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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell drew me in, even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to be drawn. This is one of those books where scenes shift from one age to another like strands in a plait. Memories come in fragments, particularly in the case of Kitty, the elder of two sisters, whose mind may, or may not, be failing. But it’s younger sister Esme who has been institutionalized for over 60 years, whose remembrances finally fill in the story. Esme was the ultimate victim of an era when women Read the rest…
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Phoebe Damrosch’s Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter introduced me to a world I didn’t know. Forget the eavesdropping. This isn’t a juicy, tell-all, he said/she said-over-the-salad book. It is the true story of her experience as a waiter in one of Manhattan’s finest restaurants. I must admit I don’t eat in many restaurants of this caliber but, as a travel writer, I certainly have visited some fine establishments. Thanks to this book, I’ll never look at the service in the same way. Read the rest…
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Hooray, I found the perfect airplane book. The English American by Alison Larkin eased my hours in the Albuquerque airport, keeping me going with good writing, interesting characters, humor, a story that moved quickly enough — but not too — and a satisfying ending.
Pippa Dunn worked hard to fit into her proper English family but never could seem to get it right. She knows her adoptive parents love her and she’s close to her sister but Read the rest…
(1 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)