The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan

A Christmas book! A new Christmas book by Jenny Colgan! A new Christmas book by Jenny Colgan that features a bookshop! I knew I would love The Christmas Bookshop before I even turned a page!

Carmen feels like she's always lived in the shadow of her brilliant sister's accomplishments. Sophia lives in a perfect house with her perfect children, perfect husband and a perfectly ordered yuppie life. But when Carmen loses her department store job and can't find another, she begrudgingly takes Sophia's offer to come to Edinburgh help one of her clients with a failing bookstore.....

Oh, I always love Colgan's settings. The bookstore is in the old historical shopping district in downtown Edinburgh. The nooks and crannies, the other eclectic shops and especially McCredie's bookshop sounded exactly like a place I'd love to visit and explore. Colgan weaves in actual attractions and history throughout her story. 

The lead character in Colgan's books is always one I'm firmly behind and Carmen was no exception. She's sassy on the outside, but kind and caring on the inside and also a bit unsure of herself. Where is her life headed? Where is her non existent love life? Well, you just know there's going to be a 'right' one and a 'wrong one'. Blair is a successful self-help author. And then we have Oke - a dendrologist (he studies trees) I love the yes, no, maybe so of the burgeoning (or not) relationships. And although we know how things are going to turn out, the journey there is so much fun.

The supporting cast is just as fun. Oh my gosh, the snarkiness of Skylar, Sophia's nanny is laugh out loud over the top. I loved Sophie's children - their personalities, dialogue and interactions mirror the young Carmen and Sophia. Can the sisters repair their relationship?

And that brings me to the Christmas element - loads of Christmas books mentioned, decorations, traditions, celebrations and more had me happily lost in the season.

Another feel good, heartwarming novel from Jenny Colgan. She's my hands down favourite for a 'take me away from it all' read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Christmas Bookshop. Best read with a cup of cocoa with marshmallows.

PS - I love when characters from other 'series' make cameo appearances in a novel. Faithful readers will be happy to see Ramsey and Zoe from The Bookshop on the Shore.

V for Victory - Lissa Evans

I've always hoped Lissa Evans that would write a follow to the absolutely  wonderful Crooked Heart. And she has! V for Victory has just released.

I fell in love with Vee and Noel in the previous book. Vee, aka Mar, has left the scamming behind and instead runs a lodging house, giving Noel a stable home.  Their lives are as good as they can be, given the times. But when Vee is called as a witness to an accident, their carefully constructed life may come crumbling down.

Evans has created such tangible characters in Vee and Noel. I like them both very much, but I must admit that my heart belongs to Noel. He's clever and kind, a teenager now, but inside he's still the boy without parents. That need to know propels one of the plot lines in this latest. There are other characters, each with their own plotlines as well - Winnie the local air raid warden, her twin sister turned author, and the myriad lodgers. And slowly but surely, the disparate threads start to weave themselves together. The wartime setting is also a character in Crooked Heart. The rationing, the attitudes, the bombings and more all shape, direct and change the course of each and every character.

Now, yes, there are sad situations, but.....Evans has a wickedly dark sense of humour that's quite appealing. Her sly wit is visible in a description, a look or a snippet of dialogue, or a passage from a book.

I love books that speak to the human condition - life, love, death and everything that comes in between. Even more poignant in wartimes. Evans easily captures all of the above.

V for Victory is heartwarming, heartbreaking and so very good. Heartily recommended! Read an excerpt of V for Victory.

The Music of Bees - Eileen Garvin

Are you looking for your next feel good read? Looking to escape Covid for a little while and disappear inside an book? Look no further than Eileen Garvin's just released debut novel, The Music of Bees.

Alice has withdrawn from friends, family, neighbours and more following a series of heartbreaks. She goes to work and then goes straight home. She is alone except for her beloved bees. "Alice kept certain thoughts behind a firmly closed door in her mind..."

She literally runs into eighteen year old Jake one evening - and knocks him out of his wheelchair. Jake too has withdrawn from his friends, interests and his dysfunctional family. "He hated what he had done to his stupid life and that he had no one else to blame. He was broken in a way that could not be undone."

Harry has been living with his great uncle in a condemned trailer, hiding from his past, his parents and any social interactions. "Harry, stuck as he was between the recent debacle of his past and the uncertainty of his future, was happy to pause here, suspended between what he had done and what he might make of himself."

Three people that have no idea how to fix themselves - but maybe together they can find a way. 

Alice's beehives touch each character in a different way and become the propolis that cements their friendships. What is propolis you ask? Well, it's "glue-like material is used by bees to build their hives and fix any cracks and tears and also creates an even and hard surface inside the beehive." I learned that and much more about bees, hive life etc. in The Music of Bees. It was only on finishing the book and reading the author's bio that I discovered Garvin is a beekeeper herself.  Her knowledge and love of bees certainly shows in her descriptions and settings. Take the time to read the bee quotes at the beginning of every chapter - they directly tie into what's happening with Alice, Jake and Harry.

