It has certainly been a while since I last wrote a blog. Six months in fact. And I really don’t know where the time has gone. One minute it’s Christmas and before you know it, summer is upon us. Life has its way of passing by and I never know how to just ‘soak it all up’. I spend a lot of my time on the go, ferrying children here and there, working, keeping on top of a busy schedule but ‘taking it all in’ has never been my strong point. However, one way I have really enjoyed slowing time down is by picking up a book. Spending a small amount of time reading has given me a little window of calm so I thought it would be a great chance to share with you some books I have recently enjoyed. And in no particular order, here goes:
Book #1
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Well, what can I say? This is a true corker. Recommended to me by a lovely lady in my local Waterstones who confessed to not liking fiction, but loving this. And I can see why. I struggled to put this book down, but I also never wanted it to finish. TV series debuting on Apple TV at the end of the year, so watch this space to see if they have done it justice. I really, really hope they do.
Book #2
Mrs Hemingway by Naomi Wood
Originally set in the 1920’s, Mrs Hemingway follows the wives and lovers of novelist Ernest Hemingway. Four extraordinary women will learn what it means to love the most famous writer of his generation, and each will be forced to ask herself how far she will go to remain his wife. This novel challenges the true meaning of love and marriage, and is a real page turner. Despite being a few years old now, it will easily stand the test of time.
Book #3
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
After walking aimlessly into my local Waterstones a few months ago, I asked for a recommendation to keep me going through the winter. With work building up and tiring me out through the dark winter evenings, I needed a way to be able to switch off at night, and this recommendation didn’t let me down. I was drawn in to the characters right from the first page, constantly kept guessing and forever wanting to know more. Another TV adaptation on its way, and I am keeping everything crossed that it is a good one.
Book #4
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
A lot of people are saying this is one of the greatest books they’ve read in the last decade. And I can see why. A beautifully written novel set in two intertwining timelines, Where the Crawdads Sing follows the adventures of a young girl named Kya as she experiences growing up in the marshes of North Carolina. As the story unravels, we also follow a murder trial of a local celebrity, Chase Andrews, with Kya at the unwanted centre of the narrative. This really is a page turner. Something I struggled to put down and will, in a few years time, look forward to reading again. I’m yet to brave the film. Maybe someone will tell me it won’t spoil the memories I have from the book.
Book #5
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
It turns out I really enjoy reading novels that have been adapted into TV series of films. And of all the books I’ve listed in this blog, Little Fires Everywhere is the only one I’ve been brave enough to watch as a tv series. And let’s just say, don’t waste your time. Stick with the novel. As with all Celeste NG novels, this was fabulous. So well written, captivating and engaging. I never did get to the end of the tv series, but if you fancy a novel that will have you totally hooked, this could be the one for you.
I already know that my WhatsApp will be buzzing with friends telling me that I’ve missed off a certain novel or two, or that they hated Lessons in Chemistry (in which case you leave me no choice but to block you). But if there is something you think I will enjoy, please do share. I struggle finding the time to read, so when I do, I need it to be good! I can’t wait to hear what you think of my 5 recommendations too.