Olive, Again

Olive is one of my favorite characters because she is so prickly, and disruptive, and honest. I loved spending more time in Crosby, Maine. Elizabeth Strout is a genius at writing about ordinary people and situations, and making them unforgettable. She allows readers to see and understand the struggles underpinning the lives of everyone around us, and gives a voice and a purpose to those who might slip by unseen. This book is full of melancholy, but also glimpses of hope. One of the best of the year, for me.