All three characters are so wonderfully drawn and the reader can't help but feel their pain and hope that they can heal and go forward. There are antagonists as well - some particularly nasty co-workers for Alice and a "nefarious pesticide company". 

Having a friend is the start and from there goals, a purpose, courage, happiness and yes, even love seems possible again for each of the three. The Music of Bees is uplifting, heartbreaking and heartwarming.  An excellent read - and especially now. Here's an excerpt for you.

Good Eggs - Rebecca Hardiman

It's such a treat to read the first chapter in a book - and know you're going to love every page that follows. Such is the case with Rebecca Hardiman's debut novel Good Eggs.

A good egg: a kind person, someone you're fond of. Of course there is the flip side....a bad egg: a disappointing or unpleasant person, a corrupt or unreliable person, a rogue. (And I remember my own Gran using this phrase!)

The good eggs in this books are the seven members of the Gogarty family. The book is told from three points of view (and three generations) - octogenarian Gran Millie, her son Kevin and his daughter Aideen. The bad egg? Well, I won't say as I don't want to spoil the story for you.

Oh my gosh, I adored Millie! We meet her as she is shoplifting a greeting card that she doesn't even need. She's feisty, optimistic, loves her family - but is dreadfully lonely. And the first signs of dementia are there. Kevin's solution? Bring in a carer who can help as well as keep an eye on her. Kevin himself has lost his job and is now looks after his four children as his wife travels for work. I must admit, I didn't like Kevin at all in the beginning, but as the book went on I warmed up to him. His solution? Hmm, you can guess right? He is definitely having a middle age crisis. And then there's Aideen. She's the one who doesn't conform like her three siblings and her temper gets her in trouble quite often. Kevin's solution? Boarding school.

Uh huh, lots that could wrong here for sure. And it does - in spades. But there's so much that is right as well - this is a family who love and care for each other. They just seemed have to lost their way a bit. The journey to finding their way again makes for a rollicking read. I loved the ridiculousness of some of the plot - most of that is down to Millie. I did laugh out loud more than once. Millie reading a racy novel in a senior's home was priceless. There are some serious turns as well for all three of the main characters. The one that happens to Millie made me quite angry as it's something that happens often. (Sorry, I'm being deliberately obtuse as I don't want to spoil the tale for you)

You just can't help but be behind the Gogartys - especially Millie, with Aideen being a close second. The Gogartys are a bit cracked, but are pretty good eggs. And their story was a light-hearted, entertaining read that let me escape. I'll be watching for Hardiman's next novel.

The Transatlantic Book Club - Felicity Hayes-McCoy

The Transatlantic Book Club is actually the latest book in Felicity Hayes-McCoy's 'Finfarran Peninsula' series. It's the first I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I didn't feel out of step at all from not reading the ones before - if anything, I just found some new titles to add to my list!

After the death of her Irish grandfather, Cassie Fitzgerald decides to travel from Canada to Ireland to stay with her grandmother Pat. Cassie easily settles into life in Lissberg, working as a hairdresser and driving the mobile library van. Well, that cemented things for me - a mobile library would be my dream job! The bricks and mortar library also starts an online book group with the US town of Resolve. Most of the members have roots in Finfarran. I thought this was fantastic idea - and discovered in the author's notes that it indeed had its roots in reality.

Hayes-McCoy explores love, loss, grief, hope, friendship and more in this multi-generational tale. I really liked Cassie as a lead character. She's one of those bright moments in a book - not perfect, but giving it her best. She comes off as quite real. I was also drawn to the enigmatic Fury O'Shea, who seems to turn up at the right time and know what is, or isn't needed. But the character who stole the show for me is The Divil - Fury's dog. Loved him! I didn't love Frankie - he's definitely the 'villain' in the book.

I appreciated the descriptions of the Irish countryside. Hayes-McCoy has a cottage of her own in Ireland and the setting details benefitted from this first hand knowledge. And I think I would love to live in Pat's wee flat above the store - it sounds so cosy.

 

The Transatlantic Book Club was a perfect feel-good read for me . Fans of Jenny Colgan would enjoy this book. See for yourself - here's an excerpt of The Transatlantic Book Club.

In A Holidaze - Christina Lauren

In less than two months, Christmas will have come and gone. What! Well, what that means is, it's time to get going on your Christmas listening and reading!Although, you would enjoy Christina Lauren's newest book - In A Holidaze -  at any time of the year.

Maelyn Jones arrives at the cabin for the yearly Christmas get-together of three families. They've been meeting up since the kids were babies. Maelyn is now in her twenties. And in a drunken moment she makes out with Theo, whom she's been friends with since they were toddlers at the cabin. It's a 'too much to drink mistake'... because it's his brother Andrew she's been in love with for - well - forever. Oh, how she wishes it never happened! "Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy."

