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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fun and refreshing summer read., July 6, 2010
This review is from: Lumby on the Air (Mass Market Paperback)
In 2007 Gail Fraser's first novel The Lumby Lines was published and the Lumby series was born. This July, the fifth book in the Lumby series will be released. I had the pleasure of reading Lumby on the Air but hadn't read the earlier books in the series. Gail's website does specifically say you don't need to read the books in order, but it's recommended. I unfortunately had no time to read the first four books before I started Lumby on the Air, but I know now that I will happily read them at some point in the future. Lumby on the Air is delightful fun, an airy book with a family-style feel, just like Lumby itself.
Lumby on the Air centers around Mark and Pam Walker as they are about to host a family reunion in celebration of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and vow renewal. As Mark and Pam's family members converge on the little mountainside town of Lumby, personalities clash and long-standing issues collide, all making for an entertaining and intriguing week in the Walker's life.
I didn't quite know what to expect from this book, it's not something I would normally pick up while perusing bookshelves, but I am so glad I read Lumby on the Air. At times it does lack the finesse I like to see from good writers, but I can overlook that for it's better qualities. Lumby on the Air is simply a fun book, a wonderfully light read, about the quirks in every family, and the pulse of a small town set aside from corporate America; a town where neighbors are people who always come to your aid, regardless of how far away they may actually live.
Lumby on the Air was refreshing to read in the way I imagine visiting the actual town of Lumby would refresh me from city-living. It's nice to be reminded that there can still be places where people help each other instead of living a single-minded existence where we only worry about ourselves. Most of Gail Fraser's characters come to life on the page, and I feel like I know Pam and Mark and the people of Lumby. Small parts of the book are disconnected; Mark's sixteen-year-old niece Jessica is somewhat unrealistic because her personality and issues are over the top, but in general, each character was well-formed and amusing. Even the town mascot Hank, a plastic-pink flamingo (well, to be honest, I didn't get his character, but I have a feeling he'll be in the other books).
If you're looking for a nice summer read that you can relax with and not think too hard about, Lumby on the Air is perfect for the beach and bright weather.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Missing some of the sparkle, July 18, 2010
This review is from: Lumby on the Air (Mass Market Paperback)
Mark and Pam Walker are celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary. They have invited their whole families. First Mark's sister, Lynn and her prized cat, Coco arrive. This comes as a huge surprise as Lynn's ex-husband embezzled money from Mark. Next comes Pam's mother and...boyfriend! Then comes Mark's sister, Nancy with her husband, Carter and son, Corey. Finally, Mark's older brother Patrick, his wife, Elaine and their daughter Jessica arrive. The town of Lumby will never be the same again.
Lumby on the Air is the fifth novel in the Lumby series. It can be read as a stand alone novel. This book had all my favorite people as well as new characters. This book didn't really focus on the town of Lumby, so much as it did Mark and Pam's crazy family. I thought my family was a little crazy but after meeting Mark's, I realized I would rather choose my family over his. Some of my favorite moments involved Coco. Coco may be a prized, exotic cat but she is a country girl at heart. There was the time when Coco was assaulted and chosen as a raccoon's love slave or the moment when Coco made a friend with Old Jesse, the bull. Of course, I can't forget The Lumby Line newspaper. Always good for a few laughs. All the arguing in this story did get on my nerves some. This book missed a bit of the sparkle of the Lumby Lines, the first book I tried and read in this series but I still can't get enough of Mark, Pam and the rest of the town of Lumby. I plan to check out the next lumby novel. Lumby on the Air has made a permanent landing on my bookshelf.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Lumby Hit!, July 11, 2010
This review is from: Lumby on the Air (Mass Market Paperback)
I have read every one of the Lumby books and Gail Frasier again does a top notch job!
When I open the pages of a Lumby book and begin to read, it's like seeing wonderful friends after a long separation.
It was such a wonderful thing to see from all the wonderful residents of Lumby.
These books are heartwarming and entertaining, and, with the antics of Mark Walker, hilarious, too.
What a joy to read they are. They are well written and absolutely wonderful.
They remind me of Mitford, although without the spirituality of Jan Karon's books. They are also a reminder of Ann Ross's Miss Julia books. When you read any of these books, you fall in love with the residents and find yourself wishing that these little towns were actually on a map so you could visit.
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