Love and Other Impossible Pursuits

by Ayelet Waldman

This is the 2nd book by her I've read.  I really like her!  Both books have made me cry.  A lot.  They felt so real.  If I wasn't the main character, I felt like she was my best friend and I was experiencing everything along side her.

***SPOILER ALERT***

This is the story of Emilia Greenleaf.  She is the second wife of Jack Wolfe, step mother to 5 year old William.  William is very smart, but incredibly sheltered.  She tries to like him.  She tries to do fun things with him.  But something wrong always happens and William tattles to his mom, who then calls ranting ang raving about how Emilia's trying to kill her child.

There is something going on in the background that we don't know about.  As the story goes on, we kind of know, but aren't sure.  Two months before, Emilia gave birth to a beautiful, healthy daughter, Isabel.  Isabel died of SIDS on her first night home.  As devastating as this is, there's still more that we don't know.  Emilia's life is spiraling out of control.  Her marriage to Jack is strained.  She and William have good days and bad.  Things finally hit the fan and this is when we learn the rest of the story.  Read the book to find out!

I would recommend this to someone who doesn't mind having a good cry.  Someone who likes books that feel real.


4.5 out of 5 stars.


Currently reading:  The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto

by Jen Lancaster

I finished this one a while ago and never got around to writing about it.  Like the others, I enjoyed this one, too!  At some point, I will read every book by her. 

In this installment, Jen decides she isn't cultured enough and sets out to rectify that situation.  She watches movies, reads books, goes to the opera and other live shows (plays, dancing, etc.), as well as partaking in cultural dining.  Basically, through any means possible.  It all started with her attending function with socialites and having nothing to talk about except what happened on the latest  reality show or a 1980s John Hughes movie.  And apparently, socialites know nothing about these topics.

I appreciate that she realizes she's not as cultured or as classy as she'd like to be.  And at certain events she doesn't feel as though she fits in.  Who among us hasn't felt that way at some point?  Let's face it, those who think they're classy, do everything to make the rest of us feel like dirt, which in my opinion, isn't very classy...

If you've read other Jen Lancaster books and enjoyed them, I'm sure you will enjoy this one, too.


4.5 out of 5 stars.


Currently reading:  The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley