Elizabeth Noble (1) (1968–)

Chick lit, for sure, but pretty well-written, and British which makes it a little more charming and less trite. Plus, a unique structure: Centered around a year in the book club, each month is paired with a book and while the members' lives and activities don't fit exactly, they often relate to the book that is being read and discussed. Book list is included -- made me want to try some of them! and sections of their fictional book discussion are also included, which I thought was rather well-done and reflected good knowledge and understanding of said book (examples: Atonement, My Antonia, Girl with a Peal Earring). The Reading Group consists of 5 members -- a little sparse for reality! 2 "older" women (Polly and Susan) with mostly grown/teen kids and 2 younger women (Nicole and Harriet) with young, school-age kids, and 1 wild card, Clare, who is a friend of a friend, has no kids, but desperately wanted them. This dynamic among the women is interesting, and spouses and family members also come into play which is where the more typical chick lit. figures in. Nicole's husband is a cheater, Harriet is feeling bored in her marriage, Susan has an aging mother to care for, Polly has a daughter who is unwed and unexpectedly pregnant, and Clare has infertility issues. There is one more interesting issue/surprise that moves the book above predictability. The author has also included a handy character reference at the very beginning including relationships and the characters' favorite books. Clever touches like this make it a worthwhile vacation read. She begins with an epigraph by Margaret Atwood: "The real, hidden subject of a book group discussion is the book members themselves." So true!… (more)

When Charlie was left a widower at seventy his life changed and so did those of his family. To celebrate his eightieth Charlie has decided to invite them all to a rented house in the country and so they come along. Scott, never the most outgoing but the most materially successful, recently married to an American with two children. Laura, mother of a troubled teenage boy and reeling from the break up of her marriage. Nick, widowed a year ago and struggling to bring up three small children on his won. None of them particularly wants to go on the holiday but all do.
This is the sort of book that I would never choose to buy for myself but is a guilty pleasure as a review copy to read on holiday. Everything is viewed through rose tinted glasses and the cliches abound - all bachelor pads are modern and clinical, family homes are messy, the sun always shines and there are never money worries. However what Noble has done is create a really warm, life-affirming book about the modern sort of family with middle-class angsts. It's very lightweight, never overly dramatic and yet it made me relax completely so for that reason the book is really successful. A niche market maybe but this is a huge niche and this is a quality book.… (more)