"One Italian Summer" by Rebecca Serle

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Call Number: FICTION Serle
When Katy's mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn't just Katy's mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: to Positano, the magical town where Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy's father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone. But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother's spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life. And then Carol appears--in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn't understand what is happening, or how--all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue.

Family Dynamics: How does the relationship between the protagonist, Katy, and her mother evolve throughout the story? What role does family history and secrets play in shaping their dynamic?
Themes of Grief and Healing: Discuss Katy's journey through grief after the loss of her mother. How does her experience in Italy contribute to her healing process? In what ways does she confront her grief and find solace?
Setting and Atmosphere: Explore the significance of the Italian setting in the novel. How does the beauty and culture of Italy influence Katy's emotional journey? How does Serle use vivid descriptions of the Italian landscape to create atmosphere and mood?
Character Development: Analyze the development of Katy's character throughout the story. How does she change or grow as a result of her experiences in Italy? What pivotal moments or relationships contribute to her personal transformation?
Themes of Love and Romance: Trace the romantic relationships in the novel, including Katy's budding romance with Luca. How do these relationships intersect with themes of grief and self-discovery? How does love play a role in Katy's healing process?
Intersections of Past and Present: The novel incorporates flashbacks to Katy's mother's past. How do these flashbacks enhance your understanding of the characters and their motivations? How do they contribute to the overall narrative structure?
Identity and Self-Discovery: Discuss Katy's journey of self-discovery in Italy. In what ways does she learn more about herself and her mother's past? How do her experiences in Italy shape her sense of identity and purpose?
Friendship and Support: Explore the role of friendship and community in the novel. How do Katy's relationships with Luca, Luca's family, and other characters provide her with support and companionship during a difficult time?
Narrative Voice and Style: Reflect on Serle's narrative voice and writing style. How does she use language and imagery to evoke emotions and create a sense of place? How does the first-person perspective contribute to your engagement with the story?
Resolution and Reflection: Consider the ending of the novel and Katy's journey towards acceptance and closure. How does she come to terms with her mother's death and find a sense of peace? What themes or messages does the resolution of the story convey?

Early Life and Education: Rebecca Serle was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Growing up, she developed a passion for storytelling and literature. She attended the University of Southern California, where she studied English literature and creative writing, further honing her skills as a writer.

Career Beginnings: After completing her education, Serle began her career in the entertainment industry, initially working in television development. Her background in storytelling and her experiences in the entertainment industry would later influence her writing style and approach to crafting narratives.

Literary Success: Rebecca Serle made her literary debut with the novel "When You Were Mine" (2012), a modern retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" from the perspective of Rosaline, Romeo's first love. The novel received positive reviews for its fresh take on the classic story and its exploration of themes such as love, friendship, and identity.

Serle continued to gain recognition with her subsequent novels, including "The Edge of Falling" (2014), a contemporary YA novel exploring themes of grief and redemption, and "Famous in Love" (2014), the first book in a series about a young actress navigating fame and romance in Hollywood.

One of Serle's most well-known works is "In Five Years" (2020), a novel that follows a woman who experiences a vivid vision of her life five years in the future, prompting her to reconsider her present choices and desires. The novel became a bestseller and received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and thought-provoking exploration of fate and love.

In addition to her novels, Serle has also written for television and contributed to various publications. She is known for her engaging storytelling, relatable characters, and ability to evoke powerful emotions in her readers.

Personal Life: Rebecca Serle resides in Los Angeles, where she continues to write and work on various creative projects. She is actively involved in the literary community and often participates in author events, book signings, and speaking engagements. Serle is known for her authenticity and candor, both in her writing and in her interactions with readers.

Legacy: Rebecca Serle has established herself as a talented and versatile author, known for her ability to captivate readers with her engaging narratives and insightful explorations of love, loss, and the complexities of the human experience. Her novels resonate with audiences of all ages and have earned her a devoted following, cementing her place in contemporary literature.

