Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – Book Club

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

As far as summer reading goes, I haven’t done any. It’s as if I’m a kid avoiding summer school assignments. I have no idea why I’ve been so book averse other than to say that my attention span has been compromised by summer distractions.

I suppose the problem started when Book Club went on summer hiatus. Although we tried to fit in one last meeting in June, it just didn’t come together. This left our last pick, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, undiscussed – until now.

It’s been quite a while since I read the book,  so I’ll begin with…

The Synopsis (available at Goodreads)

Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).

Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.

New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

The Review

I enjoyed Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, however I wish I’d read the book before watching the HBO miniseries.  The show, starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, was riveting. Every catty remark and adulterous twist and turn had me on the edge of my seat. The focus on moms of school-aged children was comfortably familiar. Yet, the murderous subplot was off the charts intriguing.

The book fell short for me because knowing all of the juicy TV details left me reading with far too much anxious anticipation. I just kept thinking – let’s get to the good stuff, I know it’s coming.

I also found some of the show to book inconsistencies challenging. The show took place in California while the book is set in Australia and character descriptions didn’t quite match which shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.

Bottom line – Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty was a really good book and an unbelievable show that I should have indulged in in reverse order.

Coming Up

I’m anxious to get Book Club back on track so that I can be motivated to again focus on the wonderful world of reading. A possible next pick – The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. I’ve heard wonderful things about it.

Recommendations welcome!

3 Comments Continue Reading

Holy Crap! It’s August – the Summer That Got Away

butterfly taken this summer
Photo by Julia Daigle

 

This summer has been pretty nice. July and the first week of August were jam packed. Now suddenly it’s the second week of August and I’m faced with back to school talk and a keen awareness of evening light lost.

Between two local vacations, a kid-free week at home, an 80th birthday celebration for my dad and a variety of summer get-togethers, I seem to have completely lost track of this summer. I didn’t even realize that this Tuesday had come and gone and I never posted a blog.

But now, with my head on straight and a bit more clarity, I’m ready to get back into the swing of things. Yes, there is still plenty of summer to enjoy, but I like the idea of easing into the chaos that is soon to come with two girls now in high-school.

Today’s photo comes to you courtesy of my oldest daughter, Julia. It was so pretty and fitting I asked to use it. The butterfly represents transformation and, in some way, I felt my entire household transformed over the summer. Both of my girls spread their beautiful wings and became dramatically more independent. Tony and I embraced it and did our own thing more than ever before.

Oddly, for us, one big moment this summer wasn’t really a moment at all. After weeks of anguish wondering if we’d ever get Julia’s driving school on-roads scheduled, she was able to successfully lock down her remaining dates. I swear, this feat rivaled scoring front row seats to a Taylor Swift concert or Hamilton.  Assuming all goes as planned, Julia will be a licensed driver by mid-October.

Ally seemed more excited about this than Julia. It’s clear she sees Julia taking over as her personal chauffer. Apparently, she desires later pick up times than Tony and I are able to accommodate with our “early” bedtimes.

As is always the case for me, I’m ready for fall – it’s my favorite season. However, this year, I’m sad to see summer end.

 

How has your summer been? What’s your summer highlight so far? Comment below!!!

 

Next Week

I am finally getting around to my book club review of “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty. Book club was yet another thing that got away from me this summer, but hopefully we can get back on track this fall. Gals of book club – let’s pick a new book! Any recommendations?

 

3 Comments Continue Reading

Happy Tails Andover – Finding the right Groomer for Your Pet

Oscar following his groom from Happy Tails Andover
Isn’t he handsome!

 

Finding the Right Groomer

If you’ve got a dog that requires grooming, you know that finding a good groomer can be just as challenging as finding the perfect hairdresser.

Some dogs don’t require the same level of expertise when it comes to their cut, but schnauzers are a particular breed. They have specific grooming standards and on top of that, I am fussy. It is important to me that Oscar’s “look” match his fastidious personality. At one point, I thought I’d never find just the right groomer.

Happy Tails Andover

That is until I found Happy Tails Andover. I could not be happier with Oscar’s groomer, Amanda, and have recommended her to many of Oscar’s furry friends. This Tuesday I dropped Oscar off for a summer cut and his schnauzer friend Charlie was there getting primped at the same time. So cute!

Oscar and Amanda from Happy Tails Andover
Amanda is so sweet with Oscar and she gives him a pristine Schnauzer cut.

 

In addition to Amanda having mad skills when it comes to the specifics of Oscar’s skirt, beard and brows, the entire crew at Happy Tails Andover puts me at ease when I drop him off. Tina, the owner, is lovely and always accommodating when scheduling appointments. And Liz, who is often in the salon grooming other cuties when Oscar arrives, is an absolute doll.

