Contemporary Romantic Comedies

Selected by Ambrea 

 

Cindy loves fashion.  She’s even earned her degree in design, because, one day, she hopes to be the name others are wearing.  To jumpstart her career, Cindy decides to volunteer for the reality show Before Midnight and quickly becomes a body positivity icon.  As the only plus-size woman on the dating competition, she’s definitely made a splash.  Cindy, however, doesn’t expect to find love in the most unexpected places—on television.  Will Cindy be able to find her happily-ever-after, or will she have to choose between her fashion aspirations and Prince Charming?  Find out in If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy.

In By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, Isabelle—Izzy to her friends—is an overworked and underpaid editorial assistant.  She has spent years working for the same publishing house and meeting the same dead ends.  When she’s given the opportunity to work with grumpy Beau Towers to produce his tell-all memoir, she jumps at the chance.  But helping Beau write his book is much more difficult than she expected, especially when she’s inspired to write her own book—and, more surprisingly, finds herself falling for the prickly celebrity.

 

After the death of her treasure-hunting—and notoriously absent—father, Lily is left with nothing but a skill for solving puzzles and a bunch of hand-drawn maps.  To keep her head above water, she starts offering fake treasure-hunting tours, letting tourists and thrill-seekers walk in the steps of Duke Wilder.  It’s during one of these tours she stumbles across Leo Grady, her first and greatest love.  But Lily has no money, no patience, and no love lost for all the men who have left her behind.  Can Lily and Leo learn to put their shared past behind them, or will the Canyonlands tear them apart for good?  Check out Something Wilder by Christina Lauren.

 

Ari Abrams loves weather.  As a TV meteorologist, she’s living the dream—except her boss, legendary weatherwoman Torrance Hale, and the station director, Torrance’s ex-husband, are always at each other’s throats.  Ari is at her wits’ end, until she hatches a plan with sports reporter Russell Barringer.  Through hijinks and well-meaning meddling, Ari and Russell work to bring the couple back together.  When they find themselves unexpectedly growing closer, Ari can’t help but wonder if blue skies might be on the way in Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon.

BPL Book Club Reviews Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

Reported by Lauren

                This month, the BPL Book Club discussed Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. Told from the perspective of fourteen-year-old Will Tweedy, Burns’ novel tells the story of Will and his relationships with his family and friends, most especially his close relationship with his grandpa Rucker who has scandalized their small town of Cold Sassy, Georgia, by marrying the milliner at his general store, the beautiful “Yankee” Miss Love Simpson, only three weeks after Will’s grandma dies. Miss Love happens to be MUCH younger and the prettiest girl in town, and Will’s mother and aunt are furious, not just because they’re in mourning, but also because Miss Love’s presence threatens their inheritance. First Will, and then the rest of the family, eventually come to appreciate Miss Love’s role in Rucker’s life, but not before many hijinks ensue. Cold Sassy itself is at a turning point, caught between its traditional Confederate farmer roots and the rise of industrialized travel and commerce by railroad and automobile. Grandpa becomes a symbol of old made new again (just like the town), and Will watches through innocent eyes as his town, his family, and his own life are changed forever.

                Our Book Club discussion started off with an examination of Will Tweedy and Grandpa’s characters. Will is considered the protagonist, but we decided that Grandpa Rucker is really the driving force of the novel. Several members could see a family resemblance in Burns’ portrayal of Grandpa Rucker as an old Southern man, stubborn and hard-headed, but with a good heart and a mischievous sense of humor. We also enjoyed watching Will grow and mature, and learn life various lessons right alongside his grandfather.

                We next discussed the portrayal of small town gossip, “keeping up appearances,” and traditional death rites. The death of Will’s grandmother sets the story in motion, and it was interesting to see how small southern towns take their grieving so seriously. The family mourns for months, and the entire town attends the “settin’ up” and burial. Rucker’s quick marriage to Love is considered an unforgiveable transgression. Rumors of Rucker’s possible infidelity abound, and the couple is shunned from church and other social gatherings. This bothers Miss Love, but not Rucker! He enjoys the attention, and delights in pointing out the hypocrisy of his fellow “Christians.”

