Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting: A Novel

“But that’s not the way it works on trains. Not in this city, anyway. You turn a blind eye, like everyone else in their vicinity was doing. Not their business. Not their problem…Then Sanjay thought about Iona, and what she would have done if she’d been on the train that morning.”

Very cute story lines that overlap. Funny and endearing!

Predicable but cute story

A delightful story about bringing people together and creating community. The author weaves stereotypes, ageism, bullying, personal uncertainty, coercive control, and toxic masculinity in a natural way as we become involved in the commuters’ lives. It’s the perfect time in our history for a story of hope. Enjoy!

Everyday lona takes the same train to work and encounters the same people. Her second rule for commuting is "Never talk to strangers on the train." She, and it turns out the other main characters, build opinions and preconceived notions about each other's lives and even have nicknames picked out for each other because none of them have asked each other their actual names. On a seemingly ordinary day an event takes place that makes lona, and the rest of the soon to be train gang, form a connection, throw out the rules and build unlikely friendships when they all need them the most. I liked this book. It was a quick, easy read, which is refreshing at times. I was in a bit of a reading rut and needed a feel good story where human connection is the theme. It reminds the reader not to make assumptions about other people's lives and that you truly do not know what people are going through unless you take the time to ask. Unless you break your rules occasionally, you might miss out on a connection that can bring out the best in everyone. Take a chance on people.