Title: Vintage
Author: Susan Gloss
Source: from publisher for TLC Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: This is a beautiful, amazing, wonderful book which explore female friendship and stands as a powerful testament to the idea that the modern women can be anyone she wants to be.
As I may have mentioned once or twice, I love books where people’s lives intersect and they all become happier as a result. This is one of those stories. At the beginning, I thought I might be getting tired of that story. I thought this particular story might feel clichéd and exactly like all the others. However, the more I read, the more I was convinced this was something special. The writing did remind me of The Wedding Bees or Lost Lake. Susan Glass does a wonderful job creating a vivid world with a cheerful atmosphere. Her writing is bright and colorful, making reading this book a delightful experience. Initially, I wasn’t sure I liked the fashion references, especially since I’m not fashionable enough to get all of them. I did, however, think the idea of focusing each chapter on one item from Violet’s store (described at the beginning of the chapter) gave this book a unique character. I eventually got used to the in-chapter fashion references too.
What really won me over though was the fantastic message of this book. The characters are incredibly diverse, including: Violet, the vintage store owner from a small midwestern town; Amithi, a traditional Indian wife; April, a teenage mother-to-be; Betsy, a wealthy philanthropist; and , a retired actress and mother of three. Throughout the story, all of these women come together and help one another in a beautiful example of female friendship. Their differences are sometimes challenging, but they also enable these women to support one another. Each woman has very different goals and dreams, both professionally and personally. And this book makes it very clear, that all of their goals are equally admirable. Whether a woman chooses to be mothers or have a career or both or wants to do stereotypically feminine things or not, it’s all ok. I think this is something that needs to be said more often. I am deeply grateful to the author for making this a book which not only gave me warm fuzzy feelings because of a happy story, but a book that could make a difference with it’s positive message for women at any stage of their lives.
For some other perspectives, check out the other stops on the tour, Amazon, or Goodreads.
Seems like this book has a lot of colourful characters! After reading Paris Rue des Martyrs, I’m thinking I rather like books where the characters’ lives intersect. I think I will also have a slight problem with the fashion references – I’m a total flop when it comes to fashion, but the book sounds lovely!
Melinda @ The Book Musings recently posted…The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
I really just don’t get tired of them, especially when they have such a lovely positive message as this one. The reason I like all of the books like this is because they have such a happy perspective on humanity, but the embracing of diversity and different aspirations for women really made this one stand out for me
Thank you so much for this lovely perspective. So glad you enjoyed it!
Susan recently posted…Vintage Launch Party Pictures
Thank you for stopping by and for writing such a wonderful, beautiful book. Reading it brought me a lot of joy
Oh, I like when lives intersect, even when characters don’t realize it fully themselves. Will keep my eye out for this one.
Jennine G. recently posted…The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
Me too! They’re rapidly becoming one of my favorite kinds of books
I love a good heart warmer- this sounds wonderful!
Katie @ Words for Worms recently posted…Offbeat Books: A Top Ten Tuesday List
It was wonderful! I could definitely see you enjoying this one
I don’t think this is my usual kind of read, but the message and the heart-warming nature of it sounds so appealing so I might give this a try some day! And I feel like I could really empathize with these characters. I’m glad it was so moving and lovely for you- great review!
Charlene @ Bookish Whimsy recently posted…Review: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Oh, I hope you do! It is my usual kind of read, but if you’re going to try this kind of book for the first time, this is a great book to go with
I also enjoyed this book a lot, for many of the same reasons as you, although I expressed my thoughts differently. Terrific review!
Thanks Suko! I’m glad you enjoyed it too
Great review. This sounds like a wonderful book.
Pat @ Posting For Now recently posted…Review: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
I enjoyed Jennifer’s review of this one and I’m glad to see you enjoyed it, too!
Andi @ Estella’s Revenge recently posted…Book Bloggers International: An Intro to BookTube!
Thanks for being a part of the tour for this wonderful book! I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.