Waiting to Surface by Emily Listfield

Ms. Listfield, a former magazine editor has written a very interesting novel. The entry on the book flap indicates that it is based on “the author’s own experience”. All of my literary professors indicated that the best written work is based on one’s own experience.
Not having read any of this author’s previous work, I cannot vouch for this book being her best but Waiting to Surface kept me on task.

The book opens with Sarah Larkin, mother of one, discovering that her husband (from whom she has been separated) has disappeared into the ocean. As more information about the disappearance is revealed, the reader is given a purview of the married life of Sarah and Todd.

Although we do not have a finite ending, we are not discouraged because sometimes in real life there is not a finite ending and yet we must pick ourselves up and move on.

Ladybookbug!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

This book was a recent book discussion title in our library. Many of the participants raved about it and many had quite a bit to say about it.

It is the story of a 93 year old veterinarian who is living in a nursing home when the story opens. We are then alternately led on the story of how Jacob Jankowski ran away and joined the circus. The reader is exposed to the inside workings of a less-than-famous circus and how Jacob becomes involved with a particular human performer and an exceptional elephant.

Jacob (aka Ms. Gruen) takes the reader on an interesting journey into the mainstream of circus life. In the end, we can wonder if the story was actually a figment of Mr. Jankowski’s imagination.

No matter—it’s well worth your time.

Ladybookbug!

Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King

This is the story of a divorce counselor who decides to create a safe haven for people struggling through a divorce or separation. The main character has lost her husband several years ago as the story opens. Her best friend has recently reconciled with her husband after a bitter argument. Her daughter is seemingly in marital bliss with two lovely children but not for long.

I have enjoyed reading this authors previous entries including, The Same Sweet Girls and Sunday Wife and Making Waves. All were forays into interesting stories. However, this one was just okay. It was almost as if there were too many stories happening at the same time.

If you enjoyed her other books, you should probably read this as well.

Ladybookbug!