Hiya Reading Ninjas, omg I've read so many great books recently, it's hard to decide which to tell you about first - so basically after long (about 3mins) and careful consideration I decided to start with the book I finished about 2 hours ago, simply because I love it and declared 'did not see that coming!' as I powered down the kindle on the final words.
DON'T FORGET TO WRITE by Sarah Goodman Confino
Set in the pre-swinging '60s, back when everyone was still very prim, proper and repressed, in the days when the lives aim for all 'good' Jewish girls was to find a husband ASAP and settle down to start reproducing and live in happy wifey bliss - Marilyn is a black sheep who doesn't know what she wants in the world but she certainly knows it's not 'wedded bliss' with the Rabbi's son despite their being caught up to no good by the entire synagog.
Her furious father ships her off to great-aunt Ada for the summer to either see the error of her ways or at least be hidden from society while the scandal dies down. HA! Major error on daddy dearest's behalf considering Ada is herself the ultimate black sheep of the family.
Thanks to Ada's sassy don't give a fig about society attitude (which hilariously doesn't translate to Marilyn's existence, only Ada herself is allowed to behave however she wants - after all at 70+ she's earned the right) - Marilyn must learn who she is, and some harsh realities about life and love and the contradictions we all face along the way... including yelling 'don't yell from room to room' from another room and how the best and crotchetiest matchmaker in town can claim to find everyone their perfect match and yet remain unmarried herself and that Marilyn Munroes lipstick makes you look like a tart.
This book is the first of this author I've read and it's great. Sassy, funny, heartfelt and it describes a time and place in history not so long ago. As an August Prime preview book it's not available until Sept 1 but trust me, if you preorder now, but Sept 2 you'll be so glad you spent time with Marilyn and Ada down on the Jersey shore (a much more enjoyable and less tacky place in the days pre Snooky and J-Wow.
So take a late summer (or early spring depending on where you are in the world) break at the 1960's seaside and see what happens when a black sheep meets her match.
In 1960, a young woman discovers a freedom she never knew existed in this exhilarating, funny, and emotional novel by the bestselling author of She’s Up to No Good. When Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in front of the whole congregation, her parents ship her off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer. If anyone can save their daughter’s reputation, it’s Philadelphia’s strict premier matchmaker. Either that or Marilyn can kiss college goodbye. To Marilyn’s surprise, Ada’s not the humorless septuagenarian her mother described. Not with that platinum-blonde hair, Hermès scarf, and Cadillac convertible. She’s sharp, straight-talking, takes her job very seriously, and abides by her own rules…mostly. As the summer unfolds, Ada and Marilyn head for the Jersey shore, where Marilyn helps Ada scope out eligible matches—for anyone but Marilyn, that is. Because if there’s one thing Marilyn’s learned from Ada, it’s that she doesn’t have to settle. With the school year quickly approaching and her father threatening to disinherit her, Marilyn must make her choice for her future: return to the comfortable life she knows or embrace a risky, unknown path on her own.
