As a native New Yorker, Grand Central Terminal holds a special place in my heart. I’ve joined the throngs to catch a train, used the concourse as a meeting place and enjoyed many a meal at the Oyster Bar.
My favorite activity there, though, is people-watching. I admit to getting a little teary at others’ hellos and good-byes, and have made up some pretty wild tales in my head about the couples, friends or families I’ve seen leaving or returning to each other.
I’m glad that task has been taken over by the professionals with the debut of Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion.
This beautiful anthology features novellas by 10 bestselling authors. Just look at the powerhouse line-up: Melanie Benjamin, Jenna Blum, Amanda Hodgkinson, Pam Jenoff, Sarah Jio, Sarah McCoy, Kristina McMorris, Alyson Richman, Erika Robuck and Karen White.
The stories, all of which take place on the same day in September 1945, take you back to a time of great uncertainty and hope, and the characters are very real. A war bride waits for her GI husband, a Holocaust survivor working at the Oyster Bar serves a customer who reminds him of his late mother, a Hollywood hopeful anticipates her first screen test and a chance at stardom in the Kissing Room.
These are only a handful of the stories which, together, create a poignant picture of our country after World War II, and reveal the role the iconic Grand Central played in so many lives.
According to Kristina McMorris, who masterminded the project, “My favorite part of putting the anthology together was being able to work with not only some of my closest friends, but authors whose books I’ve admired for years. As a reader, their stories in Grand Central literally gave me chills. I hope other readers love them just as much as I do!”
I can attest that they will! The stories suck you in and make you want more, which will come as no surprise if you’ve read these writers’ previous books.
“Working in company with such talented, generous, women authors was an honor and a pleasure,” said Erika Robuck. “Kristina McMorris’ vision of the project was vast and ambitious, and I am thrilled that she asked me to join, as these writers and this time in history hold a special place in my heart.”
Pam Jenoff agrees. “Grand Central is the most exciting project of which I’ve ever been a part. It has been the chance to collaborate with a gifted and supportive group of female writers. I was also gratified to have the chance to fictionalize my own grandmother’s journey from China to America in my story, ‘Strand of Pearls.’”
The book launched on Saturday at, of course, Posman Books in Grand Central Terminal. “My favorite thing about Grand Central are the beautiful details,” pointed out Alyson Richman. “The brass acorns and oaks that are placed throughout, the chandeliers, the carved marble … all these beautiful details of a bygone era.”
“The restoration of Grand Central Terminal is the reason why I’m a card-carrying member of the National Trust,” added Karen White. “In Jackie Kennedy’s words, ‘If we don’t care about our past, we can’t have very much hope for our future.'”
Seven of the authors were in attendance at Posman and at a second event at Book Revue in Huntington, Long Island yesterday. My friend, Robin Kall Homonoff, of Reading with Robin, emceed both events.
“I was an early reader and huge fan of the book, and knew I wanted to be involved with the launch,” she said. “I coordinated a dinner for the authors and included other writer friends like Jael McHenry, Susan Jane Gilman, Jillian Medoff, Ann Bauer, Christina Haag, Beatriz Williams, Jane Green, Sandi Shelton, Brenda Copeland and Delia Cabe. You can imagine the laughs and the stories! A weekend to treasure and such a unique project. For fans of historical fiction, it is a treat of a read.”
It is a treat of a read, and I am blown away by the amount of talent here. (And I wish I had been at that dinner, Robin!)
Jenna Blum sums it up this way. “I have to confess I didn’t read the whole anthology until I was on the plane flying to the launch; I had been saving it for a treat,” she admits. “And that might have been a mistake because about halfway through the novellas, I got so weepy I feared the flight attendant would lock me in the bathroom!
“The stories are all dedicated to and about our favorite people from the Greatest Generation: grandparents, female pilots, great-uncles who gave their lives — and also soldiers serving now. My story is in honor of the Holocaust survivors I interviewed, and it’s also dedicated to my dad, who worked in Grand Central Terminal as a very young CBS correspondent. Grand Central is a chorus of women’s voices from this generation saying, ‘We remember, we remember!’ and I am honored to be one of them.”
Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion comes out tomorrow, and one lucky Midlife at the Oasis subscriber will win a copy! To enter, simply leave a comment below. Contest ends on July 13 at midnight Pacific time, and winner will be notified by return email. Prize can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.
Looks great. Thanks for the review!
That sounds like a great book. I will have to add it to my list.
I’d love this one!
