Sometimes, I swear, there are book gods who know just what I need, just when I need it. I’m wandering the rows of books at my neighborhood bookstore and I look down to find “it” in my hands. Usually I have no idea what made me pick it. It has a pretty cover, or I recognize the author’s name, or it’s on sale, and it’s just … (*sigh*) perfect. Last week, I looked down at my hands to discover I’d picked Allison Winn Scotch’s THE ONE THAT I WANT.
TOTIW focuses on the life of Tilly Farmer (I love a good pun name), who marries her high school sweetheart, lives in her home town, and works at her alma mater. When she starts to see visions of the future, she has to ask herself if this was really the life she wanted. (Or, to continue the pun, whether she really wants to reap what she’s sown.)
The plot could have been generic, but the book gods rarely disappoint. The writing is sharp and witty, and you feel like you know these women. You ARE these women. It’s a tricky row Tilly hoes with the not-always-helpful help of an estranged fortune teller, a pissed off sister, and a rebounding friend. The ending is satisfying without being unrealistically tidy, so I expect the word will spread and TOTIW will crop up on many to-be-read piles this summer. (And I think that exhausts my yield of farming puns.) Nice work, Allison! I expect we’ll be seeing you back on the NYT bestseller list soon.
This book is going on my wish list. I’m surrounded by farming, living in Iowa. And I was when I lived in Salinas California. Also, I wonder what my life would be like now if I’d married my HS sweetheart, a man I still love dearly, but am glad I didn’t marry. Does that even make sense?
I read it a couple of weeks ago. I know if I looked into my own future, it would tell me it wished I relaxed more in my past so I think I’ll go get another cup of coffee and start on another book! Thanks, Anne.
I love when the book gods smile at me, too!
I downloaded a sample to my Kindle app. Thanks for the great post! Looks like a fun read.
I’m already getting so many great book ideas from these posts. Mama needs to carve out more reading time. As a Kansas girl it’s probably a law or something that I have to read this one. Home of the waving wheat and all that. Thanks Anne.
Ok, ladies, just to be clear… the book is not actually about farmers! But I still think you’ll enjoy it. ; ) Have a great rest of your week.
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