Literature in the Lymes

Jen has this habit of selecting "Must Read" books and without hesitation, we join her this week in heartily recommending, "The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls. In terms of a real-life story of beating incedible odds told without a trace of self-pity, it is, to quote Jen, "an example to us all." If I ever meet the parents of Jeannette Walls, I am going to have a chat with … [Read more...] about “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls

Our Jen was—along with (in our unscientific opinion) approximately half the population of the Lymes—sick last week.  We're so glad to learn that she's now recovered and here she is back again for your delight with the revealing (and riveting) antithesis to her earlier column on why she reads. Here is the companion piece to the ever-popular,” Why I Read.”  It is fair to say … [Read more...] about Why Sometimes I Don’t Read

Old Lyme resident Richard Conniff lives the life of which most of us mere mortals can only dream.  He travels to exotic places, meets interesting people ... and animals, writes or makes movies about them ... and on top of all that, gets paid for doing it.  Jen Mann chose his most recent book as her review pick for this week. This is very amusing.  I am a big fan of personal … [Read more...] about Swimming With Piranhas at Feeding Time My Life Doing Dumb Stuff by Richard Conniff

Last week, Jen read "Eat Pray Love," a personal memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert about self-discovery. This week she investigates Gilbert's first foray into fiction and comes out smiling, concluding, "Each page was a genuine pleasure." Praise doesn't come much higher than that so this novel goes straight onto our "Must Read" list. This is a really great book.  It was fun.  It was … [Read more...] about “Stern Men” by Elizabeth Gilbert

Jen has reviewed one of our favorite books this week.  We agree with her conclusion that "Eat Pray Love" by Liz Gilbert should be "required reading" for every woman.  It is indeed a delightfully refreshing approach to self-discovery and as Jen points out, how wonderful it would be if only we could all follow it  - as Liz did - in Italy, India and Bali. Whenever a lot of … [Read more...] about “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert

Jen reviews Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer this week.  She wonders whether it really is "just a coincidence that these books keep throwing themselves at me."  By "these books," she means books that cause you to reevaluate your life priorities and in light of the current economic situation, that's perhaps something about which we should all be thinking. Maybe it is … [Read more...] about “Life As We Knew It” by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Our editor has just resolved a huge mystery, namely, "Is Jen Mann real?" She had never met Ms. Mann, though every week a wonderful book review arrived from her. The two ladies have finally connected, but mysteries continue to brew in Lyme crafted by "Sinister Minister", Steve Burt, ... and Jen is right there to review them for us. Steve Burt is a piece of work.  A minister … [Read more...] about “Odd Lot,” “Oddest Yet,” “Wicked Odd”, “Even Odder”, All by Steve Bur

This week our favorite book reviewer divulges her favorite author.  Jen confesses Mark Helprin is her choice and takes us deep into The Pacific ... to prove the point.  She says this book "moved her to tears in its unadulterated glory," which translates roughly as "Go forth and read [it.]" If I were to choose - well, I sort-of do - my favorite writer would be Mark … [Read more...] about “The Pacific and Other Stories” by Mark Helprin

We felt Jen's book review this week is suited for a Sunday. For those not familiar with Nobel Prize-winning French author Jean-Paul Sartre, his theme is existentialism, which preaches, in Jen's concise words, "life is a done deal before you started, so what's the point?"  Sartre is a hard sell, but Jen makes us want to try him one more time. The Chips Are Down ( Les Jeux … [Read more...] about “Les Jeux Sont Fait” by Jean Paul Sartre

She's done it again!  Our Jen has us rushing down to the bookstore again because her book review choice this week is a must-read.  Can there be anything on earth more fascinating than the female brain?  We think not, but then we're obviously biased as we're an exclusively female business. I wish I had read this book years ago. I’m not crazy.  Who knew? What I am … [Read more...] about “The Female Brain” by Dr. Louann Brizendine

Our voracious reader Jen Mann dives into, "The Story of a Marriage" by Andrew Sean Greer this week and surfaces to observe insightfully, "While exploring the idea of ‘marriage’, Greer is exploring the idea of self as well." As always, she has piqued our curiousity and to the library we must go.  Andrew Sean Greer wrote The Confessions of Max Tivoli.  I was interested to see … [Read more...] about “The Story of a Marriage” by Andrew Sean Greer

"Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro is one of those books that never lets you forget, to paraphrase the opinion of our wonderful book reviewer Jen Mann. We've just read her words and now we're on our way to the library to request a copy - see if you feel the same way about this extraordinary book. Occasionally you read a book that resonates within you immediately and you … [Read more...] about “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro

Two's company, three's a crowd ... or so my mother says. Jen's book review choice for this week, "Morality Tale" by Sylvia Brownrigg, does indeed dwell on an eternal triangle of love, but one that, in this fascinating case, is exacerbated by having a fouth point added. I am at a loss how to effectively encapsulate my thought on this.  It is ironic that Brownrigg’s novel is, … [Read more...] about “Morality Tale” by Sylvia Brownrigg

It's Spring and to quote Tennyson, "a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." Our Jen, however, is busy thinking about summer days and beach books, but love is never far away from such novels and her pick for this week, "Last Kiss" by local author Luanne Rice is no exception. In case you missed it last year, click to read our interview with Luanne Rice. Happy … [Read more...] about “Last Kiss” by Luanne Rice

This 50th column is a landmark for our indomitable book reviewer Jen Mann. We're delighted to announce that she will be starting a new venture for us soon, but don't worry, she'll still continue with her book reviews.  More on this to follow, but in the meantime, enjoy this week's review of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie … [Read more...] about “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows