The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

Wow.
I've only read one other book by Elin Hilderbrand (The Blue Bistro), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So, naturally I had high expectations for this one - and Elin did NOT disappoint. She writes in such a way that I feel like I KNOW each character. She is such an expert at characterization. The plot is simple yet deep, and I like that because it allows the reader to really become acquainted with each character and their particular situations.

Birdie is recently divorced from millionaire Grant Cousins and is enjoying the company of a new man, Hank, whose wife has fallen ill to Alzheimer's and permanently resides in a caretaking facility. Her daughter, Chess, calls in the middle of the night to tell her that her wedding to perfect man Michael Morgan is off. Chess moves back home with Birdie in Connecticut, and Birdie decides to take Chess to her family's summer home on Tuckernuck island, off the island of Nantucket. Birdie's other daughter, Tate, who makes a very nice living as a computer consultant, calls to tell Birdie she is coming to the summer house, too. At the last minute, Birdie invites her sister India, whose famous sculptor husband committed suicide fifteen years ago. Together these four women set off to Tuckernuck, leaving the fast pace of the mainland for a more primitive existence on an island without electricity and warm water. Each woman carries with her a secret, along with the hope that Tuckernuck will save them from themselves.

With the end of the book comes some kind of closure for each character, depending on her need. But, it also provides hope for the future, a revival of sorts. Additionally, Hilderbrand's novels have instilled in me the 'itch' to spend part of a summer in Nantucket. So, if you have any connections or advice on where to inexpensively stay for a week or so, please be so kind as to share. I've got Nantucket on the brain for summer 2012!

(I have to thank my friend Rebecca for not only turning me on to Ms. Hilderbrand, but for also being my supplier!)

Despite its thickness, this book is a fast read. And it will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy afterward :) Enjoy!

The 5 Love Languages by Gary D. Chapman

Written by a man who served as a marriage counselor for 30 years, The 5 Love Languages is a book about, well, love languages. "Love Languages" is a term that Chapman designed to explain what works best for people in a marriage, namely what makes a person feel loved. The 5 languages are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

Chapman describes that each person involved in a relationship (marriage) has something called a "love tank". When a person's tank is full, they are happy in their marriage, but when their love tank is less than full or even empty they become dissatisfied with their marriage. How do you know whether your partner's tank is full or empty? Pay attention to what your partner nags you about or witholds from you: that is probably their love language. For example, if your partner constantly nags you to take out the trash or load the dishwasher, their love language might be Acts of Service.

According to Chapman, many a marriage has been rekindled and resurrected by deciphering which love language your partner speaks and then "speaking" that language to them and filling their love tank.

Not everyone speaks the same love language, AND some people are bilingual.

It would be ideal for both partners in a relationship to read this book, determine each other's love language, and then use Chapman's tips to fill each other's love tanks.

The terminology is cheesy but the idea just might work. He cites many examples in detail and he encourages that it would give any struggling marriage a boost.

{Maybe someone should forward this book to the Catholic Church to use in place of their Pre-Cana marriage seminar/workshop. A priest lecturing couples on sex and family planning might not be the best method of marriage instruction. Gary Chapman would be a much better, more practical and realistic choice!}