the next good book

Sam

By Allegra Goodman

7/10
(7/10)

316 pages

What’s it about?

This coming-of-age story skillfully highlights how difficult it is to be a teenager.  We watch Sam grow from a child into a young adult and see her struggle with all the complex issues teenagers must deal with.

What did it make me think about?

Is coming-of-age easy for anyone?

Should I read it?

Sam was a “Read with Jenna” pick for the Today show in January of 2023. Since I previously read Kaaterskill Falls  and The Family Markowitz  by Allegra Goodman and enjoyed them- I was looking forward to Sam.  Both earlier books were good stories about complicated families.  Sam was a slim novel, and although it was a little slow going for me initially, I ended up enjoying it.   It was nice to read a book where as flawed as the characters are- they are all doing the best they can for each other.

Quote-

“Usually in life it’s better to be sad.  Sad is more lovable- just like dying is more acceptable than drinking full-time.  Every once in a while, Sam thinks it would be easier if her dad died- especially if he would die of something you can sympathize with like cancer.”

What’s it about?

This coming-of-age story skillfully highlights how difficult it is to be a teenager.  We watch Sam grow from a child into a young adult and see her struggle with all the complex issues teenagers must deal with.

What did it make me think about?

Is coming-of-age easy for anyone?

Should I read it?

Sam was a “Read with Jenna” pick for the Today show in January of 2023. Since I previously read Kaaterskill Falls  and The Family Markowitz  by Allegra Goodman and enjoyed them- I was looking forward to Sam.  Both earlier books were good stories about complicated families.  Sam was a slim novel, and although it was a little slow going for me initially, I ended up enjoying it.   It was nice to read a book where as flawed as the characters are- they are all doing the best they can for each other.

Quote-

“Usually in life it’s better to be sad.  Sad is more lovable- just like dying is more acceptable than drinking full-time.  Every once in a while, Sam thinks it would be easier if her dad died- especially if he would die of something you can sympathize with like cancer.”

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