couldn't stand the part where Rose runs into characters from Weiner's first book Good In Bed. Surely that wasn't necessary?

Jemima J by Jane Green: Before now, I hadn't even read what this book was about. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book about transformation and finding your true love, even with a little mystery thrown in. Excellent first novel--and now I understand why she was given a publishing deal.

Mr. Maybe by Jane Green: Like many sophomore novels, this one was a bit rougher than the first and Green's subsequent books. I didn't understand why the main character wasted so much of her time on someone who was so obviously wrong for her. I suppose we have all been there, of course, willing to compromise because we want something so badly. But I'm glad that she wised up in the end.

Now reading: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Nothing like a depressing novel for the holidays.

K

Babyville

I first read this Jane Green novel at least three years ago, when I was unmarried and without kids. At the time, I wrote a review of the book for my library's website. Having just finished it for my book group, I realize how my perspective has changed since the first read. Reading my old review made me laugh out loud at how I thought I knew what I was talking about when I said that having a baby changes your life. At the time, I had no idea about the scope of that statement. Oh, the folly of youth...

The book follows three British women--one who wants to get pregnant but can't, one who doesn't want to get pregnant but does, and one who is married and has a baby, only to become infatuated with a married male friend. On this second read, I was more sympathetic toward the woman who couldn't get pregnant, because I now know the true joy of having a baby. I could hardly get through the last third of the book which follows the infatuation storyline. I was very frustrated with that character's desire to leave her husband and start a new relationship--I just don't understand how she could get that annoyed and mad at her husband to want to leave him and her child for someone new. I just don't understand it now that I'm married; I'm sure it seemed much more plausible before when I was not involved with anyone.

I usually enjoy rereading books, and have a couple that I try to read every year, but this reread just wasn't the same.

K

Life on the Refridgerator Door: A Novel in Notes

On Lissa's suggestion (but now I can't find her review on her blog) and after reading a review in a library publication, I read this book during my lunch break a couple of weeks ago. I admit, I knew how it ended just because at my library, the reference librarians have to check the cataloging of every adult book purchased--so seeing the subject heading Breast--Cancer--Fiction basically runied the ending for me. Knowing this, I read it anyway, interested in a book composed entirely of notes between a mother and daughter. (There have been books consisting of only emails or text messages, but I think this is the first in notes.) I admit, I tried very hard to hold back the tears so that my two male coworkers wouldn't see me crying at my desk during my lunch. The book was short and sweet, and made me grateful for the days I have had so far with Addison, and I prayed that I might be with her until we are both old and gray.

K

10-18-07 update: found Lissa's review: http://papercuts.tscpl.org/2007/09/60_second_video_book_review_li.html#comments

Mommy Tracked

Just finished this mom lit offering by Whitney Gaskell. Amusing account of four women, some married, all with kids. I appreciated the rotating point of view among the four moms. Each had their own issues which they (of course) solved by the last page. Breezy, easy and entertaining.

K

Falling Out of Fashion

I had to read this book by Karen Yampolsky for my book group. On the cover it said, "If you liked Devil Wears Prada, you'll love this book!" That was a big of a stretch. About the only thing the two books have in common is having the fashion industry as the backdrop. Otherwise, the two books couldn't be more different. Falling Out of Fashion featured a likeable magazine editor who was trying to save her magazine from the media conglomerate that bought it. Nothing really interesting happened in this book, and there was absolutely nothing to discuss.

K

Good in Bed

In anticipation of the spring 2008 publication of her next book, Certain Girls, I read Jennifer Weiner's Good in Bed. I started reading Weiner with Little Earthquakes and I loved Goodnight, Nobody, and I always meant to go back and read her first two books (just like how I got hooked on Jane Green with her third, Bookends, and still haven't gone back and read her first two). Certain Girls, which follows Cannie, seemed like the perfect reason.

I knew what to expect from a Jennifer Weiner book--thrilling wonderfulness, a delight to read, something that I would just be enveloped by. I was not disappointed. This book started out innocently enough, and I thought it would be the regular story of girl loves boy, girl breaks out with boy, girl eventually gets back together with boy. No way did I know I was in for a baby and Hollywood. Somehow (and I'm not really sure how) these events and situations seem totally believable at Weiner's hand. Perhaps what I liked most was how these plot developments surprised me and enriched the story.

