I hardly cracked a book in May; the shop kept us super busy with Mother’s Day, weddings, corporate events and proms so it was a month of mostly work and not much play. I’m itching to dive into some good reads in June — recommendations always appreciated! — but until then, here are a few books I enjoyed in days of yore. ;)
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
“White Oleander tells the unforgettable story of Ingrid, a brilliant poet imprisoned for murder, and her daughter, Astrid, whose odyssey through a series of Los Angeles foster homes-each its own universe, with its own laws, its own dangers, its own hard lessons to be learned-becomes a redeeming and surprising journey of self-discovery.”(Barnes & Noble) This is one of my favorite books of all time; it’s haunting, dark and beautifully written. It’s one I go back to and re-read every few years.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
“Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s fierce-hearted black “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina–a town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.” (Goodreads)
Sometimes you find family in the most unexpected places. There isn’t much I can say that the Goodreads description didn’t cover, except that I loved this story and couldn’t put it down.
How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson
“To Carley Wells, words are the enemy. Her tutor’s innumerable SAT flashcards. Her personal trainer’s “fifty-seven pounds overweight” assessment. And the endless reading assignments from her English teacher, Mr. Nagel. When Nagel reports to her parents that she has answered “What is your favorite book” with “Never met one I liked,” they decide to fix what he calls her “intellectual impoverishment.” They will commission a book to be written just for her-one she’ll have to love-that will impress her teacher and the whole town of Fox Glen with their family’s devotion to the arts. They will be patrons- the Medicis of Long Island. They will buy their daughter The Love Of Reading.” (Goodreads)
I bought this at a used bookstore because I liked the title and cover. I finished the first chapter and expected the rest to be a hilarious satire about the nouveau riche, but Gibson covers a myriad of emotional issues in this coming-of-age novel: loneliness, familial strain, unlikely friendships, social pressure, and personal growth. I laughed; I cried; I finished it in a [beach] weekend.
The Comments
ladibekky
Reblogged this on queenofpeace2015.
pippamacey
I find myself feeling too busy to read a lot of the time, but just recently have been really getting back into it. I’m reading The Social Diary (fantastic so far – especially for a writer). You can check out my blog and keep up to date with what I’m reading with my goodreads link! I’d love if you could have a little look. I’m a new blogger and just getting into the swing of things.
LOVE your blog!!!
SweetCarolineRVA
Love those shorts, too! Where are they from??
brionyjm
Loved reading this, have added these to my list. Especially can’t wait to check out The Secret Life of Bees!
B xoxo
http://www.feixy.me
mariellastreats
Hey! Love your blog! Please follow mine, I’m new and want to build a following so people can be inspired by my posts! Thank you xx
Sara H-B
Currently reading Euphoria by Lily King – looking at your reading list I think you might really enjoy it. Great post!
http://www.youmademelikeyou.com
bellafloresa
I absolutely love to read! I’m going to have to get my hands on these books :D I cannot wait to finish my exam and get back into reading books for leisure instead of boring uni textbooks :P Have you read any of Jodi Picoult’s books? They are really good! You should read some of them and also Nicholos Sparks <3
Talia xo
bellafloresa.wordpress.com
whitjxoxo
I love your style! I am so glad that I found your blog. I recently started a fashion/lifestyle blog, I think you’ll like it! Check it out :) http://www.whitjxoxo.com
sjaugustinsky
Love this post! I´m definitely going to check a couple out. What are your favorite books in general?
darkenedsunset
hope you don’t mind me asking, but could you check out my new joint blog? Thanks so much – http://bririshgals.wordpress.com
pehge
love The Secret Life of Bees! I also like the simplicity of your blog. Very refreshing!
Elisabeth
I enjoyed reading about your book recommendations. Like you, I enjoy having a good on the go. I’m a university student and even though I have lots of studying to do, I still make sure to have a fun book on the go. My all time favorite is the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. Some authors that I have been enjoying recently are Cecelia Ahern, Sophie Kinsella and Mary Higgins Clark.
Diary of Elegance
http://diaryofelegance.blogspot.ca/
rebeccaroy214
Loved the Secret Life of Bees! I’ll check out the other two based on the fact that we have a shared like! Just finished the Boys in the Boat, about rowers from the University of Washington who won an Olympic Gold Medal in the Berlin Olympics just before WW2. My mother in law recommend, and her choices are hit and miss with me, but I enjoyed it.
https://travelrunstyle.wordpress.com