How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

HOW TO WALK AWAY by Katherine Center is the perfect holiday/vacation read for fans of JoJo Moyes and other women’s fiction and romance authors. This is an inspirational, feel good book despite a tragic accident which totally changes the life course for a twenty-eight year old woman, Margaret Jacobsen.  The story focuses realistically on the extremely difficult and emotional year she then experiences. Author Katherine Center had clearly researched spinal injuries and therapy options. Readers will learn about the help and support that Margaret/Maggie receives from family, including her once estranged sister, Kit, and from healthcare workers like nurse Nina and physical therapist Ian. Their advice, (e.g., “When you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for somebody else.”) is at times difficult to accept, but propels her forward.

There are very sad moments and many truly happy ones such that in the end Maggie wisely says, “I would never tell you that the life you wanted couldn’t have been exactly as great as you planned. But you have to live the life you have. You have to find inspiration in the struggle, and pull joy out of the hardship.”  Randy Pausch famously expressed that sentiment in his Last Lecture:  “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” HOW TO WALK AWAY will touch your heart and remind you to savor the joy in small moments; this title received a starred review from Booklist and appeared on the May 2018 Indie Next List of recommendations from independent booksellers.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley is both a mystery story and a social commentary.  It is an engaging read that you will be able to finish quickly, but that will leave you pondering the quirks of fate.

Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Noah Hawley’s latest novel begins with a private plane’s crash over the ocean between Martha’s Vineyard and Teterboro airport in New Jersey. Onboard are 11 people: rich executives, their spouses, two children, a painter-friend, a bodyguard, and the crew.  The mystery is whether this was an accident or an act of sabotage. The social commentary concerns the lifestyle choices made before, during and after the flight.

Yes, some passengers do survive and are later subjected to harsh media scrutiny.  Hawley is obviously playing with us and with concepts like: “Life is a series of decisions and reactions.  It is the things you do and the things that are done to you. And then it’s over.” 

Since we all have stories, unexpected encounters and feelings, Before the Fall has surprisingly wide appeal for fans of mysteries and more literary fiction.  This suspenseful tale involves a huge trust fund, phone tapping, indictments, depictions of natural disasters, and exercise star Jack LaLanne. Of course, in some ways it is sensationalized, but Before the Fall also asks that we reflect on what is ultimately important, even while continuing to guess about the most likely motive for the crash. Before the Fall received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly.

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

This new novel, In the Unlikely Event, was based on actual happenings that gifted writer Judy experienced as a teenager. She has crafted a fictional story around many characters living in Elizabeth, New Jersey during 1951-1952 when three planes crashed there within 58 days of each other.

Told from multiple perspectives – there are three generations of families, plus friends and strangers boarding the planes – the reader does have to decipher each of the characters in this coming of age story. One of the most constant is Miri Ammerman who as a teenager witnesses the first crash with her single mom, Rusty. Also involved are her best friend, Natalie (who is traumatized by events), her boyfriend Mason (who is an orphan) and her Uncle Henry (a rising reporter) and her supportive grandmother, Irene.

To me, even more fascinating than the inter-relationships and reactions of the many characters is the way in which Judy Blume weaves in the feel of the time and facts relevant to the actual events which prompted this novel. There are frequent references to 1950s era music, fashion, and, of course, political events and reporting.  To add to the experience, I found several links online, in particular this radio broadcast from WNYC archives:

And an article from The Chicago Tribune archives where the story of one of the crashes was front page headline news.  

I remember meeting Judy Blume with my own children many years ago – we are big fans of Fudge-a-mania! She is extremely gracious and a committed spokesperson for authors and readers everywhere.  Plan to enjoy In the Unlikely Event – it is a great summer read for both adults and students, telling an inter-generational story of dealing with loss, while looking at the impact of technological and social change.  

Starred review from Booklist.