Kathy Hamilton A bumper summer holiday edition of what I’ve been reading lately! In July I was lucky to jet off on not one, but two summer holidays! Although lazing by the pool is never my family’s idea of the perfect holiday, it did mean I had a lot more reading time at my disposal. Which means lots of lovely books!
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain
“Bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street, and feels impelled to return it to its owner. The bag contains no money, phone or contact information. But a small red notebook with handwritten thoughts and jottings reveals a person that Laurent would very much like to meet. Without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions?”
Let’s kick of “What I’ve Been Reading Lately: July” with this endearing book packed to the brim with Parisian atmosphere. It was quite short but perfect for reading on the beach in Mallorca. Despite it’s diminutive size, it still managed to get me thinking. Can you be defined by the items in your handbag? They’re personal and unique to each of us. There’s a purse (probably). Some house keys, sure. But what about the other little trinkets that find their way in there? A notebook full of jottings and thoughts. A key ring that is special only to you. What’s more, could you begin to fall in love with someone based on the contents of this bag?
In a way, this book felt quintessentially French in a way that’s hard to pin down. I was slightly sceptical when I started and worried that Laurent would end up more “stalker” than “soul mate”. But luckily this wasn’t the case. If you’re in the mood for a charming, romantic book that you can read in an afternoon, The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain is perfect for you.
Behind the Shattered Glass by Tasha Alexander
“Anglemore Park is the ancestral home of Lady Emily Hargreave’s husband Colin. But the stately calm of country life is destroyed when their neighbour, the Marquess of Montagu, bursts through the French doors from the garden and falls down dead in front of the shocked gathering. But who has a motive for murdering the young aristocrat? The trail takes readers into the gilded world of a British manor house and below stairs to the servants who know all the secrets. One family’s hidden past and a forbidden passion are the clues to a puzzle only Lady Emily can solve.”
Anyone who is familiar with this series will recognise Tasha Alexander and her Lady Emily series as repeat visitors. I always enjoy the escapism of these books, but sometimes I find their plots a little predictable. Not so here. I think that Behind the Shattered Glass is one of the stronger Lady Emily novels and thoroughly enjoyed the whodunit style murder mystery.
Most of the action takes place in Lady Emily’s stately home, which is perhaps why the plot is stronger than some others. Since we didn’t have to spend a lot of time setting the scene in an exotic location. There’s also an element of Upstairs, Downstairs to Behind the Shattered Glass and I think the book was better for it.
A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
“Anne Wynter’s job as governess to three highborn young ladies can be a challenge – in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he’s the first man who has truly tempted her. Daniel Smythe-Smith might be in mortal danger, but that’s not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family’s annual musicale, he vows to pursue her. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .”
Whenever I want a truly lovely and romantic story to read I always turn to Julia Quinn. She’s a safe bet for me because I enjoy her witty writing style, the banter between characters and overall the way she infuses love and life into her stories. A Night Like This was no different.
I loved the romance between Gregory and Anne. But I have to admit, I almost enjoyed the relationship Anne has with her charges, Frances, Elizabeth and Harriet as much. This is the beauty of a Julia Quinn novel though. It’s never just a romance!
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
“A war-ravaged Britain is emerging from the Second World War. It’s a new start too for writer Juliet Ashton, keenly seeking out material for a new novel. Fate, however, finds its way, as the chance find by a Guernsey native of a book belonging to Juliet opens a surprising door. Soon, what began as a writerly search for inspiration will result in changes she could never anticipate.”
I knew virtually nothing about the German occupation of Guernsey in WWII but this book has certainly peaked my interest. The first section of this book, which is written in a series of letters, to be slightly slow to get started. I found myself a little frustrated by the variety of characters but corresponding lack of detail which the letters necessitated. However, I stuck to it and I’m glad I did.
Once this book hits it stride it develops into a heart-warming story of friendship, courage and discovery. I’m still not sure the epistolary style does the plot full justice, but I appreciate the reasons behind the decision.
Britt-Marie Was Here by Frederik Backman
“When Britt-Marie finds herself unemployed, separated from her husband of 20 years, left to fend for herself in the miserable provincial backwater that is Borg – of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it – and somehow tasked with running the local football team, she is a little unprepared. But she will learn that life may have more to offer her that she’s ever realised, and love might be found in the most unexpected of places.”
Next in What I’ve Been Reading Lately is a good one! This is the first book in a long time to make me cry. I mean really blub. It’s beautiful and deserves to be better known. Britt Marie Was Here by Frederick perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to face a huge change. Britt Marie has lived a life dedicated to making other people comfortable. She doesn’t have dreams of her own, except if you count making sure her house is tidy and presentable.
That all changes when she finds herself unexpectedly single (in her 60s) and in need of a job. This search dumps her in kind of town you drive through without a backward glance. Here that Britt Marie forges unexpected friendships, becomes a reluctant football coach, and finally learns the importance of following your dreams and most importantly, that it’s never too late to start again. I say this in ever What I’ve Been Reading Lately post, but this one will stay with me for a long time.
The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn
“Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she’s long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her. Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn’t matter. She doesn’t care that his leg is less than perfect, it’s his personality she can’t abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable.”
Two Julia Quinn books in one month? I know! But honestly, she writes such unashamedly happy and upbeat books that once I dip my toe back into her books I get a little addicted. Hence the double appearance in What I’ve Been Reading Lately! The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn is the third in her Smyth-Smith Quartet series and follows on almost directly from the action of the first two and contains (not unexpected considering it’s a romance series) some spoilers for the first two.
I really enjoyed this book. I have to say, I usually prefer a romance where the love interests are an equal match for each other in terms of intelligence and banter. Hugh and Sarah are that kind of couple. I enjoyed watching the sparks fly when their relationship turned from one of mutual antipathy to love.
The Rounds Up What I’ve Been Reading Lately: July
I had a great month for reading, packed full of lovely books. It’s not often I get so much free time to simply put my feet up and read so when it came along I grabbed the chance! What books did you enjoy reading in July? As always, I love to hear your recommendations, so please share them below.
