Jennifer Petty Mann grew up in New York City, moved to London, England, then back to Boston, and is now happily ensconced on the EightMile river in Lyme with three little ones. A former teacher, window dresser for Saks, and designer, she is taking her love of books to the proverbial "street." I really am getting behind here! I have a few books you’d love, but as I just … [Read more...] about ‘Faithful Place’ by Tana French
Literature in the Lymes
‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins
Jennifer Petty Mann grew up in New York City, moved to London, England, then back to Boston, and is now happily ensconced on the EightMile river in Lyme with three little ones. A former teacher, window dresser for Saks, and designer, she is taking her love of books to the proverbial "street." I am beginning to feel that I should just March myself down to the Headmaster’s … [Read more...] about ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins
‘A Blast From The Past’ by Kinky Friedman
Jennifer Petty Mann grew up in New York City, moved to London, England, then back to Boston, and is now happily ensconced on the EightMile river in Lyme with three little ones. A former teacher, window dresser for Saks, and designer, she is taking her love of books to the proverbial "street." Richard S. “Kinky” Friedman almost defies description. A renaissance man and … [Read more...] about ‘A Blast From The Past’ by Kinky Friedman
‘FreeK Camp’ by Steve Burt
Jennifer Petty Mann grew up in New York City, moved to London, England, then back to Boston, and is now happily ensconced on the EightMile river in Lyme with three little ones. A former teacher, window dresser for Saks, and designer, she is taking her love of books to the proverbial "street." Read her latest book review exclusively here on LymeLine every Friday. OK, OK! … [Read more...] about ‘FreeK Camp’ by Steve Burt
A Summer Reading List … for Grown-Ups!
Why do kids get to have all the fun? Why can’t we have homework? Well, my darlings, you can. My lovely friend TS and I have decided I will do a Summer Reading List. There will only be six books to read. I will not review them so you can’t cheat. Actually I may do two to inspire you. I will otherwise be reading them with you. If you read the majority of them ... … [Read more...] about A Summer Reading List … for Grown-Ups!
‘Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe’ by Bill Bryson
Laughing is so cathartic. Take the worst time and find something to laugh about and, my God, you just can’t help but feel better. The science that says just putting a smile on your face, changing the arrangement of your facial muscles and thereby affecting your mood, is right on. Cool huh? Bill Bryson never fails to make me smile. In fact, I laughed so hard at his … [Read more...] about ‘Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe’ by Bill Bryson
‘Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater’ by Frank Bruni
Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater is a good book. Frank Bruni was the food critic for the NYT until May 2009. He held the post for five years replacing Biff Grimes who replaced my favorite, Ruth Reichl. Bruni wore many hats as a writer and reporter over the years and this is his first autobiographical food book. He is an extremely likable guy. His … [Read more...] about ‘Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater’ by Frank Bruni
The Stacks in Jen’s Life
Our much missed and absolute favorite book reviewer is back - hooray! Jen returns with a review with a difference ... rather than one book she considers her stacks. Hay stacks? Chimney stacks? Wrong and wrong again ... curious? This is so weird for me—this feeling of being literally unable to even remember a book that I have read when I sit down to review it for you. I … [Read more...] about The Stacks in Jen’s Life
‘Little Chapel On The River’ by Gwendolyn Bounds
Fact is often better than fiction. Have you ever looked at a brightly colored fish or flower and thought, "It is not possible that that just appeared in nature. I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it.” Fact is like that too. Imagination is contained by our perceptions so it makes sense, but some plots are so wonderful you think they must have been monkeyed with. … [Read more...] about ‘Little Chapel On The River’ by Gwendolyn Bounds
‘I Capture the Castle’ by Dodie Smith
Jen is here this week with a book written by the author of the much better known "One Hundred and One Dalmations." Dodie Smith's "I Capture the Castle" is sometimes compared to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and yet is something altogether different but equally—if not more—enjoyable. Nothing like a good book to cheer one up. This is like a grown-up version … [Read more...] about ‘I Capture the Castle’ by Dodie Smith
“Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides
We love it when we've read something before Jen - a rare event to be sure - but it makes us feel extra-knowledgeable about her review. And, as this is the case with her book choice this week—"Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides—we can say with complete confidence that, yet again, her review absolutely hits the mark. I am speechless. Could be the early hour. Could be the end … [Read more...] about “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides
“The Big One An Island, an Obsession, and the Furious Pursuit of a Great Fish” by David Kinney
Last week Jen reviewed "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," which cleverly caught us out because it wasn't really about fishing at all. This week she reviews "The Big One An Island, an Obsession, and the Furious Pursuit of a Great Fish by David Kinney and so we think, "Hah! We're not about to be caught out again," but guess what, it's all about fishing. Can't win! From Flyfishing … [Read more...] about “The Big One An Island, an Obsession, and the Furious Pursuit of a Great Fish” by David Kinney
“Salmon Fishing In The Yemen” by Paul Torday
We can never pretend we haven't noticed when we're late with Jen's review - first the emails arrive, then the phone starts ringing and finally when we see a line of cars cruising up and down the street, we know there's a problem. OK slight exaggeration...but not much, so without further ado, here she is - our Jen and "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" (note the pure poetry … [Read more...] about “Salmon Fishing In The Yemen” by Paul Torday
“The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” by David Wroblewski
Lots of people think that the book our Jen selected this week, "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle," by David Wroblewski, is very good, including Stephen King who noted he doesn't re-read many books, but will be doing so with this one. Yet again Jen's review has tickled our fancy too and we think we'll also be reading it very shortly. I had dinner a few weeks ago with a gentleman … [Read more...] about “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” by David Wroblewski
“Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout
Jen takes on Olive this week (no, not the kind with pits but rather one-of-a-kind Olive Kitteridge, who lives in Crosby, Maine) and finds herself captivated by the tangled web into which she ventures. Author Elizabeth Strout won a 2009 Pullitzer for this book and we're thinking, if there were a Pullitzer for book reviews, our Jen would win one hands down. This is … [Read more...] about “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout