The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan

Somewhere with the mementos of my junior high years are several ads torn out of Readers’ Digest.  The ads are from the DeBeers “A diamond is forever” campaign in the 1960s, and I saved them because I liked the artwork.  Frances Gerety, a copy writer for N.W. Ayer advertising agency, did her job well; her famous tag line helped DeBeers sell lots of diamonds and convinced generations of couples that the “DER”, diamond engagement ring, is a necessary part of courtship and love, true love.

The Engagements, a new novel by J. Courtney Sullivan, twines together a fictionalized account of Gerety’s life with the story of four couples. The book spans nearly a hundred years and two continents and does not unfold chronologically.  Its plot is complicated enough that I wish I had read the print copy rather than listening to the audio version so I could flip back through the pages and reread sections to confirm the sequence of events.  The regular and large print copies of the book both have waiting lists, so I made do with the audio book.  Once again I found myself sitting in my car wanting to listen to just one more chapter.

I like The Engagements lots.  The switching back and forth between Gerald and Evelyn Pearsall in the 1970s, James McKean and his wife Sheila in the 1980s, Henry, Delphine and PJ in the 2000s and Kate and Dan in the 2010s kept my interest throughout all 17 hours (383 pages).  I admit if I had been reading the print copy I probably would have jumped ahead to find out more about the same-sex wedding of Kate’s cousin Jeff.  Kate, acting as best “man” and given charge of the rings, loses one.  Jeff’s partner Toby gets cold feet, and I was anxious to know if a “happily ever after” was in store.
Some reviewers complain that The Engagements develops too slowly.  I think this was part of the book’s charm.  It is not static; the story keeps progressing, I just wasn’t sure where it was going.  Most chapters end suspensefully, and the following chapter might move to a different set of characters, so I wanted to keep listening to learn how each story played out.  Some books with complicated plots leave loose ends.  The Engagements does not.

The fictional characters were authentic; some easy to hate, some motives hard to understand.  Gerety’s story interested me the most; the woman who helped sell engagement rings never married, and the single life suited her.  She and Kate might have been great friends; both are strong, independent women with clear beliefs:  Frances deserves recognition as originator of the phrase that made DeBeers millions and Kate finds a stable love without needing a ring or vows.  Delphine was the character I found most easy to dislike, although her spouse’s passivity made him a close second.  James had flaws, but I found his actions more forgivable than Delphine’s.  Two of the couples are rather well-to-do, and two struggle to make ends meet.


With the discussion questions provided by Random House, I can see The Engagements provoking lively book club banter.  J. Courtney Sullivan has two prior well-reviewed novels, Maine and Commencement, neither of which I have read—yet--and co-edited a book of essays, Click: When We Knew We Were Feminists.

~ Michelle, Adult Services

Patron Picks: What Dubuque is Reading

Summer is in full swing, and there's nothing nicer than to curl up with a good book in the shade with some iced tea or lemonade or whatever your favorite summertime drink might be! As much as we enjoy sharing our favorite books with you, we love to hear about the books you're enjoying even more!

Today we're sharing some of the book reviews you've written on our Pinterest board or on a Patron Picks review bookmark. You can stop in to the library and flip through the Patron Picks binder or visit Pinterest for even more reviews. And if you have a book you enjoyed, feel free to share in the comments here, on Pinterest, or on a bookmark!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
5 stars. "Romance, magic & mystery. This book keeps you guessing right to the end! You won't be disapointed!"
4 stars. "Definitely a slow start. I forced myself to trudge through the first 200 pages which seemed to be mostly narration. Right at the 50% mark it picked up and I couldn't put it down. This book will push the limits of your imagination. The romance element was the most enticing, and could have been developed even more. Overall, nothing like I've read before. A good read."
Still not convinced? Check out Andrew's staff review too!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
5 stars. "What a lovely surprise this book was... that is if you like things that are slightly odd. I wouldn't say this is a horror, but discovery of the, for lack of better word, peculiar. I'd absolutely recommend this book and believe it would be a fascinating film!" 

