Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Hausfrau
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE,THE HUFFINGTON POST,AND SHELF AWARENESS In Hausfrau, Anna Karenina goes Fifty Shades with a side of Madame Bovary.Time A debut novel about Anna, a bored housewife who, like her Tolstoyan namesake, throws herself into a psychosexual journey of self-discovery and tragedy.O: The Oprah MagazineSexy and insightful, this gorgeously written novel opens a window into one womans desperate soul.PeopleAnna was a good wife, mostly.For readers of The Girl on the Train and The Woman Upstairs comes a striking debut novel of marriage, fidelity, sex, and morality, featuring a fascinating heroine who struggles to live a life with meaning.Anna Benz, an American in her late thirties, lives with her Swiss husband, Brunoa bankerand their three young children in a postcard-perfect suburb of Zrich. Though she leads a comfortable, well-appointed life, Anna is falling apart inside. Adrift and increasingly unable to connect with the emotionally unavailable Bruno or even with her own thoughts and feelings, Anna tries to rouse herself with new experiences: German language classes, Jungian analysis, and a series of sexual affairs she enters with an ease that surprises even her. But Anna cant easily extract herself from these affairs. When she wants to end them, she finds its difficult. Tensions escalate, and her lies start to spin out of control. Having crossed a moral threshold, Anna will discover where a woman goes when there is no going back. Intimate, intense, and written with the precision of a Swiss Army knife, Jill Alexander Essbaums debut novel is an unforgettable story of marriage, fidelity, sex, morality, and most especially self. Navigating the lines between lust and love, guilt and shame, excuses and reasons, Anna Benz is an electrifying heroine whose passions and choices readers will debate with recognition and fury. Her story reveals, with honesty and great beauty, how we create ourselves and how we lose ourselves and the sometimes disastrous choices we make to find ourselves. Praise for HausfrauElegant, erotic . . . There is much to admire in Essbaums intricately constructed, meticulously composed novel, including its virtuosic intercutting of past and present.Chicago TribuneFor a first novelist, Essbaum is extraordinary because she is a poet. Her language is meticulous and resonant and daring.NPRs Weekend Edition Were in literary territory as familiar as Annas name, but Essbaum makes it fresh with sharp prose and psychological insight.San Francisco ChronicleThis marvelously quiet book is psychologically complex and deeply intimate. . . . One of the smartest novels in recent memory.The Dallas Morning NewsEssbaums poignant, shocking debut novel rivets.Us WeeklyA powerful, lyrical novel . . . Hausfrau boasts taut pacing and melodrama, but also a fully realized heroine as love-hateable as Emma Bovary.The Huffington Post Imagine Tom Perrottas American nowheresvilles swapped out for a tidy Zrich suburb, sprinkled liberally with sharp riffs on Swiss-German grammar and European hypocrisy.New YorkFrom the Hardcover edition.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Rybow
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Mehso-so

I found this book difficult to get through. The premise was interesting, but I didn‘t enjoy the type of writing. The book is written in a way where the story jumps back and forth in the timeline throughout the same chapters, with no real distinction. While I know this is done deliberately, I found it difficult to follow. I don‘t think this book will be for everyone.

blurb
MaleficentBookDragon
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

#Bookaday Book 12.
Yay or nay?

My physical bookshelves are overflowing and I want to Marie Kondo them a bit.
So, I‘m posting #abookaday of my “maybes” and I hope you can help me decide.
Have you read this book? Should I? ❤️ or a hard pass? Is it on your wish list? Let me know below

JacqMac I liked this one. It wasn‘t what I was expecting, but it was really good. 3y
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
rachelk
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this novel overall, even though I found the protagonist frustrating and not very likable. Anna is truly depressed but throwing herself into extramarital affairs doesn‘t help. You can tell it will lead to no good, but what actually happens is pretty shocking.

33 likes1 stack add
review
Suet624
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

The quote from Crawford tells you all you need to know about this book.The character study of a depressed woman living in a foreign country with a cold husband was well done. I really liked the thoughts of a Jungian therapist noted throughout. This is not an uplifting book by any means, but it is an honest look at what some individuals go through. I recognized some of my own mid-life thoughts & the author obviously knows what she‘s talking about.

