Three Books I Highly Recommend
In the mood to read about different types of families? Happy or unhappy, these books will entertain you!
I’m Just Happy to Be Here: A Memoir of Renegade Mothering by Janelle Hanchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sometimes we read a book for fun, such as a book we take to the beach. Sometimes we choose a book because we are in the mood for something scary, or we like to solve mysteries, or we want to learn more about ancient China. And there are times that a book calls to us. “Read me so you can witness a life that seems so different from your own. So you can see what torment and suffering is. And so you can learn to love more.”
I’m Happy Just to be Here is a great title for a book written by a young woman who had lost her job, children, dignity, health, mind and respect, and almost her marriage. The memoir of her years as a drug addict is one of the hardest books I have ever read. Every page seems to bring unrelenting misery and hopelessness and horribleness. Fortunately, it has a pretty happy ending.
And it’s also fortunate that it is well written and contains gems such as If God only gave you the things you could handle, what would you need God for?
One of the best parts of the story for me was when the author learned that her grandmother had written a newspaper column for young mothers, 70 years ago. As many readers know, these days author writes a successful blog about mothering.
As a mother, this book was hard for me to read. “What if this had happened to my kids?” I kept thinking. But, this is a book worth reading, because it’s a book about life. Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hanchette Books for an ARC. This is my honest review.
The Figgs by Ali Bryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In a world of cozy mysteries, dystopian fantasies, and chick lit, this book stands out. It’s not cuddly, sweet, or fantasy. Here’s what it is- real life, with a unique voice, outlandish characters and humor that feels like a punch to the gut. If you hang on to this wild ride, like I did, you will end up feeling satisfied.
I have read other reviews about this book, and many described the Figg family as dysfunctional. But they are not really misfits, it’s more that they are in transition and stuck. The parents, June and Randy Figg are newly retired and have vague ideas about selling their house. But their three young adult children are all still living at home. The children seem to be unable to launch themselves.
What gets them unstuck is the unexpected arrival of baby Jaxx. The first time June heard about him was when her son announced that he had received a text telling him that the contraptions had started. Now they must all consider what it means to be a family.
The writing in this book is almost existential with unexpected words. We see what June sees, whether it’s clumps of families wielding foil balloons, or her husband stretched out like a gingerbread man. At times, this writing style jarred me and made it harder for me to sink into the story and connect with the characters. At other times it added to the grit and despair of the story.
I am glad I read this book. It’s different, but I recommend it to you. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Elliot was kind of my Everyfriend.” Macy and Elliott are the heart of this book. Their coming of age story is beautiful and carefully explored by creative and poetic storytellers, Christina Lauren.
“Favorite word?” he whispers.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.”
If Macy and Elliott are the heart of this engaging book, then words and thoughts are the soul of this story. Yes, we learn some facts about Macy- she is a pediatric resident, she is still close to her college roommate and she is engaged. But, the real story of Macy is how she deals with love and loss- with life.
Macy tells her own story in alternating chapters that cover “Now” and “Then”. “Then” begins 15 years earlier when Macy meets Elliott on vacation. Macy tells us her thoughts and feelings in an honest and blunt way. The alternating timelines are easy to follow because even though the time period changes, Macy does not. Her voice remains crystal and pure, always somewhat child-like. I wonder if the authors intended this?
There are so many marvelous moments and descriptions in this book such as, “Getting a free Saturday feels like being ten years old and holding a twenty-dollar bill in a candy store.” And the romantic yearnings and explorations of Macy and Elliot are real and enticing- wow, they affected me!
Readers will bond with Macy and Elliott and their secrets. I did wonder why Elliot, and did I say he’s adorable, didn’t do more to reach out to Macy- it wouldn’t have been that hard!
The book ends with a moving emotional climax. I recommend this book. The author duo are bestsellers for a reason. I do question whether it is really Women’s Fiction. To me, it is more a Young Adult or New Adult genre, which is the main reason I gave it 4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Threshold, Pocket books for the ARC. This is my honest review.
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