Title: The Same Bright Stars
Author: Ethan Joella
Publisher: Scribner
@scribnerbooks
Genre: Realistic Literary Fiction
Thank you @scribnerbooks for the #gifted copy of The Same Bright Stars by one of my favorite authors Ethan Joella. @bookfriendsbookclub was able to meet with @ethan via zoom last night and not only was it great to dive a little deeper into this story and Ethan’s writing process, but it was truly like hanging out with a great friend. We’ve had Ethan on three times now and not only is he an amazing author he is truly just a good human being! We look forward to book number four.
For me, Joella’s books are like comfort food. He has a knack for writing cozy heartfelt stories with realistic characters. Characters you care about and have empathy for. While his stories may have heavier themes and topics to ponder at times, they are always, always, full of hope. The author’s eternal optimism shines through.
I first read this book at the end of May in print and then again just before our chat doing the audio thanks to @simon.audio + @libro.fm It’s narrated by Chris Henry Coffey who really shined. His voice portrayed the main character Jack exactly how I envisioned him.
"It's not easy to make a change when your employees are rooted to you and, even though you have tried to stay unattached, you care about each root."
Jack is the third generation running their family’s restaurant, Schmidt’s. It wasn’t always what he thought he would do, but when his father passed away, he took it on. Running a restaurant became all consuming at the expense of relationships and hobbies. Jack sort of forgot how to dream and decide what he wanted in life. But maybe he will have a second chance. He’s been offered a buy-out from a restaurant group; a group that has taken over several businesses in the beach community of Rehoboth. Could he do it? Give up his family’s business? Allow a small business to have corporate owners? Force his employees, who have become family, to work for a big boss or have to find another job? What will become of Schmidt’s and Jack?
🏖️ Singular third person POV
🏖️ Short chapters
🏖️ Small town beachy setting
🏖️ Character driven
🏖️ Then + Now timelines
🏖️ Found family
🏖️ Grief, healing, letting go + new beginnings
This book is a love letter to the author’s current city, Rehoboth Beach, DE. I’ve been there many times before, so It was fun for me to read about a place I’ve been. It will make you want to go there! However, I also think it has a nostalgia feel. His vivid writing is going to make you remember that special place you used to summer vacation. That restaurant you always had to go to. Traditions.
As the great Mary Oliver said: “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Read Ethan Joella, of course!
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