BarbaraBB Wonderful review, of course I felt the same about this book 👯‍♀️ 3y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB this had such a low rating on GR! I‘m so glad you liked the book too. I was feeling a bit insecure about my reaction to the book. 3y
BarbaraBB I felt insecure too and was so glad to see that @emilyhaldi loved it too! 3y
See All 7 Comments
Suet624 @BarbaraBB I love that you had the same feeling of insecurity. I wouldn‘t have guessed you‘d feel that way. 💕💕💕 3y
BarbaraBB Absolutely. Very often. Also when I don‘t like books as much as I feel I‘m supposed to.... 3y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB Right. That too. 3y
emilyhaldi Yes I loved this one!! 🔥 3y
61 likes7 comments
blurb
TheLibrarian
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
blurb
JacqMac
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Day 2.
#7Days7Covers #CoverCrush

I‘m bad at tagging people, but if you‘d like to play, please consider this a tag. I‘d love to see your favourite covers.

Crazeedi That a beautiful cover!❤ 5y
reading_rainbow beautiful 😍 5y
MicheleinPhilly I‘m still not over Amazon switching this to the HORRID paperback cover on my Kindle. It happened years ago and I will bitch about it for years to come. #WorldChampionGrudgeHolder 5y
JacqMac @MicheleinPhilly I hate it when they change the covers! Just why? I‘d be especially upset if it was something this pretty and they made it ugly. Your grudge is justified. 5y
Sweettartlaura I actually like the cover with her busting out of that white shirt 🤷🏻‍♀️. Once I read it and saw how her relationship with sex shaped her & her destiny, I found it much more fitting a cover. 5y
55 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Kappadeemom
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

This is so me. When I get mad, I clean! 😂🙋🏼‍♀️

blurb
Kappadeemom
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Rainy day reading with my Dorkie 😍

Megabooks I still think about this book, especially the ending, and I read it a few years ago. 5y
Djspens I love the cover! And the book sounds interesting! Added to my neverending TBR list.... 5y
LeslieO Same @Megabooks This was kinda snuck up on me. 5y
52 likes3 stack adds3 comments
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

#24in48 #Hour12 challenge #bookshelfie
Me in front of one of my shelves.

Kalalalatja We need more pics of your shelves! The look lovely 👌 5y
83 likes2 comments
blurb
ptkpepe98
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Didn't see that coming! I was getting bored with Anna's behavior, and then, kaplouey! Well done! I'm hooked again.

13 likes1 stack add
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Anna is a housewife, and a mother but she is lonely and depressed. Her infidelity and the plot slowly unravels itself in this slow burn novel. Still on my TBR. Image from google.
#HeatofJuly #despacito

Cathythoughts Beautiful picture 💫💫💫 6y
BarbaraBB Get to it soon (not despacito 😉), it is a real good, dark read! 💕 6y
tricours I liked this one! 6y
75 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
MaleficentBookDragon
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I just spent an hour (and $71) in 2nd & Charles. I feel a little light headed.
At least most (some) of it was for a few of my summer swaps.
#foodimentarywatson #SockSwap #makerswap

Ingerella I just came across this store yesterday! Lots of fun stuff in there! 6y
MaleficentBookDragon @Ingerella I know. It is dangerous. I guess I‘m “lucky” there is not one near me. I can only go when I‘m visiting Harrisburg. 6y
Ingerella I said the same yesterday. I'm glad it's not very near me or I'd be in trouble! 6y
See All 6 Comments
ravenlee I haven't been to one in a few years, but the one I used to go to let me make discount bundles - if I bought multiple titles by the same author they'd do a bundle discount (can't recall if it was 3 or 4 books and what the exact discount was). Very helpful when I was getting Nancy Drew for my daughter. 6y
tracey38 I have been in one though there isn't one near me niw. Great store! 6y
CrowCAH We have this store in Michigan too! ❤️ 6y
77 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

I can‘t imagine how lonely Anna, the MC of this book, must have been. With a cold husband, living in a strange country without speaking its language, with no ties to her homeland, no job and no friends. Except for her kids she lives a very empty life, too passive or frightened to make a change. Yet she wants to belong. A depressing, thoughtprovoking read.

emilyhaldi Ugh, so lonely... and the author did such a good job of relaying that mood through the text! I‘m glad this was a pick for you👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 How about that ending!?!? 6y
BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi definitely a pick and yes, that ending. Inevitable yet I didn‘t see it coming. So sad. I had to think immediately about those other two kids 😢 6y
LeahBergen @BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi That ending! 😳 6y
60 likes3 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Last view on Istanbul and the Bosporus River before going home. I‘m finally getting into this book (it took some time) so i am looking forward to some undisturbed reading during the the three hours flight!

