Open House by Elizabeth Berg

I decided that my first book pick would be Open House by Elizabeth Berg. I had originally made this choice for two main reasons, the first being that I had already read books from her before, so I figured I would enjoy reading another one. When I went to figure out what books I had previously read, I realized that I actually hadn’t read anything by Elizabeth Berg. At all. Why do I think I had read this previous work from this author when I clearly have not? I have no idea. Anyway, my second reason for choosing to read this novel first was because the main character’s name was Samantha. Obviously the most legitimate and respected reason for choosing a book is by the main character’s first name.

This book turned out to be exactly how I expected it would be. A story about a woman who is going through a divorce and during a couple of sad and depressing months after, manages to meet some new people, learn some new skills, have some new feelings, and find herself again. A good story, although I wish it would have been a little longer.

It’s funny, though, how sometimes certain characters speak to you in a certain way, even if you have never gone through what the character is going through. I have never had a divorce, but there were a few thoughts in the book that I had previously thought about. For example, this one:

“Oh, what I want to do is hand over my life to someone else. That’s all. And they could rearrange it into something that would make sense.”

I’ve had this thought many times in the past, particularly when I’m sad, believing that someone else could live my life better than me. That I am, somehow, doing it wrong, that there is a guidebook to my life somewhere and I am just not following it correctly, having never been told it existed. And somewhere, someone has this book, has read it, and is laughing at how much I am screwing it up. A depressing idea, no matter how untrue it happens to be. Which brings me to this quote from the book:

“”Oh, God, King. You always make me feel so…Like I’m fine.”

“That’s because you are, Sam. How come you don’t know that?”

I realize this isn’t spoken to me directly, but the fact that it is being said to a character with my name, does help it pack more of a punch. Sometimes, these kinds of reminders are helpful, no matter where they come from.

In honor of the birth of my little nephew this past week, I have chosen my next selection to be Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. The title is, of course, the part of the book I am referring to, as I believe the story itself is dark, sad, and haunting. None of which relate to this adorable little peanut.