I’m taking a break from cleaning my carpet to write this — it’s something that’s been on my to-do list for awhile in an effort to help my allergies.
If you’ve been here for a bit, you’ll know this has been an ongoing effort, involving all new curtains, a new shower curtain, and allergy- fighting bedding… even an air purifier!
I think all of it has helped a little bit, but I’m hoping a good carpet clean will also help. I only have carpet in my bedroom, but I have an area rug in my living room. I’m cleaning all of it today, and so far, it looks like it’s picking up all kinds of gross stuff.
Anyway, I woke up early this morning and finished reading the latest pick from Blanche’s Book Club: “Clock Dance” by Anne Tyler. Here is the book description from the Penguin Random House website:
Willa Drake has had three opportunities to start her life over: in 1967, as a schoolgirl whose mother has suddenly disappeared; in 1977, when considering a marriage proposal; and in 1997, as a young widow trying to hold her family together.
So she is surprised when in 2017 she is given one last chance to change everything, after receiving a startling phone call from a stranger. Without fully understanding why, she flies across the country to Baltimore to help a young woman she’s never met.
This impulsive decision, maybe the first one she’s consciously made in her life, will lead Willa into uncharted territory—surrounded by eccentric neighbors who treat each other like family, she finds solace and fulfillment in unexpected places. A bewitching novel of hope and transformation, Clock Dance gives us Anne Tyler at the height of her powers.
I stumbled upon this book while looking for anything interesting in the library stacks, but once I pulled it from the shelf, I recognized it from a bookstore owner I follow on Instagram.
I have been sort of in search of “escape” books all year — books that have really different plots and/or put their characters in different situations. This one definitely did that.
However, I never found myself connecting to the main character, Willa. And if that doesn’t happen, there’s no reason for me to root for her in the end — aside from basic human decency, of course.
So, I can’t say I loved this book, but I see Tyler has written a TON of other books! I am really interested in checking out these titles from her:
- Noah’s Compass
- The Accidental Tourist
- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant
- Saint Maybe
I always love finding authors that have an entire collection to choose from! This book was also the start of me using my Summer Reading Log from the library. Participants use the log to track their reading time and compete against other teams through the end of July. Go green team!
The next book Blanche’s Book Club will be reading is “Parkland: Birth of a Movement” by Dave Cullen.
Going to get back to my carpet cleaning now – have a great day, everyone!
The Bitter Lemon 