Happy happy Thursday, friends!
It’s the 22nd of January which means…
…it’s time for BOOK CLUB #23!
Woohoo! It’s our first BOOK CLUB OF 2026!
I don’t know about you, but I have missed our time together chatting books (it’s been over a month!), so I’m extra, extra excited to “meet” today.
That being said, if you’re not one of my book-ish friends, I have a second blog post today.
What did I do 157 times in 2025?!
I’m blogging about that today HERE!
Two posts, one Thursday 🙂 .
Alrighty, just to recap before we begin…
Here are the books we discussed in 2024 along with my own personal “star ratings”…
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey 4 STARS
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 5 STARS
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins 3 STARS
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin 3 STARS
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth 4 STARS
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl 2 STARS
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand 3 STARS
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams 3 STARS
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult 4 STARS
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker 4 STARS
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout 2 STARS
And here are the books we discussed in 2025 along with my own personal “star ratings” as well…
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry 5 STARS
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields 2 STARS
The Crash by Freida McFadden 3 STARS
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter 5 STARS
All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett 3 STARS
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein 2 STARS
My Friends by Fredrik Backman 5 STARS
The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani 4 STARS
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall 5 STARS
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan 4 STARS
The Widow by John Grisham 4 STARS
Now, just a reminder, MY TOP 3 FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2025 CAME OUT OF BOOK CLUB LAST YEAR!
If you missed my big BOOKS IN REVIEW POST FROM 2025, make sure you go back and read it. In that post, I break down all 58 of the books I read last year and announce my three favorite books from the entire year (all three from Book Club last year!).
If you want to check out all of my Book Club posts, they are all HERE!
Before we get to today’s book, let’s revisit the “rules” of Shay’s Book Club:
Here are the details:
1: On the 22nd of each month, I will share a BONUS blog post that is only about the book we read together that month. So, if it falls on a weekend, look for it that day, if it falls on a Tuesday, expect a food post, a normal lifestyle post AND third post just for the book review discussion.
2: I picked the 22nd because I want this post to come out BEFORE our normal monthly BOOK REVIEW POSTS. I will still share my normal monthly book reviews (where I average 4 to 6 books a month) at the end of each month. I will reference said “book of the month”, but I will not be reviewing it on that post, I will be linking back to the BOOK CLUB POST. Why? Because I want all of the content about the one specific book club book in one spot instead of spread out over multiple spots.
3: Each month at the end of the Book Club blog post, I will share what the book will be for the following month. This will give everyone one month to read this one particular book.
4: Let’s be real, I’m going to try to pick new/popular/relevant books every month, but I’m also going to pick books that speak to me. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them with me. I’m going to *try* and make the books different genres each month. I would love for us to read a variety of fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, chick lit, thrillers, etc this year. That’s the *goal*.
5: What are the rules of the book club? I know a lot of book clubs have rules and perhaps I’ll add some as we go, but basically, if you want to read along with us, we’d love to have you and on the 22nd we’ll dive a little deeper in the comment section here about that one particular book. Easy as that! That post is the one place where we’ll discuss the book so that all thoughts/opinions/questions/etc can be in one location.
6: In this blog post and in the comment section, WE WILL BE DISCUSSING SPOILERS. If you are interested in reading this book, you might not want to read below this line. In JANUARY’S BOOK REVIEW later this month, I will give a quick recap and let you know if I recommend the book or not, so if you haven’t read it, you might want to wait until that official BOOK REVIEW because there will be no spoilers and based on that, you can decide whether or not to read the book. Anything below this though will include spoilers as everyone commenting here has already read the book.
Make sense?
Here we go!
Side note: I am bracing myself for the backlash today.
This month’s novel was…
…The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb!
Okay, I know. You’re all mad at me. I’m prepared.
You guys, I just had a hard time with this one.
I know, I know, I know, I know, I KNOW that everyone else in the world loved this book, but for me, it was really hard to read (so so sad), I didn’t love the way it ended (more on that below), I won’t be recommending it to anyone, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over (but then I was upset by how it ended). I actually finished this on our flight to Munich and as soon as I landed, I texted the two friends who suggested this book to me…they both LOVED IT and couldn’t understand why I didn’t…and I didn’t understand what they liked about it. Needless to say, I absolutely respect and understand why so many of you enjoyed it, but I just felt depressed when it was over.
I gave the book THREE STARS though because the writing was absolutely brilliant. This was my first Wally Lamb book, and I loved the way he crafted a story.
