Book Club

The girls and I started a new tradition back in the fall-each month we get together at someone's house for dinner, drinks and discussion over a book. The host of the following month brings the next book selection. It's been a fantastic way to make sure we see each other on a regular basis, not to mention discovering new books!

This month we got together to discuss "Life After Life" by Kate Atkinson. I have repeatedly seen this book on "best of 2013" lists, and was quite eager to read. Here's what Amazon has to say:

"What if you could live again and again, until you got it right? 

On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war. 

Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can -- will she?

Darkly comic, startlingly poignant, and utterly original -- this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best."

-Amazon book summary, seen here.

A disclaimer: this is not an "easy" read in my opinion. It is a long novel and the premise of the story can lead to some annoying moments as a reader, especially in the first 20% or so of the book.

The best way I can sum up my review is that while the idea of this premise is interesting, the execution of the plot by Kate Atkinson left me frustrated. The book is well written but could have told the same story in probably half the number of pages. This book was not what I was expecting and honestly this would not be on my list of recommendations.

Despite my feelings on the book, of course a good time was had!