People We Meet on Vacation

If you're looking for a book that feels like a vacation? This is exactly what you're looking for. (At least if you like rom coms with a friends to lovers trope, that is!) I had read Beach Read by Emily Henry last year, and found it relatively entertaining. I didn't love it the way so many others seemed to. But, I did like it enough that People We Meet on Vacation has been on my radar since its release. You know those books you have that just sit? Waiting for the right time to be read?? That was this book. I've had a copy sitting on my shelf since last fall, knowing I would get to it... eventually.

Turns out that time was this past week. Feeling that January blah crunch, and feeling a bit under the weather to boot, I figured it would be the perfect winter read. Nothing too thought provoking. Nothing to really have to process.

This book did not disappoint. It far exceeded my expectations - which does not happen often in this particular genre. (At least, not for me.) Poppy and Alex are polar opposites, and best friends. When they initially meet the first week of college, neither thinks they will see the other ever again. But, on a fateful shared road trip home, they manage to connect; asking all kinds of questions to fill the silence and the time. By the time they reach their destination, an unlikely friendship has formed. Poppy is loud, outgoing, an opinionated. Alex is quiet, thoughtful, and reserved. Poppy is the one that sort of pulls him from his shell.. the person he can be silly and vulnerable with. 

They start to take yearly trips - even when they live far apart. In the beginning, these trips are as cheap as can be. As the years pass and Poppy is working for an upscale travel magazine; the trips become more exotic, more luxurious. But something (and you don't know exactly what for the longest time!) happens on one of these yearly trips, and they just stop talking for YEARS. 

After two years has passed, Poppy reaches out to reconnect with Alex via text. They plan the summer trip. A trip on which Poppy hopes they can mend fences and move forward from what happened in Croatia. This novel sparks with tension between Poppy and Alex as the years go by - the chemistry between them is fabulously written, and asks the question so many times about the 'what-if" factor in a platonic friendship. Amusing from start to finish, this novel has me wanting more from Emily Henry. (Especially if it's friends to lovers - I'm telling you - FIRE!)

Then She Was Gone

Several years ago, I read the first thriller that really grabbed me. I had read a lot of hype about it, rolled my eyes, and tucked in. That was it. Gone Girl officially got my attention, and made me eager to read more thrillers that would have me truly stunned; quickly devouring page after page. If you read thrillers, you probably have that one that really got you on them in the first place. Since then, I have read so many. I still enjoy them; but, they have become fairly predictable after so many years. You'll still find the ones that throw you off, or have you second guessing those finely honed thriller-reader instincts, but you're generally reading for the writing. For the characters.

My best friend and I exchange books every Christmas. A tradition I love and look forward to. I supplied her with a list ages ago, to ensure I wouldn't read the books she was purchasing. In exchange, I would read thriller after thriller in an attempt to find one that she loved as much as I did. (I discovered Riley Sager this way, and we both cannot wait for his next book.) This year, she gifted me a copy of Lisa Jewell's Then She Was Gone. After reading a lot of heavier reads for the year, I figured it would be the perfect time to settle in with a thriller. She had told me she read it, that it was predictable, but that the writing was good.

In all aspects, she was right. Jewell's characters seemed incredibly realistic. Like people you would meet in your day to day life. (Which does make you wonder if everyone is as nice as they play themselves off to be!) Although predictable, I raced through this book in a couple of days to see exactly how all the pieces would come together. How precisely did Ellie Mack disappear? How did her demise come about?

In a way, this novel is a twisted love story. The killer doing nearly anything to be loved. Actually. I suppose, do anything to hang onto the person they loved. At the beginning of this novel, golden child Ellie Mack simply disappears. The police assume she is simply a runaway. Her mother, Laurel, refuses to believe that Ellie would just walk away when everything in her young life is going so well. She clings to the life that could have been; twisting her relationship with her remaining children, destroying her marriage. Then she meets Floyd. Suddenly she feels alive again. When she meets Floyd's daughter, she is reminded of her own missing child, and questions she has not quite laid to rest resurface regarding her own daughter's disappearance.

Although this novel unravels in the way you would assume, the portrayal of Laurel as she rediscovers herself, and her relationships with her family through her relationship with Floyd and his young daughter will keep you turning pages.

Bluebird

I know I've mentioned my love of historical fiction once or twice... or likely several times. One thing I may not have covered with the same amount of passion would be how much I adore sharing my love of historical fiction with people who share that interest. For this exciting read, my closest bookish friend, MB dove in with me. (And let me tell you - if you are a reader who truly wants to discuss a books' inner workings, or character development.. a buddy read with someone who feels the same way is simply an unmatched way to do this. MB and I share a love for historical fiction, and have had some incredibly in depth discussions about those reads; and this book had SO much happening, I was beyond thrilled to share the journey with someone!)

