Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Go to chappaquareads.blogspot.com and get aboard the wacky, romantic, life changing road trip with 

One Plus One by JoJo Moyes




JoJo Moyes is a great storyteller who has a knack for weaving together many of life's obstacles one after another into an entertaining, thought provoking, and laugh till you fall down or tear up narrative. 


One Plus One seamlessly connects bullying, income disparities, economic struggles, elitism, theft, and insider trading, all with believable characters who are doing their best to get through the day. Some better than others, but they are trying.

Take Jess, single mom with two kids and a dead beat husband. She always sees the glass half full and in many ways the life she leads would be enough for her. But she wants more for her kids. And you cheer her on the entire way.

And perhaps, just perhaps there is chance for Jess to change the downward spiral of her family's situation and free her daughter, Tanzie from the same fate that has fallen on her stepson, Nicky, who is being brutally bullied by the hoodlums in their sketchy neighborhood.

Tanzie is a math prodigy and has an opportunity to attend an elite private school that would offer her an educational advantage and the chance out of the angry area where they live. But, how does a 27 year old single mom who can barely make ends meet as a cleaning lady by day and a bartender at night afford to send her?

For Jess it is really important to set an example of ethical, honest behavior for her kids. Yet the reality of paying bills, keeping her children clothed and fed, not to mention safe, presents its challenges. So when she is faced with a deadline for coming up with the money for the private school's registration (obstacle number one) she has a decision to make. 

After she saves techno entrepreneur, insider trading suspect Ed from driving home drunk by escorting him in a taxi, she discovers his wallet lying on the seat. It happens to be just enough to pay for Tanzie's registration fee. Faced with denying her child a chance at changing her life for the better or stealing Ed's money, she chooses the latter. 

Enter obstacle number two. The annual tuition for this private school is enough to put cool headed optimistic Jess into free fall. But, if Tanzie wins 5,000 lbs for the first prize at the upcoming Math Olympiad contest held in Scotland, that would do it? 

Enter obstacle number three: How do they get there? They attempt to do it in her AWOL husband's, unregistered, uninsured Rolls Royce with only one headlight at 11:00 in the evening with Jess as the driver, who by the way hasn't driven in years. Whew! She in turn gets pulled over by the police and faces a stiff fine. Yeah, right, just put that 5,000 lbs on her tab. 

Enter solution number three. Ed happens to drive by while she is on the side of the road with her two kids and their lovable, large, gas passing dog, Norman.  He recognizes her as the good Samaritan who helped him home safely, unaware that she has used his money she found in the cab for Tanzie's school registration. He too is in need of flying under the radar of an SEC investigation, and offers her, the kids, and Norman a free ride to Scotland. 

And so begins the road trip that changes the lives of all involved.


While reading One Plus One, the larger question for me was the same moral dilemma that Jess continuously faced throughout the story. That is:

Is it more difficult for cash strapped people, like Jess, to live law abiding lives? And, if so, are we as readers more apt to give a legal pass to people like Jess who are struggling economically?

Are we harder on someone like Ed for giving his girlfriend a stock tip about his own company, even though his intentions were purely to rid himself of her and not for his personal financial profit?

Let us know what you think.

From the drop down menu, a preferred method of posting your comments are by "Name/URL." You do not need to provide the URL, even a first name or blogger name will suffice. 

Then simply type your comment and hit publish. I moderate daily so soon your idea or question will post.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Plug into our Chappaqua Reads online book discussion at chappaquareads.blogspot.com and join our lively talk about Ian McEwan’s 

The Children Act  



Fiona Maye, a distinguished, brilliant, childless, and “still beautiful” High Court Judge receives a proposition from her husband, Jack. She sees it as an ultimatum and locks get changed. 

Can you blame her? Do you think Jack has a valid argument? If you were the husband or the wife, what would you do? Now, filled with anger and confusion, she perseveres and continues on with her powerful work that can change a family's life. 

How will this affect her professional actions, particularly when deciding the fate of a 17 year old boy? There are so many intriguing questions and issues to consider. 

The psychology and strategy behind Jack's actions can be a starting point for our discussion. Do you believe he really loves Fiona and is taking this action in order to revive their marriage? We can then move on to Fiona's reaction to it and what she fears most.

The Children Act was an actual bill that was passed in the United Kingdom in 1989. It is law that places the welfare of a child as top priority when ruling on judicial cases. 

Did the Children Act prevail in Adam's case?

From the comfort of your own home or business, grab a cup of coffee and tell us what you think and why. 

From the drop down men, a preferred method of posting your comments are by "Name/URL." If you choose "Name/URL," you do not need to provide the URL, even a first name or blogger name will suffice. You may also choose "Anonymous" if you wish. 

Then, simply type your comments, hit publish, then after a minute or two your idea will be posted. 

Looking forward to reading your questions, answers, and thoughts.