Reading for Me

I am finally beginning to get over the cold that has rocked my world in the late winter/early spring weeks. It effected everything….including my reading life. I began reading Emily Giffin’s novel on February 5 to fulfill the reading challenge of a book with a bird on the cover. Sadly, it took over a month to push through not feeling well, business travel, and “life” to finish the book. I was definitely happy to see this one come to a close.

First Comes Love appeared to be a book that I would typically connect with. It is the story of two sisters who have become estranged as a result of the tragic death of their beloved brother. Josie is a single first-grade teacher who longs to have a child and begins investigating non-traditional options that will result in her pregnancy. Meredith, on the other hand, appears to have the perfect life. A great career, a loving husband, and a beautiful child. Meredith is not happy though. She always wonders if there is something more. Meredith longs for the freedom of Josie’s life; Josie wishes she could have a family like Meredith without feeling as though she was settling for second best.

The novel is filled with humor, love, and family drama. This is normally a perfect formula for me. Even now as I reflect on the reading, I find myself thinking that I should have devoured this book. The reality is that the book was a struggle for me. I don’t think First Comes Love is a bad book; I simply think it was the wrong book for me at this time. Perhaps I will return to it again in the future to give Giffin’s writing another chance.

Posted in fiction