“Sisters, there were never such devoted sisters”

Soundtrack to White Christmas by Irving Berlin

Due to the luck of the draw and the Modern Mrs. Darcy summer reading list, I read two very different novels about sisters this week.

First was “The Almost Sisters” by Joshilyn Jackson and second was “The Identicals” by Elin Hilderbrand. Both share plots revolving around sisters (and near sisters), their relationships, traumas, and some dramas. Both involve some romance, struggling younger women (nieces in these cases), family secrets and compelling settings. The similarities end there.

“The Almost Sisters” has far more depth and original characters. Leia is a 38-year old artist who is well known for a graphic novel (Violence in Violet) that is a top seller. When she attends a fan convention, she gets drunk and meets a cute guy dressed as Batman. They share a wildly romantic night and she ends up pregnant with no way of finding him. At the same time Leia's dealing with this news, her aging grandmother’s caregiver and friend Wattie contacts her with the news that her beloved Birchie has started acting out and become violent. In another twist, Leia’s stepsister Rachel’s marriage is crumbling. So Leia and her step-niece set out on a southern adventure.  Secrets are revealed, Leia grows up and faces the truth about her grandmother and her idyllic southern upbringing.

What makes this story compelling is the descriptions of southern life that forces Leia to realize there are really two Souths – the perfect one of her youth and the South that still challenges the African American population. The difficulties facing Leia (and Birchie and Wattie) bring the different parts of the community together despite the undercurrents of racism. At first I thought (especially based on the cover) that this was going to be some chick-lit book (two sisters in love with the same man, hijinks ensue). It is far from that. Jackson’s writing made the South real to me in ways I never imagined. I have never traveled in the southern US so have no real exposure to the areas she discusses. "The Almost Sisters" brought the atmosphere alive as well as made real the people who live in southern small towns..  Leia at first seems like a shallow young woman running from her mistakes but she is really a compassionate and caring person devastated by the looming loss of her grandmother and challenged by the impending arrival of her biracial child.  Five stars.

“The Identicals” was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel. According to reviews, she seems to have a corner on the summer beach novels. Set on the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, we meet Tabitha and Harper, 40-year old twin sisters whose relationship was destroyed by a tragic death (Tabitha’s son Julian). The setting was beautiful but the descriptions of fashion (their mother is a well-known designer), various alcoholic beverages, and paint colors almost put me off. Mistaken identities (of course they switch places, confusing their potential romantic interests), a troubled 16-year old (Ainsley, Tabitha’s daughter), an aging and unwell mother, and other challenges are neatly tied up at the end. And there’s Fish, an adorable Siberian Husky. I did like the story but it lacked the depth of “The Almost Sisters” and I doubt it will stay with me as long.  There were times I wanted to smack nearly every character (for goodness sakes, TALK TO EACH OTHER). The dog was my favorite character. Three stars

I’m looking forward to reading other works by Joshilyn Jackson (gods in Alabama is next on my kindle), but probably won’t turn to Elin Hilderbrand again until maybe next summer.

Resources:

Irving Berlin’s Sisters from White Christmas.

The Modern Mrs. Darcy bookclub and summer reading challenge. Anne Bogle hosts a wonderful website for readers as well as a fantastic podcast (What Should I Read Next?). Since “meeting” the MMD crowd, my TBR (to be read) list is toppling. I’ve read some books I never would have considered before. Check out modernmrsdarcy.com and the What Should I Read Next podcast.

“The Almost Sisters,” Joshilyn Jackson, Harper Collins, 2017. http://www.joshilynjackson.com/jj/books/the-almost-sisters/

“The Identicals,” Elin Hilderbrand, Little Brown, 2017. http://www.elinhilderbrand.net/index.html

The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey

The Dark Lake

Sarah Bailey

Gemma is a young Australian detective working to solve the murder of a high school classmate – the beautiful and mysterious Rosalyn Ryan. Gemma’s own secrets and earlier traumas are woven into Rose’s life and death in surprising ways.  But Gemma and Rose aren’t the only ones with secrets. It seems that nearly everyone who comes into contact with them carries the burden of hidden pasts and secrets that are begging to be revealed. Of course that could be characteristic of any small town where multiple generations continue to live (and die) in a confined space.