Here are my thoughts…
1: I absolutely hated that he went to prison. It was clear he had a problem with prescription drugs and alcohol and that it was absolutely an accident that he killed Niko. I wish he would have gone to a treatment center instead to work on his sobriety versus prison.
2: I know this story is fictional, but I just kept thinking about my own marriage. Prior to this event, their marriage (based on the book) was stronger than I thought the events that followed the accident reflected. Clearly, he was going through something serious. The accident wasn’t intentional. The wife, of course, would be devastated, but I just thought she cut bait and ran way too easily/fast/without concern for her husband…I don’t know? I just didn’t understand her character and didn’t think the author flushed out enough to make me understand why she would sit on the opposite side of the courtroom as him, not speak up on his behalf, not in some way, have his back.
3: I didn’t like that his mother-in-law wrote the letter at his sentencing, and I never got enough closure on this event. I wanted Emily to get mad at her mom right then and there.
4: I wish, even in her grief, that in the courtroom, Emily would have fought for Corby knowing that he was indeed an addict that needed help and that he never would intentionally hurt either twin.
5: The sexual assault in prison piled on to my grief for Corby.
6: I absolutely did not like the way the book ended. For many reasons, I didn’t like it. Let’s be honest, I hated that Corby died. This entire book would have been redeemed if he would have been released from prison a changed man with a new beginning. Instead, his last conversation with his wife is when she tells him that if he calls her again, she’s changing her number. He never got closure or peace or forgiveness or even kindness from her. I didn’t care that she had this epiphany after his death when she looked at the mural. Too little, too late, Emily, he’s dead.
I don’t know, the whole book just made me feel ick inside. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities of this one.
Well, sigh. I’m sure the comment section will be hoppin’ today. 😉
Okay, next month, I’m *hoping* for a book that ends better than this one. Ha! We will be reading…
…The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff.
Don’t forget to check out my OTHER BLOG POST today too!
Have the best day, friends! xx
Sharry says
Hi Shay — I know this is completely off topic, but is Erika still blogging?
I haven’t seen a new post from her for a few days and don’t have IG to contact her. I hope she’s well; perhaps it’s just my PC.
Mix and Match Mama says
You are so sweet to check. She has been under the weather, but she is getting better and will hopefully be back on line very very soon. xx
Susan says
I was wondering as well! Feel better, Erika.
Ali says
I was worried about her, too!!
Julie Gannon says
Wally Lamb is my favorite author! His novels are all gut-wrenching but I love them. Please consider reading his debut novel She’s Come Undone…it is a masterpiece!
Elspeth Mizner says
I have this on my to be read list for this year! Thanks for your thoughts!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Karen says
I agree with you about this book! I didn’t even finish it!! Here is a recommendation,,Theo of Golden by Allen Levi !!! I “read” it with ears and the narrator was so wonderful, I truly didn’t want it to end! Loved it
Alyssa says
Theo will stick with you in the best way. One of my top 5 books ever!
Traci says
Theo is an amazing book! Agree, one of my all-time faves. I’ve been telling all my reading friends about it.
Kristen says
I agree about Theo. It stole my heart and is definitely on my all time favorites list now
Kerry says
Our book club is reading it this month. I am LOVING it and two who finished it say it’s the best book they’ve ever read! It is beautifully written and even my boys have been happy to listen with me in the car.
Melissa says
I have had so many people tell me to read this book as well!
Gail S. says
Theo of Golden is The Best!! The whole time reading it, I imagined Tom Hanks starring as Theo in the movie (if they decide to make one!)
Beth says
I had very mixed feelings. I wasn’t expecting what happened to Niko. At times I felt bad for Corby, and others I didn’t like his character at all. The book portrayed most COs as terrible. I was also shocked by the ending (his death).
M says
I rarely comment but will do so today because Wally Lamb is a favorite of mine and I feel the neeed to defend his work! I loved this book and while heavy, it’s writtten to build empathy. Empathy towards addiction, empathy towards an unjust prison system, empathy towards human mistakes, empathy towards people who might react differently than you. Empathy is not about “what would I do in this situation” but instead “I feel for the characters regardless of what I would do”. My two cents, as a Wally Lam fan, is that his books are not written to make readers feel good or bad, but to get us to recognize the complexity of human behavior.
