HAPPY SPRING, LOVELIES! I am so empowered to read more, and have been reading on our walking paths and patio so much more in the warming weather. I hope you all are taking advantage of this glorious reading climate (hehe, get it) and doing it with a great cup of tea!
If you would like to purchase any of the books mentioned here, please see the affiliate links listed below at the end!
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
This is a WWII historical novel based on the true story of heroine, Nancy Wake. I was immediately drawn to the storyline but it contained such heavy, brutal scenes involving both war and relationships. I loved how the author told the story through alternating chapters of Nancy's earlier life in Paris, France as a journalist, while juxtaposing those chapters with true stories of her in the thick of WWII fighting German Nazis. It is not told as a biography but rather I read it as a movie almost. Fascinating and terribly eye opening about how prejudices and evil can creep into our lives, how war can change everything, and how romance can make life so much better. Recommend highly!
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
I am very sad to say I could only make it through half of this book before finally calling it quits. I had to DNF it. I truly could not connect with anything in this book - the storyline, the characters, the setting. I think that if I was a native New Yorker or had lived through this time period, I could have been on board with finishing it. However, I just have so many other books on my TBR list that I am excited about that I decided it would be better to put this one down. Maybe I will come back to it later but I'm not sure because of my ever growing TBR pile.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
Wow, was this book a doozy! The original story was written in Dutch and has been translated, which is the version I read. I initially took an interest in this book because I always loved going to dinners with my parents and their friends when I was growing up - the dressing up, the wait staff, the fun meals, the conversations, all of it! This book is set around a fancy dinner in Amsterdam between two couples. The intent behind the dinner is to discuss something that has happen between the couple's children. I will say this book evolved over the storyline and really kept me on my toes - wow what an ending! Deeply chilling and a great book club book in my opinion. Recommend!
A Snowfall of Silver by Laura Wood
This cover my look vaguely familiar - and that is because it is by the same author as A Sky Painted Gold! As you all know, I am still not over how much I loved that book. The writing in this book is just as spectacular and captivating, but it encapsulates a few months in the life of Freya, Lou's younger sister. Have no fear! Lou and Robert are referenced in this book, but it primarily stays on Freya which I really enjoyed the fresh perspective and storyline. I don't think I will surprise anyone when I say that I am utterly obsessed with anything Laura Wood writes so I am currently ordering her other books as I write this. More to come, but I definitely recommend this light, wonderful, inspiring book!
Forever Is the Worst Long Time by Camille Pagan
This one worms your way into your heart and just refuses to leave. One the most basic surface level, this story is of a man who falls in love with his best friend's girlfriend. But underneath that surface, this story is SO much more than that! There is depth, loss, emotions, conflict, love (in every sense of the word), and so much more! I wept like a child towards the end and wanted to give the biggest hug to every one in my life. I would describe this book as 'a sleeper hit' because I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did! I would recommend this if you are trying to find a story with a love trope but with more depth and emotion to it.
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
I didn't realize how much I was craving a story spanning a lifetime, while still holding a crazy amount of intrigue and drama. Two rookie cops in NYC move to the suburbs with their growing families, and become next door neighbors. I don't want to give anything away but this story is about these two families and how one seemingly disastrous event can redeem even the most cynical people. How much can a family forgive? Overarchingly, I would say this is a deep, unrelenting story of forgiveness and marriage. No stone is left unturned. Each characters' inner monologue is explored. I devoured this one and LOVED the narrative skill and writing. Recommend!
Tea for this lovely spring month! To be honest, I am all over the place. I have been so crazy productive and social that I've been needing more coffee than tea. That being said, I have been veering towards more black and green teas for some bitter, striking taste early in the morning!
I have been only using The Tea Market's black and green teas this month. I have done a blog post on their teas and where you can order them! PLEASE please please go support this small, local business and order their homemade teas today.
If you would like to purchase any of the books listed above, please use our Amazon affiliate links below here:
Code Name Helene - https://amzn.to/3da17Kl
Rules of Civility - https://amzn.to/2OFaXdH
The Dinner - https://amzn.to/3uH4qP1
A Snowfall of Silver - https://amzn.to/3uCfZa4
Forever is the Worst Long Time - https://amzn.to/2PN1qlC
Ask Again, Yes - https://amzn.to/3mCH2PX
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