The Way Life Should Be

Interesting narrative of a woman's life changes and how she handles them. Very readable.

I love books with what appear to be a simple premise -- you can even kind of guess how they will end. The key to making them great reads is just what Ms. Baker Kline has managed to do -- taken a simple premise -- early 30s young woman wonders about life, hopes to find love, and takes off to in order to do it, and turns it into a lovely, complex novel not only about finding love but finding oneself using, as tools the people and things in your life. Any woman, married or single, with children or without, twenties, thirties, forties, etc. will relate to this quick and pleasurable read.

I drove into Delaware to Barnes and Nobles to find your book. None of the stores here in Pa had it but Barnes and Nobles on Route 202 in North Wilmington had four copies. I bought this book on Tuesday Aug 13, 07 and finished it today 'Aug 16' at work 'shh, don't tell anyone, I had to read it'. I have to say... I loved it. I'm not really much for reviews on a book. But I really hope there will be a second book to this, I would love to know what happens to Angela. If Angela opens that restaurant, if she and Tom get together... and if Nonna and Angela goes to Italy! Love the characters, love the setting in Maine! Can't wait to read it again!!!

Once you start this book, you won't want to put it down! The Way Life Should Be is not only a fun, fast paced summer read, but also a subtly crafted message on living life to the fullest...with fantastic recipies to boot! You will laugh, flinch, and cheer as Angela Russo and her realistically flawed group of friends maneuver their way through life. Christina Baker Kline gives hope to those of us that, like Angela, are asking ourselves that elusive question; What the heck am I going to do with my life?

She nails it. From the Impressionist view of land and sea from atop Cadillac Mountain on a foggy day, to the librarian who takes such an interest in one's reading habits that it borders on invasion of privacy, Christina Baker Kline's third novel paints Mount Desert Island, Maine with such accurate detail that some of its inhabitants might wonder if they sat for the portrait. This is a novel about family, about food, about sense of place. Ultimately, it's an examination of what it takes to make a life. At one point, Angela Russo, the protagonist of the story, muses on Maine's state slogan - "The Way Life Should Be." She turns it upside down, reading it as an existential question: what is the way life should be? The answer, of course, is one each of us must puzzle out for ourselves. But in the telling of her tale of one woman's wrestling with this universal concern, Kline provides a roadmap for us all.

The author has written a story about a woman whose life was making her numb and who wanted to change that. Angela took a huge leap of faith to begin a new life in a new place; her willingness to risk it all for love, leaving her comfort zone far behind, is admirable. Although this is an engaging story, Angela's willingness to risk may the most charming part of it. Following her instincts caused her real disappointment in the love arena, but it was the beginning of a wonderful adventure in new ways of living her life. Cast adrift on Mount Desert Island, ME, Angela digs in and creates a life for herself, minus the guy who was the catalyst for her move to Maine, and yet rich with friends and acquaintances who make up her new family. After a few setbacks, Angela begins to experience the joy and freedom of doing her own thing teaching Italian cooking, which is a major improvement from her mind-numbing life in the city. You will enjoy sharing her ups and downs as she creates for herself, a new life in the wilds of Maine. This is a very enjoyable book which anyone who has also taken a great leap of faith in her own life, will appreciate. It's full of warmth, humor, great recipes, and a spirit that you will find enchanting. This book is highly recommended.