The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
Release Date - September 11, 2018
Publisher Website - Raincoast Books

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  288 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

For fans of Me Before You and ONE DAY comes a wondrous novel of first love, loss, and the dinner of a lifetime.

When Sabrina Nielsen arrives at her thirtieth birthday dinner she finds at the table not just her best friend, but also her favorite professor from college, her father, her ex-fiance, Tobias, and Audrey Hepburn.

At one point or another, we’ve all been asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom we’d like to have dinner. Why do we choose the people we do? And what if that dinner was to actually happen? These are the questions Sabrina contends with in Rebecca Serle’s utterly captivating novel, The Dinner List, a story imbued with the same delightful magical realism as Sliding Doors, and The Rosie Project.

As the appetizers are served, wine poured, and dinner table conversation begins, it becomes clear that there’s a reason these six people have been gathered together, and as Rebecca Serle masterfully traces Sabrina’s love affair with Tobias and her coming of age in New York City, The Dinner List grapples with the definition of romance, the expectations of love, and how we navigate our way through it to happiness. Oh, and of course, wisdom from Audrey Hepburn. 

Delicious but never indulgent, sweet with just the right amount of bitter, The Dinner List is a modern romance for our times. Bon appetit.

Plenty of us have often wondered who we would invite to our dream dinner. You know the question, the one that ask what five people living or dead that you would want to have at a dinner party. The Dinner List takes this premise and adds a extra dash of something special to create a whimsical feeling read that packs a lot of emotional heft.

Rebecca Serle is known for her young adult novels. The Dinner List presents her first foray into the world of adult fiction. I believe that adult novels may end up being an even better fit for her as The Dinner List completely captivated me. You get a sense of ease and comfort within the genre that worked its way into all of the other elements of the story. I am hopeful we'll get more adult reads from her as I truly think she shines in this one.

There is an ethereal, magical quality to not just the writing but the book itself. Part of this is the inclusion of Audrey Hepburn at this birthday dinner that is being thrown. A certain amount of disbelief has to be suspended to fall into this story. Give yourself over to the story being told and you'll be richly rewarded. This inclusion of Audrey doesn't feel jarring in the slightest, but rather adds to the atmosphere and tone. All of the characters included in the dinner are there for a reason and so much of that ties into the feeling that is captured within the pages. There is an effervescence that is only matched by the sorrow that is also found  here. It ends up capturing the feeling of something real that also feels magical.

Sabrina is imperfect and I adore that about her character. She's messy and flawed in a way that feels realistic. This bleeds into the relationships she has with the other characters. They are messy in the way that real relationships are. They are not always easy and people hurt one another. The real beauty of both Sabrina as a character and this book is that it reminds you to bask in all of the moments. Those that are good and bad along with everything in between.

The remainder of the guests are not something I will spoil. Part of the charm of this book is discovering things along the way and that means allowing them to happen at the exact time they are meant to. Every single character is there for a reason and many of the characters are not just there to flesh out Sabrina's story arc. There are those that require their own closure, or have their own journeys to take during the course of this dinner and that made them feel more developed. Having characters that are not just there for the benefit of the main character is key and Rebecca Serle captures that here.

There is a major plot point that makes up what is the heart of this novel that is impossible to discuss without getting into spoiler territory. It also feels incomplete to discuss this novel without mentioning it. I've decided to include some spoilery thoughts under a tag so that those who have not read this wonderful novel yet won't be spoiled. This reveal is perfectly timed and stole my breath for a moment so please do not ruin it for yourself.

This novel deals a lot with grief and saying goodbye. Closure would actually be the word that I would use to describe the heart of this novel. There is more than one dead person present at Sabrina's table (Audrey Hepburn obviously being one of them) and that reveal is a gut punch that I did not see coming. I physically reacted and had to read the passage again because I was in shock. This reveal really is the crux of the novel and it sets up what the entire novel is about. Sabrina is grieving different things and this dinner is her working through those feelings. It's a beautifully touching look at what we would say or do if given the chance to see someone we lost again. I think everyone who has lost someone they love will instantly be able to connect to Sabrina and the unique journey she is taking.

Those who love beautifully written, engrossing reads that leave you emotionally exhausted but full at the same time will want to pick this one up immediately. It's a perfect blend of whimsy, heart, and that undefinable thing that makes something unforgettable.

ALA Excitement!

After seeing all of the BEA posts from last week I am even more excited to be attending ALA. I am looking forward to seeing New Orleans, being surrounded by bookish people, and finding out what the publishers are excited about for the back half of 2018.

I have been looking forward to this particular ALA for YEARS now because I have always wanted to go to New Orleans. It's exciting that in just a few short weeks I'll be there.

