I recently revealed that I'm running for office, so it's no surprise that a book about two young hopefuls moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in politics would intrigue me. Plus, The Hopefuls is by Jennifer Close, whose book, The Smart One, was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Unsurprisingly, I quite enjoyed this one, as well.The Hopefuls follows Beth and Matt, two … [Read more...]
‘Dear Fang’ – A Story of Mental Illness and Human Nature
I started reading Dear Fang, With Love by Rufi Thorpe after it became increasingly popular in my Twitter feed. I didn't know what it was about but after reading the synopsis, I knew I had to pick it up (and invite the author to join in #30Authors!). In short, it's about a girl named Vera, the daughter of Lucas and Katya. They had her at a very young age and Lucas wasn't around … [Read more...]
‘Saving Capitalism’ is Comprehensive and Approachable
When I was in grad school I had to take a few economics classes and the one thing that was drilled into our heads was that, practically speaking, there's no such thing as a free market. That's because the market we know exists within the confines of laws and regulations. It sparked some great discussions but the concept that a free market doesn't exist in real life … [Read more...]
Ripped-From-the-Headlines’ “Mistress” Is Magnificent
From the first few pages of The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon, I knew I would be hooked. You see, the book is centered around the ripped-from-the-headlines disappearance of a NY State Supreme Court judge who just happened to go missing on the date of my anniversary: August 6. This is, of course, a complete coincidence, but it did intrigue me from the … [Read more...]
Sleeping With the Lights On: A Review of ‘The Winter People’
If you're looking for a book that will have you reading into the wee hours of the morning, then search no further because The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon is the book for you. Set in the tiny town of West Hall, Vermont, this creepy gem bounces back and forth from the early 1900's to present day; the common links being swift disappearances and unexplained deaths.The … [Read more...]
‘People in the Trees’ by Hanya Yanagihara
Have you ever read a book with protagonist that you both hate and want to like at the same time? This is one of those books. The People in the Trees, which is loosely based on a true story, is about a Nobel prize winning scientist who discovers the key to immortality and, in the process, changes the lives of the inhabitants of a small island. In the decades following his … [Read more...]
‘Smart One’ is 100% Relatable
People say that one of the reasons that Sex and the City did so well is because every woman could relate to every character. We all have a little bit of Charlotte, Samantha, Carrie, and Miranda in us, even if we don't like to admit it. This is the exact same reason that I adored The Smart One by Jennifer Close. I could relate to each and every one of the main characters on some … [Read more...]
Sit Down With ‘Seating Arrangements’
A social satire, Seating Arrangements is a wonderful debut novel by Maggie Shipstead about the Van Meter family, who comes together for the wedding of their pregnant daughter to another socialite from the Duff clan. With clandestine affairs, falls from grace, and secrets abound, the weekend unfolds in the most unlikely of ways.Taking place on the exclusive New England … [Read more...]