Book Review--The Wonder Spot, by Melissa Bank

This book begins when Sophie, the protagonist, is 12 years old. Then she is struggling in Hebrew school and trying to convince her parents that she doesn't want a bat mitzvah. In Hebrew school, she befriends a former enemy from school.

The book is in several sections, different slices of Sophie's life over a span of about 25 years. There is a section from when she is in college and critiquing her roommate's love life, a section from when she is just out of college and trying to teach herself to type (in the days of the typewriter). Attempting to find lasting love is a common theme of many of the sections, as is her career satisfaction (or lack thereof). All involve her search for identity in some way.

I liked the book, but it's kind of hard to review in that it's more character development than plot. One thing I didn't necessarily like was the way it jumped around to different parts of her life; sometimes I was wondering whatever happened with a certain person or situation, and then the book jumps ahead several years. But it was all quite interesting, and I liked how Sophie didn't let other people's warnings about how a certain guy might be her last chance (to get married and have a family) sway her into marrying someone she didn't want to marry. I just thought, You go, girl! I think if people were only in relationships because they truly wanted to be with that person, and not because they think they need the security or are afraid to be alone or are worried about missing their chance to have a family or whatever--well, I think there would be a lot more single people in this world.