All Adults Here: A Read with Jenna Pick (A Novel)

This was a really good one! I was expecting more whining and annoying family dynamics, but I really happy this didn't fall into that. Don't you love when a book surprises you? The author had a few really well-written phrases that stuck in my brain and I enjoyed her style. The book is told via multiple people's perspectives which I always like as well. This gave me major 'The Family Stone' vibes but a more drawn out, more insightful, less dramatic version. A pretty easy read and it would be a great book club choice!

I had a preconception about this book from others who read it and were disappointed. It did start out slowly because so many characters had to be introduced. But I never found it boring, just certain paragraphs I skimmed in order to get to the meat of it. It is a growing up tale of a family of mostly adults and how to come to terms with their actions and how those actions can effect each other's lives. In all, I really liked the book, feeling at times annoyed and happy about the choices each of them made.

Straub's book popped up in my recommended list many times. Just to warn you it is not one exciting page turner although it kept me wanting to just read one chapter the other. I was impressed how she could write about the simple things in life and about probably every one of our families. I think the best way to describe this book is that it is a story about a family that has carried hurt and are trying their best to be a family as adults. I realized while reading that childhood is a very important park of one's life. We take many memories from childhood to adulthood with us, if they were painful memories it unknowingly can be causing resentment or hurt towards family members or friends. It is important to have conversations as a family and that's what this book is all about. A good read!

I adored this latest novel by Emma Straub with its messy family dynamics and focus on truthfulness and love. The main character, Astrid Strick, is a 68-year-old widow who, after witnessing the sudden death of a woman she knew but didn’t like (for forty years), she begins questioning her life and, in particular, some of the parenting choices she made with her now adult children. All of these children have their own secrets, as does Astrid: she had been in love with another woman for several years and is now determined to tell her kids and attempt to atone in other ways for some of the ways she feels she has wronged them over the years. Astrid’s daughter, Porter, at 32, runs a nearby goat farm and makes cheese. She has decided to have a baby on her own yet has not told her family about the fact that she is almost five months pregnant. Astrid’s thirteen-year-old granddaughter comes to stay, sent from the big city by her parents in the aftermath of an ‘incident’ involving a girl at her school. She, too, has issues to resolve and is a great character in the story. I loved the way sibling and parental relationships were portrayed and was so engaged by everything that happened. I also loved how tenderly and sweet the relationship was between Astrid and her lover, who works at the town beauty shop. I cannot recall when I’ve ever read a novel with older women who love each other. It’s quite refreshing. Full of insights about families and complete with a good dose of humor, this novel was one of my favorite reads so far this year.

I liked this book. Like most mothers, the main character does her best while raising her children but has regrets about things said and unsaid when she is older. As a mother with middle aged children, I can relate. The subplot about the young neighbor boy seemed like an add on and didn't do much for the plot which should have stuck to the family. This would be a good book for a book club because there are many areas for discussion.

Parenting adult children and living your own life produces pain and pride. With partners and children there are so many personalities in the mix that feelings both past and present need to be navigated. It is important to know and learn how each honestly feels and to accept one another. Families should be the love and support system each person needs. It is a worthy goal.

This is my second Straub book (previously listened to the Vacationers) and All Adults Here is the one I recommend reading if you need to choose between the two. It is an ambitious book in addressing contemporary topics such as death, abuse, gender identity from a lesbian, homosexual and transgender perspective, bullying, pedophilia, artificial insemination, and others. There's an overall theme on parenting, particularly motherhood and the quirky characters (a dozen key ones) are all different ages and we can see life through each of their lenses. It has a small town vibe and explores complicated family dynamics including sibling rivalry. There seems to be something for every reader! I really enjoyed Straub's vivid prose, metaphors, and analogies. I think I'd like to re-read this one or even listen to the audio version to absorb it a little differently next time.

Well this book covers a lot of timely issues. I know the author writes good books. This isn't about the issues its about the over discriptive writing. I got to where I would read the first part and skim through the chapter to continue on with the story that was at the beginning. Just tell the stories without history, psychology of why, and the angst . Well a little may be necessary? This reader found it too much.

It's just a sweet sweet book about family and relationships and has a ton of good vibes. It just makes you feel happy from the inside. I'm a sucker for books with happy endings and this one truly delivers. It's like a hug, warm and comforting.

Fun book and good vacation read!

Gostei de acompanhar os personagens, a leitura me prendeu. Talvez tenha havido um excesso na trama, personagens profundos abordados de forma superficial que, na minha opinião, seria melhor que não fossem introduzidos. Mas no geral valeu a leitura!

It was a very enjoyable good read. For me,a widow, similar age, grandchild living with me...IT HIT HOME! Many meaningful messages. Be honest and enjoy & live each day!

This is a stale re-hash of Modern Family without the humour.