None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

 

Hello everyone.  I hope you're staying cool in all this hot weather.

Do you enjoy your birthday?  I don't.  Not only do I lament getting older, but each year seems to bring a catastrophe during that time.  There were hurricanes, one so bad we actually moved because of it.  There has been illness.  Work issues surfaced during that period, cancelling a birthday trip.  Oh, and we had to put one of our dogs down on my birthday...like on the day. Now I tend to dread it.  My birthday wasn't always like that.  I used to love that day, not only because as a child I received presents and cake, but I shared my Aunt Mary's birthday.  She was a great aunt and an amazing woman.  Even though she didn't have any crafting classes, that I know of, if she saw something she wanted for her home she could and would make it.  Her creations were indistinguishable from that of pros.  Want a wooden valence?  No problem, she'd buy the wood, cut it into a shape she liked, upholster it, hang it, etc.  If she wanted a wing back chair reupholstered, she'd do it herself. Somehow, she figured out how to do all these things on her own, with spectacular results.  She also built doll houses, so fun. In addition, she was super ladylike and very kind. We used to go out to a swanky local restaurant when I was a kid, on birthday night, we'd find my aunt and family at the same eatery.  They kind of had a formal, slightly Tudor atmosphere with a huge stone fireplace and chargers and goblets made of pewter.  Sounds like nail on a chalkboard for my teeth now, but as a kid it was so cool. Such special memories.

I recently read None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.  I've read many Lisa Jewell books and enjoyed them all.  In this story, we are following two families, mostly the two women who are wives and mothers.  Alix and Josie meet at a restaurant where they are to celebrate their birthdays.  Not only are they born on the same day and year, but in the same hospital.  They are birthday twins. As the story unfolds, we learn that Alix has a popular inspirational podcast about women who have survived difficult times. After a chance meeting, Josie tells Alix that she has an idea for her podcast, to tell the story of a woman as she is doing through that "difficulty" and indeed, significant life changes.  To document Josie's life, as it happens.  To start this project, the women start by recording Josie's past, so they can have some sort of context for what is to come in the future. As is often true with psychological thrillers, all is not what it seems.  Josie and her family are hiding dark, terrible secrets.  As Alix tries to figure out what she has gotten herself into, Josie wiggles her way into Alix's life and home.  Quickly it becomes clear that someone in Josie's family is lying and someone is very dangerous.

This book is my new favorite Lisa Jewell.  The story line is a bit unusual and keeps the reader guessing.  The pacing is well done, allowing enough time for characters to be developed but still propelling the story forward from not only the plot but short chapters. This book becomes one of those where it is so easy to say, "I'll just read a tiny bit of the upcoming chapter," soon it's over and your eyes peek at a few words from the next.  It becomes simple to consume a chapter or two during tv commercials, on hold at some annoying company after yelling "agent" 45 times, or nonchalantly while your spouse is talking...remember to nod and say um-hum.  No matter how you sneak in those short, addicting chapters you'll be happy you did.  None of This is True is a very fun read.