Uh huh, enter Groundhog Day Christmas. Mae gets to relive the same time frame again. And again. Will she get it right? You'll have to have a listen to find out.

I loved the friendship and affection shown between all the members of these families. Their coming back to the cabin year after year for get togethers, especially at Christmas, was lovely. The traditions they have, the meals, games and more had me thinking of my own family traditions. And how important family and friends are to our lives.

Lauren writes romance really well. Yes, there's some steamy bits (also well done), but love is more than the physical side of things. Mae gets to explore what she wants from life and love more than once and her introspection will have you nodding along. 

The other thing Lauren does well is comedy. Some of the situations Mae gets herself into are laugh out loud funny. And the dialogue is fun as well. So, I guess that makes In A Holidaze a rom com listen. (And you know, it would make a great film as well) And a feel good listen. And a seasonal listen. And a magical listen. And one I really enjoyed!

The narrator was Patti Murin and she was just perfect for the character of Maelyn. Murin has a wonderfully expressive voice. She captures each and every emotion, situation and thought with her voice. She speaks clearly and her voice is pleasant to listen to. Her voice was perfect for the character of Mae as I had imagined her. She also provided other voices for the rest of the cast, including an Aussie player. She's interpreted Lauren's work really well and brings the book to life. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of In a Holidaze. 

Anxious People - Fredrik Backman

I picked up Fredrik Backman's latest novel, Anxious People, without a clue of what I might find inside. But having enjoyed all of his previous books, I just knew I would love this one too.

"A bank robbery. A hostage drama." That's the opening line. And from there we 'meet' the robber, the hostages and the two policemen tasked with the case.

Anxious People is told by an unnamed, prescient narrator  who observes the goings on and the players with an eye for the human condition. There are so many truths on each and every page of Anxious People. Situations, circumstances, hopes, fears and so much more - including anxiety. "Because there's such an unbelievable amount that we're all supposed to be able to cope with these days." (Uh huh, kind of right on the money in these uncertain times)

There's at least one, if not more, observation that every reader will personally connect with - truths, wisdom and introspection. But....I don't want you to get the idea that is a strictly serious book. It is, but it isn't. I found myself laughing out loud so many times. Some of the police interviews read like a 'who's on first' skit. And each of the players is, well, quite the character. Every one of them is quirky, unique and so well drawn. I had my favorites. But, as more and more of their stories is revealed, I found my perceptions and opinions changing with each new chapter.

And....there's the crime to solve as well. It's not as straightforward as you might have assumed. Backman is a clever, clever wordsmith. I had my suppositions (happily) changed many times as the book progressed. And slowly but surely, the ties and tendrils of fate start knitting together the lives of the characters. A lovely serendipitous circle.

"But when you get home this evening, when this day is over and the night takes us, allow yourself a deep breath. Because we made it through this day as well. There'll be another one along tomorrow."

Such a fantastic read on so many levels. Absolutely recommended. Read an excerpt of Anxious People.

Dear Emmie Blue - Lia Louis

It was the balloon that sold me on Lia Louis's new book, Dear Emmie Blue.

Emmie was sixteen when she tied her contact information to a balloon and let it fly. The balloon made it from England to France, where Lucas found it. The two connected and have been the best of friends for fourteen years. Although....Emmie has been hoping it might become something more....

I loved the idea of a friendship starting with a found message. Louis does a fantastic job detailing the friendship, the caring, the banter and the ease of these two together, along with Lucas's older brother Eliot and their parents.

Emmie was such a great lead - she suffered a traumatic experience years ago and it has marked her life in so many ways. Along with the somewhat slapdash parenting her single mom provided. Emmie is kind and giving, but somewhat hesitant because of that background. The listener can't help but wish the world for her.

And speaking of wishes...we don't always get what we want do we? Does Emmie get her wish for a deeper relationship with Lucas? I'm not going to spoil things for you, but the path to true love is not always a straight line. And again, kudos to Louis for the excellent romantic plotting - so well written, believable and well, wishable. There are a number of supporting players - some you will happily dislike and others you'll adore. And you will need tissues at a few points.

Louis tackles some harder topics with a gentle and understanding touch. Well done. I really enjoyed Dear Emmie Blue and for me it was a five star listen.

As I said, I chose to listen to Dear Emmie Blue and I am so glad I did. I've often said it - I truly feel more immersed in a story when I listen. The reader was Katy Sobey and she was excellent. Her voice completely suited the mental image I had created for Emmie. Her voice is pleasant to listen to, easy to understand and well paced. She has a lovely British accent. The voices she created for the male characters were good as well and differentiated enough that you knew who was speaking. I feel like she 'got' the book and the plot and it showed in her interpretation of Louis's story. And those really emotional bits of the story? Yep, she had me in tears. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Dear Emmie Blue.