I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have long been an Anna Quindlen fan. Her Newsweek columns and novels all seemed to be a window into the heart of America's women. Her novels were not always pretty - in fact, some presented a rather sad view of life - but there was an honesty about the characters and their lives. <i>Alternate Side</i> seems like a natural progression. Her protagonist, Nora Nolan, is a wife, mother, museum curator, and stalwart NYC resident.

Most of the time Nora just goes with the flow. She never has specific direction yet people and career opportunities come to her. Her marriage has settled into a routine where neither Nora nor husband Charlie is extraordinarily happy, but day-to-life has a bit of inertia to it. Big changes, some inevitable (her children's graduation from college and adult jobs), some sudden (a violent attack by a neighbor on a handyman), manage to bring her life to a crossroads where certainty of direction is no longer absolute.

Quindlen's lovely writing manages to elevate a story about prosperous people who don't see or appreciate their good fortune to one where their seemingly blessed lives are rather woebegone. In another's hands, characters like Nora and Charlie would appear blandly pathetic and cause me to put down the book; under Quindlen's touch, Nora could be anyone of a certain age who looks around and says, "How did I get here?"

I have been reading Anna Quindlen's books for many years, since I was in my 20's. I used to read her newspaper column also. I was very excited to see that she was publishing a new book this year, as I have enjoyed her books in the past. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in her latest endeavor. I understand that not every story needs to have a direct point to it, but it took at least a third of the book for anything to really happen. The story is set in NYC in a wealthy, established part of the city, in which the neighbors have their own routine, rules and regulations. There is a pecking order to be followed, including the parking arrangement. In addition, each home has a full-time maid/nanny to help with the daily routine of the wealthy families. There are minor skirmishes between neighbors, the annoying, self-important neighbor, etc. The book takes a turn when one of the homeowners becomes angry at the local handyman for blocking his exit to his "well-earned" parking spot in the parking lot. He takes one of his golf clubs and starts smashing the handyman's van, and in the process, either misses a swing or intentionally strikes the handyman, causing great physical harm. The neighbors become divided on the issue, including if the violence was intentional and whether they should continue to socialize with the neighbor that caused the event. While this is taking place, there is also the story of the family of Charlie and Nora and their twins. The writing isn't as cohesive as I've come to expect from Anna Quindlen and the story seems to meander. Still an "ok" read but not as highly anticipated as I have come to expect from the author.

I love everything, every word, Anna Quindlen has ever written. This one though, not as much. It didn't seem to speak to me in the same positive, upbeat, hopeful voice I always look for when reading Ms. Quidlen's work.

Anne Quinden has an amazing ability to look inside the lives of families and neighbours who live on a dead end block in New York.. Nora, the main character, gives the reader an honest account of her life, her emotions and insights. There is never a dull moment on the block, but one major incident, creates friction and disturbs so many lives. Very well written and a joy to read.

Read in prepub. Pub date 3/20/18. I am predisposed to any New York City based story but am easily annoyed by "rich people problem" books so I was unsure of this one going in. Even given the fact that none of the characters were ever really in peril because their cushion of money ensured that any suffering they had would be existential, I still cared what happened to Nora. There is enough meat here--about class, about marriage, about community--that it would make a good book group discussion book. Recommend.

75% of this novel is the story of Nora Nolan’s life told as if it were her memoir. While it is based on the present, Nora flashes back to other times in her life. She is an educated white woman, wife, and mother who is not unhappy yet not happy about her life. She acknowledges her privilege and seeks to compensate for it through acts of kindness for her Jamaican nanny/housekeeper, Hispanic handyman, and “homeless” friend Phil. The response she gets from those different individuals is very interesting. It is not the typical, “Golly gee, you’re amazing.” There is real pushback that is nice to read. The other 25% of this novel is a love letter to New York City. Nora really loves NYC and her descriptions about what she loves are the best parts of the book.

Nora’s life story is somewhat interesting but also a little confusing at times. I felt lost when I began the book because it picked up right into Nora’s life. I did not know whom she was talking about and what was going on. It’s like I missed the prequel. Furthermore, there are paragraphs that will be describing a current event and then suddenly the reader is thrust back into another time and tangential story. I found it a little confusing when that happened. I understand that a lot of people do that when telling a story, but it doesn’t come across well on the page.

Overall, it was a nice, easy read. It wasn’t earth shattering or really moving for me.

I received an ARC of Alternate Side: A Novel through NetGalley for an honest review.

An engrossing book about NYC, a neighborhood, a marriage, a family, and a wife/mother/neighbor/career woman. I thoroughly enjoyed it and didn't want it to end. Kudos t0 Quindlen.

Anna Quindlen takes on on New Yorkers this time, and writes about them with such clarity and understanding that even if you don't like them, you are perfectly clear about whom and what they are about. There are some twists and turns in this book, which keep the story interesting and never dull. She tackles one of todays pressing issues in a very real way. It was hard to put this book down.

A family drama filled with a neighborhood of well-developed "New Yorker" characters, both obnoxious and kind.

I have enjoyed Anna Quindlen’s novels in the past, but just couldn’t get into this one. I bailed about a quarter of the way in. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters or the story on this one.

Anna Quindlen is certainly the best writer in the family drama genre - her latest novel is mostly a character study and a portrait of a marriage.
I loved the setting in this book and was familiar with all the places mentioned in New York City.

I wasn't that fond of most of the characters, but I feel as though I know them inside and out, and I thought about them at odd times of the day when I wasn't reading.
A tragic event happened in the insular neighborhood block where they lived, and their lives changed accordingly, but I can't say I feel badly for any of the residents.

It was interesting to read about each character's motivation and how they interacted with each other, what goes on behind the closed doors within a closeknit community which thinks they know everything about everyone.

I could finish this book. I got halfway through it and just could not engage in this story. There is an incident in an upper class New York City neighborhood which causes discord between the residence. The incident didn't take place until about a third of the way through the book but I was patient. I read all the character backstories, marriage histories, and musings about the city and its out of control real estate prices, all the while waiting for the story to begin. Halfway through I still felt as though I was waiting for things to start so I had to just set this one aside and move on ... too many book, too little time.

Favorite read lately, a literate examination of place, marriage and social class, Character development, writing style and plot are all
on point, Harkens back to the wonderful times spent with Ann Tyler, Ann Hood and Alice Adams.

This was really, really entertaining. I loved the choppy sense of time, and the few interspersed memos/letters. And the ending was just...whew, perfect. I'm really looking forward to giving this to my patrons.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

What a great little book! I thoroughly enjoyed this (although I expected that given it's Anna Quindlen). This one is all about relationships - husband/wife, parent/child, neighbors, friends, siblings, co-workers, strangers, and finally with yourself. It explores all the various relationships we have and the effects those relationships have on us throughout our lives. There's also a strong theme of "what-if" - what if this or that had happened, would lives have turned out differently? It's a question I'm guessing everyone has asked themselves more than once throughout their lives. One thing I really liked about this book was the time and effort the author took with the after story. Many times a book will spend 99% of it's story telling the before and during, but very little on what happens after, and I am left feeling cheated by the ending. This one had a hefty after section, and really wrapped up the story well. I enjoy Anna Quindlen's writing - this one tells a story without a lot of fluff and pretention. It's simple and easy while still making me think. Highly recommend it!

By far, my favorite book of the year. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. Beatifully written with characters so real. In effect, it is a hate/love story of New Yorkers as well as a story of a marriage. The dialogue is so believable, especially the interactions with the children.

Years ago Calvin Trillin wrote Tepper Is Not Going Out, a book he called the world's first novel about parking. In that book Tepper parks in front of Russ & Daughters and reads his paper until he gets the full time on his meter. When I saw him all those years ago, he said he wrote it to illustrate the continuing frustration that New Yorkers have with parking in their city and their methods for complying with the City's parking rules. Anna Quindlan uses the same jumping off point in her latest book, one of her best -- I'm only surprised it took almost 20 years for another book to appear centered around what those New Yorkers who insist on still owning cars have to deal with, the tricks employed to secure a place on the street. And what a street it is! A fictitious dead end on the upper West Side, fronted with Victorian townhouses and inhabited with an upscale population who meet as they walk their dogs, have a local "mayor" a boor who polices the area, a huge Christmas party thrown by seemingly the wealthiest of them all. And they have Ricky, an angel capable of fixing everything and keeping these houses running, on call 24/7. It also has a vacant lot that provides a very limited number of treasured parking spaces.
Nan and Charlie Nolan have finally scored one of these gems which thrills Charlie a lot and Nan not so much.
The plot is set in motion with Ricky's van impeding (supposedly) the exit from the lot for Jack, the most entitled of the residents. This sets in motion events that will impact everyone on the block, told from Nan's point of view. With her customary journalistic skills and powers of observation, Anna Quindlan creates characters that breathe and situations that reverberate with authenticity. I loved in particular her exchanges with her daughter which only a mother of an assertive brilliant daughter could have created. Thanks to netgalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Anna Quindlen is such a talented writer and fulfills every expectation in ALTERNATE SIDE. It is the story of true-blue New Yorker Nora Nolan and the neighborhood she lives in on the upper west side. Nora's neighborhood is close-knit and the occupants have lived in relative harmony until one of the neighbors, known for his temper, commits an ugly act that throws the neighborhood out of kilter. This malicious act coincides with Nora's husband's growing discontent in his station in life and Nora questions whether balance can be restored. Quindlen deftly portrays how where we live and those who surround us affect our sense of self. Thoroughly engaging; I hated to see it end.

A quiet novel that grows into an absorbing read. Anna Quindlen uses a NYC residential street as a microcosm for alternate sides of life, be that black and white, husband and wife, rich and poor, parents and children. Everything in Nora's life is ticking along at an even pace with perfect balance until a violent incident upsets it all. The ripple effect is profound.

I devoured thos latest from accomplished author Quinlen on 2 days. The character of museum director Nora Nolan is so relatable, likeable and honest. She is an independent woman, fiercely loyal to her kids and friends who doesn’t let the frustrations of city life dampen her love for her beloved NYC. The portrayal of a marriage that has run out of steam was spot on - there were so many sentences I found myself wanted to h9ghlight. - and the characters whose lives and relationships play out on the dead end block where the. Nolans live is fascinating. They are really no villains In this finely drawn story, just interesting,, complex people living their lives In the surprisingly tight knit community in the city.