London, 1940. Young & hungry Peggy Sparks is a librarian who's determined to make sure her beloved twin brother Joe makes it back home from the front.London, 1940. Young & hungry Peggy Sparks is a librarian who's determined to make sure her beloved twin brother Joe makes it back home from the front. Peggy lives with her mom Alice, grandmother Emily, newly-pregnant, sister-in-law Flo and her precocious niece, little Nancy. When Peggy is offered a job working at The Ministry of Information in the Publications Department as a proof-reader, she feels she is finally achieving her goal to bring Joe home. The problem? Peggy works alongside entitled, Lady Marigold Cecily, who arrives late each and every morning due to late night partying, and while Peggy doesn't quite know what to make of Marigold, they continue to be paired together on various projects. Not fully recognizing her role at the Ministry, she continues writing down highly detailed & personal accounts of her days, mostly for Joe, when she discovers they're accidentally published -- and they're well read & well received by the public! But, in part due to this crisis, Marigold comes to her immediate defense and the two become unlikely friends and close confidantes. Peggy soon learns Marigold's life is not near as shiny and glittery as she imagined. This was a heartfelt and charming, wartime story focusing on the war efforts at home, rather than on the front. In so many communities across the world, and in London too, women were taking on roles and doing jobs once done only by men. Drivers, land girls, factory workers, journalists, and even air raid wardens and fire watchers each wanting to "do their bit!" This story was inspirational and I found myself falling in love with many of the side characters including Frank Bauman, Mrs. Pyecroft, Mr. Beecher, and most especially, wise Grandmother Emily. This was a story of sharing your story, about the power of words, about friendship and forgiveness and second chances, and about strength, resiliency, and heart. I really enjoyed it. While this wasn't *quite* as big of a hit for me as "Air Raid Book Club", one of my favorites from last year, I was still delighted to see another winning WW2 story from Annie Lyons and I will be interested in what she does next! ...more
I am not even sure where I first saw this book - could have been from some trusted reviewers or from Bookstagram, but I know it was officially on my rI am not even sure where I first saw this book - could have been from some trusted reviewers or from Bookstagram, but I know it was officially on my radar after I saw another beloved author blurb the novel, Nichole Van. This is quite possibly the most romantic novel I have ever read. Told completely in journal entries, and written by each of our main characters throughout, this novel tells the love story of Paris-born baker & writer, Vivienne, and Yugoslavian-born & poetry instructor, Peter. And the writing is lyrical and full of imagery and beautiful writing as both are prolific poets and writers in their own rite. So, their prose and their romance follow suit. Both have immense pressures on their time and talents and both dealing with complicated family dynamics and family secrets. All of this is set in the early 1990s against the political backdrop of communist-controlled Eastern Europe and much unrest in Peter's homeland, where his family still resides. It was an interesting time period when this was set and I learned a lot. The couple meet at St Brigid's College in an Advanced Poetry class, and their friendship and romance bloom, but their push and pull over the next 5+ years take you on a tumultuous and emotional journey. It is hard for me to write an adequate review for this and the way it made me feel other than to share a few of my favorite quotes. I don't feel any of these quotes are *super spoilery*, but advance as you see fit. :)
"I was thinking. This is such a small moment, based in such a small space, but it will spin like a planet in my memory. Peter's body and mind had hardly ever touched. He'd never held my hand or my waist; we've never occupied the same material space for longer than a class period. Yet I had given him my words. From the first tentative ink stroke I put down on paper, I knew I was writing to him. The weight of each word and the shape of each line, the vibrance and surprise of each image - everything I wrote was for him, intangible gifts I imagined him opening and taking inside his mind for safekeeping. I had envisioned him holding my poems to a window's clear light, turning them in his hands to various angles before sitting down to respond. The words he wrote to me would accumulate in my chest, imprint their rhythms on my pulse. In this way, he would feed my next poem. He was an energy inside me." ... "I breathed in to say what should have been said long before the day her heart broke in my office. 'I loved you, Vivienne - your words and your gentleness. Your face and your form. You were love to me, in one body, like I had never known it.'" ... "...to write is to allow pain and love and memory and time to exist outside yourself. You breathe when the words are out. You can live until tomorrow..."
