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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I asked my local librarian for a recommendation for a light, beach read. She selected about a dozen for me, and this was the only one that tempted me -- because it features a bookstore and fictional set of letters from the author of Goodnight Moon.
It was fluff. But I asked for a light read.
June is works in finance in Manhattan, but a family tragedy brings her back to Seattle where she has a mother, a sister, and an aunt. She soon finds her roots tempting her to leave her high-powered career. Will she stay in the Northwest with family or return to the East Coast and her career?
As the book progresses, we see more clearly her reasons for wanting to return home and her reasons why it's too challenging to be in Seattle. I liked the details about the bookstore, about Goodnight Moon's author, about classic children's books, about the challenges of running a bookstore in the internet era (although those details were scant).
What I didn't like:
The depth of the romance was implausible to me as were the dozen or so fateful connections. Nevertheless, I did finish it. I prefer fiction with more heft and complexity (such as those by Kent Haruf and Elizabeth Strout). But if I need to cleanse my palate with a light read, I will return to Sarah Jio.
It was fluff. But I asked for a light read.
June is works in finance in Manhattan, but a family tragedy brings her back to Seattle where she has a mother, a sister, and an aunt. She soon finds her roots tempting her to leave her high-powered career. Will she stay in the Northwest with family or return to the East Coast and her career?
As the book progresses, we see more clearly her reasons for wanting to return home and her reasons why it's too challenging to be in Seattle. I liked the details about the bookstore, about Goodnight Moon's author, about classic children's books, about the challenges of running a bookstore in the internet era (although those details were scant).
What I didn't like:
The depth of the romance was implausible to me as were the dozen or so fateful connections. Nevertheless, I did finish it. I prefer fiction with more heft and complexity (such as those by Kent Haruf and Elizabeth Strout). But if I need to cleanse my palate with a light read, I will return to Sarah Jio.
A fun summer read for all of us who ever loved “Goodnight Moon”.
Wonderful book! This would make a great beach read! Light but interesting and the perfect length. I love this author
Aw, what a sweet story. I'm a sucker for including real life people into a fictional book. And Goodnight Moon was definitely a fave with my kids.
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Soap opera in book form. How many silly plots can one include in a novel? Hint... a lot. it helps when they are solved so quickly and neatly, I suppose.
June Anderson lives the typical life of a New York City high achiever with high blood pressure and high anxiety. When her Great Aunt Ruby passes away she is surprised to learn she left her Seattle Bookstore, Bluebird Books to her. Not surprisingly, June has every intention of selling the property to a developer. But, when she arrives at the bookstore she finds letters written between Ruby and Margaret Wise Brown. Surprised to learn of their friendship she is even more surprised to find the inspiration for the famous Goodnight Moon. I used a lot of surprises in my annotation didn’t I?
Surprise! Just kidding. This has a lot of the traditional points of women’s fiction. A woman falling apart who doesn’t realize it yet and the redemption found across the country with new friends and the power of family secrets revealed. The characters are well developed and a lot of growth happens during the somewhat predictable plot. But, it is charming and true to the genre.
Surprise! Just kidding. This has a lot of the traditional points of women’s fiction. A woman falling apart who doesn’t realize it yet and the redemption found across the country with new friends and the power of family secrets revealed. The characters are well developed and a lot of growth happens during the somewhat predictable plot. But, it is charming and true to the genre.
I love books about books, so I’m obviously predetermined to enjoy this. The storyline from the 50s was the best, especially Ruby and MWB’s friendship. Current day was less fleshed out or believable. How quickly did June fall in love with Gavin? But I enjoyed it nonetheless. Plus it was a fast and fun read.