Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest

I have read back through the two sets of Journal Entries and the website that was placed in one JE about foot binding, as I could really “visualize” the process from the description in the book, and for me that was crucial to understand the storyline.

Essentially, this is the story of Mae who is married to a silk merchant and is his fourth wife, she flees him to a life in a Shanghai brothel, which is preferable to her married life. In 1899 she meets and marries an Australian called Arthur. The time line does flit from past to present, which I found in part irritating,but nonetheless,I continued to read.The ending is both dramatic and unexpected.

There was something of a charm about this book,and as I predicted when the book arrived,it was devoured quickly,and ring jumped two books, shh, don’t tell anyone!

Essentially set in Northern Ireland and covers the lives,loves and tribulations of some of those who frequent a tea shop. Some of the characters were horried, and others remarkably sweet – the story of Clare and Peter! There was a familiarity with this storyline – it reminded me of The Hat Shop on the Corner by Marita Conlon-McKenna, albeit,that was set in Southern Ireland.

Does anyone fancy reading The Hat Shop on the corner?

The latest in the Elm Creek Series. Several of the Elm Creek Quilters are moving on, Gwen’s daughter Sommer who has been working before heading back to university and Gwen’s friend Judy who moves out of town with her family. Despite Sarah and Sylvia being sad, Sarah has some news of her own…..an addition or two to the residents of Elm Creek.

Synopsis

Anne Marie Roche is a young widow who manages Blossom Street Books, two doors down from A Good Yarn – the Blossom Street store featured in Wednesdays at Four. Separated from her husband at the time of his death, Anne Marie is grieving his death and has found solace in friends who have also experienced the death of their partner. Together they’ve created an informal widows’ support group and as part of their therapy, each woman in the group makes a list of twenty wishes.Anne Marie’s desires include falling in love again, learning how to knit (which is where Lydia from early Blossom Street titles comes in), and becoming a volunteer. In fulfilling her wishes and with a little help from her friends, Anne Marie builds on her relationship with her step-daughter, comes to terms with not only his death, but also her husband’s betrayal.

A lovely story, devoured very quickly whilst in Glasgow last month.

Synopsis
Raffaella Moretti, by far the most beautiful girl in the southern Italian town of Triento, is about to marry the only boy she has ever loved. It seems that nothing but happiness lies in store for Raffaella. Yet, just one year later, she is a widow, and has had to take a job as housekeeper in the Villa Rosa, for the young American who is temporarily working in Triento. As Raffaella struggles to recapture her own lost happiness she starts looking for ways to help those around her to do the same. There is Silvana the baker’s wife, her passion barely hidden; Carlotta the gardener’s daughter with her mysterious grief, and the kind and gentle owner of the Gypsy Tearoom who offers Raffaella friendship. As the lives of these villagers interweave, Raffaella is pulled into the centre of a conflict that threatens not only to divide Triento but also to destroy all she holds dear. Filled with food, love and longing, SUMMER AT THE VILLA ROSA is like taking a seat in a sun-drenched piazza, and becoming a tiny part of the endless spectacle of life there.

Alas devoured in almost one sitting. Gabe & Bernie are jogging in a local park when Bernie gives up running and starts to rescue a duck who is caught up in some rubbish. As she bends forward to help the duck, Bernie spots a dead body, someone she knows from the library.

So, as if Gabe doesn’t have enough to do, solve a murder and keep Bernie under control! his long lost son turns up followed swifly by a relative of Bernie, then Bernie’s grandmother moves in……

A fascinating account of the how the author deals with her challenge of a book a week for a year. The book is full of personal stories and snippets and books titles and authors. I read the book over about a week and made a note of all the books & authors she mentions and may well attempt a challenge of my own!

I really was looking forward to reading this book, I loved the concept of the storyline, as I enjoy these types of historical novels. Sadly the writing style spoilt the book for me and I gave up reading it.

A really thought provoking,enjoyable and fascinating read.

Esme is a girl with ideas ahead of the times. Her behavior is unacceptable to her close family, who decide to have her confined in a mental asylum at the young age of 16. Sixty years later the asylum is due to close. The officials of the hospital manage to track down Esme’s great niece,Iris, who up until this point knew nothing of Esme’s existence. Iris is both in denial of the relationship and yet fascinated in what has happened in the family, 60 years previous. Despite, feeling that Esme is not her responsibility Iris is unable to walk away from her.