Mix and Match Mama says
I would love another Lamb rec to read! What is you absolute favorite? And PLEASE COMMENT MORE! I’m always happy to hear from each of you! xx
Vickie says
Try shes come undone. I read it many many years ago and can still remember thinking wow he wrote this female character and it’s a male writer?!! Again not a light book but so well written. I feel like you really feel his characters come to life.
Julie Harris says
I second Vickie’s recommendation, She’s Come Undone is my favorite Wally Lamb book, and I read it probably 30 years ago. Another good one is I Know This Much is True.
I also agree with M above, Wally Lamb is a master at the complexity of human behavior.
Wendi Jay says
I know this much is true was my favorite Waly Lamb and it remains in my top 5 of all time.
Jennifer Maynard says
Completely agree with this! A good book to me is one that makes me feel something. So I may not like the way things wrapped up, but it is real world stuff and life isn’t always good in the end.
Lily says
You are absolutely right that YES, he (and many/most authors) write to encourage empathy. Reading about characters whose lives and decisions are different than ours is so important.
I am a fan of Wally Lamb as well, but decided ages ago I wouldn’t read this one because the premise is too heartbreaking. Even if he did come out of it “redeemed” or “changed”….that doesn’t change the tragedy. I don’t love crying through entire novels 🙂
(i’m a medical social worker and get plenty of the “hard stuff” at work, reading is my happy escape!)
Lynn says
I can see this!! I liked the book and I felt for everyone but the Mother in law. I hated that he got covid and died. I’m really sick of covid being written into all these stories.
Eileen says
100% yes!!! I agree. I loved this book and while I was upset by the ending, it felt real. Not tied up in a happy bow. I loved Corby and was angry at him and felt bad for him all at the same time. I loved this book and have already recommended it many times.
Jana says
Absolutely yes! Lamb is one of my favorite writers. You don’t usually come away from his books feelings happy, but he writes about such important content.
Debbie Hibbert says
I agree with three stars, Shay. Oddly enough, as hard as this book was to read, I couldn’t put it down! I liked it, but I didn’t, my feelings while reading it were all over the place. I didn’t completely understand the way Emily acted. Obviously she was devastated … but something about her character/actions didn’t feel real/complete. It was so completely sad that Corby, basically, had no contact with the little girl. I hated the entire prison thing, and especially his being attacked! I hated that he died in prison, and how unresolved his life became. Such a sad book, with a terrible ending.
Dani R says
All of my friends loved this one too but I also found it to be ick 🫣. The entire book, we were led to think Corby would get out just to have him die from COVID? So weird. Also, the author didn’t even respect the reader enough to give us closure-instead we were told by a random character that had very little to do with the book before she dropped that bomb on us. 2 stars from me
Jennibell says
Thank you for this review. When you posted this book and I read what it was about I decided that it would be too difficult for me to read. I have a good friend whose husband did go to prison 20-ish years ago (it was a 14 month sentence). Not for a crime this serious, but addiction was involved. We have been witness to the Lord‘s redeeming love and grace and work in their lives, but those two had to WORK HARD also. I read one of your commenter’s remarks about defending the author’s work and the empathy part I definitely think you got that out of this based on your review. I do like books that challenge me to think from a different perspective – I do not have to accept the character’s choices, but I like the insight into their behaviors. Thank you, always, for the opportunity to read books that I might not otherwise choose!
I have been reading the Bright Years most of winter break (it generally takes me weeks to get through a book) and I will try to finish it before February 22 so I can participate in this conversation!
Maureen says
It’s hard to put into words how I felt about this book because it’s so complicated. I think the person who said this book was written to build empathy is on track. It’s not the kind of story you can say you love because it is so complex but personally, I thought it was a masterpiece! And while I didn’t love the ending because I wanted things to turn out better for Corby, I think the real truth is, many, many times in life, things are not wrapped up neatly and tied with a bow.
Our justice system is a mess, addiction is complex, and while he certainly never meant to hurt Nikko, a life was lost.
Wally Lamb tackled a complicated subject matter brilliantly. It wasn’t a fun read but it was one I won’t soon forget.
Amber Vance says
Very well said! I wanted closure and a happy ending but just like you stated – not all things are wrapped up neatly and tied with a bow.
Rachel Jensen says
i completely agree! it was a hard book to read but i can’t stop thinking about it
Meg says
SO well said! You summed up exactly how I felt about this one!
Sara says
I loved this book. Sure it was hard, but honestly, so thought provoking. I have thought about this book randomly more than most I read. The Bright Years is a tough-ish read, too. If any of your readers are on the Fort Worth side of the metroplex, there will be lots of familiar references; I really enjoyed that!
