Hope in a Jar

Twenty years ago, Allie Denty was the pretty one and her best friend Olivia Pelham was the smart one. Throughout high school, they were inseparable…until a vicious rumor about Olivia - a rumor too close to the truth - ended their friendship. Now, on the eve of their twentieth high school reunion, Allie, a temp worker, finds herself suddenly single, a little chubby, and feeling old. Olivia, a cool and successful magazine beauty editor in New York, realizes she’s lonely, and is finally ready to face her demons. 

I thought this book was fun and I loved the references to all the beauty ads from the past. From Tickle deodorant to Enjoli perfume to Loves Baby soft, I enjoyed remembering the trip down memory lane. The first line of the book: "The only thing worse than finding out your boyfriend is cheating on you with a beautiful woman is finding out he's cheating with an average woman." Now that is why I had to keep reading. I found the characters interesting and what I would expect. They made me laugh and the villain made me boo. 

The chapters of the book went from present day to junior high and high school in the relationship of Allie and Olivia and that was how the story was presented. This friendship went through some tough times and yet after all the years they ended up finding their way back to each other which most true friendship will do.

I liked this book I read it on the plane in one setting and it kept me interested. On the Chick lit scale I give it a 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Happy Reading and enjoy a glass of iced tea!

Still Alice

Alice Howland is a Harvard professor, gifted researcher and lecturer, and the mother of three grown children. At fifty years old she is proud of the life she has built and as she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a diagnosis of early onset  Alzheimer's Disease changes her life, her work and her family forever.

I wasn't sure what to think of this book when I began and although I liked Alice, as a reader I could tell she was a perfectionist and expected her family to do what was "best."   As the story progressed Alice's vulnerability became what endured me to her.  Heart wrenching in parts to the point of  being in tears and realizing this isn't made up, there are families everyday going through this turmoil and heartache due to this horrible disease.

I loved the author's ability to take a terrible situation and give all perspectives to the daughter who is trying to have a baby to the son who distances himself to the husband who almost seems angry with Alice for having the disease, and yet his love for her is truly amazing as he learns to accept her for the Alice she is now. Lisa Genova takes us there in each stage of the disease with Alice and with her family.

There is a quote in the book where Alice has a moment of clarity with John her husband and she says..
"I miss myself."
" I miss you too, Ali very much."
" I never planned to get like this."
" I know."
I think that is what defines how a couple gets through as they continue to love but miss what was there very much.

Her relationship with her youngest daughter is another part of the book that simply touched my heart. At one point, Lydia and Alice are talking and Alice reaches out to Lydia and tells her how proud she is of her and then tells her "in case I forget, know that I love you."  I felt like that was so much of what the book was about and defines a woman who had her life in control and within a year had virtually lost her ability to be on her own, work and even read a book or watch a movie.

I loved this book - I read it in less than a day simply because I couldn't stop thinking about Alice.  I recommend this book to everyone. I give this book 5 out 5 stars !!!!!

Happy Reading and enjoy a cup of Tea!
Kara

The Forgotten Garden

After growing up believing she is the daughter of  Hugh and Lil, Nell is told a secret, one that she spends the rest of her life hiding and trying to figure out as she creates a life for her and her granddaughter. After Nell's death, Cassandra  is alone and a little shocked after she is left with a cottage, a secret garden, a scrap book  and a mystery to follow her grandmother's life and who she really is. Cassandra travels to Cornwall, England to see the cottage and find more about her grandmother's past as well as heal and move on with her own life.

A novel that spans from 1913 to 1975 to 2005, this story includes a family saga, a mystery, fairy tales and even a bit of love. This book was a Pullman Page Turner selection for the month of June and July and I was excited to read it. In the beginning I felt let down because it was not an attention getter at all and I originally had a difficult time following the story, especially with the jumping back and fourth from the various years. 

I will say thank you to my friend Roz, who insisted that  I keep going and although I did not love this story I did end up liking  it. I was able to figure out what happened relatively quickly as the clues were pretty clear, however, I do think it overall was a good story! 

I give this book a 3/2 stars out of 5  

Happy Reading and have a cup of  Tea!!

Kara

Celebrate our Independance!!!!

Happy 4th of July America! 

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and we remember to celebrate our independence.  I will be celebrating with my family and friends and of course getting in some reading outside in the beautiful weather here in Southern California. It is supposed to be in the 90's on Monday so I believe I will be enjoying some iced tea.


Happy Reading and enjoy some iced tea!

Kara