Time for another book report. Since I've joined Paperback Swap I've sent out about a dozen and a half books but I've only received about four back. I think the books on my wishlist are really popular. Even the ones that I think are obscure.
Right now I am reading Blessed are the Cheesemakers by Sarah-Kate Lynch. It is the story of two elderly Irish gentlemen that make cheese. They want to pass on the secrets before they pass on themselves. Chock full of interesting characters, a love story, and mystical cheesemaking.
I listened to The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold while driving back and forth to my Dad's house. I hated it. I had high hopes for it because Lovely Bones was so good but this book did not have a single character that was sympathetic.
It's the story of a woman and her lifelong antagonistic relationship with her mother.
The actions of the protagonist were just so far-fetched and not the least bit plausible.
But I was stuck in the car for hours and I saw it through, hoping it would get better or I would at least have a sympathetic understanding of the characters but I never did.
Next up on my nightstand is The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice. Since I haven't read it yet I obviously can't review it but the reviews on Amazon are good and one reader even compares it to Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle which is one of my favorite books.
This is the story of a young woman nagivating the social world of London in the early 50's.
So what have you been reading? Anything good?
HI there – I found your blog through the My Romantic Home blog and I agree that The Almost Moon was not very good. I read it after it came out, very excited about it because I really like Alice Sebold’s other books. Disappointed for the same reason as you were – generally unlikeable characters with nary a redeeming quality.
Oh my goodness, I will skip The Almost Moon! I’m curious to read the cheesemaking one. Thanks for the tips/warnings!
Hi there, I’ve just stumbled across your blog while touring blogland, so I hope you don’t mind if I contribute!
my favorite book of the summer, albeit not an easy read, was A Thousand Splendid Suns, such a well written book. I also found (slightly late as I believe it was published last year) Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. Strong-willed Victorian gentlewoman meets the darkly handsome Nicholas Brisbane, investigator; in the melting pot of London society after the mysterious death of her husband. Not nearly as twee as I have made out! (I’ll stop trying to review now, I’m terrible) I’d recommend looking at The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton which I loved; and the Shardlake books by C J Sansom starting with Dissolution. (Written from the point of view of a solicitor at the time of Henry VIII). Ignore me, check them out on Amazon!
Kim xx
Andrea I have read the cheesemakers!!
Doesnt it make you want to eat cheese!
Clare. x
I have no time for books lately but will keep these in mind. The heat here finally broke so it feels like fall. Unfortunately, that means in NH that snow is not far behind.
These look great! I just finished, “By Bread Alone” by Sarah-Kate Lynch and enjoyed it. I will have to look for Blessed and read it as well. Thanks for sharing the info. I’m always looking for good new books to read.
c
It feels like it has been so long since I had time to read, some of these sound great and some of the books recommended in the comments here make me anxious to curl up on an autumn evening and get back to reading:>) Thanks for the suggestions!
The cover of the last book is so gorgeous it makes me want to go and buy it! Always good to hear about new books, might go and see if I can get my hands on this one!
Hmmmm…haven’t read much since this summer (been quilting and knitting instead!), but my favorite book this summer was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Must check out the cheese book. Sounds interesting.
and…thanks for busting me on my blurry photos of my quilt over on my blog! Hmmmm…now I can’t cover up my crazy quilting/mismatched corners like that again, darn it! 🙂 Your comment made me smile!
Hmmmm…haven’t read much since this summer (been quilting and knitting instead!), but my favorite book this summer was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Must check out the cheese book. Sounds interesting.
and…thanks for busting me on my blurry photos of my quilt over on my blog! Hmmmm…now I can’t cover up my crazy quilting/mismatched corners like that again, darn it! 🙂 Your comment made me smile!
I read the Lovely Bones and loved it. I think I’ll skip Almost Moon. I need to check out the paperback swap. My daughter reads all the time and I bet she would use it a lot.
I just purchased “The Little Book” by Selden Edwards, which was an Editor’s Pick through the Literary Guild – haven’t read it yet, but sounded interesting and different from my normal reads. I am a huge fan of and have read everything that Dorothea Benton Frank has written, as well as Nicholas Sparks, Luanne Rice and Cathy Lamb (fairly new author). I tend to enjoy comfortable reads that take me near the coast … any coast. Especially, stories where the main character finds herself, her soul, her passions and builds anew – love those!
BTW, absolutely LOVE your “Yummy pillow” and your amazing finds of forget-me-nots and the charming pumpkin head fellow! What treasures!
And, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting on the fall decor – don’tcha just love this season? I figured that I’d get moving early so that I could enjoy it longer – it seems that I am getting earlier each year with my Christmas decorations; however, I do insist that they do not go up before Thanksgiving! I just can’t do that! 🙂 Keep in touch!
I have been reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It is about a group of people who are being held hostage by South American terrorists. One of the hostages is a famous opera singer and the others are diplomats and international business men. It is a fascinating story, but since I started working I have hardly had a minute to finish it. The hostages are being held for more than 100 days and that is about how long it is taking me to read this book.
Oh – I so miss having the time to get lost in a good book…if I had to choose – I would pick up the one book you have not yet read…it just sounds so shiek and girlish…
Ohh I loved I Capture the Castle. I read tons of mysteries. Cozy style. I find lots of the cool fiction with interesting covers filled with stories that are too sad. For some reason I just can’t take that anymore.
I’ve read the Eva Rice book which I enjoyed, as I have a “thing” for the 50’s and it is well written, though it certainly doesn’t rate as a favourite to be read again. At the top of the pile of books yet to be read is The Private Lives of Pippa Lee by Rebecca Miller.
I’m rereading (for the fourth time) Fortune’s Rocks by Anita Shreve. The ending literally took my breath away! I’ve read all her subsequent novels, but nothing compares.
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