nee223's review against another edition
4.0
A great beach read!
Returning to her family home in Nantucket, Bess is shocked to see that Cliff House is just about to fall into the ocean. Years of erosion have taken most of the surrounding land is now threatening the house. But Bess's mother, Cissy, is not about to give up. She'll try anything to save this old house.
But this book is about three generations of women and their love of this house. It flashes back to Ruby, Bess's grandmother and her struggles during WWII.
I loved this book. It had everything. I couldn't put it down. I was engrossed in the stories of these three women and their lives. I can't recommend it enough!
Returning to her family home in Nantucket, Bess is shocked to see that Cliff House is just about to fall into the ocean. Years of erosion have taken most of the surrounding land is now threatening the house. But Bess's mother, Cissy, is not about to give up. She'll try anything to save this old house.
But this book is about three generations of women and their love of this house. It flashes back to Ruby, Bess's grandmother and her struggles during WWII.
I loved this book. It had everything. I couldn't put it down. I was engrossed in the stories of these three women and their lives. I can't recommend it enough!
dordalina4145's review against another edition
I actually didn't finish this, needed to return to library. Will pick it up again.
inliterarylove's review against another edition
4.0
The Book of Summer is an enjoyable read that takes place in one of my favorite places to escape to (when reading!), Nantucket. About to be divorced from her rat-of-a-husband, Bess is in Nantucket at the urging of her father, to get her mom out of their home. Cliff House, the family’s summer home, has been there for generations, but is about to become one with the ocean after it plummets down with the eroding bluff. Ciss, Bess’s stubborn, pain in the ass mother, refuses to leave. What follows is a pleasurable trip down memory lane as you read excerpts from the home’s “Book of Summer”, a guest book of sorts that all guests, friend or family, had to write in. While going through Bess’s time with her mother and old flame, Evan, you’ll be entertained with the house’s former life, pre and during WWII with Bess’s grandmother Ruby. The Book of Summer is great book to curl up with.
joliebeth23's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this and really want a sequel.
paigecooperstein's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katiestein0's review against another edition
3.0
I just wasn’t that drawn in by the plot but I liked that the viewpoint bounced between generations of women in the same family (and was clear who was talking because that’s not always the case)
marceelf's review against another edition
3.0
http://www.anurseandabook.com/2017/06/the-book-of-summer-by-michelle-gable.html
It's summer so time for me to read all things east coast and The Book of Summer was a great place to start.
Bess running away from a crumbling marriage, finds herself in Nantucket trying to talk her mom out of attempting to save the family home from crumbling into the sea.
As she begins the long chore of packing the house, she finds the Book of Summer, where her relatives have entered their thoughts into the family guestbook all they way back before the second World War.
I normally like books that jump back and forth in time, and I did really enjoy that about this book. However, the current timeline was a lot less interesting than the past. I never really felt that strongly about Bess or her story - her storyline with her ex was kind of vague, but awful.
Her grandmother's story was much more interesting but equally awful. Living with the secrets of their times, you never really got an idea that Ruby really understood what was happening to her husband - did she not get it or did she just make peace with it? I was confused.
It's getting great reviews on Goodreads!
It's summer so time for me to read all things east coast and The Book of Summer was a great place to start.
Bess running away from a crumbling marriage, finds herself in Nantucket trying to talk her mom out of attempting to save the family home from crumbling into the sea.
As she begins the long chore of packing the house, she finds the Book of Summer, where her relatives have entered their thoughts into the family guestbook all they way back before the second World War.
I normally like books that jump back and forth in time, and I did really enjoy that about this book. However, the current timeline was a lot less interesting than the past. I never really felt that strongly about Bess or her story - her storyline with her ex was kind of vague, but awful.
Her grandmother's story was much more interesting but equally awful. Living with the secrets of their times, you never really got an idea that Ruby really understood what was happening to her husband - did she not get it or did she just make peace with it? I was confused.
It's getting great reviews on Goodreads!
sarahs_readingparty's review
3.0
Great read for the beach or summer vacation! A light novel about a summer house, family secrets, and personal growth. I wouldn't say I loved this one but I was intrigued and enjoyed the read.
raciethereader's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing women’s fiction with an alternating storyline told in the 1940’s and 2013. The House of Summer really evokes the feeling of Nantucket and the dichotomy between island people and summer people. In addition it paints a picture of privileged life pre-WWII and how life changed with the war. I was enthralled with Ruby, Cissy, and Bess.