Saturday, September 5, 2015

Suggested Read: Maybe in Another Life

Finished reading this in just one day!



From the acclaimed author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Do comes a breathtaking new novel about a young woman whose fate hinges on the choice she makes after bumping into an old flame; in alternating chapters, we see two possible scenarios unfold—with stunningly different results.

At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him. (source: Goodreads)

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The book reminded me so much of Abed in the television series Community where he often talks about alternate timelines and parallel universes. To be honest, I knew nothing about the book when I started reading it, I was just attracted to the cover (I have that tendency haha) but yeah, it was such a great read! And I mean five-stars great! Hannah's story is so easily relatable, especially the fact that she still didn't know what to do with her life at 29. I'm 26, and sometimes I do feel pretty lost and up to now, I still don't know what my purpose in life is, so I kind of understand her. And I'm sure a lot of people do, too. Then those boys - Ethan and Henry - I know they're fictional, but I really hope that one day I'll find my own (yes either Ethan OR Henry! Haha) and the friendship between Hannah and Gabby - something that I would love to have with my closest friends when we eventually get to that point!

I'd love to find more books like this! All suggestions are welcome! Please - pretty please - post them below! <3
Currently reading: After I Do (also by Taylor Jenkins Reid)