The Perfect Summer Read For Women of a Certain Age
I loved this book so much and think you will too!
Hello from Virginia where we are in the middle of a family reunion. We just finished a few days in West Virginia where we white water rafted, swam in a stunning quarry, spent early morning hours walking civil war battlefields and early evening hours in complete wonder as hundreds of fireflies blinked in every direction.
And when we’ve had some down time, I’ve snuck away to read. Because there is just something about whiling away the summer hours with a good book, don’t you think?
With that in mind, I have the perfect book recommendation for you: Sandwich by Catherine Newman.
I fell in love with Catherine Newman when she gave a house tour on the blog Cup of Jo. It’s impossible to read that post and not want to be next door neighbors. I mean, who wouldn’t want to pile their shoes by the door and hang out on Catherine’s kitchen couch?
Once Catherine was on my radar, I quickly read and enjoyed her novel, We All Want Impossible Things and was excited when Sandwich was released last year, specifically because the main character Rocky is in the throws of menopause. And who doesn’t want to see themselves written into a good story?
The dust jacket reads,
For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and - thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing - septic, too.
This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past - except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing - her life is too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.
The book made me think and laugh and fall in love with this little family, but most importantly it made me feel seen. Newman articulated things about what it is to be a woman (and particularly a woman in the menopause transition) that I had no idea I needed to read, but I really, really needed to read.
After I finished the book, I asked my husband to read Sandwich. Because as a doctor and as a man married to a perimenopausal woman, I felt like he would benefit from the story. I’m pleased to report that Dan also really enjoyed the book, and that the story gave us an important jumping off point for deeper conversations about women and their experiences.
But also, Sandwich simply exudes summer. The story unfolds at the beach and local swimming holes and doing all those beloved family traditions that happen when a family vacations together. And who doesn’t want to read a summery book in summer?
Anyway, three cheers for a beautifully written, poignant read from the perspective of a menopausal woman. Catherine Newman, you are my hero. I’m so grateful for this book and I think you should check it our from your library or purchase a copy from your favorite independent bookstore.
Happy reading!
Rebecca