Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting

Description

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.

Book Riot’s “12 Exciting Books About Women Over 50”
Next Avenue’s “Ideal Holiday Gifts for Readers of All Ages”

“A warm, sharply observed satire about what happens when strangers collide during their daily commute to work. . . . [S]unny, funny, and full of heart.”
—Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid

“A glorious triumph of a novel; warm, funny, and moving, with an unforgettable cast of characters.”
—Rosie Walsh, New York Times bestselling author of The Love of My Life and Ghosted

“Heartwarming, funny, a delicious dive into the profound and ridiculous modern world in which we live. Clare Pooley reminds us why we need each other.”
—Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Romantics

“Nothing short of sheer and utter delight. It presents the best of humanity—the sweet and bashful kindness and generosity that lives in all of us. I can’t think of a more joyful book and will be buying copies for everyone I know!”
—Jesse Q. Sutanto, international bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties

“Clare Pooley is the master of writing an ensemble cast. This book tackles so many interesting themes, all with Clare’s trademark humour, wonderful writing, and vibrant, loveable characters. Feel good fiction at its best. It almost made me miss the commute.”
—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven’t Met You Yet

“Pooley delivers not only acerbic, enchanting Iona but a compelling, tangled cast of quirky, complicated characters so engaging, it’s enough to make you miss crowded commuter trains.”
—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of One Two Three

“Insightful, funny, and full of warmth and relatable characters. A brilliant read.”
—Sarah Morgan, international bestselling author of Beach House Summer

“Clare Pooley is the queen of feel-good fiction.. . . [M]agnificent and a joy to read.”
—Phaedra Patrick, international bestselling author of The Library of Lost and Found and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
 
“A gloriously entertaining and completely addictive read. . . . Clare Pooley’s writing is astute, wickedly funny, clever, and charming. I adore this book.”
—Hazel Prior, international bestselling author of How the Penguins Saved Veronica
 
“This book is bursting with the kindness of strangers, and I was bursting with hope by the end of it.”
—Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas and A Season for Second Chances
 
“[A] first-class journey. Just wonderful.”
—Beth Morrey, international bestselling author of The Love Story of Missy Carmichael
 
“Very funny and utterly uplifting . . . Iona Iverson is an absolute delight, and one of the best characters since Eleanor Oliphant.”
—Freya Sampson, international bestselling author of The Last Chance Library
 
“Clare Pooley has found a delightful way to bring home the point that we need each other.”
—Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me More
 
“A delightful story about connection and friendship in a disconnected world.”
—Marianne Cronin, author of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot
 
“Why don’t I ever meet people this delightful on a train? This feel- good ensemble story . . . is a warm, fun pick-me-up of a book.”
—Mary Laura Philpott, international bestselling author of I Miss You When I Blink and Bomb Shelter
 
“[A] joyous tale about serendipitous friendship and seizing each day with vigor. The epitome of a feel-good book that is also laugh-out-loud hilarious…In a time when our differences so often divide us, Pooley’s novel is like a reassuring hug, assuring readers that our differences can strengthen relationships and should be embraced and celebrated. A not-to-be-missed read in the mode of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.”
—Booklist, starred review

“A soothing story where bad things happen yet are overcome, and friendship leads the way to personal acceptance and rebirth.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“This utterly joyful novel takes you on an unforgettable journey with characters you wish you could meet in real life. Who knew commuting could be so enjoyable? It’s a book to make you miss your stop. I loved Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting even more than The Authenticity Project—it’s glorious.”
—Eva Carter, author of How to Save a Life

“A really lovely story that just hit the spot.”
—Linda Holmes, New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo

“Pooley’s grasp on the constraints and longings of the human condition proves immensely entertaining. Readers will be charmed by this uplifting, hopeful story rife with tender insights. Traveling with Iona Iverson is a literary journey well worth taking!”
—Shelf Awareness

“Romantic comedy comes in all forms in Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting. . . . [W]hat ensues is a hilarious and sweet creation about a group of individuals who form a family with love at its core.”
—USA Today

“[A] buoyant novel.”
—Yahoo! News

“Clare Pooley . . . brings readers a charming new book that is funny, heart-warming, and engaging.”
—Herald Whig

“[C]elebrates the joy of commuting with strangers.”
—New York Post

“A delightful novel.”
—The Free Lance-Star

“Endearing and quirky, this novel might make you actually want to commute.”
—New York Post
CLARE POOLEY graduated from Cambridge University, and then spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising before becoming a full-time writer. Her debut novel, The Authenticity Project, was a New York Times bestseller, and has been translated into twenty-nine languages. Pooley lives in Fulham, London, with her husband, three children, and two border terriers. Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting is her second novel, and How to Age Disgracefully is her third novel.US

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