Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I share excerpts from books…and connect with other bloggers, who do the same.
Let’s begin the celebration by sharing Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and let’s showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
What a great way to spend a Friday!
Today’s feature is a recent download: My Ex-Life, by Stephen McCauley, a novel that examines how we define home, family, and love. Be prepared to laugh, shed a few tears, and have thoughts of your own ex-life triggered. (Throw pillows optional.)
Beginning: No, it was not the happiest moment of David Hedges’s life. Soren, his partner of five years, had left him, he’d gotten fat, and somewhere in the midst of that, he’d woken up one day and realized he was no longer in his twenties. Or his forties. The last person he expected to hear from was Julie Fiske.
***
Friday 56: “He’s the kind of man who is at home everywhere, which in this case means Berlin or maybe Tokyo. Who can remember?”
***
Synopsis: David Hedges’s life is coming apart at the seams. His job helping San Francisco rich kids get into the colleges of their (parents’) choice is exasperating; his younger boyfriend has left him; and the beloved carriage house he rents is being sold. His solace is a Thai takeout joint that delivers 24/7.
The last person he expects to hear from is Julie Fiske. It’s been decades since they’ve spoken, and he’s relieved to hear she’s recovered from her brief, misguided first marriage. To him.
Julie definitely doesn’t have a problem with marijuana (she’s given it up completely, so it doesn’t matter if she gets stoned almost daily) and the Airbnb she’s running out of her seaside house north of Boston is neither shabby nor illegal. And she has two whole months to come up with the money to buy said house from her second husband before their divorce is finalized. She’d just like David’s help organizing college plans for her 17-year-old daughter.
That would be Mandy. To quote Barry Manilow, Oh Mandy. While she knows she’s smarter than most of the kids in her school, she can’t figure out why she’s making so many incredibly dumb and increasingly dangerous choices?
When David flies east, they find themselves living under the same roof (one David needs to repair). David and Julie pick up exactly where they left off thirty years ago—they’re still best friends who can finish each other’s sentences. But there’s one broken bit between them that no amount of home renovations will fix.
***
I’m intrigued by the excerpts and the premise. What do you think?
***
I’ve not heard of this book but it sounds as though it is going to be a fun read probably laced with much most people will recognise – enjoy Laurel and I will look forward to your views on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cleo, I’ve been trying to mix up my reading with some lighter ones. Enjoy your pick.
LikeLike
I could use some laughs and it sounds like this one would do the trick. And that I could relate. LOL I don’t recognize myself in the mirror!
My Friday 56 from One Summer….at Charlie’s Diner
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laura, I am also in need of laughs. Looking forward to it. Enjoy your reading.
LikeLike
This does sound good and a bit different. I like the focus on the male character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Catherine, I am looking forward to this one. Enjoy yours.
LikeLike
I like the excerpts! I hope you enjoy it. Here’s mine: https://myendlessshelf.weebly.com/home/the-friday-56-cinderella-boy-by-kristina-meister
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kayleigh, I hope so, too. Enjoy your pick!
LikeLike
I’m drawn into the beginning. Sounds really good! Happy Canada day weekend, and happy early Independence day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Freda, Happy Canada Day to you! Enjoy your weekend, and thanks for hosting and for visiting my blog.
LikeLike
I haven’t come across this one before but the teasers have me curious! I’d definitely give this a try and am looking forward to your thoughts on it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I stumbled upon it, Katherine, and loved the sound of it. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy yours!
LikeLike
This sounds like it might be a good read. My aunt married a gay man so that’s definitely been an issue in my family that I’m familiar with. I like the collage cover art and the title! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah, this one grabbed me and I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem! 🙂 It might be something I would like to add to my TBR list. I’ve already got thousands of books on my to-read list so I have no idea how I’m going to even get to reading half of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds interesting, Laurel.
I think you would LOVE the book I featured on my blog…THE TASTE OF AIR.
Thanks for sharing and coming by my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does sound good, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing…and for stopping by.
LikeLike
Yep, I’m wondering who Julie is!!
Here is mine: http://bit.ly/MagicalSecret
Today I am featuring a free book!
Sassy x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sassy, I am eager to read this one.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fun read! Hope you enjoy it! Have a great weekend! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ashley, I am looking forward to reading it.
LikeLike
Great intro and teaser! I’m really intrigued to know more about this one. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Yvonne, so am I! Enjoy your pick and your weekend.
LikeLike
That sounds like an interesting and messy ensemble of characters. Hope you enjoy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for stopping by, Alicia, and I’m eager to plunge into the mess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like an interesting, thought-provoking read. I hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nicki, I am looking forward to it. Enjoy yours!
LikeLike
This sounds really interesting! Happy weekend 🙂
Amy
http://www.amysbookishlife.co.uk/
x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Amy, I do hope to love it. Have a great week!
LikeLike
New one. I’m intrigued.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Mystica.
LikeLike
Ooh, I love this sense of humour. Going to look out for this one. Thanks for sharing, and for the visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Bev, and I plan to laugh a lot with this book.
LikeLike
I really love the cover of this one. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do I, Lauren…thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
This sounds really fun and interesting! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Dorie, enjoy your reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was sent an ARC of this book, two actually, and as you might remember I gave one away in a giveaway. I haven’t read it yet but look forward to your review. Sounds quite different I have to admit. 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laurie, I hope to get around to this one soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person