I'm sure some of you are thinking that there is NO WAY historical fiction could be exciting. That the backstory or setting makes these reads boring. (Again, not every book is for every reader! I personally love the detail of these books, and am always thankful to the author for the research and passion they have expressed in the pages they've written.) Bluebird sort of... knocked me sideways. Honestly. The first 3/4 of this book read almost like a thriller with its pacing, twists and turns. You may scoff; but.. I'm not kidding.

This book centers on Eva, a young girl escaping post WWII Germany with her injured friend Briget. She has false papers, files secured in her skirt, and a deal brokered with the CIA. Intrigued? Throw in the fact that this book is in part a witch hunt for a terrifying doctor from a Nazi camp who is experimenting with mind control; and who the CIA wants to use for their own purposes.. and it truly seems as though this is something that could never have truly happened.

Through these pages, Eva learns about who she is.. on so many different levels. The strength of her character, her evolution and self realization is nothing short of astounding. I have no idea how she could have kept herself so composed - though I suppose a bit of a romantic entanglement could help that a touch. Yes, Eva finds herself drawn to a young man she thinks she shouldn't. (Though I was loving and rooting for Jacob through this entire book!) Cameron has developed some fabulous characters, and I felt as though I would have loved a visit to Powell House to share a cup of tea with the residents there.

Although the ending wrapped everything up nicely (and in a way you are hoping for!), it sort of.. fell flat for me; (likely because the rest of the book was so non stop!) which is why this book only received a four star rating from me. 

This book took a few days to digest for me. Don't get me wrong - I would give it four stars and recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. Cameron's descriptions of the Doctor and other Nazi party members honestly made my stomach roil. (Her writing has always been on point.) It was also hard knowing that operations such as Operation Bluebird actually existed. That the US (and even Canada, it turns out) have allowed Nazi party members to live in our countries and start over. (I have since read a couple of articles about trying to have such people extradited has failed essentially every time it has been tried in Canada, and that thousands of Nazis relocated here after WWII.) Hard truths can take a little bit of time to come to terms with.

As always, dear reader - keep on reading.

 

The Secret Garden

I mentioned in my last post that I had a couple of books to catch all of you up on from my recent reads. My kids have a PD day from school today, and the weather is far too cold to be appealing. In other words? It's the perfect day to get all caught up.. and... perhaps get deeper into my current read! 

I may have mentioned previously that I have a strong desire to read more classic literature. (Don't ask me why! I don't know anyone else who really delves into the classics. I suppose it's because they simply must be classics for a reason, right!?) My dear Grandmother sends me cheques for my birthday and Christmas each year; and each year I tend to spend that money on books for myself. (Not something I do very often, despite being a big reader.) This year, I had had my eye on a few Paper Mill Classics; and finally bought them with said birthday/Christmas money (along with a couple of historical fiction picks!). One of these beautiful books was The Secret Garden.  I must admit, this is a story I have adored since I saw the film back in the early nineties! I can vividly remember borrowing a lovely copy from a beloved cousin when I was a child.. which I clearly never actually read. (I had a discussion with my Dad the other day about how when I was a child, classics seemed too hard to read, due to the language they used. As an adult who even loves to watch period pieces, this is no longer a problem!) When this vibrant edition arrived, I was determined it would be my first classic of 2022. (Though a re-read of Little Women was also a contender.)

As an adult, I felt a certain magic to this story. The magic of nature and children. Of being social and evolving. I suppose it made me feel... alive in a way that has been somewhat difficult since the beginning of this long pandemic life we are living.

When we first meet Mary; she is an incredibly spoiled child living in India with neglectful parents and no real guiding hand. When her parents (and all of the servants) die in a chlorea outbreak, Mary is shipped off to her Uncle's estate near the moors in England. Misselthwaite Manor is a large and strange house, with a hundred unused rooms. She is waited upon, but not in the manner in which is accustomed. She finds a confidante in Martha, the young and spirited girl who brings her meals. Martha tells her all about her brother (Dickon) and about a garden that has been locked up since the death of her Uncle's wife. 

What could appeal more to a child - even a stubborn one - than a secret? Mary becomes completely enthralled with the idea of the secret garden, and is eager to discover the key and doorway that will eventually change her view of the world. (Along with the help of the kindhearted and affable Dickon.)

There is more than one secret in this enchanting tome. If you haven't discovered it for yourself, I won't spoil it. I will say that this book made me smile, and it made me chuckle. Being the parent of one incredibly stubborn child; I could picture my youngest as Mary, stamping her foot, and thinking she'll always get her way. (Rest assured, she doesn't.)

If classics aren't your thing? Don't fret. Not every book is for every person. Keep on reading!

Once Upon a Wardrobe

Okay. So, I know I haven't written in a while. I have been reading, and I do have blogging to catch up on. However! I finished Once Upon a Wardrobe this morning, and had to sit down and write about it. I have shared bookish thoughts and quotes from this novel with a dear friend of mine already; and I have spoken with my father at some length about it already. It was one of those books. Where I felt I needed to reach out to someone that would understand how it has touched my heart. If you are someone who loves books, you know. There are some books that almost feel as though they touch your soul.  

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was probably the first book I truly read and fell in love with. It is a book I have read many times and loved each and every one of those times. I always feel excited when Lucy first discovers the magic of the Wardrobe, and I always with I could be friends with Mister Tumnus.  Naturally, when I heard that Patti Callahan had written a book who's main character is discussing where Narnia came from with CS Lewis, it was on the top of my TBR pile. 

This book did not disappoint. Beautifully written, it invoked in me a yearning to return to Narnia, and revisit old friends. It made me feel as though I knew CS Lewis just a bit. I could picture sitting by the crackling fire with him at the Kilns while he smoked his pipe, telling me stories in a Grandfatherly fashion. This felt like home wrapped up in a book to me. 

When Megs' sick brother, George becomes enraptured by Narnia, Megs mentions that CS Lewis is a tutor at Oxford university (which she attends, though on a different campus). George insists that Megs ask CS Lewis (fondly referred to as Jack) where Narnia came from. Patti Callahan takes you on a journey through CS Lewis' life, and the events that may (or may not!) have inspired some of the events and characters in the wonderful world he has created.

To revisit Narnia through the eyes of a child is a truly incredible experience. One I would recommend to anyone who has felt themselves enthralled with this fictitious world. This book made me eager to pick up CS Lewis' epic works again. (Which I know is around here somewhere!) With mentions of JRR Tolkien and the Inklings, it also put The Hobbit (another of those magical books, in my humble opinion!) on my TBR pile for this year. (Another book which transported me many times to the world of Middle Earth - a book my father introduced me to as a child.) I also added The Inklings to that list (I checked, and my father still has a copy on his shelf, which I told him I would need to borrow the next time I saw him.) and The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of CS Lewis is currently on my list of holds from the library. Once Upon a Wardrobe is a true gift of a book. One that encourages and inspires. A book that holds a little of that Narnian magic. 

Until next time, dear readers.

A line that really touched on exactly how this made me feel.

The Reading List

I've always sort of had this thing for books with titles involving bookshops, libraries, reading, or books in general. So, it should come as no surprise that a book called "The Reading List" should grab my attention. Because, who amongst us readers does not have some kind of TBR (to be read) list or pile kicking around. I personally probably own a hundred books I've never read. It's not hoarding. It's books.

I've had this book out from the library for a while, and almost actually returned it without reading it. I knew absolutely nothing about it, and the cover wasn't really doing it for me. Yeah.. I can be that kind of reader. Don't judge me. Anyway! Knowing I wouldn't be making it to the library until at least the later half of this week, I decided to give it a whirl. You know what? I got sucked in. If you are a reader that has been brought closer to a person, or been seriously impacted by any book, this book is for you.

At the beginning of this book, a mysterious person is seen writing lists in a library. The list is the Reading List; the one this book centers on. Though some chapters will touch on various people who have come across (and been changed on some level) by this list; the story truly focuses on Aleisha (a young woman who lives with her mentally ill and her older brother, working in shifts to care for her while working part time at the local library and considering her future as a lawyer) and Mukesh (an elderly widower who has three bossy daughters who seemingly don't have time for him, grandchildren who don't seem to pay him too much attention, and few friends. He has shied away from life since the passing of his lovely wife, Naina; a much loved pillar of their community) who meet by chance when Mukesh returns a book his late wife hadn't returned to the library. (The Time Traveler's Wife) 

Mukesh has read this abandoned novel, and felt it bring him closer to his beloved. So, when he makes the trip to the library, he encounters Aleisha, whom he asks for a recommendation to continue his journey into books. She is incredibly rude to this elderly gentleman. Has made him feel ashamed and upset. She herself has been given the first book on the mysterious list (To Kill a Mockingbird), and (eventually) ends up recommending it to Mukesh; despite having not read it herself.

These two unlikely characters form a friendship through their reads - as Aliesha starts reading through these books to provide the old man further recommendations. They form a bond by discussing their books; and in time, their lives. 

