I loved Ocean State, I had completely forgotten about it! Recently I’ve been very interested in messy family drama books so I loved seeing your favorites 😊. I’ve only read the one.
One of my favourite books ever is Clare Lombardo's THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD, and in a way, it ruined almost every family drama I have read since. Nothing compares. Last summer I picked up THE LIGHT YEARS, a chunker with a beautiful beach scene on the front. I didn't realise it was the first of a series of 5 or I mightn't have ever started, but I've been working my way through them with a few months between each. I just finished the 4th and I'm already bereft about the next one being the last. Featuring several generations of the Cazalet family as they summer together at Home Place in Sussex, they span from post WW1 to the 1950s and they get better with each book. It's like living through my parents' version of life, imagined yet familiar. They are very British, very class aware, but mark the passing of time and the evolution of social change so subtly. It's almost like a long running soap to me now. I'd love to know if anyone has ever ready them?
Rita did you read Same As It Ever WAs by Claire? I loved that one. I may do a reread of The Most Fun because when I first read it I was still mostly reading thrillers so I feel like it would hit me differently now. And I've seen many people mentioning The Light Years lately and everyone has said they love it. I was hesitant to even think about them because I'm not sure I can commit to a long series. sounds like you're loving it though and I used to be an avid watcher of soaps in the eighties and early nineties - they were the best sort of drama
I did read THE LIGHT YEARS and while I liked it fine enough, it overall wasn't for me. There was an element of one of the characters that was really off-putting to me and took me by unawares (you may know what I'm referring to..). I may be able to be convinced to continue on the series though if you say they subsequently get better...
There's a lot of moral gray areas explored. There are affairs, divorces, problematic relationships, but they are all showing something about how social norms have evolved over the decades, how things that were hush hush and swept under the carpet in the past are called out in later years, and how this that were taboo in the past were perfectly acceptable later. I like the first one and would have been badly to leave it there, but I'm so glad I continued. I feel like I know them all personally now.
I am always so happy to be reminded of THE WEDDING. I read it last summer as I've been trying to read more of the Harlem Renaissance writers and this was such a tremendous delight. I love when we get a book that could be sold as commercial but from a literary standpoint is also amazing! Thanks for the reminder on Stewart O'Nan. I think he is an undersung American author that I often don't think of. I am going to look at his title here as well.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman absolutely fits this bill and what a delight of a read it is!
Yes! that's a great rec, I read that last summer and loved it
Agreed!
It makes me so happy to see THE WEDDING on your list! Have you read SEATING ARRANGEMENTS? It would fit right in here!
No I haven’t but it’s one of the many books I have downloaded on Libby for this summer:)
I’ve never heard of Ocean State and it sounds so interesting.
It was very compelling! If you're in the mood for a literary mystery/thriller keep it in mind:)
I love literary mystery so that’s a huge plus for me!
I love a family drama. I love a beachy setting. Even better when they're together! Great list!
I just recently read J. Courtney Sullivan's Maine and I think it's a great fit for this subgenre.
That's been on my tbr forever, I love the cover, very SUMMER. I'm glad you suggested it
I haven't read any so... checking them out 🤗
I loved Ocean State, I had completely forgotten about it! Recently I’ve been very interested in messy family drama books so I loved seeing your favorites 😊. I’ve only read the one.
I think you'd like the others- and I have a huge running list of favorite dramas, so stay tuned for more
Amazingly, you can be such a voracious reader and still find books you've never heard of. I do have The Wedding on my wishlist. Happy reading!
One of my favourite books ever is Clare Lombardo's THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD, and in a way, it ruined almost every family drama I have read since. Nothing compares. Last summer I picked up THE LIGHT YEARS, a chunker with a beautiful beach scene on the front. I didn't realise it was the first of a series of 5 or I mightn't have ever started, but I've been working my way through them with a few months between each. I just finished the 4th and I'm already bereft about the next one being the last. Featuring several generations of the Cazalet family as they summer together at Home Place in Sussex, they span from post WW1 to the 1950s and they get better with each book. It's like living through my parents' version of life, imagined yet familiar. They are very British, very class aware, but mark the passing of time and the evolution of social change so subtly. It's almost like a long running soap to me now. I'd love to know if anyone has ever ready them?
Rita did you read Same As It Ever WAs by Claire? I loved that one. I may do a reread of The Most Fun because when I first read it I was still mostly reading thrillers so I feel like it would hit me differently now. And I've seen many people mentioning The Light Years lately and everyone has said they love it. I was hesitant to even think about them because I'm not sure I can commit to a long series. sounds like you're loving it though and I used to be an avid watcher of soaps in the eighties and early nineties - they were the best sort of drama
I was disappointed by SAME AS IT EVER WAS. It had big boots to fill and nobody wanted it to be amazing as much as me, but alas, expectations...
I get it, expectations can lead to big wins or big busts sometimes
I did read THE LIGHT YEARS and while I liked it fine enough, it overall wasn't for me. There was an element of one of the characters that was really off-putting to me and took me by unawares (you may know what I'm referring to..). I may be able to be convinced to continue on the series though if you say they subsequently get better...
There's a lot of moral gray areas explored. There are affairs, divorces, problematic relationships, but they are all showing something about how social norms have evolved over the decades, how things that were hush hush and swept under the carpet in the past are called out in later years, and how this that were taboo in the past were perfectly acceptable later. I like the first one and would have been badly to leave it there, but I'm so glad I continued. I feel like I know them all personally now.
Okay, I may have to continue on with them after all!
I am always so happy to be reminded of THE WEDDING. I read it last summer as I've been trying to read more of the Harlem Renaissance writers and this was such a tremendous delight. I love when we get a book that could be sold as commercial but from a literary standpoint is also amazing! Thanks for the reminder on Stewart O'Nan. I think he is an undersung American author that I often don't think of. I am going to look at his title here as well.