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Call Number: FICTION Brammer
What's the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can't give yourself a beautiful life? From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit , Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process. Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a trip across the country to uncover a forgotten love story--and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she'll have the courage to go after it. Probing, clever, and hopeful, The Collected Regrets of Clover is perfect for readers of The Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine as it turns the normally taboo subject of death into a reason to celebrate life.
Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson; Susan DiLallo; James Patterson
Call Number: FICTION Patterson
An artist and her perfectionist mother unpack a lifetime of secrets while on vacation in Paris in this moving novel--perfect for fans of One Italian Summer . A mother and daughter on vacation in Paris unpack a lifetime of secrets and hopes--with a giant Pattersonian twist at the end! Every daughter has her own distinctive voice, her inimitable style, and her secrets. Laurie is an artist, a collector of experiences. She travels the world with a worn beige duffel bag. Every mother has her own distinctive voice, her inimitable style, and her secrets. "Dr. Liz," Laurie's mother, is an elegant perfectionist who travels the world with a matched set of suitcases.
The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst
Call Number: FICTION Probst
A secret romance sends three estranged sisters to the Amalfi Coast to follow clues about their mother's past, and challenges them to a whole new future, in this emotional novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst. Priscilla, Devon, and Bailey haven't been close in years, but when the sisters are forced to come together to settle their mother's estate, they discover a secret. In an old trunk, they happen upon ownership papers for a house on the Amalfi Coast, along with a love letter to their mother from an anonymous man, promising to meet her in Italy during the summer of her sixty-fifth birthday. Now they're questioning everything they know about her history. In order to get answers about the woman they thought they knew, they'll have to go back to where it all started. The sisters embark on a trip to the stunning cliffside village of Positano, Italy, to track down the mysterious ex-lover and figure out who their mother really was. As Priscilla, Devon, and Bailey unearth the truth, they also experience the magic of Italy, the power of sisterly love, a little unexpected romance, and newfound hope for the future.
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith
Call Number: FICTION Smith
Right after the sudden death of her mother--her first and most devoted fan--and just before the launch of her high-stakes sophomore album, Greta James falls apart on stage. The footage quickly goes viral and she stops playing, her career suddenly in jeopardy--the kind of jeopardy her father, Conrad, has always predicted. Months later, Greta--still heartbroken and very much adrift--reluctantly agrees to accompany Conrad on the Alaskan cruise her parents had booked to celebrate their fortieth anniversary. It could be their last chance to heal old wounds in the wake of shared loss. But the trip will also prove to be a voyage of discovery for them both, and for Ben Wilder, a charming historian, onboard to lecture about The Call of the Wild, who is struggling with a major upheaval in his own life. As Greta works to build back her confidence and Ben confronts an uncertain future, they find themselves drawn to and relying on each other. It's here in this unlikeliest of places--at sea, far from the packed city venues where she usually plays and surrounded by the stunning scenery of Alaska--Greta will finally confront the choices she's made, the heartbreak she's suffered, and the family hurts that run deep. In the end, she'll have to decide what her path forward might look like--and how to find her voice again.
Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon
Call Number: FICTION VARON
Poppy Banks would rather be writing mysteries than writing listicles for her dead-end job at Thought Buzz. But after a series of rejections, she's ready to accept life on the sidelines as a plus-size woman. Her aunt Margot is the one person unwilling to give up on her niece's dreams and tells her so at their secret yearly lunches. But all of Poppy's beliefs about herself are challenged when her beloved aunt dies and leaves her niece a grand surprise--a trip to her villa in the French Riviera. There, she learns her aunt intends to leave her stunning villa and secretive writer's residency to Poppy--if she can finish her novel in six months. When the writing countdown begins, Poppy realizes she has more to confront than her writer's block. Family drama, complicated romances and self-doubt all threaten to throw her off course. In this fun and heartwarming debut, Poppy must decide if she can live up to her aunt's--and her own--desire to be the main character in her own life.

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "One Italian Summer" by Rebecca Serle

"One Italian Summer" by Rebecca Serle

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