ephemeralwaltz Wow!😍😍😍 Safe travels 6y
Graywacke Nice picture 6y
LauraBeth Beautiful picture! I loved this book! 6y
See All 23 Comments
AmyG Beautiful! Safe travels. 6y
Mdargusch Wow! Looks like you had a great trip! 6y
ElishaLovesBooks Wonderful picture!! 6y
tammysue Gorgeous photo! Have a safe trip home! 6y
Sarah83 Is it the Dutch cover? 6y
emilyhaldi That view 🙌🏻 6y
Reviewsbylola I can‘t wait to read this! 6y
youneverarrived Oh wow! 😍😍 6y
BarbaraBB @Sarah83 no it is the UK edition! 6y
Sarah83 👍 I haven't seen this one. 😉 6y
mauveandrosysky Loved this book! 6y
BarbaraBB @ephemeralwaltz @AmyG @whatshesreadingnow Thank you, made it safely back home 😘 6y
BarbaraBB @Graywacke @LauraBeth @Mdargusch @ElishaLovesBooks @emilyhaldi @youneverarrived It is such a wonderful city: taking good photos is easy 😉😘 6y
emilyhaldi 😄✨👏🏻💜☀️ 6y
GatheringBooks gorgeous view! i had brunch somewhere here as well overlooking the bosphorus. i miss istanbul. 6y
BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Did you live here or were you travelling? 6y
GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB i only spent a week there. was invited by a gifted education institute to conduct a three-day teacher training course. that was awesome. my host, a nuclear physicist and AI expert gave me a lovely tour of the city and took me to so many out-of-the-way places known only to locals. still one of my most unforgettable trips, ever. (edited) 6y
BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks I can imagine! It must be great to visit out-of-the-way places because the only think I didn‘t liked about Istanbul is that there are way too many turists. Crowds and lines everywhere! Me being one of them ofcourse 😉😂 6y
GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB i was there during winter. it was snowing when i arrived. february of 2015. :) not much tourists, then. (edited) 6y
BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks I saw the snow on your pictures indeed. Good timing for both reasons: a white city and no turists! 6y
74 likes1 stack add23 comments
review
ARoseByAnyOtherName
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Bailedbailed

I find it so negative and crude. The affairs are not romantic but trashy. not well written and if I read any further I will be as miserable as Anna. a waste of my freizeit.

quote
AmyER
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum

“A want is desirable, though not essential. A need is something without which you cannot survive.” The Doktor added, “If you cannot live without something, you won‘t.”

review
TheLibrarian
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

First, I‘m in love with this cover. Second, I overall enjoyed this except the psychoanalyst sections (I started skimming over these parts). The story follows Anna, who is unfaithful to her husband and is overall pretty miserable. I found myself feeling bad for Anna even though she brought a lot of her problems onto herself.

Great start to #freakyfriday

callielafleur I enjoyed large parts of this, but the ending was so so depressing. 6y
TheLibrarian @callielafleur Agree. I was kinda surprised she didn‘t try getting in touch with Karl. 6y
emilyhaldi Glad you enjoyed this one!!! I was really into the analytical parts but it could have just been my mood 😆 and that ending gave me the chills 🖤 6y
See All 6 Comments
TheLibrarian @emilyhaldi For some reason I wasn‘t even though psychology and the like fascinates me. Now I‘m moving onto The Summer That Melted Everything. 6y
ThatBookishGal I have always loved this cover 6y
Herschelian I didn‘t warm to the characters, and the book put me off ever wanting to live in Switzerland! But my strongest reaction was that it reminded me of Madam Bovary by Flaubert. 6y
92 likes2 stack adds6 comments
blurb
TheLibrarian
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Print book #tbr for April including the tagged thanks to @emilyhaldi and #FreakyFriday

#ReadingResolutions

emilyhaldi 😍😍😍 so many good ones! Oh wait, i picked them, no wonder 😆 6y
Mdargusch Some of my favorites are on that shelf too - Eligible and The Secret History ❤️❤️ 6y
92 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
TheLibrarian
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Oops...BookOutlet is having a 15% off sale and in the process of buying 2 books for #FreakyFriday I ended up with 14 😳

