Howdy Howdy Bookworms!
After slogging through some pretty intense literary fiction, I decided I deserved a treat. I needed some feel good, charming lady fiction, and I needed it fast. Enter Vintage: A Novel
Violet Turner owns a small vintage clothing boutique in Madison, Wisconsin. She’s poured her heart and soul into the project and overcome all sorts of obstacles to achieve her dream of owning the shop. All is thrown into upheaval when her landlord delivers unsettling news. April Morgan is 5 months pregnant when she comes into Hourglass Vintage to purchase her wedding dress. The 18 year old returns to the shop a couple of weeks later attempting to return the dress and pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Amithi Singh is a middle aged woman who discovers her husband’s betrayal. She begins selling items to Hourglass Vintage while coming to terms with the life she thought she’d had. These three unlikely friends find each other, each in the midst of personal crisis. Their bond helps them all find hope and sort out their new realities.
You guys!!! I loved this book. I have a soft spot for books set in the Midwest anyway, but man. These charming little towns in Wisconsin are making me want to take little touristy weekend trips to eat cheese and drink beer and probably visit my baby cousins (who are now very old and not babies at all.) This is the sort of book I need to read in the middle of a long dreary winter. If you need a pick-me-up, pick up Vintage!
Tell me something, Bookworms. Do you find yourself more connected to books when they’re set in your neck of the woods?
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lostinliterature108
YES!! Wiley Cash writes about my home town and other stomping grounds of my childhood and teen years. It makes what I consider to be his good story telling even greater. (But his stories are heavy in nature, not light hearted.)Pretty sure I’ll read whatever he writes and all along be saying, “Hey! I went to that mall, or that camp, or that school,”etc.
Words For Worms
I’ve read no Wiley Cash. I’m probably missing out, huh?
Just me, Vee
Oooh! I have that book on my Nook, but haven’t read it yet. Now I will, as it sounds like just what I need. I’m so glad you reviewed it.
Words For Worms
It’s so much fun, I hope you enjoy it!
KatieMcD
A friend of the family’s daughter is actually the author of this…. and I think this is just the push I needed to (FINALLY) pick it up! I could go for a bit of lighter read myself these days… Also, I living in Wisco… and Madison is certainly a decent city to visit (along with Milwaukee)… at least if you’re heading this way anyways, that is. 🙂
Words For Worms
Really?! That’s crazy and awesome that you have a connection to the author! I do need to take a little road trip. Maybe this summer.
Jenny @ Reading the End
As far as I can remember, I have never truly loved any books at all that were set in Louisiana. I liked Ernest Gaines and I want to revisit him to see if he’s the exception. But generally — eh. I get a small kick out of recognizing places I’m familiar with, and then I tend to get bored. (I side-eye Confederacy of Dunces. I side-eye it forever.)
Words For Worms
High five on side-eye-ing Confederacy of Dunces. I just… Can’t with that book.
Andi M. (@estellasrevenge)
I have waffled over this one a couple of times. It looked like a fun thing to have on hand for a break from the HEAVY BOOKS, and you’ve pushed me over the edge. The next time I find it on ebook sale, it shall be a reward to myself.
Words For Worms
I feel like I’ve started to offer myself books as rewards and maybe that’s just a sign that I shouldn’t be reading so many books that I don’t just love. Hmmm… Things to ponder.
DoingDewey
I loved this book too! I thought it included some really great friendships 🙂
Sally Odgers
Books are usually not set in my neck of the woods. Nan Chauncy wrote a few set in Tasmania in the 1940s-1960s, but they were set down south and I live in the north. The Guara series was set in my area. My sister wrote that!
Michelle
I read this one specifically because it took place in one of my favorite cities in the US. While it certainly captures some of Madison’s charm, it doesn’t do the town justice. As for the story, it only confirmed why I tend to steer away from women’s fiction.
Words For Worms
Aww bummer that it didn’t work out for you.