A well-written debut by Sarah Bailey is a great read for fans of Tana French, Claire Mackintosh, and also The Dry by Jane Harper.

In addition to juggling her own mixed feelings about Rose, Gemma is also working through romantic issues with her older partner, dealing with her romantic partner (no, not her husband as she repeatedly states), and her ambivalent feelings toward motherhood. All these issues are set against a hot December in Australia.

Secrets come out, the past is dealt with (or at least reconciled with) and Gemma finds a clearer path in her career and personal life.

Thanks to publisher Allen & Unwin and to NetGalley for the free copy in return for an honest review.

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/fiction/crime-mystery/The-Dark-Lake-Sarah-Bailey-9781760295899

http://www.sarahbaileyauthor.com

Why this book?

I was excited to read/review my first book for NetGalley. It was fun to read something thoughtfully and think about whether I would recommend it to someone else or if it was just meh. Once I got into the story, I forgot about the review and just enjoyed it for what it is – a tightly woven mystery set in an unfamiliar-to-me environment. In this case, I’d definitely recommend the book to readers of Tana French, Claire Mackintosh, Jane Harper. It’s really for anyone who likes the British/Irish/Australian style native to these writers.

I also enjoy reading books by women dealing with the challenges faced by female (and in some cases, male) detectives and police officers. Of course I don’t read a lot of male authors (not sure why). The style is different from American police procedurals/crime fiction and I definitely find it more enjoyable.

More about the author

This is Sarah Bailey’s first novel. Based on her website, she has years of experience in writing and advertising. She definitely is a skilled write and is able to create a real sense of place and feeling through her description and characters. Similar to Jane Harper’s The Dry, she deals with oppressive heat during an Australian summer and the heat/environment nearly becomes another character in the book.  I look forward to future offerings from this engaging author.

All Books, All the Time

I learned to read when I was three or four. I was the tiny six-year-old hauling a briefcase full of books from the Children’s Room at the St. Paul Public Library (now the George Latimore Central Library) to my dad’s office in the courthouse a few blocks away.

Then I was the 12-year-old sneaking into the Skinner Room (the young adults room) and the 14-year-old rummaging through the main stacks in the Circulation Room.

The librarians never seemed to mind that I was “reading up” and they encouraged me to read whatever I wanted. My parents supported my passions and soon my room was filled with books.

Books opened new worlds to me when I didn’t want to leave my room. As I moved from Nancy Drew to Trixie Belden to “A Wrinkle in Time” to “The Three Musketeers,” I learned about bravery, taking a stand, and reaching goals no matter what the obstacles. I was inspired and intrigued by the new worlds I read about (whether present day, historical, or imaginary). Seeing love triumph over evil and pain helped me move forward when my life evolved in new directions. And it seemed my life was always evolving and changing. Harry Potter was a prime example of how love could surmount all obstacles and I read those wonderful novels in my 40s.

I dreamed of becoming a writer and creating stories that would help others feel less alone and less “different.” Writing came easily but I realized making a living at it would be a lot harder. So I moved into publishing, first as an editor and later as Editorial Director for Llewellyn Publishing in Woodbury. Helping others bring their words to life seemed a good fit for me. I was lucky enough to find a career that combined my love for books and the written word with my organizational (oldest child) skills.

Reading still fills many of my hours and I enjoy printed books, ebooks (though I miss that good book smell), and audiobooks. Finding other readers through Facebook and different blogs and lists has meant a growing TBR (to be read) list and the feeling I’ll never get to read everything I want to. The library is still my home away from home and books continue to surround me.

Writing about my love of books and discussing which books have changed my life seemed a natural next step (hence the blog). I might throw in some reflections on other arts (theater, visual, and performing arts in general) but mostly this will be about books!