The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve (★★★★☆)
Short synopsis: It’s October 1947 and after a summer-long drought, out-of-control fires break out around the city. Grace’s husband, Gene, has gone to help with the firefighting efforts, leaving her alone—five months pregnant and with two toddlers. And then a fire breaks out in her town, and she has to flee with her kids, unsure where to go, what her home will look like when she returns, and if her husband is okay.
This book was engaging from beginning to end. The beginning chapters take us into Grace’s life as it is now, which is pretty sad, honestly. She’s in a loveless marriage and feels trapped, especially when she learns she has another baby on the way. After the fire breaks out and Grace has to leave her home with her kids, the story really picks up and I found myself fully engaged through all the twists and turns that happen to Grace as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life and move forward while taking care of her children. She’s unsure where her husband is or if he’s even alive, which makes things both more complicated and less so. (More complicated because being a single mother in the 1940s was a difficult prospect; less complicated because she got to experience life without being trapped in a loveless marriage.) I loved Grace’s character so, so much. She was such a strong woman and did whatever she has to for her family. Her evolution throughout the novel was stark, and it was so lovely to witness. (library audiobook, 2017)
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin (★★★☆☆)
Short synopsis: Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin. So she leaves home and heads to London to find herself a titled gentleman. She doesn’t expect to encounter Lord Radcliffe. The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs.
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. This was our July book club selection, and while most of my friends enjoyed the book (and we had a good discussion about the roles of women and needing a husband in order to achieve wealth!), it just wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t find Kitty to be all that likable, nor did I feel the chemistry between her and Lord Radcliffe. This is a completely closed-door romance, too, which may appeal to some of you, but tends to bum me out (ha). I like a little steam with my romance novels! It’s not a bad book by any means, and is a debut so some of the lackluster writing is to be expected, but I was just hoping for something different. (library e-book, 2022)
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell (★★★★★)
Short synopsis: In 2017, Kim’s 19-year-old daughter Tallulah disappeared with her boyfriend, leaving behind their infant son. Two years later, her daughter still missing, Kim finally gets a break in the case.
This was such a satisfying thriller! The novel is broken into two timelines: 2017 when Tallulah originally goes missing and 2019 when her case is reactivated. Both storylines were so intriguing, as they both revealed important details that helped me unravel what was happening in the story. The pacing in this story was top-notch and it was just so well-written and propulsive. I’ve read quite a few of Lisa Jewell’s books and this one, by far, is a standout. (library audiobook, 2021)
ABANDONED – The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
I read a little over 100 pages of this novel, and I was just bored by it. The plot wasn’t very engaging and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. I wasn’t curious about the plot or what was going to happen to these characters, either, which is always my sign to abandon a book. Win some, lose some.
What are you reading?
I just finished Rootless which is a debut novel about a couple from Ghana living in London. It focuses on the challenges of being a mother without losing your identity. It is heavy and sad but well done IMO although I did not care for the ending. Now I am reading ‘the marriage portrait’ by Maggie O’Farrell for our august book club. I did not care for Hamnet so was hesitant to read this. But I am really liking it!
Oh, I’m glad you’re enjoying The Marriage Portrait. I have Hamnet + TMP on my list to read. There was another Maggie O’Farrell book I read a few years ago that I really loved. I need to read more of her books!
I *LOVED* The Night She Disappeared, and I’m so glad you liked it too! The ending went a little off the rails for me, but the characters were so strong that I didn’t mind.
I just read (and posted about) The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, which was a DNF that I ended up going back to as an audiobook. I wonder if the medium was the real reason it ended up working for me? I find I have higher tolerance for slightly boring when I am listening — it helps that I am listening at double speed, but also my mind can wander and rejoin the book when something more interesting pops up. Plus, I am usually doing something that requires at least part of my brain so I am not really ever giving the book my full attention. This is me trying to talk myself into reading the Wolitzer you abandoned, LOL!
I feel the exact same way about audiobooks! There are some books I “save” for audiobook listening because I know I would DNF them if I had to read a physical book but the fact that I can listen to them while I do other tasks and go about my day is gold. Maybe I’ll try The Female Persuasion on audio! I looooved The Interestings. So good!
I put the first two on my TBR. My TBR is out of control, though, so who knows when I’ll get to them?
I’m interested in Suzanne’s comment because I think I’m the exact opposite of her. I have very little tolerance for boring in an audiobook because if I find myself zoning out, I will feel the need to go back to zoning out. That’s a lot easier to do with a physical book than it is with an audiobook!
Very true! For me, it’s not so much about boring books but that some books just work better for me on audio. There are just some books that I know might be too flowery/character-driven and I’d be tempted to DNF them if I read them in print/e-book. But I can stick with those books better on audio since I can dip in and out of them.
I read The Stars are Fire a few years back and I also gave it four stars. A great, engaging story.
I am currently chipping away at The Echo in the Bone (Outlander #7).
I’m so impressed at your Outlander reread! Great job!
Ooh! The Anita Shreve and Lisa Jewell both sound great. I want to read them! And, I’m pretty sure I read that Meg Wolitzer book and it was very “meh.” If it’s the book I’m thinking of, good call to DNF it!