                Overall, we found this book to be a sweet, funny, and endearing portrait of small-town Southern life. The writing style was a little hard to read at times, as Burns is heavy-handed with the Southern dialect, but hearing it read aloud made it much easier to follow. Some commented that they wished Burns had gone a little deeper into the various issues Will encounters, like racism, classism, infidelity, and suicide, but others thought the “skimming over” of the serious parts added to the novel’s charm. The fact that Will is young and doesn’t quite understand how serious these issues are actually gives them more weight. We ended our discussion by saying that while this was no To Kill a Mockingbird, it was entertaining and authentic without going too deep. 4 out of 5 stars!

                Join us next month, August 15 at 6:30 as we discuss Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. All are welcome!

Nevermore: Lost Dogs, Florence of Arabia, Cold, Carter Family

Reported by Lauren

                This week, our Nevermore members shared a few fresh titles, but also gave their opinions on books we had discussed at former meetings that they had passed on to others. We can’t help but get a sense of satisfaction when we review a book so well that all the other members fight over who gets it next! Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America by Linda Tirado, My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill Boldte Taylor, and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson have all been popular with our group. We loved hearing reviews of each title from different perspectives, and the recaps and differing opinions sparked a lot of lively conversations.

                One reader shared Where Lost Dogs Go by Susannah Charleson, a new memoir about Susannah and her dog Ace. According to Susannah, 1 in 6 dogs in the US go missing at some point. Many owners are devastated, and if the owners are invalids, not comfortable with using technology such as Facebook to locate their lost pets, or if they don’t have access to transportation, their pets may never be found. Ace, Susannah’s own rescue dog, has a talent for sniffing out lost pets and helping Susannah reunite them with their owners. The author also shares other life experiences, like caring for her mentally-ill mother, and how the techniques she uses to calm and care for her pets are also helpful in reaching her mother. Our reader said this was one of the best books she’d ever read, she “just couldn’t put it down.” Another member who loves dogs snagged this title for herself.

                Next, we discussed Florence of Arabia by Christopher Buckley, a satire recommended by one member to another. The current reader found the book witty and enjoyable, but it was taking her a while to finish because of the subject matter. Buckley uses his main character Florence to examine the role of women in the Middle East as well the role of the American government in attempting to police a society they can never fully understand. Buckley continually points out the ridiculous bureaucracy and red tape all government enterprises fall victim to, and manages to make Florence’s adventures both hilarious and dangerous. 

                Our next reviewer raved about Bill Streever’s novel Cold: Adventures in the World’s Coldest Places. Streever is a research biologist who spent a year living in Alaska and documenting his experiences there. Each chapter opens with a comparison of the temperatures of several big cities all over the country, and all convey various aspects of living in the frozen Alaskan climate. Polar bears, blizzards, melting glaciers, and global warming are all discussed. Our reader raved about this book, so much so that another member decided to give it a try.

                We closed out our meeting with a review of Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? The Carter Family and Their Legacy in American Music by Mark Zwonitzer. All of our Nevermore members are very familiar with the Carter Family, as they originated from the Scott County region, and we have several museums in our area dedicated to celebrating their music. Our reader thoroughly enjoyed the book, though it was a little dense and packed with lots of complicated family ties. The Carters’ impact on country music is undeniable, originating from the Bristol Sessions, a two month-long effort to capture local Appalachian musicians on record. The Bristol Sessions have been called “The Big Bang of Country Music,” and have given Bristol braggin’ rights as the Birthplace of Country Music. Reading about the Carter Family’s influence on other famous musicians, such as Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and Elvis Presley, was fascinating. While most are familiar with the love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, our reader enjoyed tracing their roots back to where it all began with A.P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter. Another member also grabbed this book to check out!

Nevermore: Truth Worth Telling, Gone Dollywood, In Shock, Shadow Tag, Sea Wolf, Washington Black

Reported by Lauren

                Our first member was in the middle of reading Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times by Scott Pelley. It’s obvious from his writing that Pelley is a true investigative journalist—he writes facts, not opinions. Each chapter relates either the author’s encounter with an important figure or his experience of a monumental historical event. Our reader avoided the chapter on former Chair of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke, but was really moved by the chapter on the Fire Department of New York after the events of September 11, 2001. Pelley asks what defines America, and how do we as Americans define ourselves? Our reader highly recommends this book.

                Our next reader shared her review of In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope by Rana Awdish. Awdish is a doctor from Detroit who specializes in intensive care. After enduring a medical tragedy of her own, she realizes just how poorly doctors communicate and interact with ICU patients and their loved ones. She creates an entire curriculum outlining the ways this problem can be solved and travels the country training medical experts on how to practice empathy and create emotional connections with their patients. Our reviewer said there is a lot of medical terminology, “a lot of gross medical stuff,” but if that doesn’t bother you, you will love this book. 

                Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich was shared with our group next. Several members had read this novel already, and loved how Erdrich richly portrays Native American culture in all of her books. Shadow Tag is about a toxic marriage between an alcoholic wife and an artist husband who paints said wife in sadistic and irreverent ways. His paintings of her have made them rich, but she hates him and the paintings. When she discovers he has been reading her secret diary, she starts using her diary entries to insult and manipulate him. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, our reader said, “the ending made it better, even though I didn’t want it to end that way.” 

                Throwing it back to 1904, our next reader reviewed The Sea-Wolf by Jack London. She had read it many years ago, but came across a copy at a book sale and picked it up. The Sea-Wolf is about a literary critic named Humphrey who is rescued by another boat after his ferry sinks. The captain of the rescue boat, Wolf Larsen, is a hardened and brutal man who basically forces Humphrey to join his ship’s crew. While sailing on the new schooner, the crew encounter another shipwreck, rescuing a beautiful young woman from the waves. It is love at first sight for both Humphrey and Captain Larsen, and various adventures ensue. Our reader said the novel was a little fantastical, but she thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan was our next share. It got rave reviews, and President Barack Obama named it one his favorite books of the year. The main character, a young slaved named George Washington Black, or Wash for short, is chosen as a personal assistant of sorts to the brother of his owner, a Barbados sugar plantation owner. Wash is apprehensive at first, but his life changes drastically for the better. His new master takes him under his wing and fully educates him. But when the brother/Wash’s master dies, a ransom is placed on Wash so he is forced to flee. Our reader loved this novel, and highly recommended everyone read it. Its portrayal of slave-life is brutally honest, and Wash’s adventures are both entertaining and enlightening. 

Gone Dollywood: Dolly Parton’s Mountain Dream by Graham Hoppe was the last book we discussed. Our reader was pleasantly surprised that this book isn’t a biography, but instead discusses Southern and Appalachian culture, and the economic and cultural effects Parton and her businesses have had on the east Tennessee region. Dolly counters the typical Appalachian stigma, while embracing the Appalachian culture and making everyone who visits feel right at home. Our reader appreciated the shorter length and the factual writing style—she thinks everyone from this area should read it.

Nevermore: Hand to Mouth, We Learned Nothing, Great and Holy War, Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Poisonwood Bible

Reported by Lauren

                This week we kicked off our discussion with Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America by Linda Tirado. Hand to Mouth has earned rave reviews from critics, and is even assigned in college sociology and anthropology classes. The author describes her experiences living poor in America, including her difficulty making ends meet, paying for childcare and her smoking habit, and her family’s fight to get her husband’s military benefits. Our reviewer began by saying she hated everything about this book: the author had a defeatist attitude, she blamed everyone and everything else for her problems but refused to take responsibility for her actions, and our reader was struggling to get through it. As we discussed the issues that impoverished Americans face on a daily basis however, she eventually said, “You know, maybe this book is affecting me more than I thought.” Another reader chimed in saying, “It definitely stayed with me after I read it—I have been attempting to not be so judgmental when I meet new people now.” While this book wasn’t a favorite, it definitely sparked a thought-provoking discussion.

                Our next member shared her thoughts on We Learned Nothing by Tim Kreider. Kreider is a well-known cartoonist who has ventured into the land of short stories. This reader praised his sense of humor, but found the stories insightful and poignant as well. Sometimes we really don’t learn from the mistakes of our past or others’. She also shared When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon by Joshua D. Dedrich. She mentioned that this book was pretty in-depth and a little long on history, but she enjoyed learning about the history of organ transplants, and that once the drug that inhibits organ rejections was discovered, the transplant game changed forever.

                Another book clubber offered a different perspective on the first world war by sharing Philip Jenkin’s The Great and Holy War: How World War I Became a Religious Crusade. This member never realized just how much influence the Protestant and Catholic Churches had on the war. The media was just becoming mainstream, and various religions capitalized on this unprecedented method of sharing information by creating propaganda that advanced their belief systems. According to Jenkins, the Catholic Church claimed Jesus was actually Aryan rather than Jewish, and that Jewish people were responsible for His death. Jenkins believes that this religious zeal set the stage for WWII and the rise of Anti-Semitism and Nazism. Our reader found the book fascinating, describing it as scholarly and well-researched, with an extensive bibliography. She recommended everyone read it to learn more about this time period. 

