Through the Groves: A Memoir. Anne Hull. Henry Holt & Co., 2023. 224 pages.

I guess it's mandatory: if you've ever written for a Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Miami newspaper, you are required to publish at least one book of some sort.

Journalist Anne Hull published her memoir of growing up in 1960s Central Florida. My wife grew up near Orlando, and I have a couple of friends and multiple cousins who grew up in Central Florida and on the Gulf Coast around the same time, but none of them had connections to the state citrus industry that Hull and her family had. Meanwhile, I grew up in rural South Georgia. So, even though Hull's experiences are different, there are definitely familiarities.

Through the Groves has gotten a lot of buzz and acclaim, and it has appeared on many lists of best books of the year. I realize there is a huge audience for this story, and some readers will absolutely love it. However, it's just not for me. Don't get me wrong, Hull is an excellent writer and storyteller. I simply found the story lacking. There are some family difficulties and there is inner turmoil within the young Hull, nothing groundbreaking or incredibly shocking or publishing worthy. There are a lot more interesting lives out there. Just my opinion, but I'm sure some of you will enjoy it, and that's fine too.

Did not finish, lost interest