LS says
Appreciate your review Shay! Agree with what one of the readers noted above. Unfortunately that is a lot of our prison population. People coming from good families, good homes, supportive partners, kids and have addiction or mental health challenges who “accidentally” did something and rather than getting the help they need are thrown in prison for long prison sentences where further harm is done.
Jen S says
I absolutely HATED this entire story for all the reasons you mentioned. It was depressing, as if January isn’t gloomy enough!~. Corby was a broken person and this story offered no hope of redemption. It was horrible. I would never pass this book on to anyone. I would give it ZERO stars.
Lisa D says
I also loved Theo of Golden!
I have the Wally Lamb book ready to read in my library hold books, but based on the review I doubt I will even pick it up.
I have read The Bright Years already and I have thoughts, but won’t spoil it for others.
I truly love book days and gave gotten many, many wonderful recommendations here on the blog. Thank you Mix and Match Mama!
Jennifer Maynard says
The Bright Years is a great book, but along the same lines as The River is Waiting. It’s a hard subject, but so worth reading about.
Katie T. says
I was so torn with this book! It was so very sad and I normally do not like to read books that are depressing. I did not like the way the book ended, and totally am with you on feeling like his wife didn’t fight enough for him. However, the book drew me in and I could not put it down. Maybe it’s because I wanted it to end!? I thought it was interesting and a compelling story of regret and loss. I’m glad I read it when it was cold and yucky weather outside – it seemed fitting. 🙂
Tiffany says
I had the same feeling about the ending. It made me so sad! I loved Corby (even though he was obviously flawed). The choices he made the day he was supposed to be released, coupled with Covid had the book end in a totally different way that I imagined. I am glad I read it, but had conflicting feelings about it.
Wally Lamb is an amazing author, She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much is True are both amazing!
Becky says
I loved the book, and while I would have preferred a happier ending, I think his books are more realistic in that life is not always happy. I’ve also read I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb, which is also tragic. I personally loved both of them, but I definitely get how his books are not for everyone so I don’t recommend them lightly.
Robin W says
I read this book in 2025 and it was one of my top-rated books of the year. The subject matter was heavy but Wally Lamb is a phenomenal writer, and I found myself empathetic to all the characters at some point. It is hard to know how one would react in a situation like this, but I feel like all the characters’ responses/thoughts were valid. I loved the characters of Manny and Mrs. Millman who offered Corby friendship, support, and hope. I also loved that Solomon found his way to recovery and that had everything to do with Corby mentoring him. So, even though there are a lot of heavy themes in this novel, I loved the ideas of unlikely support and friendship, having an impact on others’ lives, and coming to terms with your life choices as hard as that may be.
Amber says
Shay, I am in total agreement with you! As I have gotten older, I no longer force myself to finish a book that is not grabbing me. I would never do that in my younger days, Having said that I did force myself to finish The River is Waiting based on SO many recommendations. I too feel “ick”. I don’t always expect a warm, happy ending, in fact I actually prefer a more conflicted one. This was just too much. I too had to many questions about his wife. I can’t imagine just abandoning my husband that way. That stayed with me and I couldn’t work around it. I wish I had followed my DNF instinct with this one!
Annise says
It was a DNF for me! It just felt ICK from the beginning. I’m thankful to read your honest commentary!
Theo of Golden is another book that everyone loves. I have tried the audio for this one and it’s another DNF for me! Sigh….
My next fan favorite that I will try is “The Correspondent”. Fingers crossed!
Lisa says
For what it’s worth, I’m 80% of the way through Theo of Golden and am bored out of my mind but pushing through to see what all the fuss is about (ha). However, The Correspondent was one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time! Hope you love it too.
KC says
So funny how we can all be so different (which is a good thing!) Personally I loved Theo of Golden but did not like The Correspondent. Maybe because she reminded me of my rude opinionated grandmother-in-law. Haha
Mary says
This was a hard one for me to read too. I didn’t think Corby should have gone to prison. Living with the guilt should be enough punishment. I wanted him to go to rehab and for Emily to step up and be by his side to grieve together.
The end was devastating! I was hoping for a reconciliation between Emily and Corby.
Thank you for this book club! I would never have picked this to read.
