Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

The Labor Day holiday falls on my birthday so I get my birthday off which is really nice. And, because I did my much-needed car shopping mid-week I do not have to spend it at the dealership. Plus, the middle-school ministry is not meeting because of the holiday weekend so I have a Sunday evening to myself. Triple win.

Here is me, at 10 o’clock, Wednesday night at the dealership. I was tired and had not eaten since that morning so forgive the deer in the headlights look.

Me and my new car! — Me and my new Subaru Forester.

Right Now:

The Teen had a really bad case of food poisoning Friday night which he hasn’t fully recovered from so hopefully he can join us today. The plan is to head to Santa Barbara right after church. Or maybe Solvang and then Santa Barbara. I haven’t quite decided but I feel the need to get out-of-town for the day.

This Week:

No work on Monday. Medical appointments for the kids on Wednesday but not really much else. The Teen is adapting to his full college and work schedule and The Girl’s schedule is beginning to pick up.

Reading:

I am reading After the Parade by Lori Ostlund and it’s quite good so far.

After the Parade

I need to sit down for a few minutes to figure out my list for the R.I.P Challenge. Will you be joining in on the fun too?

Watching:

I haven’t been watching much lately. With the car shopping, back-to-school night and the test that The Girl needed help studying for, I haven’t spent a lot of time in front of the TV this past week.

Making:

I have yet to cook anything but I bought food! This week I plan to make spaghetti, chicken tacos, a chicken stir-fry and tuna salad. I have a craving for tuna salad.

Grateful for:

I am very happy and grateful to be able to spend this long weekend with my family. The Teen took off from work and even though he’s been sick with food poisoning it’s nice to have him home. I am also grateful for the teachers that my daughter has this year. She had a great academic team last year so I was really praying for an excellent team this year, too.

That’s it from me. What is happening in your world?

Sweetbitter
By Stephanie Danler
Knopf Publishing Group, Hardcover, 9781101875940, May 2016, 368pp.

The Short of It:

An apt title for a story that pushes you away as much as it pulls you in.

The Rest of It:

Youth. Remember it? Maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve felt that elusive, fleeting happiness that percolates ever so gently when it comes to love. Well, this story captures it beautifully.

New York City is the backdrop for this novel and it’s dizzying in its perfection. Even with the bug infestations and the rats running through the street, Tess finds it to be magical in its own way.

“It’s ludicrous for anyone to live here,” she thinks, at the same time, she thinks, “I can never leave.” ~Sweetbitter

Tess moves to the city with the hopes to reinvent herself. In her twenties, it’s as if the world is there for the taking so when she lands a job at a well-known restaurant, she quickly falls into the routine of the place which includes many players, much drama and Jake, the bartender she’s completely obsessed with.

Tess is a work-in-progress. She’s green when it comes to love and war and she takes a beating both professionally and personally. Her eagerness to learn and her willingness to take it all in makes her vulnerable and somewhat innocent. Often times I found myself wanting to shake her a little but as I approached the final pages, I realized just how masterful the writing was.

There’s so much to love about this book. There’s food and wine and plenty of flawed, interesting people and Danler absolutely nailed the restaurant industry. I suppose it’s a coming-of-age story but it’s sophisticated, gritty and brutal in its honesty. I highly recommend it.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Chatting with friends about books and life…