Elizabeth Gilbert’siconic memoir Eat, Pray, Love made history this year as the longest running book at the # 1 spot on the New York Times paperback nonfiction bestseller list, and as I’m sure you know, it was made into a major Hollywood movie last summer starring Julia Roberts.
On February 1st and just in time for Valentine’s Day, Penguin Books is excited to release in paperback her follow-up memoir COMMITTED: A Love Story which picks up where Eat, Pray, Love leaves off. In short: after Elizabeth and Felipe are detained at an American border crossing and effectively sentenced to wed by the US government, she is forced to confront, examine and eventually make peace with the idea of marriage--an institution she never intended to enter into again.
Genre: Dysfunctional Family Drama Author: Ruth Pennebaker About (from TLC website)
Joanie’s ex-husband is having a baby with his new girlfriend. Joanie won’t be having more babies, since she’s decided never to have sex again. But she still has her teenaged daughter Caroline to care for. And thanks to the recession, her elderly mother Ivy as well. Her daughter can’t seem to exist without texting, and her mother brags about “goggling,”-while Joanie, back in the workforce, is still trying to figure out her office computer. And how to fend off the advances of her coworker Bruce. Joanie, Caroline, and Ivy are stuck under the same roof, and it isn’t easy. But sometimes they surprise each other-and themselves. And through their differences they learn that it is possible to undo the mistakes of the past.
1.) Reasons you chose this book
I take a lot of time to read the synopsis of the books that I'm offered to read for TLC and thought this one would be a book that I would enjoy. I'm always interested in family dynamics and having three women from different generations under one roof could prove to be a fun read.
2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
I enjoyed Ruth's style of writing and the premise of the story. I was pulled into the unfolding drama and found myself enjoying the book. But somewhere in the middle I started to get a bit tired of all of the negativity and the rehashing of the same old problems.
Joanie was a character that I had a lot of sympathy for. I think because I'm so close to Joanie's age and could realistically see myself in her exact situation. I couldn't imagine the stress of having my elderly mother living with me on a daily basis!!!!!!!!! I think the author should've started earlier in the story to make life-changing decisions for Joanie. I would've been more interested in the story if that would have happened.
I did enjoy the love interest between Joanie and Bruce. I liked how Joanie decided that she was willing to just kick up her heels and be spontaneous for once in her life.
3. Reasons for recommending:
Overall, this was just an okay read for me. I didn't hate it, but I don't find myself able to gush about it either. However, I do like to add that just because it wasn't a stellar read for me doesn't mean that you wouldn't enjoy it. With that being said, please check out what other bloggers on the tour are saying about Ruth Pennebaker's novel, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough.
Rating: 2.75/5
Hospitable Pursuits: "Ms. Pennebaker has crafted a uproarious novel about characters who are amazingly recognizable."
Love to Read for Fun- "I enjoyed reading Women on the Verge. The tone is light, funny and sometimes snarky. "
About Ruth Pennebaker
Ruth Pennebaker writes about women’s issues, families, marriage, aging, politics, and anything else that interests her at her popular The Fabulous Geezersisters blog.
She’s also the Urban Cowgirl columnist at the Texas Observer, an occasional commentator at KUT public radio in Austin, and the author of three acclaimed young adult novels. Her work has appeared in nationwide publications, including The New York Times, McCall’s, Redbook and other newspapers and magazines. She lives in Austin with her mad scientist husband, their cat, Lefty, and the accumulation of stuff from their two emerging-adult children.
Books Read:
1. The Lotus Eaters 5/5
2. Kiss at Your Own Risk 2.75/5
3. Little Princes 5/5
4. Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy 3/5
5. Drinking Close to Home 2/5
6. What Would Jane Austen Do? 3/5
7. The Girl in the Green Raincoat 4/5
8. Blood of My Brother 2.5/5
9. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt 5/5
10. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough- Review to be posted Feb. 4
Favorite Book(s): The Lotus Eaters and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
She wished she could see the woman more clearly, make out the expression on her face. "Is there anything else you need to make your haven perfect?" Crow asked. "Binoculars," Tess said. [p.9]
......And with that sentence this story took off at a rapid pace. I absolutely loved this little gem of a book. I relished the whole idea of spying on someone daily and wondering what they were "really" up to. I have to admit that I like to people watch and could totally see myself doing exactly what Tess does as this story unfolds. The story never lagged and was totally plausible. I read this over the course of a few hours and when it was done I wanted more!!! I will be sure to pick up Lippman's books with Tess as the central character. I liked her a lot and now I want to immerse myself in her world a bit longer.
Recommend? A resounding YES! This book has it all...a great plot, fantastic characters, and great story development. There was never a slow moment and seriously I was sad to have the story end. I hope that Lippman writes more of these "shorter" stories with Tess in the future..as I will be sure to read them!!!
Rating: 4/5
About Laura Lippman
Laura Lippman grew up in Baltimore and returned to her hometown in 1989 to work as a journalist. After writing seven books while still a full-time reporter, she left the Baltimore Sun to focus on fiction. The author of two New York Times bestsellers, What the Dead Know and Another Thing to Fall, she has won numerous awards for her work, including the Edgar, Quill, Anthony, Nero Wolfe, Agatha, Gumshoe, Barry, and Macavity.
To learn more about Laura’s work, visit her website or connect with her on Facebook.
Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Toursfor sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel
The day CeeCee discovers Camille in the front yard wearing a tattered prom dress and tiara as she blows kisses to passing motorists, she knows her mother has completely flipped. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, a previously unknown great-aunt comes to CeeCee’s rescue and whisks her away to Savannah. Within hours of her arrival, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricities—a world that appears to be run entirely by women.
My Thoughts: Well, I absolutely adored CeeCee and all of the women in her life, even her crazy mom. This book made me laugh, cry, and sigh with longing because I wanted to be a part of this family!. I think all girls should have the opportunity to grow up surrounded by a group of women who love, support, and cherish her. I can't believe that this is Beth's debut novel!! She certainly hit a home run with CeeCee and I am eagerly waiting for her next book.
Recommend? Absolutely! Especially for those that enjoy Southern fiction. This one has it all...family, drama, secrets, tears, love, heartbreak, and best of all- HOPE!!!
