MotherTalk Book Review: A Summer Affair And A Giveaway

If you've been coming around her awhile you know I love to read and I love to tell you about what I've been reading. Ever since I found out about MotherTalk from Jen at Get in the Car! I've been dying to do a review. Finally, they picked me! Whoot! And even though I got a free copy of the book and a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card I assure you I cannot be bought!

 

Onto the book . . . A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand.

 

If it has the look of a quintessential summer read, that's because it is. Frothy, light, with pretty people who live in beautiful houses by the beach. In this case, the beach is the island of Nantucket and the pretty people include a artist whose craft is blowing glass and an independently wealthy man with a penchant for philanthropy. I  don't think I'd be giving too much away to tell you they have an affair.

 

Before I give you my take on the book, let me share my reading style with you. I like to read about 5-7 "real" books, then take a break with a "junk food" book. "Real books" include literature, non-fiction, and most memoir; "junk food" includes mysteries, beach reads and historical fiction. Your definitions may vary--some of what I consider literature might not be highbrow enough for you and some of my junk food might be literature to you, but this is my system and I've been using it for a loooong time.

 

I liked this book. I liked it for what it was--a junk food book, although it is well-written enough that it might constitute a real book for some people.

 

Being a SoCal girl, born and bred, I'm always fascinated with the beach culture of the East Coast--it's a whole different world than San Diego. Practically everyone is a transplant here, so the idea of family lineage and reputation is interesting to me. I've never been to Nantucket, Cape Cod, or Martha's Vineyard, but they're definitely on my list of places to go someday. I also like the whole summer versus year-rounder dynamic that gets play in this novel.

 

I also love it when I can learn something new from a book. The description and information surrounding the art of main character (Claire Crispin Danner) was one of the best things about the book. If you've ever watched a glass blower at a fair or amusement park and wondered how they do it, you'll love the descriptions of her hot shop and the details of how she creates her works of art. I'm definitely in the mood to go shopping for some glass art (there's a little boutique in Laguna Niguel I've been dying to go back to).

 

Given that I really don't understand how any mother could risk her children's happiness for the sake of an affair ( maybe I'm too happy, maybe the right guy has never come on to me, maybe I'm just super rules-oriented) I think Elin Hilderbrand does a  good job of explaining how Claire, a mother of four, ends up entangled in her affair.

 

If you like a beach/pool  read that's got some soap-operaish intrigue, explores the push-pull of the motherhood versus self-fulfillment that many women experience (I don't happen to be one of them, but I do get it), has some fantastic food descriptions (her sister-in-law is a caterer), and describes a fascinating art, you'll really enjoy this book.

 

Because I'm a nit-picker I have to point out that despite the cover art I don't think she was ever on the beach with anyone other than her son. My other nit-pick? One of the characters has a measles scar on  his nose. Given that this character was born in 1968 (I backtracked from the high school graduation date) and they started vaccinating against measles in 1963, I found the measles scars to be an unlikely possibility--now chicken pox I would have totally bought.

 

Thanks MotherTalk for the chance to review this book; I'd be happy to do another one any day!

 

Since I got the book for free, and this is a paid gig (my very first), it seems like it would be good karma to give my copy away. So comment. Although I think I'm going to say the winner has to be from North America--it's a hardcover and I don't want to blow my whole paycheck on postage!

Comments

[phd in yogurtry]

It sounds beach-readable. I'm like you -- I like mostly denser reads, but occasionally want that break.

My favorite "affair" books, and one of my most fave books of all time (contemporary fiction) is Family Happiness by Colwin. I closed that book more determined than ever "not to." I don't require much in the way of discouragement, thank goddess, but extra reinforcements don't hurt.

[phd in yogurtry]

P.S. I luv your new look!!

And the above author is Laurie Colwin.

[JCK]

I'm in for a possible book win! I haven't read a yummy beach/summer read in forever. And I could really use it. I spent the last few hours at the Urgent Care with my boy. He's OK, but I'm traumatized.

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy]

Great review Jenn! There's always room for books and shoes!

[Claudia]

Adding it to my list now. WOOT!

[MamaMo]

I call them "brain candy" books (also applies to most TV shows). Please don't send it to me, I have too many "real" books on the hurry-up-and-please-read-me pile.

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

Jenn,

WOW!

You're not just a Bitch anymore. Now that you're being paid, you're a Paid Bitch!

Yay!

[Katy Podolan]

I like your system. Similar to mine. Although I seem to be reading more junk food than good stuff lately. Eating more junk too (have put on weight, not lost as I intended. Oh well).

I could use a good junk food book. Add me to the drawing.

I liked your review too. Good job!!

[Sue @ My Party of 6]

That sounds like a great beach read! I'm in!! (Now I need to win a Free trip to the beach...)

[Karen]

Good review. Sounds like we have similar reading systems. I'd love to win a good book, put my name in the hat, randomizer, thingamabob.

[Denise]

Oooo, I need this for our Destin, FL trip next week! Good review!