This book made me feel a whole lot of feels, even if I did find some of the plot devices to be somewhat repetitive (hence 4 stars as opposed to 5), but I cannot deny the writing and the lyrical sense of its words. I can see this being a work I return to in the future. Really, really enjoyed it and hope other romance readers find this under-the-radar gem!...more
I wanted to love this so much more than I did. It certainly is a sweet, endearing, and enjoyable story, but maybe a touch over-ambitious in terms of sI wanted to love this so much more than I did. It certainly is a sweet, endearing, and enjoyable story, but maybe a touch over-ambitious in terms of scope? It seemed like a short book that had to do a lot and had too many storylines at once -- the uncertainty around the engagement and the secrets her fiancé is keeping from her, her researching the provenance of her antique, engagement ring, her discovering a book of letters that a loving brother wrote to his sister during the Great War telling her of the great love he has found amongst the terror (these were my favorite segments of this story), her grandfather's care and her father's parole hearing, and finally, a woman discovering her purpose, her passions, & determining her ultimate place in the world. This could have been easily 2-3 different books, and so at times, I just felt a bit overwhelmed and at some times a bit underwhelmed because the resolution didn't feel completely satisfactory. But, that is just for this reader. Ultimately, I enjoyed this, and it is certainly a story you have to give yourself over to and just trust and suspend some disbelief because the little touches of fate and magical elements throughout are lots of fun! Actual rating, 3.25 stars and I am hopeful of what this author will do in the future!...more
This is one of those reviews that almost didn't happen. I read Hawkins' "The Villa" last year and DNF her debut "The Wife Upstairs" the year prior, soThis is one of those reviews that almost didn't happen. I read Hawkins' "The Villa" last year and DNF her debut "The Wife Upstairs" the year prior, so I didn't have a good track record with her work. But, after SEVERAL reviews from readers & bookstagrammers that I trust, I decided to give this one a go, but on audio, and it really worked for me! Now, all my previous gripes are still valid, there is still WAY too much language for my tastes, but what did work for me in this work was the rich, lush setting in the North Carolina mountains, the long-held family secrets and complicated dynamics, the epistolary nature this book takes on as it flashes backwards in time. Plus, it's short, compelling chapters where I would say "just one more chapter" before I pause this audio book, so I can see how this twisty thriller is so compulsively readable and keeping people up past their bedtimes! At the end of the day, this is a wealthy people behaving badly novel with plenty of twist and turns along the way that will keep you constantly guessing. And everyone is certainly not who they seem. Actual rating, 3.75 stars -- very entertaining and highly- bingeable! ...more
Recently, one of my bookish (as well as IRL) best friends mentioned a book series she loved as a middle-grader and it was a spin-off series from a serRecently, one of my bookish (as well as IRL) best friends mentioned a book series she loved as a middle-grader and it was a spin-off series from a series I was obsessed with, "Dear America" books. This series of "Royal Diaries" are epistolary in style and organized in the form of a diary from an ancient, or more recent, world monarch. I immediately started looking for them in used book stores and GoodWill, and I found a few! Decided to start my leisurely reading through this series with Cleopatra as hers was the oldest book of the ones I picked up, and I have to say, I really enjoyed my reading experience and learned a lot about her life, her relationship with her father, their international relations with Rome, & Egyptian customs. Enjoyed her historical details, her Author's note, and how personal world history was made told through the eyes of a 13-year-old young lady on the eve of her rise to power. Will certainly be reading more in this series... and soon! Actual rating, 3.75 stars ...more
Was enthralled by this slim little, beautiful, lyrical book these last 2 weeks- and enjoyed it chapter by chapter each morning slow and steady. Full oWas enthralled by this slim little, beautiful, lyrical book these last 2 weeks- and enjoyed it chapter by chapter each morning slow and steady. Full of such heart and biblical wisdom and encouragement and challenge. Yes, is technically a memoir of the craft, of generative writing, but it’s so much more! It’s for absolutely anyone passionate about their work, their creativity, the culture they’re building, their legacy. Another addition to my forever favorites shelf! Just lovely! ...more
"Dear Imogen, What an entertaining letter! I can assure you that I enjoy your ramblings. They are like sea salt added to a dish, drawing out the natura"Dear Imogen, What an entertaining letter! I can assure you that I enjoy your ramblings. They are like sea salt added to a dish, drawing out the natural flavors." All the stars for this delicious, glittering, deeply heartfelt epistolary novel that, at its heart, explores the central themes and uniqueness of female friendships and celebrates it! Absolutely lovely, charming, quirky, and goes down easy (like the recipes these ladies share) around the table or in your favorite chair in a matter of a few sittings. You won't want to leave Immy and Joan....more
..."And then, after a while, the words weren't just words anymore. I began to feel them deep inside me, like the beating heart in my chest. Bubbe and ..."And then, after a while, the words weren't just words anymore. I began to feel them deep inside me, like the beating heart in my chest. Bubbe and those who came before, and before, and before, had recited these very same words and tapped on their chests. As the words moved through me, they shone a light on my life. Maybe my heart had grown hard and I hadn't realized it? But my praying and asking for forgiveness, I could make my heart soft again so it could fill up with love. Suddenly I understood that there were people whose hearts had turned to stone. Their hearts had become so hard, they had no room for love, only hate."
A powerful & heartfelt epistolary-style Middlegrade novel detailing the exile of a Jewish father and daughter from their home in Poland to work in Cuba throughout the Nazi occupation in WW2. Brave, plucky, and determined Esther writes letters to her sister every day to close the gap of distance between them, to connect to her Jewish religion & traditions, and to share day-to-day life with Malka until the rest of the family joins them in Havana. Her writings were heartbreaking, deeply personal, and such an effective way to share this part of little-known corner of world history. Learned so much about sugar cane production in Cuba, dress fitting and dress making (Esther's true love), of all the many countries Jews were sent to trying to escape persecution, and finally, the terrors and harrowing tales of reunification. This was a lovely book of blended cultures, what it means to be a true friend and to share our true selves unabashedly, to appreciate what makes us different, and to stand up for what is right, despite consequences. It was beautifully told and a lovely and inspiring read! Make sure you read the Author's Note about the "real" Esther ... so many amazing details that added to this story! Actual rating, 4.25 stars ...more
This was absolute perfection and such a joy to read this Christmas week. Pure magic and whimsy and such imagination! It’s a bind up of 20+ years of leThis was absolute perfection and such a joy to read this Christmas week. Pure magic and whimsy and such imagination! It’s a bind up of 20+ years of letters that famed author JRR Tolkien wrote to his 4 children from Father Christmas and they will make you fall even more in love with him, his writing style, and his drawings and capers that Father Christmas and his bestie North Polar Bear get up to will have you smiling. This is an absolute treasure and I cannot wait to return to it again dying a future Christmas holiday ...more