LeahBergen 😂😂 6y
TheLibrarian @emilyhaldi Picked up Hausfrau and All Involved!! 6y
Kaye Maybe you just forgot how to count ? That sometimes happens to me when I book shop. I think I only bought 3 but I end up with 12. Or maybe they‘re like rabbits and they multiply in the bag. 6y
See All 18 Comments
Erinreadsthebooks Hey, accidents happen 🤷🏼‍♀️ 6y
Jess7 You have sooooooooooo many books! 🤣 6y
TheLibrarian @Jess7 I really really do 😂 I need an intervention. 6y
Jess7 Ball park - how many books do you think you own? 1,000? More? 🤷🏻‍♀️😉🤣 I doubt I am very far off! Lol (edited) 6y
TheLibrarian @Kaye You‘re onto something 🤣 6y
TheLibrarian @Jess7 You are super close 😬 What I have marked in Goodreads as owned is like 800 but there is a whole bookcase of items I haven‘t cataloged. I could have worse habits! 6y
Jess7 Very true! Lol 6y
Beachesnbooks These sales always get me 😂 6y
TheLibrarian @Beachesnbooks Me too! I was looking at their site yesterday and was like nah I‘ll wait for a sale then boom, the next day there is a sale. 6y
CouronneDhiver I‘m trying so hard to ignore the opportunity 🙃 6y
monalyisha Omg 😂😂😂 (I laughed so suddenly at this that I may have drooled a little.) (edited) 6y
emilyhaldi Omg those are 2 amaaaaaazing books!!! Hausfrau seems to be somewhat polarizing but I haven‘t heard anyone say they didn‘t love All Involved. It‘s so intense and well done 👍🏻👍🏻 6y
emilyhaldi Also, I‘ve been building my cart over the past 24 hours and trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger. So far have 13 books I really want 😬😬😬 6y
TheLibrarian @emilyhaldi You‘re just as bad as me!!! There were more in my cart originally 🤣 And I absolutely love the Haisfrau cover! 6y
105 likes18 comments
review
emilyhaldi
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

This book is a hauntingly written, raw, tense, salacious, and incredibly sad look at the marriage of an American woman and a Swiss man living in Switerland with their 3 children. I was swept up in the story of Anna's self-destruction and couldn't put the book down until the chilling end. Beautifully written with so much insight and emotion. I won't be forgetting this one anytime soon.

emilyhaldi Using this one for #booked2018 #flowersorswordoncover 🌷🌹🌺🌸 (edited) 6y
Melissa_J I read this one for a book club I used to be in. We all disliked the book, but we had a great discussion about it! 6y
emilyhaldi @Melissa_J I am so surprised by how many bad reviews there are for this one!! It tore my heart out! 💔 would love to discuss this with a book club and get everyone‘s thoughts... there is so much to dissect! (edited) 6y
See All 16 Comments
Melissa_J You‘re right about there being a lot to dissect. The book generated the best discussion I‘ve ever had at a book club meeting. 6y
LeahBergen I thought it was wonderful. ❤️ 6y
EvieBee Yay! So glad this was a pick for you. I was in the minority when I wrote my gushing review of the galley. 6y
Mdargusch You can use this for #pop18 6y
Megabooks I loved this! 6y
emilyhaldi Soooo thrilled to see some love out there for this one! 💞💞 @LeahBergen @EvieBee @Booksandcooks 6y
Clwojick I have this, and I seriously need to get around to reading it. Lol (edited) 6y
Kalalalatja I was afraid this book was just a great cover with a bad story inside, but you have made me want to try it! 6y
Cinfhen I had a hard time with this book when I started it and I bailed...maybe I need to try again but I just remember STRONG negative feelings for the narrator 6y
emilyhaldi @Cinfhen I can certainly understand your negative feelings - the narrator is a hot mess. But it was fascinating to be inside her head and look at the world through her view which was ostensibly impacted by some form of mental illness (depression? narcissism?) @Kalalalatja I avoided it for a while too and was happily surprised!!! Go for it! 👍🏻 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage It‘s going to be fun to see the new set of choices for our second season of #booked2018. This cover sure fits the prompt! 👏🏻👏🏻📚📚❤️❤️ 6y
Reviewsbylola Oh damn, gonna have to read this one ASAP!! 6y
Reviewsbylola Starting this one tonight. 💁🏼‍♀️ 6y
131 likes6 stack adds16 comments
blurb
parttimedomestic
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I‘m going to tell y‘all something I would never say irl. My Christmas was disappointing. It‘s not that I expect a ton of gifts, but I love putting thought & creativity into the gifts I give, and sometimes that is not reciprocated. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I hope I don‘t sound like a monster.
That‘s why I gave myself permission to go on a bit of a book buying binge. This is haul #1, the second batch should get here tomorrow! Merry late Christmas to me!