                Next we discussed Kim Michele Richardson’s latest novel The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Set in 1930s Appalachia, it tells the story of one of the fearless and determined Kentucky Pack Horse Librarians, Cussy Mary Carter, who also happens to be one of the Kentucky Blue People. This fascinating novel paints a vivid picture of the hardships of this era, and praises the women who spared no efforts to spread literacy and learning throughout the Appalachian region. Cussy’s personal life is also portrayed—as a “blue” person engaged to a “white” person, her impending marriage is constantly threatened by the racism of her peers. Our reader shared that she was amazed at the danger Cussy puts herself in, not just with her job but also with her relationship. Later on, Cussy is chosen as a subject of a medical study that tries to change her skin color, but even though she dreams of being white, she is not happy with the results of the drug trial. Our reviewer loved this novel, and several of our members were excited to read it as well.

                We closed our meeting with a discussion of the contemporary classic The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Almost all of our Nevermore members had read this novel at some point, and all sang its praises calling it “life-changing” and “vital.” Written by one of Appalachia’s own daughters, it tells the story of Baptist minister Nathan Price, his wife, and their four daughters and their mission trip to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The Price family endures trials and tribulations, both physical and spiritual, and are forever changed by their experience in the African jungle. Our reader shared several passages with us, lauding Kingsolver’s ability to bring Africa to life through her writing style and word choice. We all agreed that Kingsolver is a fantastic writer, and everyone should read at least one of her novels.

Nevermore: King, Patterson, Newman, Metzl, Gotist

Reported by Lauren

This week’s meeting started off strong with one Nevermore reader sharing a horror novella by the master himself, The Sun Dog by Stephen King. One of his lesser-known works as it was published as part of a 1990 short-story collection, it’s about a teenage boy named Kevin who receives a camera, a Polaroid Sun 660, for his birthday. Everything seems fine until Kevin realizes every photo he takes contains a vicious, snarling dog that moves closer and closer to the forefront with each shot. He’s terrified of course, but when the sleazy pawn shop owner hears about this gift, he must have it for himself. Our reader called it “super scary, basically a Cujo 2!” and warned us not to read it before bed.

                Next we discussed one of James Patterson’s newer novels The Chef. Our reader loved this book, saying the descriptions of the featured dishes were mouth-watering. The plot is also exciting. It’s about a police detective named turned chef named Caleb Rooney living in New Orleans who is asked to help investigate the threat of a terrorist attack during Mardi Gras. Rooney also happens to be under investigation himself for a murder he didn’t commit. Like a typical Patterson novel, suspense, action, and romance abound, but the food was her favorite part!

                Our next reader reviewed a dystopian novel called The Country of Ice Cream Star by Sandra Newman. Set in futuristic America, a plague called the Posies has wiped out the adult population, killing everyone before they reach the age of twenty. The main character, a young girl named Ice Cream Star, sets off on a journey across the country in search of a cure that is rumored to exist. Our reader called this novel sadistic and bleak, but said the rhythmic prose was riveting. The way the characters spoke reminded her of a futuristic Gullah dialect, and kept her reading until the end. While she wouldn’t call this book one of her favorites, it definitely stuck with her.

                Sticking with futuristic novels, our next reader shared Genesis Code by Jamie Metzl. Metzel is an expert on biogenetics as well as Asian affairs, so the novel was very realistic. Set in 2023, the United States has defaulted on its debt and is now owned by China. When young women start mysteriously dying, an investigative journalist named Rich is determined to figure out what’s happening. However, the tyrannical government owns all news publications and does everything in their power to squash the story. Our reader thoroughly enjoyed the action, suspense, and realistic science this book offers, and was eager to read more of Metzl’s work, both the fiction and the nonfiction. 

                Our last reviewer picked up Enough About You: The Narcissist’s 7-Step, 1-Minute Guide to Sacred Spirituality, a Self-Empowered Career, and Highly Effective Relationships by Mimi E. Gotist on a whim. She enjoyed the snarky humor, and could empathize with the writer as she offered advice on how to get over it and move on when your relationship with a narcissist ends. Gotist uses her writing to satirize the self-help genre; almost every element of this book is humorous. Even the blurbs reviewing the book are hilarious. For example, “N. Bonaparte” writes, “Thanks to Mimi E. Gotist, history will finally understand me!” Our reader recommended this short novel if you’re looking for a laugh.