Kristy says
I didn’t love the book either. It did help me to empathize with an unjust prison system. I agree with you about Emily, of course she was devastated but I found it odd that she never reached out to her husband in a tender way, it was all anger right away. And the mother in law, yeesh, I want to be for my kids and there spouses. There was no redemption or hope in the story. I would try another of his. I second Theo of Golden. A really sweet book. I also loved The Correspondent. Those are my top 2 of 2025.
Haley says
I had a hard time with The River Is Waiting for a lot of reasons. I didn’t hate the ending, and I actually appreciated that it wasn’t neatly wrapped up with a bow — it felt like a realistic reflection of prison life. While I do enjoy a tidy ending now and then, I don’t need one to feel satisfied.
My main issue was the writing itself. It just didn’t work for me. I never felt like I truly understood who Corby was as a character. At times he came across as deeply immature, and at others he was suddenly a complex, socially aware figure fighting for justice on a wide range of issues — rehabilitation, racial equality, Indigenous rights (huh!?). The shifts felt as if Lamb was trying to cram every social issue he cares about into one book. Ultimately, this one was not a winner for me. I’ve heard great things about Lamb’s other books, so I’m going to give him another try one day.
Liz Shero says
all the wally lamb books follow similar themes – real people handling real complex situations if you didn’t like this book I don’t think you will like the others either. She’s Come Undone is my all-time favorite but its not oh-so happy so probably won’t land. I fell for Wally Lamb in high school and most fans of his are thrilled with his new book – was fantastic, still thinking about it months later.
Jamie A. says
I also rarely comment, but I thought I would add my review. Like the previous commenter stated, Wally Lamb’s books are heavy, so if you want to keep reading him, be aware. He doesn’t necessarily write “likeable” characters, more like “real” characters. As someone who worked for the prison system (although from a research position, not a guard position), I will say this is a pretty good portrayal. As hard as that is to hear. The systems is so flawed, and I think Lamb was trying to show that, and that happy endings rarely happen (although when they do, they are amazing) surrounding our nations criminal justice system. All that to say, his books are heavy and I also hesitate to recommend him to my friends who enjoy more “chic lit” type books. But, perhaps with enough warning or heads up, more could enjoy his writing. Thanks for your thoughts on the book, it is always helpful to hear from someone with a different perspective than my own.
Leslie S says
Glad to read your review bc I just don’t like heavy depressing books – good to know I can skip this one!!
Kathie says
I started this book but could not even get past the first few chapters. After reading your review I’m glad I didn’t finish it, I think I would have felt the same way and not enjoyed it at all and knowing that he dies at the end? Ugh.
The Bright Years is a much better book that I really enjoyed! Hopefully you will enjoy it also 🙂
Traci says
I texted a friend just yesterday that I was abandoning this book halfway through. I never really looked forward to picking it up to see what was going to happen.
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
Shay, I’m a little angry with you for making me read this book. 🤪 Haha, kidding. All joking aside, I’m glad I read it, and I think it provided a new perspective and gave me empathy (like some of the comments above stated). With that said, I’m absolutely heartbroken for Corby, and I don’t think I’ll even forget this book. Holy cannoli, it was devastating!
I rated it 5☆ but it was SUCH a difficult read. I gasped at various points. And also, I’m so angry with his wife! While certainly flawed, Corby deserved better. So much better. What a calloused response from his wife… over THREE YEARS! I finished the book a couple weeks ago, and I still feel feisty about Emily. 😬
I also still feel heavy. Truly though, I’m glad you challenged us to read it. When I saw Erika originally post about the book, I thought it looked too sad. ❤️
Stephanie Wilson says
I agree 100%! Could not wait for it to be over. Wally Lamb is an incredible writer though, so there’s that. She’s Come Undone was one of the first books I read as an adult when I got back into reading after college and it set a high bar. Last year I ended with Theo of Golden and began this year with The Names, which were both 5 stars in my book (very rare for me).
Rachel Jensen says
I had every emotion possible while reading this book!
It was a tough read but i couldn’t put it down and i can’t stop thinking about it. I rated it 5 stars for that reason. I recommended it to a lot of people but recommended being in a good headspace when going to read it and to be ready for the rollercoaster of emotions one would feel while reading it.
I didn’t love the ending and wish it would have turned out differently. I’ve never cried in a book but this one came really close to making me.
Whitney says
I read this book in a few days, but oh my goodness, it was hard. Starting right out of the gate with a tragedy that made my jaw drop (especially as a mom to a 3 year old and a 11 month old). I did find Emily to be closed off and “hard” edged, but I can’t say I wouldn’t be in her shoes, Life can be tough and Emily and Corby were dealt a cruel hand; perhaps of Corby’s own making?
