Book Review: The Shark Club

Well it still feels like summer out there. Today the car thermostat said 92-degrees as I was driving to work. And since it still feels like summer, why not read a beach novel? 

The Shark Club, by Ann Kidd Taylor is a fun adventure to a quirky beach hotel. Run by Perri, an eccentric grandmother who loves books, each room in the hotel is dedicated to a different author. She hosts book club getaways and even a yearly costume party where the guests dress as their favorite literary character. 

Perri raised her grandchildren, Maeve and Robin after they tragically lost their parents at the age of six. Though they are twins, both children turned out very differently. As an adult, Robin seems lost and unable to find his own path. Maeve on the other hand is incredibly focused and has a distinguished career as a marine biologist. 

Maeve is a leading expert on sharks. She has traveled all over the world to research different species. On one such research project, she meets Nicolas, a fellow biologist, and there is a definite spark. Unfortunately, Nicolas has a messy divorce to deal with, and Maeve needs to face her feelings for her first love, Daniel. 

The Shark Club is a great book thta will get you thinking about what parts of your life need closure. Is there really such a thing as meant to be? Or does everything happen for a reason, but we just need to possess the maturity that comes with time in order to see how things work out for the best? 

Let me know what you think of the book, and what your favorite beach novel is. 

Until next time, 

Kristie

Book Review: The Reason You're Alive

Five years ago, Matthew Quick published his book, The Silver Lining's Playbook. It was later turned into a movie that most people have seen. I AM NOT one of those people. 

My first experience with Matthew Quick was reading the book above, The Reason You're Alive. The main character, David Granger, is a grumpy old man who is misunderstood and often judged by his family. Throughout the book, you discover the many sides to Mr Granger and how true the phrase, "Looks can be deceiving", actually is. 

I think this is a great book for our current times. I don't know about you, but my media feeds are filled with angry people name calling and making assumptions about other people based on a single opinion. Maybe if we stopped trying to yell over one another, stepped back and listened to each other, we would make better progress than we are with all the rallies and arguing. 

Stepping down from my soap box, I definitely recommend reading this book. It is a fun read that made me both laugh and cry. I grew to love the grumpy old man and his family. By the end of the book, I was sad to have reached the last page, but happy with the outcome. 

Let me know what you think. 

Kristie