This Is How It Always Is

 Book 32 of my 2024 Reading Challenge

read from March 20 - 30

This Is How It Always Is

by Laurie Frankel

My Opinion

4 stars

This is a lovely book.  The quiet respectfulness of the situation was clear throughout the book and when the author mentioned a kernel of the story is from her own life, I understood how the details could feel rooted in realism.  There were big discussions and moments but they were not presented in an after-school special way, they were woven into the fabric of everyday life.

It went off the rails for me in Thailand but other than that, it was a roller coaster of a book in a good way.  There were hills and valleys for everyone throughout the time of the book and while there weren't definite answers at the end, it felt hopeful.

Quote from the Book

"Because you know what's better than happy endings?"

"What?"

"Happy middles."

"You think?"

"All the happy with none of the finality. All the happy with room enough to grow. What could be better than that?"