I tend to have a melancholic feeling about Grand Central, which is crazy because I’ve never been there. I long to, though. This book might be just the (vicarious) ticket. It sounds fabulous.
Pick me! I want to read this! Grand Central is one of my favorite places in NYC – I love the hustle bustle of the passengers and how everyone has a story. Are the coming? Are they going? This book is a wonderful idea!
This book looks and sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
I love the concept of this anthology. Looks like an awesome summer read (and a good excuse to go back to NYC).
This sounds like a great book! I’m adding it to my list.
This sounds great, a read I would love! That era sounds fun!
I love period novels and so enjoyed reading about “Grand Central” and seeing the photos of the authors in the vintage period clothing! I really want to win this novel! Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter.
This sounds like such a good book! I will have to add this to my TBR list!
Sounds like a great book!
Will have to add this to my “must read” list :0)
This book sounds like something right up my alley. I’m glad you brought it to my attention. It sounds like a great summer read. I love the photo of all of the ladies – how much fun!
A year ago a friend of mine from Indiana came to NYC for the first time with her “Mama”. Neither had ever been to NY. Gary and I gave them a whirlwind tour of the city, and we took many photos inside of Grand Central. After they returned home, they found out Mama had incurable cancer, and she died 9 months later. I would like to read a good book about GC that might take a little of the sting out of that sad (but also happy that we had that time together) story.
Sorry to be so sad, but I thought I’d share it here. Grand Central means so much to so many people; this is just one story from the Big City! xoxoxo
That sounds like a wonderful book! I love the premise and the setting. How exciting for the women involved in this project. I wish them much success.
Third person oral histories, told by nostalgic ladies. The people who inspired these stories may or may not be on the earth to edit or comment. But the inimitable locale is indeed alive and well in Grand Central, NYC, and available for a modern spin on romance fiction.
I can’t wait to pick this book up! I love stories of friendship and love. So Good!
Love the idea of same day same year:)) adding it to my reading list. Would love a copy for my 90 yr old mother in law:)) xxo
Oh I love New York and Grand Central is beautiful. What a great theme – I can only imagine all the stories of what took place there.
I love books that are collections of stories. Thanks for the review, I will have to check it out!
Oh! such a fun read! I can’t wait to get mine! I love anthologies!
What a fun read! Love the idea behind all of the plots being intertwined. Very cool!
This sounds like a fun and interesting book. I love that you imagine all sorts of scenarios amongst the people coming and going at Grand Central.
This sounds like a great collection!! I love stories of war and love. I will definitely be checking this out!
This sounds like a fantastic book!
This sounds to be a fantastic read. I love people watching.
Love the sounds of that book – always enjoy reading a female-centric book.
This sounds like a great read! Definitely a book I would add to my beach reading list.
This sounds fantastic! I love Karen White’s books and am looking forward to reading new authors!
When I first heard about this book I knew I wanted to read it, especially now that I saw the ladies in the period dresses!! Thank for the giveaway.
I cannot wait to read this book! Looks fabulous!
Looks like a lot of fun,and great photo opps. the book looks like a great read Im gonna have to look for it.
Now that sounds like something I need to pick up. The stories would be fascinating!
I can hardly wait to read this! Loved the photo of you girls in period dress – and especially appreciated the Jackie Kennedy quote! So true!
Would love to read this book.
Would love to read it!
Cannot wait to read this.
Can’t wait to read this one!
Thanks for the chance.
I have this saved in my wishlist on Amazon I would love to win it Thanks for the chance
Sounds like a really good read!
That is an innovative theme. I have my own Grand Central memories and will keep an eye out for the book even if I don’t win a copy.
Sounds like the perfect summer read! Thanks!
Spent lots of time in Grand Central – meeting at the information booth
As a former (but forever, in my heart) New Yorker, frequent visitor to Grand Central Station, and short-story-lover, this book sounds right up my alley! I plan to read it whether I win it or not!
Love all of the authors in this book. Can’t wait to read this book.
I’m in between books right now and am so glad this wonderful sounding book came at the right time
I love historical fiction on so many levels.
Wow. The theme is awesome. Hope to read this
Sounds like an interesting book.
I love this era. What a wonderful concept. I hope it is a big success!
Love these authors as a born&bred New Yorker have a great attachment to Grand Central.
Thank you for the giveaway. Sounds great.
Can’t wait to read this!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the reviews. This one seems especially appealng. Hope to get this one by entering contest. BTW it would be helpful to know which of your books are also available on Kindle or readers! Thanks again, From another Jenny Craig fan. Let us know about your updated experiences? Kay