Tuesday, January 25, 2011


Dear Great Book Guru, I was at a Beat the Winter Blues party last week and the conversation turned (as so many do) to the latest books read and enjoyed. A few people mentioned a new novel that traces a couple's relationship over a twenty year period- from the late 80's to the present. It sounded interesting but no one could remember the title. Any thoughts, and if so, would you recommend it? Winter Reader

Dear Winter Reader, Those Beat the Winter Blues parties are cropping up all over Sea Cliff and seem to be very effective in accomplishing their goal. I attended one myself with Eda D'Amico, Carol Vogt, Jackie Warren, Kathy Calzonetti, Linda McCormack, and Nancy Gordon, and the sun began to shine almost immediately. But back to the book - I'm sure it was ONE DAY by David Nicholls- a fast, light read (although 445 pages)- but definitely worthwhile. Emma and Dexter meet in 1987 as they are graduating from the University of Edinburgh. She is earnest, smart, and hardworking; Dexter… well , Dexter is a golden boy who has everything : money, lovers, friends, an adoring family (take a guess where this will go…). They maintain a twenty-year friendship which see fortunes made and reversed, a myriad of triumphs and defeats, and long searches for careers and spouses. The technique- which is quite effective- is to have the couple talk or meet each year on July 21 at which point we learn what events took place during the year- some predictable, some shocking, always darkly humorous. Throughout, we feel an affection for the pair and wish them well- whatever that involves.

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