I thought I would be fun to share some things that I am especially excited about for both the trip in general and ALA in particular!

Top Things I Want To Do In New Orleans

1- Eat Beignets

Anytime I mention that I am going to New Orleans I immediately am told to make sure I try some beignets while I am there. These delicious sounding pastries are  high on my list!

2- Take A Ghost Tour

This is my one MUST DO while in the city. I am currently browsing my options as there are many. If anyone has any recommendations please send them my way.

3- Find A Local Book Store

One of my favourite parts of going to Book Expo is stopping by The Strand book store in New York. I am hoping to find a used book shop or something similar to browse while in New Orleans.

Top Books I Hope Are At ALA

Of course there are some amazing sounding books that I hope are available at ALA! I am looking forward to not just getting a chance to read some of my most anticipated reads early, but interacting with the publishers and taking part in some of the panels. There is one true crime panel that sounds amazing and I really enjoyed the publisher presentations that I attended when I attended ALA previously.

Without further ado, here are the books I most hope to pick up while at ALA:

1 What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

I love Becky's books. I love Adam's books. It goes without saying that a book written by both of them would be high on my 'must read' list. 

2 The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

I've loved Rebecca's previous novels and I am especially intrigued by the synopsis of her first adult book. I cannot wait to meet her version of Audrey Hepburn and to completely love Sabrina.

3 A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

This one has been on my radar since I read the deal annoucement. I love a good retelling and this twist on Beauty and the Beast sounds particularly fun.

4 The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
 
This unique Frankenstein retelling is pretty much everything I want in a novel. I am really excited to read this one and see what twists Kiersten White has added to the classic story.

5 The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

I really enjoyed The Wedding Date and hope that Jasmine's next novel is just as cute and enjoyable. It sounds like a fun rom-com style read that will be perfect for the plane ride home (if it happens to be on offer and I am fortunate enough to snag a copy).

While I am clearly excited about a lot of things in New Orleans, I am always looking for more recommendations. Are you from New Orleans, or ever been there? Have any suggestions on what I must do, see, and eat while in town for ALA? Please leave any suggestions in the comments.

Waiting On Wednesday ... The Dinner List

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

For fans of Me Before You and ONE DAY comes a wondrous novel of first love, loss, and the dinner of a lifetime.

When Sabrina Nielsen arrives at her thirtieth birthday dinner she finds at the table not just her best friend, but also her favorite professor from college, her father, her ex-fiance, Tobias, and Audrey Hepburn.

At one point or another, we’ve all been asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom we’d like to have dinner. Why do we choose the people we do? And what if that dinner was to actually happen? These are the questions Sabrina contends with in Rebecca Serle’s utterly captivating novel, The Dinner List, a story imbued with the same delightful magical realism as Sliding Doors, and The Rosie Project.

As the appetizers are served, wine poured, and dinner table conversation begins, it becomes clear that there’s a reason these six people have been gathered together, and as Rebecca Serle masterfully traces Sabrina’s love affair with Tobias and her coming of age in New York City, The Dinner List grapples with the definition of romance, the expectations of love, and how we navigate our way through it to happiness. Oh, and of course, wisdom from Audrey Hepburn. 

Delicious but never indulgent, sweet with just the right amount of bitter, The Dinner List is a modern romance for our times. Bon appetit.

I am a fan of Rebecca Serle's previous book and was so excited when it was announced that she was going to be releasing her first adult novel.

I am sure that we have all, at some point, thought about our dream dinner list. I love the idea of Sabrina getting to experience it and it teaching her something about herself.

This book is going to be the best way to send off summer. It releases at the end of August which means it'll be a perfect read to pair with some time at the beach (or pool) and some ice cream. 

*** EDIT *** The release date was listed incorrectly. It is actually Sept 11th. My plan of reading it with ice cream still stands. 

Expected release date - Sept 11, 2018

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

So many exciting reveals this week!

BOOKS

Cover Of Rebecca Serle's The Dinner List (goodreads)

I am a huge fan of Rebecca's previous work and was so excited to hear that she would be writing her first adult novel. I was even more excited when I read the synopsis.

The cover was recently revealed and it is perfect!

I am so excited to meet Sabrina and Rebecca's version of Audrey Hepburn. I think it is going to be such a wonderful read! I cannot wait.

Cover of Lauren Oliver's Broken Things (goodreads)

Entertainment Weekly recently revealed the cover for Lauren Oliver's next book. They also released a excerpt that is twisted in all the best ways.

I love the dark colour scheme of the book, and that it fits with the chilling synopsis so perfectly. I am counting down the days until I get to read this one.

TV/MOVIE

The final trailer for the next Avengers movie was released and it is AMAZING!

The exchange between Peter Park and Dr. Strange is hilariously perfect. Steve Rogers is VERY intense (and very sexy) around the 1:46 (ish) mark. It's an epic trailer that has made waiting for this movie just a little bit harder to do. Tickets for opening week also went on sale at the same time this was released. I've already purchased mine for opening day!

First Image From The TV Show You

You is a book I have heard plenty about and have added to my reading list ages ago. My interest was renewed when a television show was announced. The premiere date of September 9th was just recently announced along with a first look from the show.

I know next to nothing about this book but what I do know intrigues me, and this image captures the creepy vibe I expect it to have. I have bumped the book up my reading list to have it done before September.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

2018 Most Anticipated - The Dinner List

When I first heard that Rebecca Serle was releasing a new book I was immediately excited. I was even more excited to discover that it was going to involve a dinner party, and Audrey Hepburn! The Dinner List was instantly on my must read of 2018 and left me feeling like this:

It's very easy to be excited about a book when it is by an author whose previous novels you have loved, and when the premise is pretty much tailor made to appeal to you.

As this book doesn't release until Fall 2018 the official synopsis has not yet been released. What we do know comes from the deal announcement. The Deadline announcement described The Dinner List as: 

set in New York City, and mixes the kind of magical realism and wish fulfillment seen in films like Midnight in Paris. It takes place in one evening when a woman arrives at her birthday dinner party to mysteriously find everyone on her dream “dinner list” waiting at the table, the answer to the proverbial question if you could have dinner with a group consisting of anyone who would it be? 

Give. Me. It Immediately. I want to know everyone on Sabrina's dream dinner list. I want to know what she is eventually going to learn from this journey and, because it is Rebecca Serle, what kind of romance will be at the heart of this book.

Rebecca was awesome enough to answer a few questions about the book (even though it is super early for any kind of promo). This interview definitely makes me even more excited for more details to come out, and for this to eventually release.

1: what gif do you feel best describes The Dinner List

Probably any gif of Olivia Pope drinking wine?

*Kathy's note* I found this one that I personally like even though she's not drinking the wine. It mimics the excitement that I feel for this book.

2: If someone were to make a signature drink for your book what would be included?

It's not a cocktail-- but a really good glass of Merlot or Barolo. Or a scotch on the rocks. Like: Sit down, we're gonna be here awhile.

3: Who is someone on your own person 'dinner list'?

Jon Lovett from Pod Save America. To be honest my dream dinner would probably just be all the Crooked Media guys. I'm obsessed.

4. You've teased that we're going to meet your version of Audrey Hepburn. Are you able to tease someone else who is on Sabrina's dinner list?

I can tell you that everyone who is at the table is there for a reason--- but I'm not going to share more than that just yet!

5. What are some things (ie movies, tv shows, etc) you used to research this novel?

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M by Sam Watson was a great Audrey resource, and a book I love very much.

6. What 2018 book are you most anticipating?

I'm a huge Curtis Sittenfeld fan and she has a short story collection "You Think It, I'll Say It," out in 2018. I'll definitely be picking that up! 

I am so excited to meet Rebecca's Audrey. I have also added Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M to my personal 'to be read' list. Here is hoping we get more details about this one early in the new year as I cannot wait to see what cover they come up with, and read an official synopsis.

The Dinner List releases Fall 2018 and it not currently up for pre-order, but be sure to follow Rebecca on Twitter so that you know as soon as it is available. You can also check out her website for more information. The most up to date information can also be obtained on her publisher website. Also be sure to add it your Goodreads in the meantime. 

Who would be on your own dream dinner list? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a guest post from Melissa at Raincoast Books.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle (goodreads)

Rebecca Serle just announced her new novel and I am so excited! It is an adult novel, and revolves around a woman who enters her birthday dinner party to discover everyone on her dream dinner list (ie which famous people dead or alive would you like to have at a dinner party) is at the party. I am super into this idea and cannot wait to see what Rebecca does with this story!

MOVIE/TV

First Movie Poster For Love, Simon

Becky Albertalli's debut novel is being turned into a movie, and the first movie poster has been revealed. It is perfect.

I adore the tagline. It's perfect and adorable!

Ian and Mickey From Shameless

Ian and Mickey are, by far, my favourite part of Shameless. I have been binge watching and have just reached the REALLY good part of their relationship. Things like this are happening:

I know the bad stuff is coming but OMG it is so good right now. They better be together at the very end of the series is all I am saying. I ship them so much.

What are you obsessed with this week?