Because both Book Jam Lisas celebrated July Fourth across the pond, we had little time for long reviews and obviously even missed the actual date. So today, a bit after the 4th celebrations in the States, we quickly highlight two books to help you find the right book to read this summer. The first is a great source of inspiration or a superb host/hostess gift for all the people you visit on vacation during these warm summer months, the second is a smart and observant novel from one of our best new female voices in fiction. Look for our annual summer reading lists for adults and then kids here later this month. In the meantime, happy belated July 4th to all from our current European vantage points.
The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna (2016) – A gorgeous piece of art filled with wisdom for grads, dads, moms, and/or job changers. Ms. Luna took her popular internet talk and turned it into a book to help people figure out what is next for them. Read it if you feel the need for a quick shot of inspiration, or you require a great gift for your vacation hosts or recent graduate or…
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub (2016). “Modern Lovers” is simply a great go-to summer read: excellent for beach-side entertainment as well as perfect for summer in the city. Straub has a fresh voice, a talent for observing complex relationships, and a knack for picking great settings for her novels (this one set in hipster Brooklyn). Meet Elizabeth, Andrew and Zoe who were all friends and former band mates at Oberlin College in the 1980’s and all live within on block of each other in the City. Now in their early fifties and about to launch their teenage children into the world, this is a “coming of age story” for both young and old. My 18-year-old daughter, my son’s 20-year-old girlfriend and I all tore through this fun, poignant book while on vacation and enjoyed processing it together. The Book Jam loves author Emma Straub who also wrote the best-selling novel “The Vacationers” ( reviewed on this site in July 2014).
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