COMFORT FOOD

By Kate Jacobs

The novel revolves around August "Gus" Simpson, a TV cooking show host who is about to celebrate one of the big "O" birthdays, her 50th. For the first time ever, Gus, a consummate party enthusiast, cake lover and hostess both on and off the air, doesn't want to have a birthday party this year. Worse, her shows' ratings are in the tank and the Food Network is talking about taking her show off of the air.

Gus uses her creativity and internal fortitude to reinvent herself. The show becomes a "reality" cooking show featuring real people who are not only members of Gus's real family, but also extended family members, members of the staff and a Spanish beauty queen who is the current love interest of her boss. The show not only goes "live" but it also develops a "life." In the process of all of this change, the characters learn lessons not only about cuisine, but also about love.

I love Kate Jacobs writing style. Her "comfortable" way with words, plot and characters makes this novel fun to read. Her novels fit my definition of "slice-of-life." I really enjoyed reading about Gus and found myself rooting for her. I think you will find yourself caught up in the world of food, television, and business. You won't like all of the characters or all of the things that happen, but hey, welcome to life! What do you think?

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THE DIVORCE PARTY By Laura Dave

Divorce parties have been discussed recently in the New York Times and on CNN.  They are a growing part of contemporary culture.  These parties come complete with fancy invitations, lavish food, and even vacation funds.  The idea is for couples to "celebrate" the end of their marriage leaving no hard feelings as the two parties split and go their separate ways.  Wait a minute, doesn't this sound a little too good to be true?  Could it be that both people could be so "civilized" and no one is hurt?  I don't think so.

In Laura Dave's novel, we are privy to the inside issues surrounding the divorce party being thrown by Gwyn and Thomas Hunnington to "celebrate" the end of their thrity-five year marriage  .  Nate, the son of Gwyn and Thomas, has chosen the party as the opportunity to introduce his girlfriend, Maggie, to his now-divorcing parents.  Of course unforeseen complications that arise.  We see the whole affair, if you will pardon the pun, through the eyes of the two women who are at the opposite ends of the spectrum of marriage, Maggie at the beginning and Gwyn at the end.    

This is a fascinating slice of life novel filled with surprises.  I enjoyed reading it.  It's an intriguing idea that isn't as simple as it appears to be and Laura takes us to the heart of the matter.  What do you think?

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THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB By Kate Jacobs


This is a wonderful slice-of-life novel with all sorts of themes relating to friendship, hardship, growing up, women's support for one another and forgiveness to name a few.


The main character,Georgia Walker, is a "mompreneur" and owner of a knitting shop in New York called Walker and Daughter. She does indeed have a wonderful daughter, Dakota, who is the center of Georgia's life. As a single mom and business owner, Georgia deals with all of the issues of any single, working parent... no time for yourself, kids don't come with instruction books, her father isn't here to help, etc.


The shop is frequented by an eclectic group of women who range in age from 20's to 70's. One Friday evening, they all just seem to gather informally and the knitting club is born.


The cast of wonderful, interesting characters who populate this novel are such fun to read about. The reader may identify women in their own lives who fit the descriptions these characters they seem so real.


The author holds a mirror up to a group of women whose lives reflect what many of us have gone through. There is joy, laughter, and not a few tears not only for the characters, but also for ourselves. I really enjoyed the novel. What do you think?

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