CGG Book Club: My Name Is Lucy Barton
Hey guys! I have long been an advocate for books as gifts. Between my Holiday Reads, my occasional Beach Reads and my frequent book features throughout the year, there are few gift ideas out there that are as affordable, accessible, and customizable as books! So I thought it might be fun to highlight a few reads I’m devouring each month – plus do a great giveaway of at least one of them. Check out a few of my latest picks below!
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn – $12.99
Like everyone on the planet, I read Gone Girl a few years ago. But author Gillian Flynn had been on my to-read list for awhile before that thanks to recommendations from Entertainment Weekly (where Flynn has formerly a writer). I finally got a chance to pick up another book by the masterful thriller writer, and oh my goodness was it dark, but also quite timely. It follows the story of Libby Day, who was a young girl when her entire family was murdered and her older brother was put away for the crime, in part thanks to Libby’s flawed testimony. The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Libby trying to determine if her brother really was the killer in the ‘present’, and what was happening in the lives of her family in the hours leading up to their murders.
I say the book is ‘timely’ because I read it right around the peak mania for Netflix’s Making a Murderer. If you enjoyed that series, this book takes an interesting look at how the puzzle pieces of a crime can be so easily rearranged when you don’t have a proverbial ‘picture on the box’ to follow – similar to the Steven Avery case. Give it a read, but maybe avoid reading it right before bed – this one’s pretty spine-tingling!
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay – $14.81
Are you on Goodreads? If so, then you probably know how hard it is to gain an average rating of over 4 stars – particularly when you have some 50,000+ people rating your book and it’s actually closer to 4.5. Such is the case with Katja Millay’s (originally) self-published phenomenon, The Sea of Tranquility. Told in alternating viewpoints between two damaged teens at the cusp of adulthood, the book is breathtakingly written from start to finish, with honestly one of the most perfect endings I’ve ever read in a book!
It is one of those unique YA books that transcends the label – adults will enjoy the story of Nastya and Josh just as much as the young adult audience it was originally written for. Sometimes you just want to pick up a book that you know is going to be good, and this is one I can happily recommend to everyone.
Now for the main event! I recently had the opportunity to read My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
What’s The Buzz?: Sometimes it’s not so much a book that gets buzz but an author. Elizabeth Strout has claimed one of literary’s greatest prizes – the Pulitzer – for her collection of interwoven short stories, Olive Kitteridge
What’s The Plot?: In some ways, Strout’s profile makes this book all the more surprising. It’s short – capping at under 200 pages – to the point where it could arguably be a novella and not a full novel, but oh my stars there is a lot going on in every page. Like Olive Kitteridge, My Name Is Lucy Barton
Virtually all of it ties back to one key thing: what it means to love. As we find out, Lucy’s childhood was anything but lovely, which makes her mother’s appearance at her hospital bedside all the more astonishing. As the two women spend a week together, Lucy is overwhelmed with relief and a shocking feeling of love – but as her mother spins tales about their neighbours, dredging up Lucy’s lonely childhood, Lucy is desperately wondering whether her mom is able to reciprocate those same feelings, and how it may impact her life from there (indeed, capacity for love is a question Lucy asks when dreaming of writing, considering her husband, or realizing as a mother herself what all she missed out on.)
What You Need to Know: Although the book is slim, it’s very carefully written. Each page is layered with meaning, making this excellent book club fodder as you assess what the stories Lucy’s mom tells us mean, or whether her mother has a selective memory, or if it’s perhaps Lucy’s own memory that’s flawed. If you like a book that requires some digging in and re-reading, then you’ll enjoy this one. But make no mistake – it’s not a hard read, and even on a surface level, it’s perfectly enjoyable. While the pages are loaded with meaning, the story is very readable, with a crisp, light tone and pages that pull you along (the short chapters help too).
Who It’s For: In a lot of ways, the book reminded me of the work of Canadian greats like Alice Munro or (non-Sci Fi) Margaret Atwood or even Margaret Laurence – particularly when we go back to Lucy’s childhood in rural Illinois. They have a similar feeling and tone, and the past and present are interwoven in a way that’s meaningful for the reader. If you like any of those writers, then you’d certainly enjoy this one. It’s also, as I mentioned, a cool pick for a book club. It’s short and easy to read, but offers plenty of debate and discussion options – including some from the author herself (note, don’t click on that link if you’re worried-ish about spoilers).
Exciting news! If you’re interested in winning a copy of My Name Is Lucy Barton, I have THREE to give away. Here’s how to enter for your chance of nabbing this enjoyable book:
1) First & foremost: you must be a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide to enter this giveaway. It’s as simple as finding ‘The Gift of Gab’ box in the righthand column and dropping in your email or clicking follow. Then, tell me in the comments below by March 16, 2016 – why are you interested in reading My Name Is Lucy Barton?
