Happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been reading more than ever lately. I’ve always got my Book B*tches selection to keep me reading at least one book per month. However, recently I’ve had two or more books in rotation and have been staying up way too late most nights turning pages. Rather than scrolling through my phone or watching television, a good novel seems to be the best way for me to escape and unwind for a little bit each evening. Also, I’m on the struggle bus getting my kids to read every day. Here’s hoping that they’ll see how much I love it and get more excited to try new books.
Not surprisingly, both of the books I read this month featured female main characters. They are extremely different, yet I found I related to both of them on some level. Both of these novels make for excellent discussion. Either one is an excellent book club pick.
Lady in the Lake
First up: Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman. This is my first Laura Lippman novel but now I can’t wait to read more, especially her series featuring female lead Tess. Anyone read these? Lady in the Lake was passed on to me from my sister and she loved it as much as I did. Here’s a summary from Amazon:
The New York Times bestselling author returns with a novel set in 1960s Baltimore that combines modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir, about a housewife
turned aspiring reporter who pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman
In 1966, Baltimore is a city of secrets that everyone seems to know—everyone, that is, except Madeline “Maddie” Schwartz. Last year, she was a happy, even pampered housewife. This year, she’s bolted from her marriage of almost twenty years, determined to make good on her youthful ambitions to live a passionate, meaningful life.
Maddie wants to matter, to leave her mark on a swiftly changing world. Drawing on her own secrets, she helps Baltimore police find a murdered girl—assistance that leads to a job at the city’s afternoon newspaper, the Star. Working at the newspaper offers Maddie the opportunity to make her name, and she has found just the story to do it: a missing black woman whose body was discovered in the fountain of a city park lake.
Cleo Sherwood was a young black woman who liked to have a good time. No one seems to know or care why she was killed except Maddie—and the dead woman herself. Maddie sets out to find the truth about Cleo’s life and death, but Cleo’s ghost, privy to Maddie’s poking and prying, wants to be left alone.
Maddie’s investigation brings her into contact with people who used to be on the periphery of her life—a jewelry store clerk, a waitress, a rising star on the Baltimore Orioles, a patrol cop, a hardened female reporter, a lonely man in a movie theater. But for all her ambition and drive, Maddie may fail to see the people right in front of her. Her inability to look beyond her own needs could lead to tragedy and turmoil for all sorts of people—including the man who shares her bed, a black police officer who cares for Maddie more than she knows.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Our Book B*tches selection for October is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Ms. Jenkins Reid is an accomplished author and several of my fellow B*tches have read quite a few of her books. We all really enjoyed this novel and we definitely didn’t have a shortage of things to talk about. Whoa. Lots of layers to this onion. We’re all extremely excited that this story is being made into a movie with Emma Stone playing Celia. AHHHHH!!!!!! Cannot wait to see this. Here’s a summary from Amazon:
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
On Writing
Switching gears and reading something nonfiction for my next book: On Writing by the legendary Stephen King. Again, this is another sister recommendation. According to Alison, it’s a great mix of storytelling and information. I’ll let you know my thoughts!
Happy reading!
