Objects of My Affection

June 18, 2012
In Smolinski's heartfelt newest (after The Next Thing On My List), Lucy Bloom, a personal organizer, is desperately trying to get her life back on track. After getting dumped, she had to sell her home in order to finance her 19-year-old son Ash's stint in rehab; now Lucy is sharing a bedroom with a friend's toddler. In order to make a little money, she accepts a peculiar assignment: famed reclusive painter and hoarder Marva Meier Rios wants to clear out most of her possessions before her 65th birthday. Despite initiating the project, Marva is extremely reluctant to relinquish her belongings. Desperate, Lucy brings in ex-boyfriend Daniel, a collectibles enthusiast who treats Marva's things with an appropriate amount of respect. As the artist begins to open up and let go, Lucy and Daniel learn about Marva's complicated past and troubling secrets, and start to realize that even they might have relics holding them backâfrom one another and moving forward. Smolinski gracefully balances lighthearted humor with insightful musings on addiction, mortality, nostalgia, and affection, making this an entertaining and touching read.

September 15, 2012

Lucy Bloom is hired to help eccentric artist Marva Meier Rios clean out her house. Marva is a hoarder, and Lucy knows she will be hard-pressed to meet the strict deadline, but as a single mother with a rebellious son in rehab, she has no option. While Lucy battles with Marva and tries to keep her personal life in order, the two women forge an unusual bond. They learn from each other about what is important to hold on to and of what it is okay to let go. Narrator Xe Sands does a good job with the drama and provides a variety of female voices, but her male voices are too similar. VERDICT This audiobook will appeal to readers who enjoy female characters who overcome life's problems. ["This is a pleasant and engaging novel with likable protagonists who evolve; however, the relationships among the book's other characters aren't as fully explored, and the resolution seems hurried and flat," read the review of the Touchstone: S. & S. hc, LJ 4/1/12.--Ed.]--Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Libs., Providence

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