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Reading: The Husband’s Secret

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My friend, Holli, had mentioned this book to me and since it was three days before I had to pick a book for our book club, I decided to research it.

It looked great. I liked the title.

Wait.

I loved the title.

It made me giggle. Seriously, my heart is usually jostled at least once a week when it breaks into a rhythm of laughter I cannot control.

Because I just posted My Husband’s Secret a few days ago. And it still makes me giggle (stay tuned for part two) every time my husband pulls out his iPod.

Moving on to the review.

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I ordered my copy from Amazon.

I usually always read the book I pick before I pick it for book club. But I was procrastinating. Actually, I was reading a fabulous fantasy series, but that would not be my book club’s cup of tea. I decided to spare them and pick a “chick lit.”

I read the book in two days. The end did make me cry. Just a bit. As all “what ifs” do. I don’t know about this book. It was a lot to process. Someone mentioned the book having ADHD in one of their reviews. That is a fair assessment.

I think I would give this book a 6.5 out of 10. It was not my favorite book (here I am being like those parents. “Now Jimmy, we don’t say we don’t like something. Just say it’s not your favorite.” Ahem). I was skeptical about this author because it seems she took every scenario in creative writing class and turned them into books. What if you got amnesia? What if you found a letter addressed to you? I do not know if I am being too critical. I never cared about any of the characters. I do not know why. She is very descriptive, but there is just an element of something missing that would have made me feel anything towards them.

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You guys are all smart human beings. I am sure, you, like me, will guess the husband’s secret just by reading the back cover. Thankfully, there is another twist. Otherwise, the book would have gotten a three out of ten from me.

The book did reinforce my terror of children running into the road. It is a real and horrible thing.

And, there is a character in the book, Felicity. She used to be “fat” but has lost weight and is now beautiful. SIGH. The way she writes about this heavier girl made me tell my husband, “this author has never been heavy.” So, yea, hated (uh-oh! Look away Jimmy!) that part.

The ending was great, in my opinion. I did enjoy the quick flash forwards into the character’s lives. That was a nice touch. It was well done and well executed.

Most of the girls in book club gave this book a nine out of ten. It gets wonderful reviews on Amazon. I was just turned off by the Felicity character, the drawn out drama, and my lack of empathy for any of the characters.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Was I too harsh?

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Reading: “Where’d You Go, Bernadette”

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For our book club last month, the lovely Jessica picked “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” by Maria Semple. The cover threw me, because it looked like a summer beach book. But it is a national bestseller, and I trust my friend.

I loved it!

It is an easy book to read. I believe I read it in four or five hours. It is easy, but deep and good.

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Bernadette is a mom who has lost her way. And then she becomes actually physically lost (I can’t say more without giving anything away.). Her daughter, Bee, is a brilliant fifteen year old who wants the whole family to go on a cruise to Antarctica together. Her husband is rarely seen, as he works on a secret project for Microsoft.

The family begins planning the trip. Actually, Bernadette hires a personal assistant based in India, whom she has never met, to handle everything. What could go wrong with that?

There are also a clique of ladies at Bee’s school, whom Bernadette secretly labels “the gnats.” They play huge roles in the book. You will laugh and cringe at the many obstacles the gnats throw Bernadette’s way and the actions that she takes to handle their manipulations.

Hilarity runs high in this book. It was also very insightful. I felt I have a lot of Bernadette’s many quirky traits. A lot of the things she did, I would have done, too. I told my husband, “Honey! I’m reading a book about a lady. I think she is supposed to be crazy. But it is like reading about me. Am I crazy?”

“Yes.”

Okay. Clarity is always helpful. Moving along.

This book will make you cry. It will make you laugh. I absolutely adored it. It is a book that will stick with me. If you are looking for a funny book with meaning, this book is for you.