Family | Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

I really love this time of the year. It helps that I have a lot of time off scheduled, but the change in the weather, holiday meal planning, and everything else that goes along with this time of the year, makes me happy.

The museum job that my son was supposed to be offered fell through. Due to increased restrictions, they aren’t reopening after all. This is disappointing on many levels but it almost guaranteed he would be home for Thanksgiving since they aren’t open on holidays. Now? We have no idea. If he gets a job between now and then it may not work out.

Right Now:

I am trying really hard to focus on health. This weird pain I had and the ultrasound that followed has prompted an in-person appointment to discuss results. They were very vague and either didn’t want to discuss it on the phone or the nurse who called me didn’t know. The soonest appointment, December 8th.

That said, I’ve been meal planning and walking a ton more. Just trying to focus on me for once. Trying to get more sleep too even if that means a mid-afternoon nap. Although, I must tell you that the election results helped tremendously in the sleep department.

Later, my youth group is meeting at the church for the first time in a long time but outside, for a worship night. I plan to claim my space with my mask on. Hopefully it won’t be too cold.

This Week:

More college audition invites have come in for my daughter. This is good. You aren’t invited to audition unless you pass their video pre-screens so this is good.

Reading:

I kind of gave up on reading this week. I thought my focus would be better since most of the election was behind us but turns out, I was too pre-occupied with life in general. The only book I am reading at the moment is the one for book club this week, An American Marriage.

Watching:

I haven’t picked up any new shows. Again, kind of distracted. If you have any to recommend, I’d be interested in hearing about them.

Grateful for:

A cozy, heated home. It’s been brisk. I am already wearing sweatpants and socks and could live like this indefinitely.
Lunch or coffee dates with friends. Done safely, of course.
The Tiny library that my neighbor has down the street. I don’t get much from it as I have way too many books of my own but on my walks I bring at least 2-3 of my own to put in there and I get excited to see them fly off the shelf.

Tell me how you are doing.

Leave The World Behind
By Rumaan Alam
Ecco, 9780062667632, October 2020, 256pp.

The Short of It:

This book left me unsettled and anxious but the story will stay with me for a very long time.

The Rest of It:

Amanda and Clay leave the city to rent a luxurious vacation home in Long Island. A week away with their two teenagers, simple meals, days spent swimming and lounging, is just what they need. An escape from city life sounds so perfect, even if only for a week.

The home is beautiful and private and as they fill the fridge with their own groceries and begin to fill the space with their own belongings, they begin to unwind and enjoy this brief respite. But then, they hear voices and shortly thereafter, there is a knock at the door. Who could be knocking at this late hour? Should they open it? Is it safe?

Ruth and G.H. Washington are at the door. They explain that something has happened in the city, a power outage and that they did what they felt was right, headed to their home in Long Island, yes the home Amanda and Clay are renting. You see, Ruth and G.H. are the owners.

Well folks, this presents all kinds of problems. It’s their home, so how can Amanda and Clay deny them access to their own home? Plus, Ruth and G.H. are older and it’s cold outside and a storm is on its way. How can they not let them in? But Amanda is concerned for their safety. Their kids are asleep and these people are strangers.

I want to be careful what I say here as I don’t want to give anything away but these two couples are put into a very difficult spot and they are tested in many ways. Their trust for one another, their lack of communication or real news (satellite, Wi-Fi and cell service is down), and yet their power remains. What has happened in the city? And then, something happens that forces them to consider that whatever has happened, is much bigger than a power outage.

Reading this book was stressful! There is an underlying current that runs through the book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You can’t relax, yet you can’t put it down. You spend time with these people and get to know all their insecurities, their fears and in less than three hundred pages, a good sense for what makes them tick. As I was reading, I kept thinking about what I would do in that situation. When I turned the last page, I was at a loss for words. I had to buzz a friend who read it so we could discuss. It’s that kind of book. Plus, it’s a genre bender. Could be classified many different ways.

I will warn you, it’s gotten mixed reviews. Many readers hated it. Perhaps for the feeling it gave them or that the story is a little ambiguous. I, however, LOVED it. But I don’t rate books the same way most people do. I rate often for the experience. Did it take me away from my daily concerns? Yes. Was I riveted? Yes. Did I appreciate how the author told the story? Yes. So for me, it was a solid five stars and will be on my list of faves at the end of the year.

If you’ve read the book, check out this really interesting interview with Rhianna Walton for Powell’s. If you haven’t read it, save it for later because there are spoilers.

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

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