Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan

Poor, sweet Emily.  First of all, I think Stewart O'Nan is an incredible writer.  I loved Last Night at the Lobster, so I was excited to read about Emily.  Perhaps I should have started with the "prequel", Wish You Were Here, but I wasn't aware that it would be smart to read them in order.  Anyway, I enjoyed getting to know Emily and (unfortunately) could relate to some of her concerns and anxieties.  Getting old sucks, and Emily is certainly struggling with the process.  The book is almost written in small short stories, but they all are chronological in Emily's life.  Each one, however, is a little nugget of wisdom about her, and although it was depressing sometimes, I enjoyed the book. - June

Good Things I Wish You by A. Manette Ansay

Where has the time gone?  I read this one a month ago, and it just seems to have slipped my mind.  I guess that's not a ringing endorsement for the book, is it?  I'm always drawn to books that have interesting concepts, and this one does.  Two separate stories - one in the present and one in the past.  The main character in the present story is writing a book about the characters in the past, Clara Schumann (wife of Robert Schumann) and Johannes Brahms.  Although I found the writing to be excellent, I never was really drawn to any of the characters.  And while their relationships were interesting, I found myself uncaring.  So I'd only recommend this one if you're interested in the lives of either Schumann or Brahms.  -June