Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

The first week back at work went smoothly. It was busy but I was well rested and so productive!

Right Now:

Trying to get back into my routine again so church this morning and then volunteering later. In between I plan to do some reading.

This Week:

We are not quite into production week yet but The Girl auditions for Oklahoma! some time this week. There are volleyball practices and Music Man rehearsals and us working at Outreach. My life group kicks off again on Tuesday so I am looking forward to that.

My son leaves for Orlando soon. Very soon.

Reading:

I am finishing Seven Days of Us. It’s pretty readable. I like the premise but it is a little slow. It’s taking me longer to read it than I thought it would.

Watching:

I am going to sneak in an episode or two of Black Mirror sometime this week.

Making:

I laugh at this. I don’t make much these days. Our meals are pieced together healthy things like rice cakes and hummus or almond butter sandwiches.

Grateful for:

My MIL is going to let us stay at her house while we tent our house for termites so I am grateful that we have this option.

So tell me, what is new with you? Hard to stay away from the news these days but man, every time I turn it on something hits the fan.

Manhattan Beach
By Jennifer Egan
Scribner Book Company, Hardcover, 9781476716732, October 3, 2017, 448pp.

The Short of It:

A satisfying, well-told story about a young woman’s contribution to the war effort and how her family’s history shapes who she is.

The Rest of It:

The story begins with young Anna and her father Eddie, visiting the illustrious gangster Dexter Styles. Eddie needs the money for a special wheelchair for his crippled daughter, Anna’s younger sister Lydia so as a last resort, Eddie accepts the job that Dexter offers. Dexter is taken by Anna’s youth and her bold display of strength while visiting his home in Manhattan Beach. Years later, that brief encounter is remembered when Anna and Dexter meet again.

There is a lot of great storytelling in Manhattan Beach. Anna’s dedication to her sister Lydia, is fully explored as is her love of the sea and her inevitable path to becoming a diver for the war effort. Anna’s complex relationship with her father and the diving details Egan includes had me turning the pages quickly. Nothing felt rushed. Egan takes her time and the story unfolds effortlessly. I’ve read a few of her other books but this one by far is my favorite and I do not normally enjoy novels centered around war.

It’s early in the year but this could end up being on my list of faves for 2018.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Chatting with friends about books and life…