For some reason, whenever I heard the name Olive Kitteridge, I thought it had something to do with the American Doll line. Then the movie came out a few years ago and was up for so many awards and I still had no idea what it was. Had I known that it was a book and such a wonderful one at that, I would have read it long ago. 
 Olive Kitteridge is a woman living in a small town in Maine. The stories in the book each devote a chapter to a person living in the community or to a happening in the community with Olive as their link. The stories are fascinating, not necessarily because of the content but because the author is able to peel away any prejudice or preconception and just present them in their truest form. 
 Olive is quite a character herself; Influential and powerful in her own way, but flawed just like the rest of us. She has very strong opinions, doesn't go in for pleasantries and certainly does NOT suffer a fool. She is the kind of person that I would respect in real life, but might be intimidated by. 
 The book was told in such a simple manner, but was extremely moving and thought provoking. I came away from the stories thinking that I need to connect more with the ones I love and to reflect more on the things I take for granted. 
 (view spoiler)[ 
 "And if her platter had been full with the goodness of Henry and she had found it burdensome, had flicked it off crumbs at a time, it was because she had not known what one should know: that day after day was unconsciously squandered." (hide spoiler)]