MiyakoBunny You 💯 don‘t sound like a monster to me *hugs* 💗! You sound honest & kind and that‘s the best kind of person to me 😊 6y
jhod Merry Christmas (late) to you! 6y
parttimedomestic @MiyakoBunny 😊 Thank you, you are very sweet. 6y
See All 6 Comments
parttimedomestic @jhod Thanks! 🎄🤗 6y
Eggs @parttimedomestic I feel that way sometimes too 6y
mrozzz No I totally get it! I really try to personalize gifts and sometimes, from my best friends, I‘ll get the most generic gifts. It‘s confounding. #TreatYoSelf 6y
36 likes6 comments
blurb
AmyG
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

The winner of my book GIVEAWAY is @DHill
Congratulations! Please email me your address at gratefulmom58 (gmail). 🎉🎉🎉

Karkar Congratulations @DHill 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
DHill Thank you so much!!! 😊 6y
69 likes2 comments
blurb
AmyG
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Last chance to win these. I will draw a name tomorrow at 9am. Just comment below (if you haven't already) to win. Thanks!

aschermetz Me please! Fun! 6y
Christine11 Would love these ! How nice of you ! I‘m in the uk though, don‘t know if that‘s ok or not ? 😊 6y
AmyG @Christine11 Not a problem! 6y
See All 11 Comments
DeeLew That's so nice of you! 😊 6y
kricheal I would love to win these! 6y
quietlycuriouskate What a generous giveaway! This one has been on my wishlist for ages. 6y
JenlovesJT47 So nice of you! 🤗☺️🙌🏻 6y
needleminding Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to read these books. ❤️ 6y
ju.ca.no Ooh I would love to win them😍 thanks for doing a giveaway, that is very generous of you😊 6y
shendrix413 Awesome! Thanks for the giveaway! 6y
Christine11 That‘s great 😊 and very generous of you ! 💕 6y
79 likes11 comments
blurb
AmyG
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

***GIVEAWAY*** I am moving soon and won't be taking these wih me. I've read and enjoyed all 3. If you'd like them just comment below. I will pick a name out of a hat on Friday at 9am. #payitforward

dylanisreading 🙋🏻‍♀️ 6y
erinreads 🙋🏼🙋🏼🙋🏼 Thank you! 💕 6y
Dolly It looks like an interesting group. Sure, I'm interested. Thanks for the giveaway!😀 6y
See All 18 Comments
cobwebmoth How nice! Thanks for the chance to read them! 6y
TricksyTails So generous! Yes, please! Thank you. 😊 6y
tpixie Good luck with your move!! ( No books, thx- just good wishes to you!) 6y
AmyG @tpixie Thank you 😘 6y
ElishaLovesBooks Those books look great! Happy moving!!😊 6y
Nebklvr Best of luck on the move. 6y
Andrea4 Omgosh just saw H is for Hawk at the bookstore the other day and swooned over the cover!! Thanks for the chance! 6y
DHill Good luck with the move! 6y
CoffeeCatsBooks Good luck on the move! 🍀 6y
Avanders Good luck! Also 🙋🏽‍♀️ and thanks for paying it forward! 6y
Suet624 Oh! Oh! I have my hand up over here! 😀😀 6y
Redwritinghood Thank you! I would love to receive them. 6y
BarbaraBB I feel greedy for I have just commented on your Nabokov post 😊 but Hausfrau has been on my wishlist forever so here I am again 😀 6y
Ash.on.the.line Awesome! Thanks and good luck to all! 😄 6y
Kalalalatja Ooooooh, I'm so interested! I have wanted to read this for so long 6y
71 likes18 comments
blurb
Clwojick
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Finished #paulocoelho and now onto this one. It's been on my TBR for far too long. I actually own the book, but I'll start it on audiobook tonight, seeing as how I'm not whiling to get out of bed.

erzascarletbookgasm This is a much prettier cover! 6y
Sha0102 One of my favorite 📚 6y
95 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

This book, which is still unread 🙄, has been described as an ‘erotic‘ novel dealing in themes of depression, #marriage, fidelity, and mortality.
#noteworthynovember

Clwojick I own this, and I have it downloaded on Libby and I still haven't read it 🙄 that's it, it's next on the list! 6y
69 likes1 comment
blurb
Bookish.SAM
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I prefer the other cover for this book, this is the one I was able to grab at a book sale. Jack‘s the book lover of the fur family. 😻📚 #catsoflitsy

TricksyTails Well, hello sweet face! 😻♥️ 6y
8 likes1 comment
blurb
Lacythebookworm
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I‘ve wanted to read this since it was published. Finally ordered a copy on Book Outlet and while the copy is worn, I still love the cover. Started last night and excited to continue this evening.

