The Islanders is a great summer read, even in October. The narrative structure follows three unconnected characters – Joy, Anthony, and Lu – who are all on Block Island prior to a major storm that we learn in the prologue has left two people dead. Gradually these characters’ lives come together. It is a narrative structure that I always enjoy, even if it is predictable.

Food and writing, and writing about food, are major players in this book. As an amateur blogger and foodie, I couldn’t help but enjoy the narrative of Lu, the food blogger who is constantly thinking of new recipes and food themes for her blog.

All three characters struggle with parenting; one as a single mom, one as a dad separating from his wife, and one as a stay at home mom who wants out of the home. The struggles of the women characters are classic; the feminist subtext is a little heavy handed (Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own figures prominently Lu’s transformation). But I can’t really complain about a book being too feminist.

The book has some quirky characters. The highlight for me was 13 year old Maggie, who has a collection of T-shirts with corny sayings (one has a periodic table and says “I wear this shirt periodically” another “cute but psycho”).

But when it comes right down to it the book is just a fun read with a good narrative arc and a happy ending. And we all need a little pleasure in the text sometimes. Even when it’s no longer summer.