A couple months ago, I received an ARC of Rush. I was intrigued, because the publicist who sent it to me handpicked it for me (she knows my taste). She said it was a combination of Mary Kay Andrews and The Help. Sounded perfect, but then I went on my road trip and summer took over (see last week’s post). A couple weeks ago my book club picked the book, and I remembered that I had it at home. I finished it in three days (and it’s a bit of a long one). It’s fantastic!!!!
Cali Watkins possesses all the qualities sororities are looking for in a potential new member. She’s kind and intelligent, makes friends easily, even plans to someday run for governor. But her resume lacks a vital ingredient. Pedigree. Without family money Cali’s chances of sorority membership are already thin, but she has an even bigger problem. If anyone discovers the dark family secrets she’s hiding, she’ll be dropped from Rush in an instant.
When Lilith Whitmore, the well-heeled House Corp President of Alpha Delta Beta, one of the premiere sororities on campus, appoints recent empty-nester Wilda to the Rush Advisory Board, Wilda can hardly believe her luck. What’s more, Lilith suggests their daughters, both incoming freshman, room together. What Wilda doesn’t know is that it’s all part of Lilith’s plan to ensure her own daughter receives an Alpha Delt bid―no matter what.
For twenty-five years, Miss Pearl―as her “babies” like to call her―has been housekeeper and a second mother to the Alpha Delt girls, even though it reminds her of a painful part of her past she’ll never forget. When an opportunity for promotion arises, it seems a natural fit. But Lilith Whitmore slams her Prada heel down fast, crushing Miss Pearl’s hopes of a better future. When Wilda and the girls find out, they devise a plan destined to change Alpha Delta Beta―and maybe the entire Greek system―forever.
Achingly poignant, yet laugh-out-loud funny, RUSH takes a sharp nuanced look at a centuries-old tradition while exploring the complex, intimate relationships between mothers and daughters and female friends. Brimming with heart and hope for a better tomorrow, RUSH is an uplifting novel universal to us all.
I LOVED this book and I’m confident that you will, too. And I was so excited when I got Lisa’s answers to the BOML questions, because I discovered we have lots in common!
What was my favorite book as a child?
Hands down, CHARLOTTE’S WEB.
What was your favorite book that you read for school?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and THE GREAT GATSBY
What’s a book that really cemented you as a writer?
Rebecca Well’s DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YAYA SISTERHOOD
Is there a book that you’ve read over and over again?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I’m blown away by Harper Lee’s courage.
What’s a classic you’re embarrassed to say you’ve never read?
AS I LAY DYING
What’s a book you’ve pretended to read?
I went to an all-girl’s prep school. We pretty much had to read all the classics.
What’s a recent book you wish you’d written?
BEFORE WE WERE YOURS
What’s a favorite movie adaptation of a book you loved?
THE HELP
The books you read to your children:
All the Berenstain Bear Books, Judith Voirst books, Treasure Island, Harry Potter, Where The Wild Things Are, Charlotte’s Web. Winnie the Pooh, The Tales of Peter Rabbit.
If there were only one genre that you could read for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Women’s Fiction – in all its manifestations.
Is there a book you’ve given multiple times as a gift?
Not one in particular but I give books as gifts all the time!
What author living, or dead would you most like to meet, and what would you like to know?
Scott Fitzgerald. Why did you make Zelda think she was crazy? LOL
What was the last book that made you laugh out loud, and what was the last one that made you cry?
Fannie Flagg’s CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN made me howl. Kristin’s Hannah’s THE NIGHTINGALE made me sob.
What was the last book that you told people they have to read?
THE NIGHTINGALE
What are you reading now?
Mark Kay Andrew’s HIGH TIDE CLUB AND SOUTHERNMOST What will you read next? THE GLASS OCEAN.
Books or eReader?
BOOKS
Do you keep your books or pass them on?
I keep them all! My poor husband.
Do you have a favorite place to read?
The beach, of course.
Do you have a favorite bookstore?
I can’t afford to incriminate myself 😉
♣
I love To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby, and The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. In fact, I often use the turn, “I dropped my basket,” and it kills me when people don’t get it! I love The Help – book and movie. And I concur, I would very much like for Mr. Fitzgerald to answer your question. The Nightingale gutted me and the beach is one of my favorite places to read. I read MKA’s book, The High Tide Club and I think you will love it. I just bought The Glass Ocean. I adore Beatriz Williams. The Forgotten Room was so cleverly done that I can’t wait to see what the ladies do with this one.
You can purchase Rush at your local independent bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and of course, Amazon. You can learn more about Lisa by visiting her website and follwing her on social media.
If you’re interested in reading more The Books of My Life posts, click here.
Yes, off to add this to my ever-growing list as you know I always take your recommendations to heart. Seriously you haven’t steered me wrong yet! 🙂
Thanks Janine! I appreciate it. I love your recommendations, too.
OOH! I’m due for a new book to read, thank you. I loved loved loved The Nightingale, YaYa Sisterhood (I’ve probably read that one eight times!), The Help, and Before We Were Yours SO MUCH. Thanks, Allie! I’m sure I’ll love Rush too!
If you loved all those books – you will most definitely love Rush. I promise!
I love these posts, Allie. I’ll add Rush to be to-read list…it’s so long!
It is long! My book club picked it and we extended our reading time. But it’s a quick read, I promise. Short chapters too!
I’ve never read As I Lay Dying either! (or heard of it) And I so agree about narrowing it down to Women’s Fiction.
Women’s fiction would be my fiction genre – but it would be tough for me to chose between fiction and nonfiction!