LauraBeth I loved this book! 6y
bookloo This. Cover. 😍 6y
ApoptyGina69 I‘ve wanted this forever too. Kinda forgot about it... thanks for the post! 👍📚 6y
See All 12 Comments
heikemarie This cover is lovely. The other cover I️ saw was dumb with sexist undertones. I️ wasn‘t a huge fan of the book but it didn‘t deserve a “chick lit” treatment. 6y
AmyG I just got this. The cover is beautiful. 6y
EvieBee I adored this book and this cover! Wasn‘t a fan of the paperback version. 6y
LeahBergen @EvieBee Just WHY?? What was up with the PB cover? I really liked this read. 👍🏻 6y
EvieBee @LeahBergen Right? I have an ARC of this book with the pictured cover and I haven‘t purchased the ebook for that reason. I hate that new cover. (edited) 6y
rmaclean4 This is a book that really stayed with me. I found it compelling, but I am suprised at how often I think about it a year out from having read it. 6y
Lacythebookworm @rmaclean4 I️ think we may be book twins!😉 I️ finished this on Friday. And it rocked my world. I‘m pretty sure I‘ll be thinking about a year from now, too. 6y
rmaclean4 @Lacythebookworm have you read The Dinner? It had a similar feel for me. 6y
rmaclean4 @Lacythebookworm always great to meet a book twin!!! 6y
91 likes2 stack adds12 comments
blurb
BethFishReads
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I‘ve been busy busy lately but wanted to share today‘s round-up and GIVEAWAY — my recommendations for audiobooks for your holiday travels plus a giveaway of *10 audiobooks* (USA / Can). Thanks to Audio Publishers Association. http://www.bethfishreads.com/2017/11/5-audiobooks-for-road-trip-giveaway.html?m=...

blurb
TaciturnWhenReading
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Found this on the bargain table at B&N today. I lived in Switzerland for a while on an expat assignment so the setting and storyline piqued my interest. Mixed reviews on Goodreads though. Anyone familiar with it? #moreTBR

cariashley I wanted to read this one but never got around to it... 6y
BookNAround I‘d give it a mixed review too. Helpful, aren‘t I ? 😜 6y
TaciturnWhenReading @BookNAround perhaps I‘ll add it to my “own it but haven‘t read it yet pile” indefinitely then! 😉 (edited) 6y
19 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
bitterbear
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
ohyeahthatgirl Chavisa Woods's book is one of my favorites this year! Weird, queer, and beautifully written. 6y
bitterbear @ohyeahthatgirl I got it at the library bookstore... That title got me... 6y
28 likes2 comments
review
Sha0102
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

"A frustrated housewife in Zurich drifts from bed to bed in this uncompromising page-turner about depression." Well, it's much more than that. What I most liked about this book is that the MC is about my age, older than 35/40 (I don't remember exactly); the story takes place in Swiss, and Ana (MC) is full of flaws and the writer doesn't hide this. I just enjoyed a lot the sarcasm, the veracity of her feelings. Top Favorites.

blurb
tournevis
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I have spent the entire day preparing the house for when our best friend, our pseudo-god-daughter, her autistic brother, plus the unannouced yougest daughter and the latter's _never-invited_15yo_boyfriend_ arrive to stay until Sunday. Dining room, living room and basement cleared. Home office reorganized. All to accommodate beds. Kitchen and food acquisition are not done yet. I'm dead. So is the dog.

LeahBergen Yikes. 😬😬 7y
Lmstraubie Hope the visit goes well 🙃 7y
Jess7 Oh your picture scared me when I saw #Dead and your sweet #schnauzer laying down! Glad you're all ok! 7y
tournevis @Jess7 Not literary, obviously! 7y
18 likes4 comments
review
wrenaymuhree
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
Mehso-so

The cover drew me in...& when I was finished, the cover was still my favorite part of the book. Anna's desperately lonely life unfolds in a complicated manner, as chapters combine present, past, and psychoanalysis sessions in a timeline that is neither linear or easily discernible. Though I initially sympathized with Anna, her desire to remain miserable through repeated selfish choices began to grate on me. I felt distracted most of the read.⭐️⭐️

review
ReadingEnvy
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

I have one comment about this book that I'll put as a spoiler comment below. "Anna was a good wife, mostly" starts off the novel and the reader follows her through an isolated yet steamy existence in her husband's country, but despite interludes with an analyst (my least favorite parts) she does not always make the best decisions. I started feeling a bit bothered in the last 100 pages, hoping it would not be a "bad woman lives consequences" novel.

