As some of you are aware I was on holidays in Spain recently, enjoying a wonderful two weeks of reading, relaxing and spending time with my family. There is nothing quite like lying on a sunbed poolside, beachside or on a terrace with a good book in your hand. As I read quite a few, I thought I would share them here with you, with a brief comment on each. The days are passing by with speed and I can’t seem to find the time to write a full review but, all these reads are worth picking up, for various reasons, and so in no particular order:
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld was published April 2023 and was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, as well as being a bestseller with both The Sunday Times and New York Times. I adored American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld, which I read years back before my blogging days so I was only too delighted to add this one to my holiday reading pile. I was a very latecomer to Tina Fey’s 30 Rock and so Romantic Comedy fitted in very well with my recent viewing. Sally Milz was Liz Lemon/Tina Fey in my mind with similar humour and an entertaining cast of characters. I haven’t watched SNL but I do know that this book was very heavily influenced by it and that Tina Fey starred in that for almost ten years. As the name suggests this is a romantic comedy, an entertaining and witty read, with some fascinating insights into the madness of live TV.
One Night in Question by Susan Fletcher was published in April 2024. My decision to read this novel was very much based on my experience of reading Susan Fletcher’s 2016 release, Let me tell you about a man I knew, which I reviewed for the fabulous literary travel site, TripFiction. One Night in Question is described as an ‘uplifting literary murder-mystery’ and it really is a charming and cosy whodunnit, perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George was published in April 2015 with the translation from the German by Simon Pare. It became an international bestseller which I can now totally appreciate having finally had the opportunity to read it. I absolutely loved Joanne Harris’ Chocolat series of books so the magic and mysticism of this novel really appealed. A seductive read. My thanks to author Ethel Crowley for passing on her copy to me.
Summer Fever by Kate Riordan was published in May 2022. A sun-drenched Italian villa. Two couples hiding the truth. Disaster about to unfold. A buddy passed on this book to me for the holidays and, with its vivid depictions of place, delectable dishes, and a twisty plot this really is a perfect holiday read. Not the most appealing of characters but who ever said you have to like the cast!!
I Don’t Want to Talk About Home: A migrant’s search for belonging by Suad Aldarra was published in July 2022. ‘A writer and data scientist based in Dublin. She was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Syrian parents. In 2003 she moved back to her family home in Syria to study software engineering. After fleeing the war in 2012 she lived in Egypt and the US, before eventually settling in Ireland. In 2021, Suad was awarded the Art Councils of Ireland English Literature bursary. I Don’t Want to Talk About Home is her debut memoir.’ Irish writer, Lynda Marron, passed on her copy to me correctly guessing that this was a book I would appreciate and learn from. A fascinating and heart-breaking account of a struggle that is truly beyond my comprehension. This is a very powerful read.
French Braid by Anne Tyler was published in March 2022 and is described as ‘a brilliantly perceptive, painfully true and funny journey deep into one family’s foibles, from the 1950s right up to the changed world of today’ I have only read a few Anne Tyler novels but with each I come to appreciate her writing more. Maybe it’s my age. Maybe it’s my overall perception of life and the importance of nurturing relationships and friendships. Whatever it may be, reading Anne Tyler is both comforting and engaging and I look forward to discovering more of her back catalogue.
I have written full reviews for three of my holiday reads, A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi, The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry, and Goodnight Tokyo by Atsuhiro Yoshida which you can read by clicking on the book image below.
I hope you enjoyed my micro reviews of some of my recent reads and that perhaps one may have piqued your interest. Please do let me know your thoughts and thank you, as ever, for reading.
Wonderful reviews!! I loved French Braid on audio, and I’m very tempted by I Don’t Want to Talk About Home! xx
Oh Nicki it’s really is an incredibly powerful read. Definitely you should get a copy if you can. Thank you xx
Great selection Mairead! I enjoyed Summer Fever and The Night in Question but I wasn’t mad on Romantic Comedy for some reason.
I enjoyed it as a holiday/summer read Joanne for what it was but nothing like American Wife!