The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle – 273 pages

ARC from Flatiron Books in exchange for an honest review

Book Blurb:

At one point or another, we’ve all been asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom we’d like to have dinner. Why do we choose the people we do? And what if that dinner was to actually happen? When Sabrina arrives at her thirtieth birthday dinner she finds at the table not just her best friend, but also three significant people from her past, and well, Audrey Hepburn. As the appetizers are served, wine poured, and dinner table conversation begins, it becomes clear that there’s a reason these six people have been gathered together.

My Review: 4 stars

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The Dinner List was hyped like crazy at Book Expo America this past May. Often the most highly talked about books become a disappointment, perhaps because I have elevated expectations. This was NOT the case with this debut novel. Serle has a way with words that evoke emotion and meaning.

What a dream it would be to show up at your 30^th birthday and find the table surrounded with those you’d put on your “wish list” from years ago. Some are still alive and others have passed; yet they all play or have played an instrumental part of your life. This scenario comes to fruition in this short and ethereal novel. The main character, Sabrina, is shocked when this happens, but knows she must use this time wisely as it’s a gift she’s not likely to have again.

Through insight of those at the table, especially from Audrey Hepburn and Sabrina’s favorite professor, she sees patterns and rare moments of clarity that allow her and to heal the broken parts of her past and mend fissures to move forward. Having the ex-boyfriend at the table worked well as the story had a side-by-side storyline of Sabrina’s long history with him. And her father being there, oh boy, that made me cry. Nothing like a daddy daughter moment to bring on the tears.

There is a magical quality that enhances the storyline that I very much enjoyed. Learning from those that came before can offer wisdom and/or closure. This book reminds you to speak your truth. Never guess what someone else is feeling and that there are two sides to every story.

Quotes I liked:

Sometimes I think that the only true way we can ever know a thing’s value is by losing it.”

-“So you loved each other too much. Is that possible? If you love, is there even such a thing as a yardstick?”

-“Happiness is not constantly needing things to be at their full potential. Like I don’t get happiness from having a perfect day with Sumir. I get happiness from accepting that rarely, if ever, have a perfect day with Sumir. My happiness is accepting that ninety-five percent of the time my life is deeply imperfect.”

-“An actually simple life means putting your husband’s shoes away when he leaves them at the door even though you’ve reminded him one thousand times. And not saying anything about it.”