Reading is Vital to My Conscientious Resilience!
Estimated reading time: 27 minutes, 30 seconds
Romance
My profile paints me as a romantic, and I wholeheartedly embrace that label. Love is more than just a feeling; it possesses a magical quality that can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. When I think of “romantic,” I hone in on one captivating element from the Merriam-Webster definition: something that stirs the imagination or tugs at the heart with its heroic, adventurous, mysterious, or idealized qualities. In 2024, I dove into several romance novels that might surprise a few readers. Who knows what enchanting tales await?
After Annie
“After Annie: A Novel” by Anna Quindlen is a poignant romance even though Annie, the family matriarch, passes away. If grief is the price we pay for love, Quindlen has woven a love story that resonates with our times. Following her sudden death, the Brown family must navigate life without their cherished wife, mother, and friend. Bill, Annie’s husband, struggles to cope with the loss, while Annemarie, Annie’s best friend, must confront the bad habits she once overcame with Annie’s support. Ali, Annie’s eldest child, takes on new responsibilities to care for her younger brothers and father.
“After Annie” is a touching exploration of how adversity can unexpectedly transform our lives. With her signature style that evokes deep emotions, Quindlen delivers a heartwarming tale about the resilience of love and its power to triumph over even the toughest challenges. This story of hope serves as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and its ability to rise above life’s obstacles. It inspires readers to believe in love’s power and capacity to reshape our lives.
Long Island
“Long Island,” a novel by acclaimed author Colm Toibin, continues the captivating story of Eilis Lacey, a beloved character from Toibin’s celebrated work “Brooklyn.” Two decades have passed since then. Eilis, now in her forties, is married to Tony Fiorello, an Italian-American plumber, and they are raising two teenagers together.
One fateful day, a visitor arrives unannounced at Eilis’s doorstep, bringing a life-altering revelation. He reveals that his wife is carrying Tony’s child and plans to leave the baby with Eilis once it’s born. This unexpected twist sends Eilis into a whirlwind of emotions and a complex decision-making process. As the emotional core of Toibin’s narrative, this journey of self-discovery and emotional upheaval will undoubtedly captivate readers.
“Long Island” is a poignant exploration of unfulfilled desires and the enigmatic secrets that shape our lives. Eilis’s reticence speaks volumes, and Toibin masterfully gives voice to her concealed yearnings and profound connections. For example, Eilis often finds herself lost in memories of her life in Ireland, particularly her relationship with her mother. Though these recollections are unspoken, they starkly reveal her deep longing for her homeland and family. This evocative tale of love, longing, and the quest for self-discovery is bound to enthrall readers.
An American Marriage
“An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones is an exceptional work of storytelling that explores the depths of human emotions as characters grapple with their pasts while striving for a hopeful future amidst pain. This book has garnered numerous awards, including The New York Times’ list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. It is an essential read for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction.
Newlyweds Celestial and Roy embody the American Dream and the spirit of the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the verge of an exciting career. However, as they settle into their routines, they face circumstances that neither could have anticipated, which tears them apart. Their story explores the complexities of modern relationships and the impact of the criminal justice system on individuals and families.
This moving love story offers a profound insight into the hearts and minds of three people simultaneously connected and separated by forces beyond their control. “An American Marriage” is a masterpiece of storytelling, providing an intimate look into the souls of those who must confront their past while moving forward—with hope and pain—into the future.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A Novel” by Gabrielle Zevin tells the story of Sam and Sadie, two college friends who become creative partners in video game design. Their journey is a rich tapestry of fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and a form of immortality woven into a unique love story that captivated me like no other.
This love story vividly portrays the challenges and triumphs of their relationship within the context of their shared creative endeavors.
Spanning thirty years and locations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and beyond, Gabrielle Zevin’s “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” offers a profound exploration of identity, disability, failure, and play’s redemptive possibilities. Above all, it delves into our deep-seated need for connection—to be loved and to love. This journey invites you to reflect on your own life and relationships.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
