In the High Peaks
















Monday, May 11, 2020

New Reads: Travels to Nantucket Island and Back in Time

I hope to make this a quick post, which is so hard for me to do.
After I walk the dog for two hours everyday, I retreat to my reading. I can't wait for the total escape. To be honest, I can't deal with the real world, aside from the 30 minutes I spend reading The New York Times very early in the am. After the Sandy trek, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo is often on the TV, giving his daily briefing. He has been such a source of comfort, showing what true leadership in a terrible crisis is all about. Kudos!

I just finished a novel that really HIT THE SPOT! It swept me away to Nantucket Island off the south coast  of Massachusetts, an island I have visited three times, the most memorable of which was our September sojourn two years after we married. Loved the trip.
The  novel is Nancy Thayer's Heat Wave. Hard to pinpoint the genre, but I would call this one "women's  fiction." Like Elin Hilderbrand, Nancy Thayer has spent years living on Nantucket, though both women are not natives. Their novels are different as well. I hate to say too, too much about Heat Wave for fear of giving away the plot points that make it such a satisfying, fulfilling read. 
Carly is the mother of two girls and is in her early thirties when her husband Gus, a lawyer, dies of  a heart attack at his law office. With this huge loss, comes enormous changes for Carly and her children.
I simply loved this book. So much to say about grief, friendships, love, family love, grit and  determination, and all set within the incredible 12-months of the year on Nantucket Island, winter horrors and summer bliss. It was so good, partly because it was just what I needed right now, and partly because  it was one of Thayer's better efforts, in my estimation.  Note: I read Thayer's 2019 Let It Snow last December, and it was okay, but just mediocre. Not memorable at all. Yet, in contrast, I will not forget a bit of Heat Wave. It's impossible to forget.

8 comments:

  1. I love your Governor Cuomo as well -- a true leader and I do wish he was running for President (maybe in 2024?)

    Nancy Thayer has been a great comfort author for me. Try Surfside Sisters, it was very good. IMO

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    1. Hi Diane,
      I wish so, too, but it seems that now is not the time, and perhaps that's a good thing. (Although I agree wholeheartedly that he would make a great president--no question!)
      Your governor has also been good during this crisis, it seems from what I have heard.
      I'm so glad to hear that you enjoy Nancy Thayer, Diane. And yes, thank you! I've added Surfside Sisters to my list--will read by the end of August for sure, thank you!

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  2. I haven't read this author, but you have made me want to.

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    1. Hi Marg,
      This one was so good because it was exactly what I needed, an atmospheric Nantucket Island story of real people and real women and real problems that are transcended by the bonds of deep affection.

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  3. Your Andrew Cuomo seems to us to be quite impressive and I'm pleased he's supplying some comfort. We need that at the moment.

    In other news, I started The Woman in White yesterday and am already nearly at 200 pages. Why did I not read this book before?

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    1. Oh, Cath--What a treat! I so loved the experience of being immersed in The Woman in White. And am so happy that you're enjoying it, too.
      Andrew Cuomo is so impressive--it's true. We've always been on his side, but I never knew he had this "totally in control leadership style" combined with "I don't know everything--for that question please ask Robert." So amazing. Able to work with a team of experts and listen to their counsel. What a concept, Prez!

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  4. I haven't heard of Nancy Thayer and Heat Wave isn't my usual type of book. But I have been trying different types of reading lately, so maybe I will give this one a try.

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    1. Tracy,
      I'm so sorry I didn't see this comment sooner. Although this one really appealed to me, I'm not sure how others might find it. It's totally about relationships--family and friends. I really loved it.

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