29 Jun 2011
Probably my favorite thing about summer, aside from the beach, is all the reading I get to do! Two of my favorite reads so far (aside from Just Kids), have been Father of the Rain by Lily King and Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan.
The first actually came out last summer; it is a really interesting look at the main character Daley’s life both past and present - growing up in a really screwed up WASPy family in the Boston suburbs in the 70s and her return to that town as an adult to deal with her father. A true page turner. I loved the author’s writing style and have since looked into her first novel, “The Pleasing Hour,” which is definitely now on my summer reads list, as well.
The latter novel, I am sure you all have heard of. It has literally popped up in every magazine and paper I have read lately - and with good reason. Having read the author’s first book, “Commencement” last summer and enjoying it for the most part, I was eager to see how “Maine” would compare. The best summary for this one I could find fell right on the author’s site stating:
By turns wickedly funny and achingly sad, Maine unveils the sibling rivalry, alcoholism, social climbing, and Catholic guilt at the center of one family, along with the abiding, often irrational love that keeps them coming back, every summer, to Maine and to each other.
I would say that is pretty spot-on; this one is another page turner, and a great beach read. Certainly not a Pulitzer by any means, but if you’re looking for something that’s fun and will keep your attention - this is definitely one to keep in mind.
