The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
Square peg Jules is taken up by a group of arty teenagers at a summer arts camp in the Catskills in the '70s. Her friends remain in the arts as adults, some finding the pinnacles of success; Jules moves away from acting into a career as a therapist, but still struggles with envy, identity, and self-esteem. While I could sympathize with Jules, I just didn't find her very...interesting, and felt impatient with the self-absorption of the entire group.
The Tenth of December by George Saunders
A compelling and well-chosen group of short stories with a unique viewpoint. Saunders created a lot of buzz with his recent commencement address at Syracuse University, when he exhorted the graduates to remember to be kind. That theme continues in this book; in fact, in many of the stories here, Saunders skillfully blends his astute observations with a definite science fiction setting, unforgettably highlighting his characters' humanity.
The Burn Palace by Stephen Dobyns
The nurse on duty in the maternity ward in a small Rhode Island hospital leaves her post (and the one newborn baby in the nursery) for a broom-closet date with one of the doctors. On her return, she discovers the baby is missing, and in its place is a crib full of snakes. This event touches off a series of seemingly unrelated incidents in the town requiring the assistance of the state police; one trooper struggles with his own demons, as well as those unleashed on the town, as he tries to get to the bottom of it all. I think this owes quite a debt to 'Salem's Lot, but an absorbing page-turner nonetheless.
All That Is by James Salter
A young soldier survives World War II to go on to Harvard and a successful career as an editor for a literary publishing house, but true love eludes him. I must admit I struggled with this book; while Salter writes exceptionally well, I felt like I was missing the point of it. We watch Philip Bowman drift from one woman to another, treating some very badly, musing on the nature of his life, always looking for something he doesn't seem to have--and then the book ends. Perhaps a play on the title would sum it up best--That's All There Is?
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman
A yuppie writer struggles with his inclinations in a post-feminist society. Waldman doesn't paint a very flattering picture of Nate, who has difficulty committing to women who are his intellectual equal (or better), and can't seem to decide what it is he wants from a relationship; unlike All That Is, however, there is at least some resolution at the end.
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
A plain, Jane Eyre-ish orphan who works as a stenographer in a police precinct is taken up by a glamorous flapper. Neither woman is what she initially seems, and the question becomes who to trust--the narrator, who seems increasingly unreliable and unbalanced, or the flapper, who has a closet full of skeletons?
Wildfire Loose : The Week Maine Burned by Joyce Butler
Butler skillfully pieces together primary sources detailing a horrific week in 1947 when multiple forest fires destroyed many areas of the state. With pictures.
The Weir by Ruth Moore
A Maine fishing family struggles with making a living and th and eir futures as fisherman and island dwellers in this classic. Finely wrought characters, a suspenseful story, good pacing, a resolved ending--they just don't write 'em like this anymore!
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Investigative reporter Scott McGrath's career was derailed when, after following up on a lead from a chauffeur, he tried to expose the private life of a legendarily reclusive horror director. All his questions come flooding back after the daughter of the director is found dead, an apparent suicide. Pessl has crafted an excellent psychological thriller, using multimedia to enhance the reader's experience. The publicity machine has targeted fans of Gone Girl and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and while I would agree, this book--while certainly dark--is ultimately an old-fashioned story of redemption.
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