[Smalltown Mom]

Ooooh, I like "junk food." Pick me, pick me!

[Suzanne]

Sounds like a good, easy read. I could handle that. I too love to read Memoirs. So fascinated by the lives of others.
You are a paid reader... how wonderful that must be. Good for you Jenn.

[The Girl Next Door]

This sounds like just what I need for the summer - and GREAT review! Wow! Paid gig, I am duly impressed!

Pick Me Pick Me!

[Arli]

I call them "beach reads". I guess because I'm from the Northeast and only have a few months to "space out" on the beach, bask in the sun and read something I don't have to concentrate too hard on. Ogling the shirtless men parading up and down the beach takes precedence! Ah, how I love summer!

[Hilary]

Sounds like a good summer read. I love your nitpicks.. I can't help but notice those sorts of things too. A fine review.

[melissa]

We have the exact same "reading rituals!" Serious balanced with junk. I knew I loved you for a reason! And your review was good--I notice the same sorts of things when I read a book, even if it's fluff and not intended to be subject to my scrutiny.

[Shelia]

Great review. So happy for you to have a paid gig! That's awesome.

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I so appreciate it.

[Kalynne Pudner]

My routine is slightly different than yours, as a result of my profession. I read serious all semester long, then during my brief winter and summer breaks, GORGE ON THE JUNK! Bring it on! (P.S. My favorite part of your review is the nit-picks. I love doing that!)

[Janet]

"Because I'm a nit-picker I have to point out that despite the cover art I don't think she was ever on the beach with anyone other than her son." - perhaps it's her son and her legs on the cover, cause..the legs on the right CAN'T be a mans unless he shaves?

[Kellan]

Thanks for the review!

Have a good day - Kellan

[standing still]

I go through reading spurts... I'll read 24-7 for months, and then go without a book for a while, then dive back in the spines, etc. Right now, I'm in reading mode. Went to the library and checked out 10 books. I'm afraid to run out...

[Nancy BB]

Free books, free shoes and great martinis. If you were giving away the other two, I'd marry you. Otherwise I will settle for being included in the drawing.
Thanks!

[Manic Mommy]

If you're looking for a good beach read featuring an east coast beach locale, try The Love Letter, by Cathleen Schine. It was also made into a movie starring Kate Capshaw.

I'm in for the contest. I'm on vaca on Cape Cod in two weeks and need some brain candy.

[hen]

Well done for getting a paid 'gig'!

What I'd love is a real American Beach House....the Hamptons / Martha's vineyard would be perfectly acceptable - Oprah....are you out there?
H
x

[oliver rain]

I'm always in for a good junk read. I spend my school year reading anything but, so my brain is up for a rest. Thanks for the review. I'll have to check this book out.

[Just Jamie]

No postage necessary for a local winner (hint, hint). Junk food books fill many of my shelves (although I like your system).

And wowza on the measles detective work. Sheez. Can't get ANYthing by you. Now I knwo what your kids must feel like when they're putting water in the near-empty vodka bottle (okay, they wouldn't *really* do that because they're rule-followers too).

[AZLori]

I read all junk and nothing but junk even the stuff at work. But, reading is my escape, so I can't do "heavy" stuff.

[Tammi]

I really like your book review style. Please don't put me in the drawing for the book, I have a stack of similar books already waiting to be read. : )

[Kam A]

I enjoyed your review and would love to read this book! Thank you for the giveaway!

[kate]

not that i'm looking for an advantage. but hello? no postage if i pick it up. just so you know.

[myra]

i am all about the karma. i would love to read this at the beach this summer. and did i tell you i love your makeover?

[Nora Bee]

I love the term junk food book--I'm going to start using that, as it's all I can read lately.

[Carla Pullum]

beautiful house and wealthy man!!! A must read!!!

[Carrie]

That is funny! I am exactly the same about books, except I must like junk food a bit more than you because I can only read 3-4 "real" books in between the "other" ones!

And what I am reading right now makes me think too much, so I'd love to get your used book, and then pass it on, of course!

[Amy the Mom]

That was an awesome review, and I'm exactly like you-I read a bunch of real books, then indulge in some literary junk food.

[Texan Mama]

Sounds like a very fun book. And if you think this book is "junk food" then I am addicted to pouring the sugar straight from the pourer into my mouth. I love to read Sophie Kinsella and her "Shopaholic" series. The thing I love best is that there is absolutely nothing to figure out or think about. It's my ESCAPE from real life. It keeps me off meth, anyway.

[Susan]

I live in North America AND I love to read junk-food books! Please count me in!

[Daisy]

I like "junk food" books, too. I call them "Pleasure Reading" to distinguish them from the professional reading and the reading I seek out to learn more about raising my disabled child. Yes, I liked "A Summer Affair." As for the cover, I liked that the woman is obviously not a young trophy type, even though she's fit and well-dressed. :)

[magpie]

i love a nitpicker. i do the same; i can't help myself.