Well, I have been remiss about sitting down and writing about the books that I have enjoyed this spring. This past bit of time found me visiting the library to check out an old favorite series, read a new release, read two books from a new author to me, and revisit a favorite author. Although it is fun to have seasonal reads, inadvertently, I found that World War 2 played a large part in many of the books I selected.
I hope that your reading has been enjoyable and you have had some good reads. There is nothing like sitting down with a cup of tea, spring breezes, birds chirping, spring blooms blossoming, and being engrossed in another time and place.
The Shattered Tree by Charles Todd
There was a time that I was reading Charles Todd books with such frequency, especially about 8 years ago, when I was so engrossed with World War 1. My interest in that era has not abated, but my mood reading and interest in finding other new authors took over. This is the 8th book in the Bess Crawford series that I have found so compelling. Bess serves as a nurse, often along the front during World War 1, and she often is pulled into situations where she ends up helping someone who has been injured. This series is in no manner cozy, but it is thoughtful, and there is a sense that Bess tries to right wrongs. Often during wartime, the line between right and wrong can be blurred, and humans respond in ways they might not during peacetime.
This was a solid outing, although not my favorite of the series. A soldieer winds up in the forward aid station who speaks German but has an English soldier's uniform on. Bess is injured and winds up recuperating in Paris, and there begins a search to find this soldier. It is a solid mystery, but I recommend you start at the beginning of the series (A Duty to the Dead) and go from there. I do think you will enjoy them.
By the way, Charles Todd is a mother and son writing duo. I believe the mother may have passed away, but they have an extensive catalog of books with Bess Crawford and the Inspector Ian Rutledge series.
Strangers in Time - David Baldacci
I was listening to the podcast Dedicated by Doug Brunt, and he had an interview with David Baldacci. I have never read a Baldacci book and had not had a keen interest in doing so. However, listening to the interview with the author, I was struck that he sounded like a kind man and appreciative of the support of libraries and friends of the libraries, when he was starting as an author (This pleased me!). Well, as the interview progressed, I discovered that he had a new book called Strangers in Time set in London during the Blitz.
Since I had never read Mr. Baldacci, I was hesitant to spend money on the book, so I requested a copy. I was number 58 in our library system for requesting a hold. Well, as it turns out, when I went to pick up another request, I was surprised that a copy of the book was available. I don't know if you have ever checked out a new release at the library? My goodness, the pressure to read quickly is intense! So I was not really tickled to get the book so soon. Well, I need not have been worried, as I had ten days to finish and I had the book done in less than 7 days.
What a great book about friendship set during a time when the world was thrown into chaos and evil. We have the enigmatic Ignatius Oliver, who owns a charming bookstore in London and is grieving the loss of his dear, loving wife. We have the scrappy and utterly lovable Charlie Matters, who is born in poverty in London and sees no hope of escaping. Then there is Molly Wakefield, who returns from the countryside to find her parents missing. What ensues is the development of a friendship and ultimately a family between these three as life throws them from one trauma after another.
When I finished this book, I thought about these three, and it occurred to me that there must have been people who found themselves thrown together during that time and creating their family units. If you want a good read that makes you find some hope for humanity, please read this book.
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett - by Annie Lyons
Well I think I have found a new author that is up there for me with Lucinda Riley, Rosamunde Pilcher, Marcia Willet and Rachel Hore. Annie Lyons has such a way of creating characters that are flawed yet are intrinsically lovable and relatable.
This book centers around Eudora Honeysett, who has decided that in her early 80s, that she is ready to die and contacts a clinic in Switzerland to that end. So after Eudora makes this decision, she awaits the clinic's decision as to whether she can come and follow through.
In the meantime, a little 10-year-old girl moves next door and decides that Eudora will be her friend. Rosie is a young girl who does not always fit in, but has a big heart, and she decides that age does not impact friendship. Then there is the cheerful and kind-hearted Stanley, who is a recent widower. Before Eudora realizes it, she is beginning to enjoy life and is trying to reconcile that with her decision to end her life.
During the story, we are taken back to Eudora's childhood during World War 2 and the loss of her father and the ensuing years of complicated relationships with Eudora's mother and sister.
In all honesty, when I was finished reading this book, I did not jump to read the next book in my quiver. I found myself thinking about these characters, about life, about the speed with which life goes by, regrets, friendship, and embracing the life that comes our way, and making the most of it. I cannot imagine not enjoying this book.
The Dream House- Rachel Hore
This book follows Kate Hutchinson and her husband and children as they move to the Suffolk countryside to escape the hustle and bustle of London. What started as a move eagerly anticipated by Kate and her husband, Simon it is evident that all is not going to plan. Kate is left dealing with life, children, a mother-in-law, and a spouse who is sliding away emotionally.
In the meantime, Kate stumbles across this idyllic country house and the aged Agnes who lives there. As Kate and Agnes build a friendship, there develops a story of Agnes's early years and a mystery to be solved. Through Agnes, Kate meets other people and develops a connection to the village and the surrounding Suffolk countryside.
I am struck each time I read a Rachel Hore, as to the genuineness of the charachteres and the inherent kindness of people. Of course, there are cads and rouges in the story, but oftentimes there is so much more to people than meets the eye. This is true in her books, even with the characters you don't feel much sympathy for.
The Air Raid Book Club - Annie Lyons
This was the second book by Annie Lyons that I read in as many weeks. The premise of course intrigued me, as there is a bookstore in London during the Blitz, run by the proprietress Gertie, a young German girl sent by her family to escape persecution, and the characters that orbit this world.
I had not set out to go down the World War 2 rabbit hole, but sometimes a mood or book just takes you and you must follow. This story, too, was about the creation of family with those around us and the redemptive power of love, even amid pain and grief.
When this book drew to a close, I was content as I felt the characters had been able to build a life out of the chaos during the war. I know that life does not always have a happy ending, but I am a sucker for good people getting a second shot.
There were several quotes in this book that spoke to me, but I will share the following:
"Reflect upon your present blessings-of which
every man has many-not on your misfortunes, of which all men have some."
Charles Dickens - Sketches by Boz
Happy Reading, my Friends!
