I had never read anything by wildly popular Jennifer Weiner before. Her books fly off the shelves at the library and are brought back with rave reviews. I always thought they were a little too "romancy" for me, but when my own sister recommended Mrs. Everything, I had to try it, since she is always right about books I would like. And she was right again!
Jo and Bethie are sisters in the book, but they could not be more different. Growing up in 1950's, Jo was the girl with the radical ideas who wanted to change the world. Bethie was the pretty princess type who had no trouble being a good girl, modeling after her mother. But when they are all grown up, it is the '60's, and circumstances, like the turbulent times they lived in, changed everything for both of them. Jo is the one who becomes the reliable wife and mother, although she always wishes for something very different. Bethie dives into the '60's scene and has a hard time swimming out of it.
What happens is that you can't stop reading about these two women because you can see yourself in both of them, and you really want to know what happens to them. That's the sign of great characters in a believable book that makes you sad when you are done. Mrs. Everything is. . .well, everything! Enjoy!
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