Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/792936
OC Woman www.ParentingOC.com 32 Parenting OC Magazine | March 2017 By Ashley Talmadge OC Woman Chic Lit Hey, Sam-I-Am, you don't have to resign yourself to endless picture books to prop- erly celebrate Read Across America day. The best way to inspire young readers is to lead by example and let them see you fall in love with a good book. So put down that phone, and pick up one of these great reads. In Twenty Years By Allison Winn Scotch Twenty years ago, six Penn students shared a house, naively cer- tain that their friendships would endure—until the death of their ringleader and dear friend Bea splintered the group for good. Now, the remaining five reluctantly gather at that same house on the eve of what would have been Bea's fortieth birthday. La Vie Rustic By Georgeanne Brennan This gorgeously styled work is by a Californian authentically cook- ing and living in the French style. 100 well thought out recipes, lots of personal stories as lovely and memorable as the meals they in- spired, a judicious helping of history and narrative makes this a win, even if it only inspires a meal out to that bistro you've been eyeing! The Couple Next Door By Pamela Dorman Anne and Marco Conti have a new baby, a beautiful townhouse, and a growing company. One night when the sitter cancels, in- stead of skipping the dinner party they've committed to—just next door at the neighbors'—they decide to bring the baby monitor and check on their young daughter every thirty minutes. In the short time between their shifts the baby is snatched without a trace. Perfect Little World By Kevin Wilson Isabelle Poole is fresh out of high school, pregnant with her art teacher's baby, and totally on her own when she meets Dr. Pres- ton Grind. The charming child psychologist created "The Infinite Family Project", a study about what would happen when ten chil- dren are raised collectively, without knowing who their biological parents are, and would love for Isabelle and her son to join. My Husband's Wife By Jane Corry When young lawyer Lily marries Ed, she's determined to leave the secrets of the past behind. But then she takes on her first mur- der case and meets a convicted murderer she is strangely drawn to. Her next-door neighbor Carla may be only nine, but she has already learned that secrets are powerful things. That they can get her whatever she wants. This psychological thriller will keep you up at night. (Turning pages.) The Arrangement By Ashley Warlick She'd made it sound as though her husband would be joining them for dinner. She'd made it sound that way on purpose, and then she arrived alone. Set in California, France, and the Swiss Alps, this sparkling, sensual novel that explores the complexities of a marriage and the many different ways in which we love.