Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan
Recommended by Tuki Sathaye in Adult Services…
Tuki’s synopsis:
The Red Lobster a restaurant in a suburb of New England hasn’t been making its numbers and is being shut down. All but six of the employees are going to be relocated to Olive Garden. They all however have to hunker down and get through one last day at the restaurant. Manny, the manager has his hands full dealing with persnickety patrons, unmotivated employees, and all kinds of personal problems. O’Nan takes this slice of life to construct an interesting and very real story.
She says:
Stewart O’Nan is an author whose writing keeps you wanting to read on because his characters are so interesting. He takes everyday situations and presents an interesting point of view. I truly appreciated the complexity of what it takes to run and manage a restaurant as demonstrated through Manny’s character.
Some Assembly Required by Anne Lamott
Recommended by Soon Har in Adult Services…
Soon Har’s synopsis:
Anne Lamott, who writes novels and also about the struggles and stories of her life with gritty humor, wrote about being a poor, single and first-time mother at age 35 in a book called Operating Instructions that focused on the first year of her son Sam’s life. When Sam, 19, became a father himself, Lamott’s editor suggested a sort-of sequel co-written with Sam. The result is an email-interspersed journal about the first year of her grandson Jax’s life, the unique and conflicting joys of grandmotherhood, and the challenges of teen parenting.
She says:
I was afraid to read Lamott’s newest book — even though I am a huge fan of her nonfiction. What if the book were too cute, or whiny, and what new insights could she possibly have, having so honestly explored her life in previous books? I am so glad I gave in as the book is another Lamott treasure: personal, funny, and enlightening. Best of all, it is suffused with Lamott’s down-to-earth and genuine spirituality that sets her apart from other good and humorous writers.
The Expats by Chris Pavone
Recommended by Soon Har in Adult Services…
Soon Har’s synopsis:
Young American mother Kate Moore’s husband tells her he has an opportunity, finally, to make lots of money if he takes a new job and the family moves to Luxembourg. So Kate quits her secret CIA agent job and joins the clique of expat moms-who-lunch but secrets are not so easy to leave behind. Soon, it turns out that she’s not the only one with something to hide. Is she paranoid or is someone really out to get her? Is anyone who he or she appears to be, including her husband? With minimum characters, an European setting, CIA vs. FBI duels, and a possible cyber crime that keeps the story timely.
She says:
Don’t let the buzz that this book and its author have received in recent weeks leave you expecting too much.The story and suspense take time to build up and the interweaving of two timelines confused me initially.The only well-developed character is the female protagonist and I found her hard to believe and relate to; did Chris Pavone over-reach in trying to get inside a woman’s head, let alone a spy’s? But once the intrigue begins, the plot moves along at a page-turning pace. And when I set aside my inner skeptic, I found the ending satisfying.
Fathermucker by Greg Olear
Fathermucker by Greg Olear
Recommended by Jeff in Technical Services…
Jeff’s synopsis:
Josh Lansky is striving to be a good dad but his son has woke him up at 5:03 AM, his daughter wakes up as he’s about to step in the shower, his wife is out of town on business and just might be having an affair. Things get worse from there as he hasn’t even had his coffee yet and he struggles with being a screenwriter who hasn’t actually wrote anything lately, a freelance writer trying to get an interview with the singer of one of his favorite bands and trying to be a faithful husband and stayathome dad without losing his mind.
He says:
This reminds me of Tom Perrotta’s Little Children but there is enough different to be a very enjoyable read without being a rehash. I thought it was very humorous and very realistic in the decisions, fears, helplessness, heartbreak but also hope it takes to raise children.
Enjoy Every Sandwich by Lee Lipsenehal, M. D.
Recommended by Jeff in Technical Services…
Jeff’s synopsis:
Taking the title from a quote by musician Warren Zevon who also died of cancer, Lee Lipsenthal decided not to fight or battle when diagnosed with cancer. That doesn’t mean he gave up or wanted to die and leave his loved ones behind, he found he didn’t fear death and wanted to with gratitude and love.
He says:
I enjoyed this book even though I’m skeptical of some of the events; however I feel that everyone has to find their own way of dealing with disease, death and the stress it causes. There are many quotes in the book that I enjoyed such as “find the joy in the simplicity of life”.