ReadingEnvy I didn't realize this was Anna Karenina revisited until the end. 7y
ReadingEnvy So while not being sure I liked the moral of the story I did enjoy the read. Not sure I'd do well in Switzerland either. 7y
saresmoore The only thing I had heard about this previously was your spoiler. Your review makes me want to give it a try, though! 7y
See All 13 Comments
ReadingEnvy @saresmoore somehow I'd never heard that, and I'm glad I hadn't. 7y
LeslieO I wondered how she found the time and energy! 7y
ReadingEnvy @LeslieO seriously! 7y
EvieBee So glad you did like this one. I loved it! All my friends hated it and her. She didn't make the best decisions but I am always drawn to lonely characters. 7y
ReadingEnvy @EvieBee84 I was super disappointed in the ending but otherwise couldn't put it down. 7y
emmaturi I had to read as it takes place in and around Zurich, and I live there! 7y
ReadingEnvy @emmaturi what did you think about how the Swiss are portrayed? 7y
emmaturi Did you live in Switzerland? It was a few months ago that I read it. The relationship with her in law reminds me of friends here. 7y
ReadingEnvy @emmaturi No I've never been, so I wondered if it was true to life .. sounds similar maybe? 7y
emmaturi I guess her life could happen in any country really 7y
84 likes4 stack adds13 comments
quote
ReadingEnvy
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

EvieBee I had highlighted this same passage! 7y
ReadingEnvy The other amazing passage is the one about women living multiple lives until the lives start to live them or something like that. 7y
batsy I've had this book for awhile and still haven't gotten around to it. I should! I tend to like "unlikeable" female narrators that the majority of Goodreads reviewers seem to hate because she doesn't live life as a good woman or whatever ? Loved your review and this quote is too good. 7y
ReadingEnvy @batsy I'm not always a huge fan of unlikeable characters but if women are just unsatisfied at home and seek it elsewhere that does not bother my morality. ;) 7y
53 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
tricours
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

I love how removed Anna is from everything that happens to her, and how the writing is constantly just one degree too cold to be completely normal. I really enjoyed this one, especially the last third of the book.

Sydsavvy It really was such a good redo of 7y
tricours @Sydsavvy you should perhaps hide that behind a spoiler 😬 7y
Sydsavvy No problem, I did but I thought it was marketed like that. 🤔😎 7y
See All 6 Comments
tricours @Sydsavvy I, for example, don't read about books before reading them, so I didn't know that. Had I known it, it would have ruined the experience for me! 7y
Sydsavvy Oooh eek! My apologies. 7y
tricours @Sydsavvy no harm done 😊 7y
42 likes2 stack adds6 comments
blurb
Samwise_Gamgee
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Dollar store find! AND five days of work to go ☀️☀️#TBR

erzascarletbookgasm Pretty cover! 7y
55 likes1 comment
blurb
JPeterson
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Trying something different this weekend. 😊

lauren.lerner Those KIND bars are my fave. 🍫 7y
bitterbear I loved this book. Tag me with your thoughts... 7y
JPeterson @lauren.lerner They are delicious! 7y
See All 6 Comments
JPeterson @bitterbear It's pretty good so far. I love Anna's character, even though it makes me not want to like her. 7y
bitterbear Maybe I'm an unlikeable character 😂😂😂 because I totally identified with Anna on a certain level. I think in away some people hate these characters because it shows them something about themselves they don't want to see. 7y
JPeterson @bitterbear Very true! 👍 I'm always the one at parties trying to avoid any and all social interactions. I'm curious to see how it all ends with her...I'm about halfway done! 7y
92 likes6 comments
blurb
tricours
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Sneak reading at work. I'm only 5% into this book but I'm already loving it! Dry humor about the shittiness of life is always a hit with me. (And my desk is seriously drab.)

