Joy Harkness moved to New York City to teach at Columbia years ago. The life she expected she'd have in New York - the one with a social life and excitement - never really materialized. At age 48, Joy is given an opportunity to teach at a small college in Massachusetts and participate in an exciting new project. Joy makes this huge life change, complete with an old Victorian fixer-upper. She feels a bit like a fish out of water in her new life. She is unused to dating, or even cultivating friendships yet as she is drawn out of herself, into new situations, she slowly finds her place.
Diane Meier'sThe Season of Second Chances: A Novel
is the sort of fiction I don't find myself reading a lot of. So many books that are geared towards women today and set in the present seem to have the same few story lines that often don't appeal to me. The Season of Second Chances felt different. A smart female protagonist that is an educator and teaches literature can only be a good thing. Diane Meier's career up until now has been one full of style and creating beautiful things. That is apparent in this book as she writes about the makeover of Joy's home and all the bits and pieces that go into it. She writes about personal style and the delicious food being cooked and eaten. I liked the cozy feeling of this book and experiencing Joy's house becoming a home.
I really enjoyed reading this book and was drawn into it right away. I found Joy to be a compelling character, though at times I wanted to yell at her! For such an intelligent woman she sometimes made really bad decisions, particularly about men. I thought about this and realized that was probably because she had kept inside of herself for so long. Dealing with adult emotions and motivations was something she needed practice with.
The Season of Second Chances is being released today. If you are interested in learning more about the author, Diane Meier, here is a link to her blog. It's interesting reading what she has written lately about her upcoming book release. I can only imagine how nerve-wracking that would be.
Now for the good news: Interpersonal Frequency LLC has kindly offered to send a signed copy of The Season of Second Chances to one lucky reader! Not only is this book a really a good read, it's also a gorgeous book. I saw a finished copy today and am in love with the endpapers. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite book of 2010 is so far, and make sure I have your email address. I will draw the winning name on April 7.
Many thanks to Interpersonal Frequency LLC for providing this review copy.
9 comments:
I have two favorites so far for 2010: Lift by Kelly Corrigan and Mudbound by Hilary Jordan. Loved, loved, loved these books.
I know what you mean about all the current "women's fiction" books that have been published of late. Same old, same old. But this one does sound good, especially if it includes details of home and cooking. I love those kind of books. I recently finished Every Last Cuckoo, which was also very good.
I'd love a chance to read this one, Tara. Thanks for the offer to win. My email addy is lscher at neb dot rr dot com.
I'm not reading much contemporary women's fiction lately either, but this sounds (and looks!) wonderful. Please enter me in the drawing: JQSteve at aol dot com.
My favorite book so far this year is My Life in France by Julia Child. Thanks, Tara!
I love contemporary women's fiction and I'm really anxious to read this! It should be at the top of my pile soon. No need to enter me.
I would have to say that the book I am in the middle of right now is called the Nine Rooms Of Happiness by Lucy Danzinger the editor of Self magazine. It strikes a chord with me and probably a lot of women.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
I like to read books such as this on occasion and I've heard other good things about this one. Enter me in the contest. My favorite book for 2010 has been The Crossing Places, a mystery by Elly Griffiths.
Oh my, that's a hard question:) I'm going to go with The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin. Love love loved it. Thanks for hosting the giveaway. This book looks wonderful!
I would like to enter this contest. I think my favorite book that I have read this year would either be The Host or Hunger Games.
cherylbaryl@hotmail.com
No need to enter me in the contest but just wanted to chime in on how much I enjoyed the book. I love contemporary women's fiction but haven't found a lot of good ones lately but this one was! I really enjoyed your review Tara. I thought Joy was a good character, flawed but intelligent and interesting.
I often find that I'm not attracted to the plotlines in women's fiction either, but this one sounds great! I'm attracted to the literature/educator part immediately, and the coziness sounds like something I'd really enjoy right now.
My favorite book of 2010 is one not publish in 2010...The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan.
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