Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley is a fun and uplifting novel that will give you pause. The concept is interesting and the characters are very relatable. This is classic Clare Pooley and fans of her other books will love this new contemporary.
Title: Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting Author: Clare Pooley
Also by this author: The Authenticity Project
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Publication Date: June 7, 2022
Rating:
Nobody ever talks to strangers on the train. It's a rule. But what would happen if they did? From the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author of The Authenticity Project, a heartwarming novel about unexpected friendships and the joy of connecting.
Every day Iona, a larger-than-life magazine advice columnist, travels the ten stops from Hampton Court to Waterloo Station by train, accompanied by her dog, Lulu. Every day she sees the same people, whom she knows only by nickname: Impossibly-Pretty-Constant-Reader and Terribly-Lonely-Teenager. Of course, they never speak. Seasoned commuters never do.
Then one morning, the man she calls Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader chokes on a grape right in front of her. He'd have died were it not for the timely intervention of Sanjay, a nurse, who gives him the Heimlich maneuver.
This single event starts a chain reaction, and an eclectic group of people with almost nothing in common except their commute discover that a chance encounter can blossom into much more. It turns out that talking to strangers can teach you about the world around you--and even more about yourself.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting, Clare Pooley
If you have ever commuted, or taken transit for any length of time, this book really makes a connection with you. Far too often we ride the train/subway and don’t really know the people that we typically see on a daily basis all that well. It only takes a few connections to form a community and this book speaks to that.
❀ Deals with many societal issues
The story is very similar to the Authenticity Project where an unlikely group of eclectic people become friends When one of the commuters on the train almost chokes, a community is formed and they end up helping one another in many ways. It deals with many societal issues, including ageism, bullying, and unemployment.
❀ Iona is a fierce main character
Iona is a very fierce main character that is enjoyable to read about. She is quirky and often ready to give her life advice whether you asked for it or not. There are many laugh out load moments Iona creates and she easily worms her way into your heart as you read.
❀ Fast and easy read
Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley is a fast and easy read that will tug at your heartstrings. The characters are fantastic and the message is invaluable. I can’t wait to find out what the author has in store for us next.
About Clare Pooley
Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge and spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising.
When Clare realised that she was drinking way too much, she quit, and started a blog called Mummy was a Secret Drinker, which became a memoir - The Sober Diaries.
The Authenticity Project, Clare’s first novel, was inspired by her experience of telling the truth about her life.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
I haven’t had to commute this way, but I still think it sounds interesting. I’m glad it impacted you the way it did. Great review!
It’s a wonderful read! Thank you!
I take two trams to go to school so I can definitely see how this book could connect with me. Also, do I spot a bulldog on the cover?! 😍
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
You do! Iona has a bulldog! 😉
I take a train to go to work so I think I would connect with it.
It really resonated with me!
I loved this book, and Pooley is a master of creating these amazing found families.
Yes! That is exactly right! SUch a great story.
Oh but this sounds wonderful. I have been on a train many times and it is really depressing.
It really can be!
Looks like an interesting book.
I want to read it.
THis sounds like such a wonderful book – sort of an old school Breakfast club kind of feel! Adding it to my TBR 🙂
I used to commute this way many years ago and this book sounds interesting and is different.
This sounds like a beautiful book!
I like the summary. Sounds great!
This looks like an interesting book! The colors of the cover caught my eye.
The book sounds very interesting. Love the cover!
this is my kind of book!