Let’s get reading, shall we?
Whether you read books…. you know, the traditional hold-in-your-hand-and-turn-the-page kind, or on your iPad or other device, I’ll bet you’re always ready to hear about new reads. Right?
Here are three I read this past summer and can recommend to you:
1. The French House
by Don Wallace
I loved this book! Of course, it’s about France so it was kind of a natural like for me, but it’s great. Follow Don and his wife, Mindy, as they buy a small house on an island off the coast of Brittany,France. It is a complete, utter mess and needs A LOT of work. The problem is they have neither the money nor the time: they live in New York where they are struggling to make ends meet but want desperately to spend more time in their French house. It’s real. The story unfolds at a perfect pace; characters are introduced slowly; the details of their lives, the island, and the people are explored and there is a kind of textural quality that really appealed to me.
2. The Sea Garden
by Deborah Lawrenson
This book, really three novellas woven into one, was a treat to read. Deborah is a friend of mine, through our blogs and maybe just a bit because I envy her having a house in the Luberon. This book was just published in June and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! I loved the back and forth in time quality and her skill in interweaving these stories. France, the Mediterranean, World War II, England, one of the main characters as garden designer/landscaper…. the combination, for me, was compelling and thrilling. Again, a must read.
3. The Secret Life of Violet Grant
by Beatriz Williams
While thinking about how to approach a review of this book here I realized it, too, is told in two different time periods. Hmmm. Guess I have a thing for this kind of writing without realizing it! Contemporary time is 1964 when we meet Vivian Schuyler in New York City as she receives and opens a suitcase that had belonged to her aunt Violet in 1914 at the outbreak of WWI in Europe. It’s a page turner alright: I downloaded on my Kindle before a long and tedious flight home and couldn’t put it down.
If YOU have any great recommendations for us, we would love to see them in the comment section here. I actually keep a list of books (and yes, movies too) on both my iPhone and iPad and am always adding to them. Then I look them up, usually on Amazon, and they go onto my Wish List. And eventually I order them, one by one. I probably end up reading about 50% on my Kindle and 50% as “real” books: a lot depends on if I am traveling and need to save space.
Would love to hear from you with some new ideas!
So interesting! I will check The french house :)
Violet Grant it’s a great book ;)
The secret life is a must read imo. I couldn’t get away from the book!
Thank you for this books will go and buy them all :)
The French house really got me. I spent all of my free time reading it and guess I am addicted. Think I recommend it!
The Sea Garden has a cover that really makes me think. I know we shouldn’t judge the book by the cover but these colours can make me order it without even knowing what it’s about.
I have heard of the ‘French House’. Is it really that good? A friend of mine has read it not so long ago and she told me that it was a good read.. I guess I have to find out :) Thank your for the reminder.
Best wishes,
Lil
Definitely, must read collection!
p.p. The French House is my fav!