Escape
Escape
by Barbara Delinsky
At one point or another everyone searches for an escape from their busy life. An escape from work, family, technology, friends, obligations. An escape from the harsh reality of the real world. And the promise of escape from my whining child – even a short-term one – is what drew me to this book in the first place.
This is the story of 32-year-old Emily – wife of James, employee of Lane Lavash, and a woman who dreams of becoming a mother. Emily thinks she’s living the dream in New York City until one day she realizes that there’s nothing perfect about the “perfect life” she’s been living.
At this realization Vicki suddenly has an overwhelming need to get away from it all. So she does. She packs a bag, bundles everything into her husband’s flashy sports car, and takes off to reconnect with old friend Vicki Bell in a small New Hampshire town haunted by memories of an old life and an old love.
Emily keeps in minimal contact with her mother and her husband James but otherwise has no desire to maintain even a shred of her previous life. She has no plan – aside from having no plan – and decides to play everything by ear. And when Emily’s old love Jude comes onto the scene Emily is tested: as a wife, as a friend, and as a human being.
I wanted to love this book – I really did. The compelling summary on the book jacket made it seem like something I would love! But while this book started out with great promise it sort of stopped moving forward a few chapters in. Throw in some very strange metaphors – including the parallel of a man and a coyote and I couldn’t force myself to read one more word about 50 pages in!
Bottom Line: This is the first of Barbara Delinsky’s books that I’ve had a chance to read an unfortunately I am not exactly running to pick up the rest of her works. It makes me sad to write this but Escape is boring, plain and simple. I don’t recommend it at all.
Baby Proof
Baby Proof
by Emily Giffin
Because someone once told me that Emily Giffin’s books are formulaic, fluffy, and devoid of any real plot, I’ve avoided them. But I was looking for a light pick-me-up last week, found Baby Proof at the library, and after being captivated from the very first page, I finished this book in 2 days flat.
I don’t recall who told me to avoid Emily Giffin’s books, but whoever you are, you have bad taste in books!
Anyway, this is the story of 35-year-old Claudia – a successful editor, a loyal sister, and a loving wife. Claudia’s life seems perfect until her husband Ben suddenly decides he wants to have a child, despite their previous decision to remain childless by choice. After her unexpected divorce, Claudia buries herself in her work, and turns to her family and friends for support as she tries to pick up the pieces.
Although she never stops loving Ben, she eventually moves forward and begins dating her dashing colleague Richard. And it is Richard, along with Claudia’s sisters, her best friend, and a smattering of other well-developed supporting characters, who allow Claudia to see what sacrifices she is willing to make to have the life that she really wants.
Thanks to Giffin’s engaging writing and thought-provoking characters, Baby Proof isn’t your typical chick-lit beach read. The author cleverly manages to include several strong supporting story lines, each with their own baby-related/marital issues, and these parallel stories allow the reader the benefit of seeing the challenges of parenthood and marriage from a number of opposing viewpoints.
As someone who always thought she was too selfish to have children, I can understand Claudia’s thought process perfectly. But as a mother who is now so lucky to have the unconditional love of a kid with a heart of gold, I can understand Ben’s need to have a child of his own. In short, Giffin’s remarkable insight allows the reader to relate to each character, and often on more than one level.
Bottom Line: Baby Proof is moving, honest, and thoughtful. An easy read, I finished this book quickly and have now moved on to read the rest of Emily Giffin’s books.
Still Missing
Still Missing
by Chevy Stevens
Once in a rare while I will randomly encounter a work of fiction that I know will affect my life forever. Room is one such book, Secret Daughter is another, and Still Missing by Chevy Stevens is now on that list as well.
This is the story of Annie O’Sullivan: a 32-year-old realtor who is abducted while hosting an open house. Annie is taken to an isolated cabin by her abductor – whom she refers to as “The Freak” - where she is held captive for over a year. The reader knows, from the very beginning, that Annie survives the kidnapping because each chapter has her recounting the past to her therapist.
Still Missing isn’t just about Annie’s abduction and subsequent captivity, however, but about her survival, and her re-entry into society. And as if that didn’t make this book spectacular enough, author Chevy Stevens throws in several unexpected twists that will no doubt surprise even the most seasoned suspense lover.
Stevens handles a number of delicate subjects so honestly and realistically that one has to wonder where she pulled her remarkable insight from. The truth is it’s not easy to read some of the graphic, often horrific details of the abuse Annie endures, but in the same way it’s difficult to avert your eyes from a car crash, you simply won’t be able to stop reading this book because it is that engrossing.
Bottom Line: Still Missing is spellbinding, fascinating, touching, and shocking. Find this book. Read it. And then wish – like me - that every book you read afterwards is as engaging as this one.
