Upon learning that her college sweetheart husband has been seeing another woman, Mira Serafino’s once perfect world is shattered and she wants no one, least of all her big Italian family, to know. She takes off—with no destination and little money—heading north until her car breaks down in Seattle. There she takes a job at the offbeat Coffee Shop at the Center of the Universe, where she’ll experience a terrifying but invigorating freedom, and meet someone she’ll come to love: the new Mira.
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“[A] wry and funny portrait.” —Diana Loevy, author of The Book
“Smart, funny, and endearing…one terrific read!” —Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
“Flawless storytelling make[s] this a book to remember.” —Karen White, author of The Memory of Water--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
I was born in North Dakota but moved to Maryland at age two, then on to Colorado at age ten, where I remained until 2002. My husband Matt and I moved first to Portland, OR for three years, then made the trek north to Seattle. We live on the steep side of a hill covered with trees, right in the city, and I watch float planes buzz by my home-office window and hear boat horns honking to encourage the Fremont Bridge to raise and let them pass.
People think I've had some rather odd jobs in my life, but I figure, hey, if you've lived this long, usually some interesting stuff has happened to you. I was a working musician for a very long time, from my teens into my thirties. I was an apprentice plumber when I was young, and a secretary. I've cooked off and on in little cafes and I don't rule it out in the future. I was a corporate marketing type person for way too long. And now through the grace of all good things in the universe, I get to write. Thank you, dear readers, for your support, faith, and trust. I couldn't do it without you!
I have to admit that I bought this book by its cover...I had never read any of Jennie's books before this one! I bought the book on Friday evening after work and finished it on Saturday evening! I truly felt as if I was reading about my life! After twenty two years of marriage, I woke up not knowing who I was or what I was suppose to do with my life! My ex was having an affair and my world was turned upside down. Jennie thank you for bringing to life a very painful, but "growing" life experience for many of us! I will read any book that you write and can't wait to purchase more of this one for some of my friends!!!
On a whim one day I bought "Riding With the Queen" by Jennie Shortridge. Loved It. Followed through by purchasing "Eating Heaven." Loved it. When I saw she had a new one, I snatched it right up and am I ever grateful that I did.
Mira is a middle-aged women who lives on the coastline of Oregon where she has dutifully taken care of her husband, daughter, father, grandmother and several relatives from her huge Italian family while also teaching 6th grade science. She faces menopause with a daughter, Thea, 22, and so rebellious she breaks Mira's heart. Mira's hubby has found a new woman, opineing he is unhappy and has a "friend;" she is helping him feel better in many ways.
Mira breaks; Mira hits the highway north!
Not knowing where she will end up Mira settles for where her radiator breaks.....downtown Seattle. She finds a job managing a coffee shop and a rat-trap apartment above it to live in. All the upheaval that is her new life is shared with us in so many amusing, touching, down-right heartbreaking details that the book can not be put aside. The prose is smart; the characters so believable, the plot always surprising. I LOVED this book. It is my favorite of all.
If you get the chance to purchase this book then do!!! Soon. Women will see so much of themselves between the pages. I laughed; I cried; I mused. It is sublime.
Thank-you Ms. Shortridge for making my reading life just that much more pleasant!!!!
I had the good fortune to attend Jennie's book launch party at Queen Anne Avenue Books last week - it was thoroughly enjoyable! I walked out with my autographed copy of the book on Thursday night, and tucked my reading time in between family committments, etc. finally finishing it (lingering in the bathroom so as not to be disturbed) on Sunday. What an entertaining story! Jennie's characters are drawn with such depth, I couldn't wait to see what they were going to do next. Mira was scarily familiar as she navigated her perimenopausal way through her life changes, and the supporting cast, from family members to coffee shop clientele, all rang so true. Jennie has an obvious talent for character development and dialogue. I'm excited to read her other 2 books as well. Treat yourself to this rollicking good book!