Addiction and pain, forgiveness of your own sins and the sins of others, and the complexity of relationships… all very thought provoking if nothing else. Not a book I would pick up again, but I have found myself thinking about it even after finishing it.
Marianne says
This was my favorite read of 2025. Every time I put this book down, I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. I am not interested in cookie-cutter stories with tidy, happily-ever-after endings. Life is heavy sometimes, and I appreciate realistic books that make me feel, think, and reflect on the human condition.
Of course, I was disappointed by some of the characters’ reactions and by some of the traumatic events, but those hard moments are also what made it such a powerful read. I’ve found myself thinking about this book many times since I finished it, and to me, that’s the mark of a great one. I don’t want to spend my time on stories I forget the moment I start the next book.
Laurie says
Wally Lamb is a superb writer and his first two books literally had me walking around with the book in my hand for 48 hours because I couldn’t pull myself away, I have to say this book also accomplished that and I read it feverishly on a trip the Keys last summer.
It was a roller coaster read. I almost tossed it into the Atlantic with all of the political comments but I trudged through and was equally disappointed at the ending. Felt like it was forced, abrupt, and contrived.
Still, the Corby’s life was a sad one and I was rooting for a much needed break for him throughout the story. His unusual name is quirky and slightly awkward, which we know was intentional too (in my opinion, an example of a gifted writer).
Thank you for the other recommendations, too. I have book club tonight and took some notes and will be suggesting Theo of Golden!
Courtney says
This book was the saddest book I’ve ever read. The writing was incredible. It often read like a memoir to me. I told a few friends about it as I was reading and when I finished they asked if I would recommend and I said absolutely not. Like you, it just was so heavy with no redeeming moments. I wish he hadn’t died and then maybe I would have felt differently.
Stephanie P says
I also gave it 3 stars. I love his writing style (She’s Come Undone is still one of my favorite books by him), but the book was nearly all prison scenes and I got tired of that. I wanted more flash backs to their marriage (why was he struggling?) balanced with prison life. I wish we had the wife’s side/feelings to show more sympathy for her vs just his POV. And like you I hated that he died a senseless death that seems to drop out of nowhere in the story. I’m not sure I learning anything from it (like forgiveness) and I also wasn’t mindlessly entertained. It was a long episode of The Wire.
Melissa Hildreth says
I’m with you. My book club read it, and I thought it was a really tough read. I didn’t like anything about it and especially disliked the prison storyline. I think that it was just too sad for me.
Andrea says
Well that review was a public service because I am a hard pass on anything sad and heavy, The world is filled with enough angst and heartbreak. I don’t need it in my books or movies. I was an English major and used to love all the weighty, intense literature. Now I just want light, feel good entertainment that makes me happy.
Donna Cheatham says
Highly recommend reading Michael without apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde, great book.
Mary says
I always read your book reviews, so I had to comment! Wally Lamb was an English teacher at my high school. His book, she comes undone, was selected for Oprah’s book club and with all his success he left his teaching job. So I never got the chance to have him as a teacher, but he is a great man!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! That is such a fun fact!
Molly says
Looking forward to reading your review of The Bright Years. Sarah Damoff is the guest at our local Library’s Author Luncheon next Saturday. I’m always fascinated to learn about both the inspiration behind, and the process used to write a book. Thank you, Shay, for including local authors in your book recommendations.
Jessica says
I completely agree with you. His wife, the mother-in-law, him being attacked, no closure especially with his Dad, and him dying was all just too much. Would not recommend. I’ve read The Bright Years and it also deals with addiction, so just beware, there are some sad parts too.
Shirley says
I did not read this book but I enjoyed reading your review & the comments section. This book reminds me a bit of Demon Copperhead, which my son gave me to read. About a third of the way through, I texted him & said, “Will ANYTHING go right for this kid in this book?” It was so depressing! My son said, “Keep reading, Momma.” So I powered through & ended up being immensely moved by it. It too is a very hard story in regard to subject matter, but oh so good!
Kristi says
I Know This Much is True is my favorite book of all time! It’s not really a feel good book either, though.
Margaret says
I am late to this post but oh thank goodness you didn’t like it too. Haha. I could t finish it. I checked it out from the library and back it went. Too political and all you said. At age 57 I have officially stopped feeling guilty for not finishing a book I don’t like – life is too short and way to many books to read on my list. Enjoy your cozy time at home with your fam 🙂 the best!