Leaving Unknown
Kerry Reichs
2010
358 pages
Published by HarperCollins
********************
FTC disclosure: The publisher sent me this book, since I’m participating in a TLC book tour.
********************
Maeve Connelly has just graduated from college and doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. Fired from her bartending job and cut off from her parent’s financial support, she decides to road trip it to Los Angeles in her unreliable car, Elsie.
When Elsie breaks down in the small town of Unknown, Arizona, Maeve is forced to find work. She quickly finds a place for herself in Unknown, making friends and discovering a love for photography.
I love stories like this, probably because I’ve always found the idea of striking out for someplace new to be really appealing. And Maeve gets a job in a bookstore (I was insanely jealous). But at this point I was halfway through the book and wondering where we were going. Things seemed to be working out for Maeve and I couldn’t imagine things remaining status quo for the rest of the book. And then, whammo. I was hit with a bit of a surprise, one which put a whole new light onto Maeve’s earlier actions. And I had a hard time reconciling pre-disclosure Maeve with post-disclosure Maeve. I still liked the story, but I’m not sure the big secret needed to be a big secret for the first half of the book (still, that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell YOU the big secret).
Another thing I liked about the book was the emphasis on books. Maeve works in a bookstore, and there are constant references to books and reading. I especially agree with this quote:
“I don’t think you can have a favorite book. Different ones suit different moods. Sometimes when I’m sad, I want to be more sad – like the catharsis of taking it to the limit will burn it up more quickly. Other sad times, I want to laugh hysterically.” –p. 137
One little quibble…for a book supposedly full of people who love to read, I never saw anyone actually reading.
Despite my small gripes, I found this to be an entertaining read (I read it in one evening, staying up just a little late to finish). I liked watching Maeve grow into herself and find happiness in a small town.
********************
Many thanks to TLC Book Tours and HarperCollins for including me in this tour. You can check out the other tour stops here:
- Tuesday, May 18th: Heart 2 Heart
- Wednesday, May 19th: Café of Dreams
- Friday, May 21st: Chick Lit Reviews .com
- Monday, May 24th: Stiletto Storytime
- Wednesday, May 26th: Thoughts From an Evil Overlord
- Wednesday, June 2nd: A Bookworm’s World
- Thursday, June 3rd: excess baggage
- Wednesday, June 23rd: Ask Miss A.com
- Monday, June 28th: Pop Culture Junkie
I love the idea of just going off on a road trip with no real destination. I really like the sound of the this book, and i am very curious now as to what happens to Maeve.
.-= vivienne´s last blog ..A weekend of camping! =-.
Hummm. I do like the idea of going on an adventure and I’m curious about THE BIG SECRET, but I’m not sure I’m curious enough to pick this up.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Review: Day for Night by Frederick Reiken =-.
The themes in this book sound wonderful, so I’m glad to know you enjoyed it despite its flaws. I love the idea of a new, unchosen town. It’s not going to the top of my list, but it is going on my list.
.-= nomadreader (Carrie)´s last blog ..dinner and a movie: Babies =-.
I love when something happens in a book to make my perspective change on what has alreadu happened. It makes your mindset do a 180.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Sunday Salon =-.
Sounds Like a book I might like. I have an award for you.
http://detweilermom.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-awards.html
.-= MIndy´s last blog ..New Awards!! =-.
Another one for the wish-list!
.-= L Clare´s last blog ..Weight Maintained =-.
I love books with a bookish angle, so this one looks like something I will have to check out. It’s funny that you mention that nobody in the book is seen reading. This also happened in a book I just finished that had some bookish leanings as well!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok – 304 pgs =-.
I could be tempted. This sounds like bookish light fun reading.
I tried naming my car Maddie but I never remember to call her that. My first car was Ephraim. He was a great but unreliable little trooper of a car. Maeve would actually be a great name for a car…
.-= Care´s last blog ..Sister Outsider =-.
I can’t even tell you the number of times I’m fantasized about leaving home for parts unknown … mostly when my Little One was very very small and I just wanted to sleep through the night.
And to work in a book store! Awesome!
Sounds like a fast fun read .. but I do want to know what the Big Secret is!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..BBAW Is Coming … And My Intent To Register =-.
I Loved this book! It was really so fun and I think I even stayed up a bit too late while finishing it up as well. I’m a huge fan of road trips and I loved the random-ness of her destinations all having to be odd names. Sounded like so much fun!
And yes, the big SECRET…hmmm…I’m not swayed either way really, well, maybe. I do think it could have been introduced a little earlier, maybe not the beginning necessarily, but definitely earlier just to keep things going a bit. Anywho…FAB review!
.-= The1stdaughter´s last blog ..Book Review: The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier =-.
You have definitely sparked my interest. I want to know the surprise so very bad right now.
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Book Review: Some Minis =-.
Looks pretty darn cute to me!
I hate it when characters in a book are supposed to be bookish but they never actually read. One of my pet peeves.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Nerds Heart YA: Pure vs In Mike We Trust! =-.
This book sounds so good. I love books that have a lot of references to books in them. And I’m always jealous of those who get to work in a bookstore. Actually I’d love to own one.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..A Few Winners =-.
This sounds like fun. Kind of like my recent read of The Season of Second Chances. I had a problem with the first half vs. second half in that one, but I came away from it with that “it was fun” feeling. Not disappointed but certainly not bowled over.
This one has books in it! A big plus.
.-= Andi´s last blog ..A Walk Through the Morgue with Rebecca Skloot =-.
i’ve always had a not-so-secret desire to pick up and move to a new town in some faraway state–bozeman, montana is where i’ve been daydreaming of lately.
glad you gave this an honest review. it sounds like it has some good and not-so-good points.
as for working in a bookstore, i’d be fired in about 2 seconds for spending all of my time reading!
It somewhat reminds me of less fluffy Runaway Mistress Robyn Carr.
Stopping in witha shallow thought. This cover never fails to crack me up. Maybe the incongruity of it all. Dressed up and running down the street with your suitcase. man she really must have wanted to get away.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Lauren Belfer & A Fierce Radiance – Author Event =-.
I sometimes fantasize of picking up somewhere completely random and new, like somewhere in the South because it seems exotic to me. (I’ve never lived farther south than Maryland.)
My car is named Lizzy. Yes, I Austen-ized my car.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Books that “everyone” has read but me =-.
Oh I like that book’s premise! I like books with people who like to read – though it is a little sad if they’re not actually reading. Still, sounds good!
.-= kay´s last blog ..Artsy Shelf – 18 – Walking away =-.
This does sound like my kind of book – I love to discover new places and I love surprises in books, especially if they make me talk to the book.
“for a book supposedly full of people who love to read, I never saw anyone actually reading.” um … that’s … kinda funny …
This book seriously sounds right up my alley. I don’t know why, but I totally and completely idealize the idea of working in a bookstore. If I ever got said job, I would probably hate it – retail is seriously not my world. Plus, I currently work in a library and while I enjoy the work, I don’t see myself staying here forever. Sorry, not sure why I’m going on a rant about me!
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that your review definitely made me want to pick this one up.