July 2022

Through the years, I have read many books that have taken place at beach locations, but I am trying to remember one set at a New Jersey beach. Here in Jersey, where I am from, we do not go to the beach --- we “go down the shore.” So I was really excited to get my hands on a book called THE SHORE by Katie Runde. It is set in Seaside Beach, a beach town well known to Katie as she grew up there; while this is not “her story,” she borrows from her own life for inspiration. Growing up in a shore town means working all summer to make enough for your family to survive the winter months when these towns become quiet and a version of a special paradise for the locals.

The novel is told through the eyes of the Dunne family --- Margot, and her two teen daughters, Liz and Evy. There is also a one-page chapter from Brian, the husband and father, which opens the book. It is poignant as to why he gets just a page.

Brian is suffering from glioblastoma multiforme, which has made him a shadow of his former self. Each day, his wife and daughters have no idea what version of him they will find. Will he be calm, argumentative, mean or loud? Meanwhile, Margot runs the family’s home property management and rental company, dealing with both the tasks she typically would have handled and those that were usually delegated to Brian. She is struggling with what’s happening now, but also is wondering about what comes next.

Meanwhile, Liz and Evy know there are challenges at home, but they have beach jobs that keep them busy --- one at a beach rental concession and the other in a candy store. They also are floating through the idea of first loves. In relationships, they both make some right choices and some more risky ones as teens are wont to do. Evy comes up with a pretty humorous way to figure out what her mom is thinking.

I love these characters, and Katie really captured the place. It may be noted that her dad suffered from glioblastoma multiforme, but this is not her personal story. It is, however, a story filled with a lot of family and a lot of heart.

» Watch my "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Katie Runde or listen to the podcast.