Exceedingly Mundane

I finished another library book last night. The second book by Southern author Joshilyn Jackson, although this was the first one I had read by her. I’m glad I got it from the library, because I don’t think it is one that I would want to own. It actually reminds me in an odd way of the book “We Are All Welcome Here” by Elizabeth Berg, in that it has a traditional Southern family, strong women, quirky and odd characters sprinkled throughout, difficult circumstances (a disability in each case) and situations that test them. Common themes, I’m sure, but the books seemed a bit similar to me, although I think I liked the characters in the Berg book better.

Rather than trying to write my own review, I’ve once again swiped (aka, totally plagiarized) this write-up from Amazon.com on this book:

Nonny Frett understands the meaning of the phrase in between a rock and a hard place better than any woman alive. She’s got two mothers, one deaf-blind and the other four baby steps from flat crazy. She’s got two men: a husband who is easing out the back door; and a best friend, who is laying siege to her heart in her front yard. And she has two families: the Fretts, who stole her and raised her right; and the Crabtrees, who lost her and won’t forget how they were done wrong. Now, in Between, Georgia, population 90, a feud that began the night Nonny was born is escalating, and a random act of violence is about to ignite a stash of family secrets. Ironically, it might be just what the town needs….if only Nonny weren’t stuck in between.

I liked the book, but I had a bit of a time getting “into” it. I ended up liking it though (especially with the ending, I much prefer books and movies with good endings), and I think I would recommend it. I’d like to read her first book “gods in Alabama” first though, before I go all out and recommend her to the utmost. I am so grateful to have a decent library, so I can check out these books without having to buy them first. 🙂

For the record, that makes 32 books read so far this year, for a total of 10,122 pages read. Up next is the newest Miss Julia book, “Miss Julia Strikes Back” by Ann B. Ross. I got on the waiting list at the library (I’m totally loving this online system, it is so easy to get on the wait list for new bestsellers!) and I was near the top of the list, so they called last week to say that this one was waiting on me. I have read the other 7 Miss Julia books and enjoyed them all, so I’m sure this one will be no exception. I won’t do a review on it when I’m finished, as I think they are all very similar. After that, I’m going to read another new-to-me-author, Anne George, and one of her “Southern Sisters Mystery” books. (Thanks Kim!!!) I SO wanted to read these in order, as there are 8 or 9 of them, but my library doesn’t have the earlier ones, so I’m going to have to start with one of the newer ones. I’m hoping they are books you can read out of order and not be lost.

Happy Reading, everyone!