batsy That sounds good to me, too! I have this one but haven't read it yet. 7y
Scurvygirl Add more trees.🌲🌲🌲 7y
AThousandLives87 I loved this book but even I admit, it's not for everyone!!! 7y
See All 10 Comments
bitterbear I absolutely loved this!!!! 💖💖💖 7y
bitterbear @AThousandLives87 is it the graphic sex that might turn people off? 😉😉 7y
AThousandLives87 @bitterbear Lol no, I thought it was the dryness of it and the views on depression. But that might be it too! 🤣 7y
bitterbear @AThousandLives87 (I'm kidding...) There were so many bad reviews on good reads I almost didn't pick it up.. It was crazy. 7y
tricours @bitterbear @AThousandLives87 I love both aspects of the book 😃 But it has a rather low average on Litsy too! I'm really looking forward to the rest of the book. 7y
bitterbear @tricours I think it's because people saw the 50 shades of grey reference... and thought they were getting some cheap thrills 7y
DrexEdit I'm just glad to know that there are other people that sneak read at work. 😁 7y
44 likes2 stack adds10 comments
blurb
Gryffindorian
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I didn't buy it because it just didn't seem like a book I'd get into, but I'm in love with the cover! 🌹

review
Jaimelire
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Mehso-so

I had a hard time finishing this one. I did not enjoy the main character, Anna. And I have to say, the ending did
not surprise me.

Cinfhen Anna rubbed me the wrong way too, I bailed! 7y
Jaimelire @Cinfhen yes, she annoyed me. I skimmed through the last third of the book. 7y
31 likes2 comments
review
Chassie
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book, but man, it really kind of hurt my feelings. I'm not a housewife, but I'm married, have kids, and a job. The day in/day out that wears you down is a real thing we all deal with. It was hard reading how the main character dealt with it all, but I totally related to her.

review
josie281
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
Mehso-so

I realized it wasn't the infidelity that bothered me about this book. It was the shallowness of characters. Anna keeps making the same choices over and over yet does not understand why she isn't happy. 🤦‍♂️ 🙄 Not for me.

blurb
josie281
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

I do not like the main character. I'm just starting chapter nine. While we are similar in age and lives, still not liking her.
I doubt it will change but I do not feel the need to bail.
Maybe the it is the infidelity which is a sensitive topic.
I shall proceed after my vent post!

minkyb Venting helps especially when you know people here are taking you seriously and actual care! 7y
josie281 Thanks, @minkyb!! 7y
Megabooks I will admit it's a difficult read if that's a touchy subject. 7y
48 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
Kangaj1
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum

Wonderful nap and then extended time on our deck reading this afternoon. Brutally jolted by kids telling me the dog chewed a bunch of stuff, including emptying the bathroom trash and destroying two books 😭, then immediately after done cleaning finding out the girl got into wild parsnip and is having a skin emergency and we need to call 911 due to her reaction. Deep breath, frozen pizza for dinner.

Kangaj1 Thanks to @LauraBeth for the recommendation! Not a book I would have ever picked up, but I am loving its introspectiveness! 7y
Megabooks I'm sorry! ☹️☹️ 7y
LauraBeth That's a lot! Deep breath is right 😀Glad you're enjoying the book! 7y
LazyOwl Oh no, hope she's okay 7y
21 likes4 comments
blurb
Suzze
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

@josie281 I just saw your post and laughed as I was watching April while reading your post. Had to show you. 😄

Sarahreadstoomuch I keep checking in on April too!!! 7y
josie281 Hahaha!! ❤️ 😂 7y
Ms.Story Same haha! 7y
ApoptyGina69 April! Let's do this, girl! The world is watching... 7y
84 likes4 comments
blurb
josie281
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

The cover is lovely. Not sure if I will love this. But it was available on Overdrive! #litsyloveslibraries

Ruri_kaichou Is that poor giraffe still in labor? 7y
Megabooks That would make a good audiobook! 7y
47 likes3 comments
blurb
aa_guer2021
Hausfrau: A Novel | Jill Alexander Essbaum
post image

Psychological thrillers are right up my alley. This should be challenging, but memorable.
😍💙📚 @Amy-Laura you did a fantastic job!!

BibliophileMomma Both look great!! 7y
Cosyreader YAYYY!!! I'm so glad you got them and you're happy woo 😁😁😁🎉🎈 7y
aa_guer2021 @Amy-Laura I was so surprised when the package came in, and I realized it had to be from Litsy. I am very happy with both of them, because I don't believe in chance. I suspect they will both be a journey, and one that is not easy, but those are the best kinds of books, for me. Thank you so much! 😊😁💙 7y
Cosyreader @ruskigurl16 aww you're welcome 😊 7y
19 likes4 comments