Lighthearted novels

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, October 2017; written by Tammy Dinsmore

Are you looking for something lighthearted and fun to read? We have some new novels in our collection that may fit the bill.

“Confessions of a Domestic Failure” by Bunmi Laditan is a funny and sometimes real look at what it’s like to be a new mom. Ashley Keller used to be a career oriented woman, but now she’s a stay-at-home mom. She dreams about being the perfect mom, but it’s just not working out that way. She has dirty dishes in the sink and piles of laundry waiting to be taken care of. Her husband has a new business he’s trying to get off the ground and doesn’t have much sympathy for Ashley. She’s tired all of the time. She doesn’t know how to fix it. And then “Motherhood Better” bootcamp comes along. The woman who transforms her life the most wins $100,000. This is a funny and heartwarming story that many new moms (and dads) can relate to.

Arthur Less is a writer who hasn’t had much success and he is about to turn fifty. His partner of 9 years has fallen in love with someone else and is getting married. When Arthur receives an invitation to the wedding, he decides he would rather be anywhere else but there and he doesn’t even want to think about turning fifty. So off he goes on a trip around the world where he has accepted speaking engagements. The book follows Arthur’s travels, from Berlin to Paris, Morocco, and the Saharan Dessert. He has many mishaps and adventures along the way. “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer is both a funny and a sweet story. You may find yourself laughing out loud or quietly crying.

What happens when a family converges on the house of a dying and very wealthy matriarch? Chaos, that’s what. Everyone wants to inherit the huge house and grounds in Singapore, and everyone wants all of the other pieces of the estate as well. “Rich People Problems” by Kevin Kwan is a funny look into what family members can do to each other when money is at the root of things, the sniping and backbiting, jealousy, and pettiness of brothers, sisters, husbands and wives.

These are just a small fraction of some fun titles we have here on our new books shelves. I hope you’ll find the time to come in and browse around.