I meant to post this last night but was having some internet issues. Bad internet. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier I finished two really good books lately and so here are the reviews.
First up is the advance reading copy I received for Sleepwalking In Daylight by Elizabeth Flock. This engaging story is about a wife and mother who feels lost in her life. That there is no more life plan for her but catering to her children’s needs. But it’s not just about her story it’s also about her teen daughter who is going through a difficult time as well.
“A day after the nothingness of our marriage is finally acknowledged, on Sunday night, I find myself in a bathroom stall at the deep-dish pizza place with my head against the cold metal stall, crying. Back outside, across from our table, there is a young couple trying bites of each other’s pizza and laughing at each other’s jokes and listening intently to the other’s stories. Did we used to be them? Now we are nothing, Bob and I.”
Don’t you just feel for her? I loved how the writer really brought Sam’s character to life. Sometimes she was rambling about thoughts and feelings and that just seemed very real to me. I really enjoyed this book and here’s my full review. I’d not read anything by Elizabeth Flock before but I’ll definitely be look for some of her other books. You can also find out more at the author’s website.
Next up is the advanced review copy I received of Somebody Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage. This novel centers on the lives of some women, the secrets they keep and the secrets that are kept from them. In particular, there is young Willa who was given up for adoption as an infant and is now finding out more about herself and her adoptive family.
“Nate Gallagher woke in his Brooklyn apartment, his bedsheets soaked with sweat. She had come to him again in a dream, cradling a swaddled infant in her arms. He went to work that morning in a fog, riding the subway with the detached preoccupation of a condemned man.”
As there are several characters who are key to the story, it does seem to take a while to fully get into the narrative but still each character is interesting and you can’t help but wonder how all the secrets are going to be divulged and how it’s all going to play out in the end. Making this quite a suspenseful read. Here’s my full review and you can also find out more at the author’s website.
Now, I’m getting quite into the life of another fascinating woman, Juana la loca, via the historical novel The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner.
How about you, read any good women’s fiction lately?
Those both sound good, particularly Sleepwalking in Daylight. I have a feeling a lot of people experience what that couple did. I don’t think I have anything very contemporary on the go at the moment. I’m about to start a Dorothy Whipple novel–does she count as women’s fiction? Maybe, actually.
As you know, I recently read Everyone Is Beautiful, which was a little slice of life about women. Whether you have kids or not, everyone has a friend who has kids that poop on white couches and eat bugs and bite other children! These types of books are good for the soul…pulls us back from some of the harsher stuff we read. Both of your books seem to fit the bill here. Great review…thanks!
Those both sound good! I don’t know if you’d call it women’s fiction but the book of short stories I finished recently, Mother Superior by Saleema Nawaz, had some great portrayals of a variety of relationships, especially some wonderful mother-daughter stories.
Now though I’m finally reading Still Life by Louise Penny and really enjoying it.
I haven’t read anything by Flock before either – I have always thought her books looked really interesting but were maybe a little too depressing (a harsh judgement I know considering I have never read any of them!). I’ll be looking forward to hearing what you think about this one.
Both of these sound good! I so often read good books about women, I’ll have to look back and see if there’s anything that stands out–I’ll let you know 🙂
I usually love “women’s fiction” so I was surprised to scroll through my sidebar and realize I’d only read maybe one or two in this genre so far this year. And that’s a stretch. I’m not sure if The Help would be considered “women’s fiction.” Probably more historical fiction. The Laws of Harmony is the only other title I came up with so far this year. And it was very good!
Sleepwalking in Daylight sounds good! I know there have been times when I’ve felt like the woman in the restaurant, watching a happy couple enjoy their meal and companionship, but then I’ve also had fabulous dinner conversations and have spent hours in a car, chatting with my husband, loving our time together. I think so much of it is about timing. We aren’t always in sync and yet, after 20+ years together we know this is ok. We don’t always have to have hour-long conversations and laughter during a meal out. We’re tired. We’re stressed about work. We’re worried about children. That’s life. It doesn’t mean we don’t love one another. Peaks and valleys. Those moments return and when they do, it’s like falling in love all over again. 🙂
Danielle – I think that’s what made the book so good for me in that I’ve seen that happen to some couples and in a way you understand how it can happen what with everyone’s lives being so busy. I hope you’ll check out the book. And, yes, I think Dorothy Whipple book counts! I’ve not read anything by her but I’ve seen her books recommended by Persephone and that’s good enough for me 🙂
Sandy – I really enjoyed your review of that book and I think I’d enjoy it. I agree, these books are like comfort reads. In many cases there are happy endings and after reading some of the more harsher reads you don’t mind. Granted these two books don’t necessarily have happy ending but just some very real characters.
tanabata – have you reviewed that book yet? I need to stop by and see but I already like the sound of it. And, isn’t Still Life great? Gamache is such a wonderful character!
Karen – Well, it might be the right assessment! I don’t want to give away too much but there’s a bit of a shocker with this one. I hope you’ll give it a try anyway!
Gentle Reader – I read so much women’s fiction. I love it. I guess a lot of times I just find characters or situations that I can relate to in some way and that’s what I find attractive. Do keep me posted if you find some more good ones 🙂
Les in NE – I have The Laws of Harmony waiting for me. I am so looking forward to that book. I love what you said about marriage. I agree, I’ve only been married 7 years but I do understand the peaks and valleys and I love the falling in love all over again part – that’s the best isn’t it. I’m looking forward to many years of that 🙂
I recently read Eating Heaven and loved it.
Oh wow I haven’t read any women’s fiction since March and only one then! I’m just reading a ton of YA lately lol.
You’ve no doubt already seen that I haven’t reviewed it yet. I hope to have it up in a few days though. I really enjoyed the stories.
Still Life was a lot of fun. I loved Gamache and look forward to reading the other books in the series.