I loved that through this book, each of these characters could relate to someone or something happening in each of the books they read. Some times you just read something and you have to just... stop. Sometimes because they are so well written you just need to absorb it. Other times, books seem to hit too close to home. This book was the sort of book that almost makes you feel like you're wrapped up in a blanket. It deals with real life issues, and also beautiful illustrates how we can use books as an escape; and also how we can learn from books. Yes, even novels.

This is a book that I feel will never entirely leave me; and one I will be recommending to fellow readers for years and years to come. If you have read this enchanting story (or if you do!) please leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of it! Have you personally been impacted by any of these books? (Little Women is still one of my very favourites; which I am sure I will be re-reading soon!)

Keep reading!

Magic Lessons

 Hi all! I know the weather (here, at least) has left something to be desired lately. Add in virtual learning with two small kids; and you can imagine how much time some of us to do the things we enjoy. Like... reading. I (luckily) always manage to carve out some time each day. Perhaps not as much as I would like, (an entire day under a cozy blanket and copious amounts of tea wouldn't be a terrible thing!) but, it is better than nothing.

My second read of the year was by an author I
adore, and involving a family of witches I have come to love. For fans of Practical Magic, reading about where the curse of the Owens' women began with Maria in the 1600s in Magic Lessons was a dream come true. The one thing you can always, always count on Hoffman for is writing strong female characters. Maria and her daughter, Faith, are no exception to this rule. Maria is abandoned by her mother as a newborn in a place she knows she will be found by someone who practices "the nameless art". 

Hannah Owens is a wise and caring woman, who takes in Maria without question. She recognizes that she is, in fact, a blood witch, and teaches her all she knows of magic. I must admit, Hannah was likely my actual favourite character in this book. I picture her as someone I would have liked to share a cup of her courage tea while sitting by the hearth in her cottage in Essex County.

Maria is (of course) faced with all sorts of challenges in her life; which Hoffman follows in vivid detail. It explains so much about the curse that was to be set on all of those who would love an Owens woman. (Though I do understand the why.. I still think that might have been a tad harsh!) Her daughter, Faith has many of her own hurdles to overcome. (As always, I don't want to delve too deep and give away the entire story.) I myself could have probably loved the male lead in this book (Samuel). A stubborn and wonderful man who never seemingly gives up.. even when he is told to. I also absolutely loved how Hoffman used familiars in this novel, and how she spoke of the relationship to the witch with whom these creatures were bonded. (Because who doesn't want a clever, chattering crow bringing you trinkets!?)

I must say that after reading this installment about the Owens family saga, that I am looking forward to her newest book (which I was fortunate enough to be gifted this Christmas!)

Keep on reading! 

The Woman With The Blue Star

 Well hey there! (To whom I'm writing, I'm not entirely sure!) It's been a while. Life happened. I'm sure you (whoever you are!) can relate. Especially given that we have been living through pandemic times for basically two years at this point. (Something I am positive no one had anticipated when all of this started.)

ANYWAY! I'm back. My first read of the year was one that has been on my list since it was released - and my first Pam Jenoff read, despite basically all of her books being on my TBR. (You would think that someone like myself, who is constantly reading historical fiction with a major focus on WWII would have read something from her library by now! She has been so well received, and numerous women in the book groups I am a part of mention her frequently. (Rest assured; it will not be my last!)

I had read previously that Pam Jenoff did extensive research prior to writing her books. It definitely shows. (I had also read in her postscript that she actually had to scrap the book she had been writing; and The Woman With The Blue Star was her second attempt. Bravo!) 

Taking place in Krakow, Poland; this book focuses on two strong and brave women. Sadie is a Jew living in the ghetto at the opening of this book. During the clearance of the ghetto, Sadie and her family escape - to the sewer. Ella is a young woman coming from a well off family who happens to spy Sadie through a sewer grate one day while in the industrial section of Krakow. The two form the most unlikely of friendships. They share their joys, fears, and grief. Ella helps Sadie and the other Jews hiding in the sewer through the very worst parts of the German occupation. 

Now, I don't want to give anything else away about this novel. I will admit that in several places, this book broke my heart. Every single time I read anything that has taken place during this horrendous time during history; it really makes me think. Would I have been as brave as the characters in this story? How fortunate I am to live in a time and country where I do not have to witness or be victim to such terrible events. I also think about how thankful I am to the authors, who take the time to research these stories (many of which are based on true events - including this one) and share them. 

If you are in fact a fan of historical fiction; please pick this book up. I feel like the story of Sadie and Ella is one that will stick with me; and would probably do the same for you.

Happy New Year, reader. I hope this year finds you better than 2021. 

Cheers.

(Photo credit for book and Pam goes to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Ghetto photo during the occupation is credited to the Holocaust & Archive Research Team)