A Quick Catch Up & Books!

As winter winds down I'm reflecting back on cozy snowfalls, a lovely ski weekend with friends, a touching birthday lunch with my fam, and a b-day dinner with beloved girlfriends. We also did a little family trip down to Delray over February break. The weather was just OK, but the time with the kids, delish meals and custard, SNL 50th viewing etc. was divine.

I tore through two books during our travels: The Let Them Theory and Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance. Before those I read Same As It Ever Was, all reviews below:

The Let Them Theory

Author Mel Robbins reminds us that we can't change people; we can only control our responses to others' behaviors. I appreciate the reminder and her detailed advice, laid out in The Let Them Theory.

I'm a new fan of Robbins. I like her overall vibe and her messaging. Let Them is a bit repetitive, and I noticed a few typos and repeated sentences. That's just me being nitpicky. I also took issue with the cringy condescending parts of the book, wherein each chapter Robbins presents the Problem, Truth and Solution. (The Problem is always that we are currently doing everything wrong; the Truth and Solution tell us to use the Let Them theory.) Hey, Mel! Just because I'm reading the book, it doesn't mean I'm doing it all wrong. In fact, those of us likely to pick up the book in the first place are likely already doing some personal work.. I digress. Despite my criticisms, I'm on board. Get the book. Let them.

Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance

This novel took my breath away. After reading and loving The Wedding People I craved more from author Alison Espach. I saw Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance on the shelves of Barrett Bookstore and had to have it. Even with its dark plot, I was intrigued.

I read Notes in mere days. I read a bit of it at the beach, with my Livvy Love. The rest on the plane. I couldn't put it down. This book is heartbreaking and beautiful, as all the best books are.

Notes is about love, family and grief... It's about life, and loss. Espach's writing is seamless and gorgeous. Her details are engaging and true. As I read I kept wondering, how is this fiction? Notes reads as real.

This is a must read. After finishing it I immediately ordered another Espach book, but as I started the first few pages I found I was still attached to the characters from Notes. I'll have to attempt this other novel again soon, perhaps after a buffer book.

Same As It Ever Was

First of all, author Claire Lombardo is lovely. I met her at a book event last summer and she was very kind, inscribing my copy of Same As It Ever Was with, "For Amy, with huge congrats in your new book!! Wishing you all good writerly things." So kind.

Lombardo is a fantastic writer. This newest novel is long and winding, deep and intricate. The storyline is compelling: a new, frazzled mom befriends an older, more put-together woman in their suburb. The book vacillates between focusing on the new mom (Julia) and her older self's POV. The storyline spans decades; the genre feels "coming of age" meets mystery. Dive in; let me know your take.

AES