I am now in love with Cannie, and I cannot wait to read what befalls her next.

K

Slummy Mummy

This was an interesting entry in the Chick Lit category because I felt like the author branched out several times through the dialogue of some characters to share her opinion on current issues like feminism and the SAHM/working mother so called war. But overall, I thought it was a fabulous book, and totally quenched my craving for brit chick lit. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but I was happy the book ended the way it did, which was what I thought was the "right" way.

In the book, Lucy Sweeney is a former TV exec who is currently staying home with her three sons, the youngest of whom is in preschool. Somehow Lucy tries to accomplish everything and therefore accomplishes nothing. I totally feel for this character because this is exactly how taking care of children full time is--you try and try and try to wash the dishes and start the laundry and cook the meals while not only watching your kids (i.e. making sure they don't hurt themselves) but trying to engage them and stimulate them, heck, even playing with them, and somehow it seems like you just can't do both. I feel like in this book, Lucy kept going back to the fact that she couldn't do it all, you can't have it all, even though she tried for the sake of appearances to her husband and fellow moms. I perfectly understand her feeling of shame when her husband comes home from work and finds that she hasn't done a single thing on her to-do list, and if only he was there to see all the stuff she had to deal with that day, he would probably understand too, but he doesn't, and therefore she feels guilty.

I have thought for awhile that I am a better mother because I work full time--because I'm not with Addie all the time, I definitely feel our time together in the evenings and on weekends is precious, so I'm willing to let things go (like housework) in favor of playing with her for hours. I also feel like working full time gives some structure to my days, so that entire weeks don't go by without me cleaning the house (or at least they shouldn't...). I feel like because I work full time, I'm contributing to the household income, that my husband can't get mad at me for not always having the dishes clean or the laundry folded the second it comes out of the dryer. I am more efficient with my time at home because I work; I'm prevented from trying to be superMom because I have to work; I'm absolved from guilt (some of it) because I have to work.

Of course, there is all that guilt from not spending more time with my child...

K

The Bright Side of Disaster

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center was fabulous. Wonderful mom lit. I didn't love how the author used the title in dialog at the very beginning of the book, but the rest of the story made up for it. Jenny's fiance leaves her the day before she goes into labor, and most of the book consists of those hazy days right after you've had a baby and your whole world is turned upside down. I totally related to all her descriptions of early motherhood. Somehow the author so completely develops and maintains Jenny's voice; the book never strays from her point of view and her character. It was totally enveloping. You can't help but cheer for Jenny as she makes some good decisions in her love life. This is a debut novel that has gotten lots of good reviews and lots of press, all totally deserved.

Now I'm reading Slummy Mummy, my favorite kind of British mum lit--even the flyleaf says "Bridget Jones with kids". (Can you believe it has been almost ten years since Bridget came onto the scene and totally changed contemporary literature?)

forever ago

Just at this moment reading a review for another Austen inspired novel, I realized that I never posted my completion of Austenland. I loved it. It was a delight, even though I haven't read all of Austen's novels and barely remember some of the characters and plot points from the various books. The author threw in enough twists and turns that I couldn't guess the ending. I think it is many Austen fans' dream to be able to go back in time and live the way she lived.

Right now I'm flying through Second Chance by Jane Green. I love love love it. Green could write anything and I would love it. As always, Second Chance is filled with loveable characters who I find parts of myself in and therefore can identity with, and the plot just keeps me guessing. I really wish she would put out books faster!

K

up next

Today, finally, I got the new Jane Green novel: Second Chance. I have been dying to read this! As soon as I'm done with Austenland, which is turning out to be fabulous, I will start Second Chance. Of course waiting at home are Dedication by the same pair who wrote the Nanny Diaries (I didn't read their second novel, did you?) and The Bright Side of Disaster, which seems like mommy lit. Good stuff!

I will post soon about my recent craft projects and the awesome craft books I have found.

K

Working Families

A few days ago (it feels like weeks ago with the midweek holiday) I finished reading Working Families. I really enjoyed it. It took me at least two weeks go get through it since it is nonfiction and I find nonfiction reading to be slower for me. This is the kind of book I want to read a million times because one read-through is not enough to absorb all the information. This is the kind of book I want to have on my home shelves so I can refer to it again and again through the years. If only this book was fiction and took place in England, it would be my dream novel.

The author Joy Jordan-Lake, talks about how important it is for each spouse to find their calling in life, the thing that lights them up from the inside which also happens to glorify God. She also stresses seasons (similar to my thinking of "phases" regarding Addie's behavior) and how you and your spouse have to adjust what works for your family in different seasons. I love how the author unabashedly talks about how much she loves her profession and her various jobs and how important they are to her, and even though she has kids, she doesn't want to give them up. Finally! So she and her husband have found creative ways of balancing their three-career marriage--her job, his job and parenting three kids. It's an awesome book that comes with discussion questions--this would be the perfect book for a small home group--I wish there were enough young couples in our church who had/wanted kids so we could do this there.

K

i've been reading alot...

but you've never know since I haven't been keeping up with my documentation here.

I finished Momzillas which was one of the funniest mom lit books I've read so far. It had very strong plotline similarities to Class Mothers, but I guess that is okay. I'm glad I am not part of the crowd that cares about getting into the "best" pre-preschool--I don't even know which one that would be here in STL.

After Momzillas, I moved on to The Marriage Diaries by Rebecca Campbell. It was British, there was a kid, but I didn't really like it. I really didn't like the middle of the book and almost gave up on it. The basic premise is that a stay-at-home dad begins to document his time at home with his son, and his working wife stumbles across his journal entries to find that he spends time with a mom from playgroup. So almost in an act of pre-revenge, she has an affair with a married friend, while the husband comes close, but never ends up cheating. So the wife cheated on her husband because she thought her husband was cheating, when he wasn't really. And then to top it off, the book ended with her quitting her job to stay home with her kids (one on the way whose paternity wasn't really addressed). I'm still looking for the book where she quits her job then goes back to work full-time! Does such a book exist?

I have been taking a break from the fictional world to read some non-fiction. I was a Really Good Mom before I had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood by Amy Nobile and Trisha Ashworth really helped me address certain expectations I had for myself regarding my roles as wife and mother and employee and helped me address the guilt I have for still working after having a baby. I have had it done for a few days now but I'm waiting to return it until I can methodically work through the super easy exercises they have. The last chapter is about living in the moment and it was a great reminder that these days are fleeting. I would have appreciated it even more if it had been written from a Christian perspective. Maybe someone should write that book... I feel like this book gave me permission to not always have my house clean and to let the laundry go for another day if it means spending quality time with the baby. I know it seems silly, but I do need to hear that.

Now I'm reading Working families: navigating the demands and delights of marriage, parenting, and career by Joy Jordan-Lake. This is a Christian living book about how to be a spouse, parent and employee and find and follow your life's "calling", whatever that may be, whether it is the same as your job or not. I hope that she talks more about the balancing and juggling act of handling all these responsibilities.

On the horizon I have the Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares who wrote the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series for YAs and Austenland, which looks like every Austenite's dream.

K

finally finished

Last Thursday I finished the Memory Keeper's Daughter. I really thought it would have a much more explosive ending. I was actually disappointed in how the book ended. While I never saw it coming that David would die suddenly, I guess I almost wished it would have ended hauntingly with Norah and Paul never knowing that Phoebe was alive.

But now back to Momzillas, which is making me grateful for the fact that I do not run in circles where getting into the right pre-preschool is so important. I'm actually happy with my middle-class existence!

K

current projects

In a flurry of inspiration from my sister-in-law as she decorates her impending arrival's nursery, I have launched several projects for Addison's room. Since we didn't know if Addison was going to be a girl or a boy, I didn't decorate her room or hang things on the walls. We painted the walls butter yellow and the trim white and hung up all the bedding accessories, but beyond that, her room is devoid of decoration. It's about time to remedy that with the following projects.

--ribbon bulletin board--multicolored dots sprinkled on a blue background with purple ribbon--I bought purple ribbon at Michaels without the fabric in hand and thought the purples would match and they totally don't.
--embellished letters--I am covering A-D-D-I-E with scrapbook papers, sanding the edges for a rough finish. I've seen a multitude of ideas online which go one step further and add 3-D details on the letters, but since I chose five different papers for the letters, I can't decide if I need a unifying element besides the paper colors. People have been using scrapbooking flowers, beads, sequins, buttons and ribbon. Making Memories added their enamel letters to embellish just one initial which looked really good. I could definitely add some ribbon, but it would come down to finding the right color. Michaels does have a good selection, but I couldn't find exactly what I needed. Maybe Joann's?
--square box shelves--At Hobby Lobby, they have decorated the typical cube shelves by painting the edge facing out and adding a design on the sides of the cubes. I want to make something that isn't so girly but that coordinates with the bedding. Definitely green on the edge and maybe something simple like dots or circles on the sides.
--I also bought three picture frames to hang on her walls. One is a wall hanging with a picture frame in the middle, another is a predecorated shadowbox. At Target, I found Making Memories preembellished mats that you use in any picture frame. The colors are a little muted, so I don't know if I will end up using it in her room, but I'm sure I can find another place for it.

Other exciting crafting news:
--I finally found a copy of Ribbonrie! I've been looking for this book everywhere. Usually I try to ILL a copy before I buy it but no libraries had it and I couldn't even buy it through Baker and Taylor. I found it on sale at Archivers and I love it!!
--At Walmart and Joann's, I found fabric that was smocked at the top that you just throw a seam and a hem into and you have yourself a top or dress! I bought some of this in a great pink and green paisley design with the intention of making Addison and I matching clothes for tonight's Mother/Daughter banquet at church--Addie would get a dress and I would wear a top. But they won't be complete in time since I haven't even taken the machine out of the box, which leads me to the next item...
--I got a sewing machine for my birthday/Mother's Day! A researched and picked it out all by himself! The only free time I seem to have lately is at night after Addison has gone to sleep, and I can't really start practicing then since the machine is so loud, I'm afraid it will wake her up. But very soon, I will be cracking that thing open! I'm so excited to have this tool in my repertoire now! I went through my fabric box and found all sorts of goodies (several of them paisley, surprise, surprise) that I cannot wait to sew into some fabulous skirts. I've been waiting and waiting for this day and I'm so excited!

K

still working on it...

After my last book, I started reading Momzillas. Absolutely hilarious! But I had to stop 100 pages in so I could attempt to read The Memory Keeper's Daughter before book group. Well, I didn't make it and I didn't go to book group because I had to work, so I'm still trying to finish it. It's an amazing book. I knew it had to be since so many people are reading it right now, but really, it is amazing and is currently making me more aware of special needs children. As soon as I am done, though, I'm racing back to finish Momzillas. I can't wait!

K

catching up

So two weeks ago, I had started four different fiction books. I never read more than one at a time because I usually get confused. So I decided to focus my efforts on which was due back at the library first--Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. In this fourth volume, the girls are once again up to their usual traveling and forgetting who they are and what they are about. There was also a lot of sex. That particular aspect sparked a conversation with A about what we would let our kids read. It was classified in the juvenile fiction in our library instead of YA; maybe the whole series should be moved to YA even though the first books are tamer (then again, didn't Bridget sleep with Eric in the first book?). A asked me if I would want/let Addison read this and I think I said not before high school, but I'm sure I was reading this level of fiction in middle school. And if I hadn't read it myself, I guess I would have assumed, if picking it out for my daughter, that since it was in JF, it was appropriate for ages below 14. It just makes me wonder/realize how much stuff my kids will encounter without me even knowing it. There is no way for me to prevent them from being exposed to all the things that I don't want them to know about before a certain age. It is just kind of amazing to realize as a parent that no matter how much you want to protect them, there is no way to protect them from everything. Very sobering thought for me.

Anyway, now I'm finished The Three Day Rule by my favorite British authors Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees. I have to finish it asap so that I can return it to the Vancouver (Ont.) ILL department before it's overdue (no renewals!!). I hate how Canada can get British fiction that we can't in the USA. All those British people get to read Jane Green books before I do, too. So unfair!

K

so many books, so little time

Today I finished Class Mothers by Katherine Stewart. Short and sweet about rich moms in Manhattan. I didn't like the ending though, where one character's resolution is to be a private investigator. That just seems a little to far-fetched. Otherwise pretty good, if you want something totally breezy.

And now I've found several titles I'd like to read, but I think I'm going to start with The Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King. I haven't read The Sunday Wife by her, but I know that is a popular book group selection. This story about Southern women reuniting every summer reminds me of the YaYa books and Deborah Smith. I love good Southern stories--makes me want to move to North Carolina! (But that probably isn't considered the Deep South.) Cathy Kelly, you are next.

K

not reading

My book group chose This is not chick lit : original stories by America's best women writers. I should have known that I wouldn't like it. In the introduction, the editor says that because of the emergence of chick lit, worthy, better, literary female authors are being overlooked in favor of bubblegum pink titles. So the heck what? At least chick lit isn't depressing (most of the time). I tried to read this book, I really did. But when the first short story talks about incest, I'm already done with it. The book is no longer a method of escape and enjoyment for me, it is another reminder of the grim world in which we live. Instead of giving up after that second page, I finished that story and two others. I'm still not impressed and feel that reading this book will only take my time away from more worthy pursuits: craft books and chick lit novels.

K

Goodnight, Nobody

Goodnight, Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

The last book of Weiner's that I read, Little Earthquakes, was wonderful, as was this new one. I loved how the suspense in the book kept me reading. A deeper chick lit offering than some, I love to read her writing. I love reading good books but I hate when they end.

K

Nearlyweds

Nearlyweds by Beth Kendrick

Totally forgetable book. I picked it up in desperation and read enough pages to be interested in the characters, but really, I probably should have passed on this title. I'm just one of those people who has to finish a book once they start it.

K

Alphabet Weekends

On Friday night, I finished Alphabet Weekends. Excellent book. The story involved three couples at different points in their lives and relationships. Although you knew that the couple involved in the title activity was going to get together, the main drive in the plot came from a couple where one member was involved in an affair. I'm pleased that the author stuck with reality and decided not to end everything happily.

This book has inspired us to start our own version of alphabetic dates, the first of which occurred last Friday night as we partook of Russian food at Astoria, then headed to the St. Louis Art Museum for the Art in Bloom event. We had a wonderful evening.

K

Happiness Sold Separately

Yesterday I finished Happiness Sold Separately at 12:30 am. It was a great book, wonderfully well-written, but the ending left me wondering what happened to the characters. I must admit, I like a story that has all the loose ends neatly wrapped up.

On to Alphabet Weekends by Elizabeth Noble.

K

happy valentine's day

snow day

Almost two weeks ago now, we had a snow day at our house. With the extreme abundance of snow and a carefree afternoon (and time on my hands since Addison was taking a nap), I decided to make snow ice cream on Aaron's suggestion.

Years ago, I clipped a recipe for snow ice cream from the KC Star:
3-4 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

1/2 sugar

Mix these ingredients together; add snow until desired consistency is obtained.

Mixture before snow added.

Snow cream almost done!

After I incorporated the snow, I took the ice cream back inside to taste. Way too much vanilla. So after adding more sugar and snow, we enjoyed our homemade ice cream.

note to self

Additions to the to-read list:

Momzillas
Class Mothers
Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

Did anyone else read the Shopaholic books? I read the first and got bored.

K

now reading...

Today, I was desperate. It was my lunch break and time was ticking away but I needed something to read before starting my meal. I went to the New Books shelves to find something quickly before I was spotted in the stacks and asked a question. My eyes flew over the spines, searching for something pink. It seems that in the book work, pink equals chick lit, just my kind of book. Shelf after shelf went by and there was nothing that caught my eye. I was starting to worry--what if I couldn't find a book? What was I going to read? Last week, while in the same predicament, I had read the new issues of Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes and Gardens--what would I read today? Then my eyes set on Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston. This title has been on my to-read list since it came out last year.

I loved this author's first book, Good Grief. I think I read that about two years ago when I was engaged. I figured it was okay to read a book about one's husband dying before I was married, but not after, so I remember trying to finish it quickly before too much wedding planning got underway. While I remember so many great moments from that book, what stands out the most in my memory is how the protagonist creates savory cheesecakes and opens her own shop. I thought this was great--savory cheesecakes!

I dream of starting a dessert catering business--I'm not sure I want a storefront that I would have to maintain, but I love the idea of baking things to order in my own kitchen. I have been thinking of it quite a bit over the past few days because of the cookbook I've been reading (Buttercup Bakes at Home). My friend Kate B once told me of a woman who baked for the rich ladies in her neighborhood, since none of them had time to do it themselves, but yet wanted homemade baked goods.

Of course, this is all part of my plan to be able to stay home with my baby. But I realize (with the help of the Food Network) that starting a home-based business wouldn't give me more time with her, it would probably take up more time than I am away from her now, besides all the hard work that would have to go into running a business. I'll be honest, I have no idea how to run a company. I knew I should have majored in Business!

K

finding inspiration

My darling baby is just so darn cute that I've been inspired to knit her something to wear. Of course by the time I finish it, spring will probably have come so I shouldn't start a cold weather item. I've been combing all the knitting books at the library trying to find something simple to start with (since I've never knitted anything more complicated that a scarf). There are some promising things on Knitty, so I should be able to decide on something soon. Then there are just decisions about the yarn and the color...

K

books I read last year

I know I read many more books that this in 2006, but I can't remember them all right now. But I do remember--

Bed Rest by Sarah Bilston (another ARC from Lissa)
Piece of Work by Laura Zigman (my boss told me that someone he knew made note of what they were reading when each of their kids was born--I was reading this)
24-Karat Kids A Novel Dr. Judy Goldstein and Sebastian Stuart (an ARC from Asia)
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

K

what I have been reading

I remember how every summer when I was growing up, I participated in the Summer Reading Program at the local public library. I loved how the lists of books we had to have in order to get our book prize at the end of the summer grew as the months passed. When I was in second grade, I kept a meticulous list of all the books I read. I've tried on and off in the years since to keep track of what I've read, but half the time I forget to write down the titles and authors.

One of my resolutions for this year is to start writing down the books I have read. It seems like this is a no-brainer resolution; most people are probably resolving to read more, but this will be hard enough for me to do!

So here are the books I have read since the beginning of 2007 (I think).

I know there was a book I was rushing to finish before January so that I could start on The Yummy Mummy but I cannot remember the name of it (hence the resolution)!

The Yummy Mummy was an ARC from my friend Lissa (I love having friends who get free books at library conferences). She knew I would love it since it was British chick lit (my favorite). I had actually just the day before read a review of this book and was dying to read it. It was fantastic. The plot had enough twists and turns that it didn't end like I thought it would. I love my breezy, easy chick lit, but I do like it when authors try a little harder to make the storyline and the characters more substantial than usual. Now that I have gotten married and have a child, I have moved from the career-girl-seeking-true-love chick lit to the mummy lit--20-30 somethings who have kids.

After Yummy Mummy, I wanted another good book and picked up Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis. While this was an enjoyable read, it wasn't as good as Yummy Mummy (but what would have been? It's so hard to follow really good books with an equally good book). This book also doesn't end like you initially think it will. It even had a touch of mystery and suspense, which reminds me of what Lissa said about the Helen Fielding's follow-up to the Bridget Jones books, Olivia Joules And The Overactive Imagination--"Fielding is trying to turn chick lit into spy/adventure." (Sorry Lissa, that wasn't it exactly, but you get what I mean.) But this was way better than Olivia Joules which I couldn't even get past the first chapter in. Margolis also wrote the book in the third person which I understand gives the author more leeway in describing characters but I found it kind of annoying to read what the protagonist thought and felt instead of hearing about them firsthand. Maybe it's just me.

Today I finished Always and Forever by Cathy Kelly. I recall reading a short story by Kelly in Irish Girls About Town and always meant to read some of her full length treatments. I thought this book was great. The back cover gave me the impression that the book was predominately about the women's friendships, and that wasn't the case. But it wasn't too much of a disappointment because the women's individual stories were interesting. The balance between the three/four story lines was excellent. I don't think the book would have been as good if it were about only one of the women. To be honest, I wanted to book to end differently for the woman who had quit her job to stay home and care for her kids. I think this title would appear to many different people because of the variety of ages and situations represented.

What should I read next? I have nothing waiting for me at home. And since the library closes soon, I have just 27 minutes to find something new to read!

K