Where Somebody Waits

I received Where Somebody Waits (#341) by Margaret Kaufman in a GoodReads giveaway.  It's a little different, in that it's a chronological collection of short stories about an Arkansas downriver girl just as World War II is ending.  Ruby has bright red hair and nails, and stands six feet tall.  She's bound to be noticed, and in the first chapter, she attracts the attention of her future husband.  Ruby's life isn't always easy, but it's always interesting, whether the stories are told from her point of view, or those around her.

Considering the sensation that Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge caused several years ago, I'm amazed that no one has compared Where Somebody Waits to that darling of book clubs.  It just seems like a natural comparison since the format of the book is the same.  In general, I don't like short stories, but since these stories were all connected with Ruby Davidson as their common thread, it made for an interesting read.  Now that surprised me because I wasn't a fan of Olive Kitteridge.  Maybe it's because Ruby, while not perfect, is a much more appealing character.

This book was published by Paul Dry Books, and I wanted to comment on what a beautiful job they did producing this volume.  Holding this book gave me such pleasure from the feel of the cover to the turning of the pages.  It's positively elegant.  Where Somebody Waits is the complete package if you're in the market for a quality read.