Novels with Nell - The Light We Lost

Reese Witherspoon's book club is constantly making me want to purchase new books. Overtime the instagram account for it posts a book that could be categorized as a psychological thriller I have countless friends tagging me or telling me that it sounds like something I'd like in person. I certainly use it as inspiration and know that I'm not alone in that. Since it does have such good recommendations, I think that I should start to use it to look for books outside of my typical genre.

Nell and I were catching up on the phone the other day and got to talking about a book she read recently that she discovered through Reese Witherspoon's book club. It was one of those titles that I had heard a number of times and was glad to have insight from someone I actually know. As Nell was telling me about it (as I was finishing my run and unloading stuff from my car) it sounded like something that would be interesting. In the same way that she describes it, I think that the characters and myself have different backgrounds and values that would make my perspective on them and the circumstances entertaining. It sounds to me like it would be a good book to grab and take with you on vacation!

The Light We Lost

By: Jill Santopolo

I saw Reese Witherspoon post about this book on her Instagram and decided to give it a try. I’ll be honest, I didn’t totally love the book but I think a lot of other people would (and do), and it makes for a good summer read. Lucy and Gabe meet their senior year in college and right from the beginning there’s something undeniably special between them. The book is written from Lucy’s perspective. She’s narrating her story to Gabe, starting with the day they met, and everything that happens after. They are always in the same place, but they never can totally cut ties with each other. And, 13 years later, a very dramatic ending to the book. Definitely a page turner!

“He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last?

Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.

Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they'll find life's meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other's hearts.

This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.”