Another month has flown by for me but with these difficult times I have found that my reading has been effected, in that I haven’t read as much as normal. However, the books I have read have been diverse in genre but all fabulous in their own way. So here are my top reads of May.
My Lies, Your Lies by Susan Lewis. This book reminded me of what a fabulous storyteller Susan Lew is. Joely’s marriage has broken down and she has take on a new job as a ghost writer for author Freda Donahoe as an escape. The job takes her down to a secluded house in Devon, where reclusive Freda lives alone. Freda’s memoirs start with a fifteen year old girl who has an affair with her music teacher. The plot moves present day, and Joely’s sense of unease writing the memoir and being cut off from family and friends, and the in 1968 and the forbidden love affair, with its heat and passion. This is compelling read with many surprises along the way, and a book I highly recommend
Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten. Tsarina tells the story of Catherine I, wife of Peter the Great and the first Tsarina of Russia. Catherine was born Marta, in a small village in the Baltic starts before her father sells her to a Russian merchant, the first step in her journey to greatness. She survives the cold winters, rape, and fights for her life before finding herself in the camps of the Russian Army with the Tsar’s best friend Menishkov, bringing her to the Tsar’s attention. Whilst Peter fights the War against Sweden, Marta has to fight for her place by the Tsar’s side, and the protection of their children. This is a fascinating read, rich in detail and as sumptuous and colourful as the cover conveys. Historical fiction at its best.
Island of Secrets by Rachel Rhys is set in pre-revolutionary Cuba in the 1950’s where money can buy you anything, including power. Iris Bailey, has led a constrained life in London, following the expectations of her parents and boyfriend. When Nell Hardman asks her sketch the wedding of her Hollywood producer father in Havana she jumps at the chance. Staying with the wedding party at the house of their host Bruce Bonini, Iris finds herself out of her depth in this heady, exotic and glamorous world of the rich and famous. As the wedding gets nearer, secrets and lies are uncovered and the glitz is tarnished by a possible murder. This is a captivating and fascinating read that captures the Hollywood glamour of the 1950’s and the darkness that lurks below its’s surface.
Normal People by Sally Rooney. I read this book as part of my Shelf Indulgence feature. Normal People is the story of the relationship between Marianne and Connell, who meet at school and whose lives we follow through university. Marianne is a loner, with no friends inside or outside school, whereas Connell is part of the popular crowd and whose mother is cleaner for Marianne’s family. There is a real chemistry between them and no matter how much they try to stay apart, and how the dynamics change they always find themselves back together. An original take on a love story, told with honesty and compassion.
I hope you will join me in June for some more brilliant books including A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson, The Curator by M.W.Craven and Liar by Lesley Pearse.
I am listening to Normal People at the moment. So far so good!