Murder at Ford's Theatre by Margaret Truman
5 stars. "An interesting storyline that had a lot of twists & turns. Surprising ending."
You may also enjoy reading the athors in our political mysteries post. 


A Higher Call by Adam Makos
5 stars. "Great read, do NOT want to put it down! Insight into German life during WWII."

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
4 stars. "Great followup to Killing Lincoln, although not as compelling since living the 1963 experience."
Want to read more about President Kennedy? Check out these best seller read alike posts for Killing Kennedy.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
4 stars. "I have to admit that the similarities between this and Hunger Games is more than off-putting. The ceremony where they choose, the ranking/elimination, the training, even the bird tattoo.It's not easy to put down. A plus for this book vs. HG, they seem to be developing the romantic angle more, which I wanted from HG. Definitely captivating, I couldn't put it down. It wasn't the most unique or unpredictable, but still a good read."
Be sure to check out our read alike suggestions for The Hunger Games.

Hope's Boy by Andrew Bridge
4 stars. "This is the true story of a young boy whose father leaves when he was a baby and his mother has mental illness... When he is seven his mother's mental illness finally overtakes her, and Andrew is placed in foster care for the next 11 years. This is a story of courage, survival, and a boy's unending love for his mother who he never really knew. My only wish is that he had written more about his adult life as a survivor. Very poignant and touching."

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
3 stars. "Wraps up the series nicely. Wasn't very exciting like the previous books. Wish there was more from the vamps."

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
4 stars. "Starts a little slow, but at the end I couldn't stop reading this book."
Sarah also reviewed this book for our blog, and several of us in the adult services department agree that Rowell's second novel, Eleanor & Park, is even better.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
5 stars. "So AMAZING. Quick read, good for all ages. Love, loss, growth & change."

Lexicon by Max Barry
1 star. "Violent/confusing."
I admit that I was so intrigued by this one star review that I had to check this out. I'd read Barry's Jennifer Government years ago and enjoyed it, and wasn't disappointed by Lexicon. It is violent, the plot is complicated, and there's quite a bit of swearing to boot, so I can see why it isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy a fast-paced story about a secret society with supernatural powers who run the world with just a dash of romance, you'll like this book too! -Sarah, Adult Services

Read Alike: Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini came to prominence with the publication of his haunting debut novel, The Kite Runner. A character-driven story of the turbulent history of modern Afghanistan, the country of Hosseini's birth. His writing was a revelation to many American readers, familiar with Afghanistan primarily for terrorist attacks and the recent war.

In his most recent novel, And the Mountains Echoed, Hosseini returns to Afghanistan with a thought-provoking family saga. He explores the connections of family and love as his characters scatter over the globe, resulting in a more uplifting story than his earlier books.

You can read more about Hosseini and his writing at his website: khaledhosseini.com

If you've already read all of Khaled Hosseini's novels, or if you're patiently waiting to read a copy of And the Mountains Echoed, you might enjoy checking out some of these titles:

The Mulberry Empire, or, The two virtuous journeys of the Amir Dost by Philip Hensher
This sweeping historical novel provides a richly detailed look into Afghanistan's past. In 1839 the British set out to change Afghanistan's leadership through military might, and were soundly defeated. Though not a family saga, Hensher uses a large cast of characters to illustrate the wide-ranging and long-lasting effects of the British campaign.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Pakistani-American Mohsin Hamid's books tackle the experiences of Muslims in the modern world in a similarly character-driven and thoughtful way to Khaled Hosseini. The power of relationships is another shared theme, though his writing style is somewhat more experimental. Try The Reluctant Fundamentalist, the events of September 11th have a major impact on the life of Changez, an Ivy-league educated Pakistani-American. Or his most recent novel, How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, which is modeled on the upbeat tone of self-help advice books, while telling an unconventional rags-to-riches love story.

Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani
Delijani’s haunting first novel is an intricately plotted, multigenerational tale of Iran’s often violent revolution. Delijani herself was born in one of Tehran’s Evin prison, and her family’s experience informs her writing. A sobering story told from multiple perspectives that rewards the attentive reader. The intricate plot and story of political unrest told through the lens of family scattered across the globe makes this a strong match for fans of Hosseini's latest.

More recent novels on the immigrant experience:
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
A skillful debut novel that skillfully examines the cultural melting pot of New York City in the late 19th century with a supernatural twist. Atmospheric and lyrical, with a touch of mystery and romance, Wecker charms the reader with her tale of outsiders, community, and friendship. Chava is a newly created and now masterless golem, Ahmad is an ancient jinni who cannot remember how he came to be trapped in a lamp for centuries.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie is one of the rising stars of literature, and her lyrical, character-driven writing draws heavily from her experience as a Nigerian-American. In her most recent novel, Americanah, is a witty story of love and immigration. Ifemelu left Nigeria and her sweetheart, Obinze, fifteen years ago to pursue a career in America. Obinze also left Nigeria, but to struggle as an undocumented worker in London.

We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo
Bulawayo’s distinctive voice shines in her character-driven debut novel. This haunting story follows Darling, whose life in a Zimbabwean shantytown is perhaps less difficult than her move to live with her aunt in Michigan. Often bleak and violent, this book is not an easy read, but Bulawayo rewards the ambitious reader with her skill and insight.

Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi
Debut novelist Taiye Selasi explores her father’s homeland in her reflective novel, Ghana Must Go. An intricately plotted and leisurely paced novel of family that has critics making comparisons to Jhumpa Lahiri and Zadie Smith. A family fractured by divorce, gathers in Accra for the funeral of the surgeon patriarch who abandoned them 16 years ago.


Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Staff Review: The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway

I do not understand why The River of No Return doesn't have a dozen people on the hold list. Sure, this is Bee Ridgway's first novel, and you probably don't spend a portion of your work and free time tracking new books, seeing what's getting good advance reviews, judging the cover art for books that won't be available for sale for months, etc. etc.

Maybe this is the first you're hearing about The River of No Return. That's fair, but now you need to place a hold on the library's copy or go out and buy your own because this is a book worth reading.

Let me walk that back a little. I usually wait a few weeks before posting a book review on the library's blog, and I only just finished this book on Saturday, so I'm maybe still bubbling over with those good book emotions. So! Walking it back, you need to check out The River of No Return, at your earliest convenience, if you are the sort of reader who enjoys:

• Time Travel
• Globe Spanning Conspiracies and Secret Societies
• Love Stories
• Characters Who Aren't Dimwits
• Complicated Morality

In 1812, Lord Nicholas Falcott is presumed dead at the Battle of Salamanca, but instead he finds himself transported into the distant future and the welcoming arms of The Guild. Left in the past is Julia Percy, granddaughter of the Earl whose estate borders Nick's own, and with her grandfather's death in 1815, Julia is truly an orphan. How their paths come to cross again, and all of the manipulation and complications that requires is where the story lies.

If, like me, you enjoy historical romances, you won't be disappointed there. I wouldn't be surprised if Ms. Ridgway hasn't read her share of Julia Quinn's, Mary Balogh's, and all the other authors whose books have "duke" in the title. Never fear, a prior love of steamy romance novels is by no means a must to pick up this book, but if you find you enjoy the love story, you might want to browse around our Romance collection!

My only complaint is that the book ends with a couple of dangling plot threads. On the one hand, I'm happy for the idea that I might get to explore this world of time travelers again in some future sequel. On the other hand, I'm going to be wondering... Well, that would be a spoiler, so go! Read the book, and come back and we can discuss what we think is going to happen next!

Other books to read, in case I succeed in creating a wait list for The River of No Return:
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (read alikes for Outlander)
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley (staff review for The Rook)
Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (staff review for Discovery of Witches) (read alikes for Deborah Harkness)
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig