I love Elinor Lipman. Her books are always fun, light, and a quick read. My favorite one is The Pursuit of Alice Thrift, I think Good Riddance is now my second favorite!
The book is especially timely as it starts with a twenty-something named Daphne “Marie Kondo-ing” her belongings by dumping into the recycling the 1968 yearbook her mother had left her. This yearbook was special to her mother as it was dedicated to her, at the time a young, new teacher who was also yearbook adviser. Her mother kept close ties with these students attending their reunions every 5 years and making notes in the yearbook as to the changes in their lives. The yearbook is swooped up by a neighbor in her NYC apartment building who is an aspiring documentary filmmaker and then we are off to the races. Daphne doesn’t want her yearbook turned into entertainment and doesn’t want anything to blemish her memories of her mother. The plot moves quickly, family secrets are uncovered, a romance begins with a neighbor, her father moves to the city, and the yearbook becomes the topic of a podcast. The characters, drawn a little stereo typically – which adds comedy, include a rich ex husband and his family, a small town politician, a piano teacher, and some dogs thrown in when her father becomes a dog walker.
I read this book in one sitting when I was stuck for over 4 hours waiting for my car to be serviced. I recommend the book – I don’t recommend waiting for your car repair to finish by sitting in the dealer’s service lounge (with no phone signal!)