If I’m being honest, Happy Tails Andover is my 7th groomer in the four years we’ve had Oscar. I’ve left the others for a litany of reasons including bad cuts, bad attitudes or bad handling. I recognize that I’m probably over the top when it comes to the perfect groomer for Oscar, but I’m glad I kept searching for just the right one because I am so happy with Happy Tails Andover.

The dogs days of summer have nothing on my schnauzer’s sleek summer cut! Thank you Amanda and all the folks at Happy Tails for putting an end to my search.

Blog on Break!

I can’t believe next week welcomes August! Thank you for reading and I hope you are enjoying the summer. The blog will be on break next week! I hope to see you back here on August 8th.

2 Comments Continue Reading

Fun Finds at SoWa Open Market

Items purchased at SoWa Open Market
Neither of us could pass up the wooden detailing of the Fento sunglasses from Metro Man/Chic by Design Gifts. Tony also picked up the manly, hand-sewn flask while there. The cap is also his from NineFiveLtd – caps for a cause.

 

A Few Firsts

This summer has been full of firsts. First time I saw Jimmy Fallon at the Wolfeboro parade that we’ve both attended for years, first time both of my girls are working real jobs, first time in 16 years that both girls were simultaneously away for more than one night and first time I dragged Tony to a shopping event that he didn’t hate.

This past week welcomed my first kid-free staycation. Tony and I talked about going somewhere, but the ideas of just being home was even more appealing to me. It was our first real taste of life at home when both girls are off to college.

Of course I missed my girls, but I have to admit this was a really nice week.

Top of the ToDo List

As we looked for things to do, at top of my list was a trip into Boston to check out SoWa Open Market. I blogged about my Instagram Field Trip to Giardini Di Sole in SoWa a while back in which I express wanting to return to experience SoWa Open Market.

On Saturday, Tony and I did just that and it was awesome. Weather-wise is was a lovely day and when we got to our destination the scene was lively, but nicely not overcrowded.  We learned that Saturday is the quieter of the two Open Market days. If you are looking for more vendors, more food trucks and more of a crowd, Sunday is the day to go.

SoWa Open Market

If you haven’t heard much about SoWa and the Open Market here’s what you should know. SoWa stands for South of Washington and on any day, it’s a fabulous art and design district in Boston’s popular South End. The resident art galleries, boutiques and restaurants offer an eclectic mix of experiences for your eyes, taste buds and wallet.

SoWa Open Market further adds to the area’s fun and fine flavor when every Saturday and Sunday from April 29-October 29, a slew of artisans, farmers, brewers and musicians tent up outside for a cool and distinctive festival experience. Food trucks round out the hip scene.

Everything about our day trip was enjoyable, interesting and tasty. Neither Tony or I had eaten from a food truck and I was all in to give it a try. Tony, not so much. “Come on,” I said, “Get with it!” I watch enough Food Network to know that food trucks are where it’s at. No sooner was I enjoying my Vietnamese vegetarian dumplings from the Saté Grill truck than Tony’s reluctance weakened and he was cozied up to the NEOTB (North East of the Border) Taco Truck followed by a box meal of really yummy Korean bulgogi beef and a crispy veggie roll back at the Saté truck.

 

SoWa Vendors

Finally, Tony and I were also impressed with the SoWa market vendors whose wares we’d be unlikely to find elsewhere. So many unique items caught our attention and Tony actually walked away with more purchases than I did.

 

I just had to share a close up of the wooden rims of my sunglasses. Check out the cork case too – good stuff.

 

I’m looking forward my next trip in to SoWa Open Market. It’s the perfect, non-touristy, outdoor city experience when you are looking for something artsy, unusual and unique. Tony’s last words…”I loved that!”

2 Comments Continue Reading

My Two High School Girls and…All Sorts of Emotions

Look out North Andover High School. You now have both of my high school girls coming your way!
North Andover High School and two high school girls

I am now the mom of two high school girls. My youngest graduates 8th grade today and next year my oldest will drive the two of them to and from school with her newly acquired driver’s license.

I feel…

  • Old
  • Proud
  • Excited
  • Nervous
  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Relieved
  • Ready
  • Free
  • Apprehensive
  • Giddy
  • Thankful

The list goes on and as I enter this next fun phase of life, I’m sure many more emotions will pop up that I didn’t even realize I could feel. Two high school girls are sure to be a handful. One that I am ready for – no matter what drama comes our way. But if you have any words of wisdom, I welcome the advice.

One Comment Continue Reading