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 17, 2015 to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Follow Random House of Canada on Twitter, tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet about why you want to read this book! Post a link to your Tweet below in a separate comment to earn yourself an extra entry into the draw.
5) Bonus Entry #2: Add this book to your to-read list on GoodReads, and leave a link back to the page it’s on below in a separate comment to earn yourself another bonus entry.
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Canadian Gift Guide 
Because I binge watched Kitteridge it was so good. A real woman with her faults who you still related to
This book sounds great based on your review. I would love to read this one with my book club. It sounds like there is a lot of material to analyze and discuss.
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/leaherhardt/status/703206419005222914
It sounds interesting and well written. I am always looking for books for our. book club.
Love reading books, so I’m always looking for new interesting books to read.
I like the short story format
Twitter Bonus – https://twitter.com/canadacontest/status/703214085232599041
I love books about mother and daughter relationships.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Burgess Boys and would like to read the author again.
I really enjoyed Olive Kitteridge, so would love to read Lucy Barton.
I would love to read it – sounds like a great read. I need a new book!
This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.
I am a subscriber. I would like to read this book based on your review. Sounds great.
This book sounds right up my alley.
This sounds great – also I love non sci-fi Margaret Atwood so this book might be for me!
I’d like to win it because I’m 126 out of 176 on holds at the library. By winning My Name is Lucy Barton, I might be able to read it before going on holidays this summer.
summer reading bring it
I’ve read your review of the book as well as others & it has been on my books to buy list for a little while now. Since I live nowhere near a book store winning it would be so much more convenient.
I’m an avid reader and would love to this one. Sounds like a good one.
I would love to win this.
I have read many reviews on this book and they are all positive. I recently watched an interview with the author talking about it. This is a book I would love to read.
I’d love to win!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1561503803
By your description it sounds like a book I would love to read.
Looking for a new author to read
I love books, books, all books! I cannot go a day without reading. Lucy Barton is already on my list of holds at the library but I would love to have a copy of my own. The story sounds so interesting and I love a good plot that makes you think.
I read Olive Kitteridge and really enjoyed it.
I love a good book and am always looking to find new authors.
The book sounds interesting and like trying out new authors.
I’m an avid reader. I loved Olive Kitteridge & I’ve heard good things about My Name Is Lucy Barton.
Bonus #1 – https://twitter.com/theponyhalf/status/703421317433966592
Bonus #2 – https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/49407611
I’m already a subsriber. I’d like to read this because I am a big fan of the author. I read her book, “Amy and Elizabeth” quite a long time ago, and I’ve re-read it over and over. It is so good. The characters in the book are so alive, it’s like they’re real people. So many novels have these sort of flat, cardboard characters that don’t seem real at all, but all the characters in “Amy and Elizabeth” were just so real, alive, and true-to-life.
I read a lot, and was interested that she reminded you of Margaret Laurence, Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro. I’ve read and appreciated all three, so I’m now interested in reading this book.
I love to read all types of books
https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/703752049960161280
I am interested in reading My Name is Lucy Barton because I love to read and adding new books to my library is one of my favorite things
I would love to win My Name is Lucy Barton because Elizabeth Strout is an amazing author that I discovered when I read Olive Kitteridge a few years ago
It sounds good and i haven’t read her work yet.
I need a good book. these sound good.although I’ve never read any of her books
I liked her previous book so this must be exciting too.
Interesting sounding book
A great author, I’d love to check out this book!!!
Once I hear an author has won a Pulitzer I’m in, no more information needed! 🙂 I enjoy beautiful writing and a meaningful story, especially if it is about the lives of women.
Bonus entry #1: https://twitter.com/suekitty13/status/704906709022679044
My Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/21502628?shelf=to-read
Want to read the new Gillian Flynn one!
your review
I trust your book recommendations and am always looking for new books to read!
I’d like to read My name is Lucy Barton as I have not heard of her books before and I am always interested in a new and on trend author. Thanks
I’m a full time working mom so my reading time is tight. I need short, well written books!
I loved Olive Kitteridge, recommended it to lots of people. can’t wait to read My Name is Lucy Barton
I enjoy a good book that can take its’ readers on a journey. My Name is Lucy Barton sounds like a story I could dive into.
Definitely added to my Want to Read shelf on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/14740620?page=292&shelf=to-read
I am a subscriber.
I recently read a review of My Name is Lucy Barton in my local paper and had added it to my to read list. today I read your review. My mom and I have had a troubled relationship and I was eager to get some insight from this book.
Intrigued by the review..would like to read it
I love reading YA books.
Oooh I loved Olive Kitterage. I’m looking forward to reading this one!
I think I am most interested in reading ‘My Name is Lucy Barton’ based on your comparison to Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood. Thanks!
My Name Is Lucy Barton has been on my wishlist for a bit. I enjoy Stout. Glad you’re doing a CGG Book Club!