This is the story of Ginger, a woman in her early 40's who makes jewelry and lives in an apartment above her eccentric parents' garage. Her primary income seems to come from watching her older sister Geri's children. Geri is almost 50 and has the great house, diligent husband, super-important job, company-supplied BlackBerry and three precocious (read: annoying) children.Ginger pushes her cat (named Boyfriend) around in a stroller and is in turn pushed around by her wacky family and emotionally distant somewhat-boyfriend, Noah.Ginger's life gets a huge breath of fresh air and a chance to really change its course when Geri's son Riley becomes an extra on a movie being shot locally. Ginger watches Riley while he's on the set and meets a bunch of new people.Will Ginger find a new life at 41? Disappointingly, not really. The plot loses steam halfway through the book and in an attempt to get it rolling again, the characters all become insufferable.Things that bugged me about this book:(view spoiler)[1. The constant flogging of the Childfree by Choice agenda by Ginger is pretty disingenuous, considering she is more childfree by circumstance. Real Childfree by Choicers will find the ending pretty eye-rolling.2. Boyfriend Noah was written as a complete jerk and self-centered artist who took Ginger for granted. Gaffer Tim was written as a charming and hard-working man who was genuinely interested in her. Why she didn't end up with Gaffer Tim is boggling. 3. I ended up hating Ginger's whole family by the end. Riley became a brat. His sisters were brats from the start. Geri, fired from her high-powered job and having a poor-me crisis about turning 50, ends up shoving her way into Ginger's jewelry business. Their father went from lovable goofball to crazy hoarder to law-flouting whackjob. 4. Way to go and really not change anything, Ginger. (hide spoiler)]
From back cover:"Life's a bit of a beach these days for Ginger Walsh, who finds herself single at forty-one and back home living in the family FROG (Finished Room Over Garage) in the fictional town of Marshbury, Massachusetts. She's hoping for a more fulfilling life as a sea glass artist, but mostly she's babysitting for her sister's kids and sharing overnights with Noah, her sexy glassblower boyfriend with commitment issues and a dog that Ginger's cat isn't too crazy about.As if things aren't challenging enough, Ginger's BlackBerry-addicted married-with-children older sister Geri is pestering her to grow up, ditch Noah, and find a real mate. Then again, Geri's facing the big 50, and all her birthday angst is threatening to send her over the edge - possibly dragging Ginger along for the ride. With her parents threatening to sell her FROG out from under her, Ginger is forced to make some unexpected changes in her life and surprises everyone, especially herself, in the process.Life's A Beach is the laugh-out-loud story of two grown-up sisters who fight like cats and dogs but call each other at least twice a day. It sparkles with warmth, wit, and wisdom - and a real understanding of what it takes to move forward at any stage in life."
What do You think about Life's A Beach (2014)?
This book was ok. Wasn't really all tht interested in the life of a 41 year old that lives in an apartmentin the garage of her parents house. The Mother wants to move on and downsize with the Dad to a townhouse and springs it on the Daughter living in the garage apartment, who doesn't have a clue what to do with her life, how to commit in a relationship and sponges off her family. She makes jewelry with sea glass and has to take her nephew to his movie gig. There she is faced with coming to terms with her relationship and life. Not a lot of twists or reasons for why she is in the perdicament that she is in. She has to get a clue and move on with life. This is a take it or leave it kind of book. WOuld give it a 2 1/2 star if I could.
—Jacy Hahn
Can a 41-year-old woman who's spent her life traveling and never sticking with any job or man find happiness in settling down? The puzzle to me was that Ginger had become unhappy with her life. She'd never seemed to value home and hearth in the past, so why was she so unsatisfied now? She felt guilty about her lack of commitment to jobs and men--but why? There didn't seem to be any big event that changed her life. She's been home for two years, living above her parents' garage, making jewelry that she sort of cares about because it keeps her from taking another sales job. She mooches off her parents and her older sister quite a bit--and she is way too old for that.This is a breezy read. Ginger ends up going with her nephew as a chaperone when he is chosen to appear in a movie. What ensues is funny--there are great lines--but Ginger remains a shallow character.The one-liners in the book are good (except for those spouted by Ginger's father, who is a jerk to his wife). If you're looking for some cotton candy fun, with some characters who don't have much depth but say some fairly amusing things, this is your book.
—Alice
Do you need a light read for the beach? Then this is the book for you.Ginger Walsh is a 41-year-old single woman who aspires to not much of anything. She lives in a tiny apartment above her parents' garage where she attempts to make sea-glass jewelry. She has an almost boyfriend, a cat who is a better artist than she is, an older sister with age and control issues, and two very strange parents who play tug of war with taking stuff to the dump (mother) and bringing it back (father). Childfree, Ginger often tends her two nieces and nephew. When the boy lands a part in a low budget horror film, it is Ginger who gets to accompany him to the set every day. While there, she meets a gaffer who would definitely like to get to know her better. But what about Noah – the almost boyfriend?This is a fun book about life, love and family relationships. It is neither too long, nor too intellectual, making it the perfect light read for a vacation. Be sure to pack this one in your tote, sit back, relax and enjoy.
—Vicky
