Archive for the ‘mid-life’ Category
ADMISSION by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Admission is a novel that examines the complex process of selecting incoming freshmen for Princeton University from a large pool of eager and often superbly qualified applicants. Jean Hanff Korelitz draws on her experience as an “outside reader” for Princeton to add verisimilitude to her story. She also spoke with deans of admissions and college counselors to gain a broad perspective on what has become, for many, a harrowing and competitive race to the finish line.
May 24, 2009
Tags: Choices Posted in: mid-life 
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THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos
With his 15th novel, THE TURNAROUND, George Pelecanos has written another powerful story that permits him to expound on the themes and issues his writing has centered on: the possibility of reconciliation, the meaning of work, the issues of race and class, the importance of family and friendship, and sacrifice.
May 8, 2009
Tags: Family Matters, friendship, race & class, reconciliation, sacrifice Posted in: Book Club Choice, Literary, Top Pick, Washington, D.C., mid-life, race & class No Comments
THE SONG IS YOU by Arthur Phillips
Julian Donahue, the protagonist in the wonderful THE SONG IS YOU, is a middle-aged drifter. He directs commercials for a living and has separated from his wife after the loss of their two-year-old son. Worse, he is at a point in his life where he is clearly able to see the trajectory pretty much every action of his will trace—in other words, he sees the pointlessness of it all and is in a funk. The only thing that keeps him connected and interested, is music—more specifically, his iPod—which reminds him of all the significant moments in his life.
May 4, 2009
Tags: Choices, fame, listlessness, loss, middle age, music, obsession Posted in: 21st Century, Book Club Choice, Contemporary, Literary, Top Pick, mid-life No Comments
