The summer of my 15th year, my family and I embarked on trip that took us from Washington, D.C. to New York to Connecticut. Our mode of transpiration between cities was an Amtrak. We boarded the train that took us from New York City to Hartford, Connecticut (to visit family) at Grand Central Station. Although I don’t have very distinct memories of the station itself, I do remember the excitement of being at a famous place that – until then – I’d only heard about in movies and books.
Since that family vacation 23 years ago, my experience with New York’s famous Grand Central Station has been mainly from watching Law and Order episodes and listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter’s haunting post-9/11 ballad (you seriously need to listen to this song if you’re unfamiliar with it).
That is until I received a copy of Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion. After reading the stories, all I want to do is visit Grand Central just to soak up the ambiance.
This book is an anthology of short stories that all begin at New York’s Grand Central Terminal on the very same date, just after World War II ended. The tales were written by some of the biggest names in women’s fiction today and some of my favorite writers! Seriously, just take a look at who contributed stories:
- Karen White, After the Rain
- Erika Robuck, Hemingway’s Girl, Call me Zelda, Fallen Beauty
- Alyson Richman, The Lost Wife
- Jenna Blum, Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers
- Sarah Jio, Blackberry Winter
- Pam Jenoff, The Ambassador’s Daughter
- Amanda Hodgkinson, 22 Britannia Road
- Melanie Benjamin, The Aviator’s Wife
- Sarah McCoy, The Baker’s Daughter
- Kristina McMorris, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves
The book was inspired by the 100th anniversary of Grand Central last year, and the millions of people that passed through the the station. The stories range from a war bride who awaits the arrival of her GI husband at the platform, to a Holocaust survivor who works at the Oyster Bar where a customer reminds him of his late mother, and a Hollywood hopeful who anticipates her first screen test and a chance at stardom in the Kissing Room.
Grand Central is the perfect summer read. Take it along with you to the beach or pool and you can easily read a few stories in one sitting. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
GIVEAWAY: I have one copy of Grand Central to give to one lucky reader. To be entered to win, leave a comment telling me what’s on your summer reading list. The giveaway closes Thursday, July 3 at 5 pm Pacific time.
Other Posts You May Like:
- What I’m Reading: The Island of Doves
- Erika Robuck’s New Novel Shines Light on Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay
- Meet the Writer Behind “Call me Zelda”
- Susan Meissner Tells the Backstory of “A Fall of Marigolds”
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Grand Central to review for this blog post. All opinions are my own and I only endorse books that I am proud to recommend to others.