Ah books, like an old comforting jumper you just know that when you put it on it makes you feel better (the jumper not the book - that would be a tricky look to carry off), especially when you are feeling down in the dumps after being knocked sideways from a bout of gastroenteritis. I am never without a book close by and find getting lost in the worlds and words of others is probably my most fave hobby (as well as blogging, travel and sampling the whole cake counter in the local boulangerie. I swear the girl who works there thinks I have a problem).
These are some of the latest reads I have been filling my little head with, let me know if you have read any of them as I am ALWAYS in the mood to talk books! (Remember if you also like to chinwag with fellow bookworms why not join us every Tuesday at 7pm UK time for @bookblogchat #bookbloggers on twitter?)
The Sea Sisters – Lucy Clarke
Two sisters, one life changing journey…
When Katie’s younger sister Mia is discovered dead in an apparent suicide during her travels in Bali it makes Katie change how she views everything around her and she embarks, using her sisters travel journey, to retrace her steps to uncover the mystery around her death.
This book (which made Richards and Judy’s Summer Reads List 2013) pulled me in immediately with its focus on the bond between sisters and family ties mixed with a love of travel. The adventurous Mia whose life made me wish to become a better backpacker (without the death part obvs) and the sensible Katie who many of us can relate to had me devouring pages determined to soak it all up. I was mesmerised by the descriptive and evocative language Lucy Clarke uses especially the many ways she describes the sea. Just a beautiful special book that I would fully recommend.
The Husband’s Secret – Liane Moriarty
A letter that’s not meant to be read...
Mother-of-three Cecelia discovers a hand written letter addressed to her in the loft one day from her husband that says it is to be opened in the event of his death. Curiosity getting the better of her, she reads it and that’s when everything changes.
This book had so much hype around it I have had it on my kindle wish list for ages so when I finally got round to reading it I was beyond excited and had high hopes. For me the expectation didn’t match what I read. It was a good story, don’t get me wrong, but I much preferred the tension of ‘The Accident’ (see below) I guess I shouldn’t have listened to the hype and made my own decisions on this one.
The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes
What happened to the girl you left behind?
During the First World War French artist Edouard leaves behind his beloved wife Sophie to manage their family hotel as he goes to fight at the Front. When their small French village is overtaken by Germans, Sophie has to risk everything in the bid to see her husband again including a portrait that he painted of her that the Kommandent falls in love with. Fast forward a century later and this portrait is now owned by recently bereaved Liv who discovers its passion-torn history threatening her own sense of the past and the future.
Sigh. Jojo Moyes is the queen of the romantic tear jerker clutch-your-heart sob-fest novels and this was no different. Just a beautiful well written novel that will have you cracking open the chocolates and tissues not wanting it to end.
Do You Remember the First Time – Jenny Colgan
Life doesn’t have a rewind button, ever wish it did?
Flora isn’t too content with how her life has panned out, at 32 years old she is not where she thought she would be and makes a wish during her best mate’s wedding to be 16 again. When this comes true and she has swapped serious office meetings for snogging and sauvignon blanc for spots she realises that this fun comes at a price.
This was a fun light-hearted read which did make me think how you reckon you will have life sussed the older you get but with age doesn’t always come wisdome. It reminded me a lot of the film 13 going on 30 with Jennifer Garner but like that rom-com it had me laughing out louds in parts. It’s also currently just 99p on kindle at the min. A great fun summer bargain!
The Guestbook – Holly Martin
One visit to Willow Cottage and you’ll wish you could stay forever
As landlady of Wilow Cottage Annie Butterworth goes out of her way to ensure guests have their every needs met at this idyllic cottage in Devon. Always putting others first and generally just being a good egg, her only wish is that guests document their stay in the guestbook leading to pages full of love, mystery, guilt and some naked rambling!
When I first read the blurb I wasn’t sold on the style of this book as the story is told through a series of entries in a book, with changing font to match. I thought it would be too disjointed and difficult to piece together but this totally worked (as many other reviewers who raved about this book would agree with). Holly Martin I salute you. The change of characters perspectives completely mixed up the mood of the chapters and I found myself laughing, holding back the tears and getting frustrated all in one go.
The Accident – C.L.Taylor
Keeping this secret was killing her
Sue Jackson has the perfect family but one day her daughter Charlotte is seen deliberately stepping out in front of a bus and falls into a coma. Sue comes to realise she didn’t know her family as she once thought. Sue will do anything for her daughter but what if the reason that Charlotte is in danger is down to her?
Usually I like to be able to associate with the leading character so following the journey of a mum in her mid-forties I wasn’t sure how into this book I would get but I was proved wrong. For such a normal suburban setting this book is pretty jumpy. I really like a good thriller when you don’t know what’s coming but it still has to be believable and this was full of it. Frightening but unputdownable I really enjoyed this tale. This is currently a tiny 69p on Kindle at the moment!
Sorry this is a longer than usual post for me, think I got a little carried away! Please let me know what you have been loving reading recently or even the ones that made you feel a bit meh after?
