The Outlook for Earthlings by Joan Frank

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The Outlook For Earthlings traces a difficult friendship across a lifetime. Melanie Taper is rule-bound, timid, self-erasing. Yet in unguarded moments she demonstrates such deadly insight into human foibles as to suggest a strength that has, for dark reasons, deliberately hidden itself lifelong. Scarlet Rand is rash, willful, abrasive—vexed by “demure” traits and “small fussing motions.” Shocked by Mel’s passivity and near-archaic saintliness, Scarlet disbelieves it. Their friendship suggests to each a final frontier, a saving sanctuary. Yet at its core each woman takes a secret, moral offense at the other’s inmost nature—and her choices. Against the deadline of the illness which is slowly destroying one of them, a reckoning must occur.

The Outlook for Earthlings considers the limits of friendship—and of witnessing. It asks how we may finally measure a life—and who should do the measuring.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a book! Joan Frank's latest novel, The Outlook for Earthlings, explores the ins and outs of female friendship. And it is fascinating. I absolutely LOVED reading this book!

This is the story of Melanie and Scarlet and their life-long friendship that has survived high school (where they met), growing up, marriage, and now illness. We read about their opinions of one another, their perspectives on life, and the ways in which this friendship has ebbed and flowed for so long.  The complexities of friendship is looked at and illustrated in such an honest and open manner, that you can't help but start to wonder about your own friendships in life. I found it so interesting how long it took for Scarlet to understand a vital aspect of friendship - support. I couldn't help but think of that old saying, "friends for a season, a reason, or a lifetime." Sometimes a friendship can be summed up so simply, or can evolve to include all three. This book definitely makes you think about the importance of friendship and what it means to you. 

I would definitely recommend The Outlook for Earthlings to fans of Frank and anyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out on this book!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Outlook for Earthlings

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

All The News I Need: A Novel by Joan Frank

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

All The News I Need probes the modern American response to inevitable, ancient riddles—of love and sex and mortality.

Frances Ferguson is a lonely, sharp-tongued widow who lives in the wine country. Oliver Gaffney is a painfully shy gay man who guards a secret and lives out equally lonely days in San Francisco. Friends by default, Fran and Ollie nurse the deep anomie of loss and the creeping, animal betrayal of aging. Each loves routine but is anxious that life might be passing by. To crack open this stalemate, Fran insists the two travel together to Paris. The aftermath of their funny, bittersweet journey suggests those small changes, within our reach, that may help us save ourselves—somewhere toward the end.

Praise
“Joan Frank has gifted us with two unforgettable characters in a novel filled to bursting with hard truths and shimmering beauty.” —Bob Wake, Cambridge Book Review

Joan Frank is a human insight machine.” —Carolyn Cooke

“I will be quoting her ‘rules for aging’ at many dinner parties!” —Natalie Serber

my thoughts:

Wow.  This book is why I love to read.  I'm serious.  All The News I Need is the epitome of great literature.  Its creative, relatable, and unputdownable.  The writing is beautiful and the characters are unforgettable.  This is one book that I will be recommending to anyone and everyone who loves to read.

Ollie is 62 and Fran is 58.  They are both convinced that life is pretty much over.  They are getting older, they have lost their loved ones, and they are feeling pretty hopeless.  In fact, they realize that they really only have each other and that is thanks to Kirk, Fran's late husband.  So, to avoid being completely alone and keep a connection in the world, they decide to maintain their friendship.  They figure that its better to have each other, than to have no one.  Okay, I know this sounds like a book about a pair of downers and it is, but only at first.  You see, the duo decide to a take a trip to Paris.  Yep, Paris!

Fran wants to revisit places she visited with Kirk; plus, she really thinks Ollie needs this trip (and she somehow convinces him to go).  So the two head off to the City of Lights. And let me just say that this trip is just what the doctor ordered to get this duo out of their doldrums.  Paris manages to open their eyes, hearts, and minds to the fact that life is not over for them just yet.  There is still so much more to experience and explore.

Joan Frank has written a truly engaging and entertaining story that explores the topics of aging and loss in such an honest and open manner.  She has created two characters that can make you wince and cringe with their negativity, but then make you smile and laugh at the same time with their astute observations about life.  I absolutely LOVED this book.  It was superb with a capital "S".  All The News I Need is a must-read for anyone who LOVES to read. 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: All The News I Need

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!