Books, books, books (+ clothes + happy things)
Things I'm reading and loving
So, I meant to send this newsletter two weeks ago to let you know that The Lifeline, my follow-up to The Lido (that can be read as a standalone) is now out in paperback in the UK! Unfortunately, life had other plans and I was in bed recovering from unexpected surgery. If you had been waiting for the paperback I hope you’ve managed to get hold of a copy and have been enjoying reading it.
If you’d like to hear more about the book and are based in the South-West, I will be taking part in the Appledore Book Festival on 14th September, in discussion with Veronica Henry and Amanda Prowse. It’s my last in-person event for a while so if you’d been thinking about coming along I’d urge you to grab a ticket.
It is somehow now September, a fact I can’t quite get my head around. Last month I read voraciously so I thought I would share some of the books I have particularly enjoyed, as well as a few cheerful links that have been helping me adjust to the idea of the end of summer. If you’re after some reading recommendations or just some lovely things to brighten your day, then keep reading…
What I’ve been reading
Fiction
The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune - I don’t usually read fantasy but this story touched my heart and reminded me of Fredrik Backman’s novels, but with a touch of magic. When caseworker Linus Baker is sent to a remote island orphanage for ‘magical youths’ he is not prepared for what he will find there, or how the island’s inhabitants will change his life. I found the messages about tolerance incredibly pertinent to the real world. And I wept (in a good way) at the end. I already can’t wait for the sequel Somewhere Beyond the Sea which comes out next month.
Standard Deviation, Katherine Heiny - This was a book that crept up on me. I found it engaging from the beginning but by about halfway through I was in love. I personally don’t think that the jacket blurb does justice to what the story is really about, which to me was about marriage and parenting, and especially being a parent to a child with additional needs. Moving but also one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.
The Paris Novel, Ruth Reichl - An escapist romp through the streets of Paris. When Stella is sent to Paris at the direction of her recently deceased mother, she stumbles across a world of fashion, food and romance that turns her small world upside down. I especially loved the descriptions of being a Tumbleweed at Shakespeare & Co (a secret dream I’ve always held).
The Hatmakers, The Mapmakers - Tamzin Merchant - If you’ve been a subscriber for a while you will have heard me rave about the children’s series Pages & Co by Anna James. I find children’s books incredibly soothing when I need a dose of escapism and comfort and my local bookshop told me that if I enjoyed Pages & Co I might enjoy Tamzin Merchant’s series about magical makers. I loved them (I’m going to be reading the third installment The Troublemakers soon).
The Ghost Cat, Alex Howard - 12 decades, 9 lives, 1 cat. That’s the tagline for this book which is written like a series of short stories that follow a cat who lives in an apartment in Edinburgh in the 1900s and then comes back eight times over 120 years. It’s an easy short read that gives a charming snapshot of history - a nice one if you are struggling with reading and want something you can dip in and out of.
A Novel Love Story, Ashley Poston - I love Ashley Poston’s books and the concept of this one especially appealed: a woman ends up stranded in a small town which she soon realises is the fictional setting of her favourite romance book series. As someone who dreams of falling into the set of Gilmore Girls I loved this idea and the central romance is really sweet and moving.
Love Story, Lindsey Kelk - Another gorgeous rom-com, this time about a primary school teacher who is secretly the author of the latest bestselling romance novel. She’s been keeping her achievement secret from her high-brow literary family, fearing their judgment. I loved this one, especially for the messages about the importance and power of romance novels.
“That’s why I love romance novels. When I read a really good one, I see how the world could be.”
Love Story, Lindsey Kelk
The Burn Out, Sophie Kinsella - Sasha needs a break. She’s burned out from work and gets signed off by her doctor and decides to head to an out of season seaside resort where she encounters handsome Finn, one of the only other guests. For anyone who has ever experienced burn out this will be a relatable and uplifting read.
Writers & Lovers, Lily King - Sometimes a book finds you at exactly the right moment. I found the parts in this book about grief incredibly relatable (having lost two close family members late last year). Waitress and aspiring author Casey is in a bad place: her mother has just died and she is struggling to finish writing her book. She finds herself caught up in a love triangle but really it’s a story about moving through life’s toughest moments and coming out the other side.
Non-fiction and poetry
Matrescence, Lucy Jones - The best book on motherhood I’ve ever read. This book is absolutely packed with research and science about motherhood from a biological and societal perspective but was also an easy and engaging read. It made me pretty angry, especially the parts about all the unrealistic expectations that are put on mothers, but I also found it incredibly reassuring. You’re not finding motherhood hard because you’re doing anything wrong. You’re finding it hard because it is hard, especially in today’s world with the way our society is set up and the pressures put on women. If you related to themes in The Lifeline then read this!
Wild Hope, Donna Ashworth - I love following Donna Ashworth on social media for her relatable, moving poetry. This collection full of hopeful words was incredibly poignant. It would make a great gift for a friend going through a tough time.
“I hope you go easy on yourself after all you have been through;
everyone deserves kindness at home”
from Wild Hope, Donna Ashworth
Lobster, Hollie McNish - Another poet I enjoy following on social media is Hollie McNish for her down-to-earth musings on everything from motherhood to friendship to the madness of the beauty industry advertising skincare products to pre-teens. This collection of poetry and prose had me bookmarking so many pages and sending photos of certain poems to friends.
“Don’t hate your body… Hate the culture that tells you to hate your body. Move the hate.”
from Lobster, Hollie McNish
Things I’m loving
My mother-in-law gave me a bookshop book nook kit for Christmas and this month I took the time to build it and I LOVED doing it. It was so soothing and satisfying, even for someone like me who usually struggles to follow written instructions. For other extremely cute kits (I like the greenhouse and bookshop ones best) check out Rolife and Hobbies.
I love Floral Street perfumes for their scents that use real floral ingredients. I recently treated myself to London Poppy and it brings me so much joy.
Also on the subject of scents, my favourite candle brand Botanical Candle Co has a Laundry Day scent that smells EXACTLY like freshly-washed laundry. I’ve also been enjoying their Neroli & Bitter Orange whilst doing yoga in my conservatory.
My new neon orange Hoff trainers. The comfiest shoes I’ve ever owned and it turns out neon goes with everything.
As much as I’m sad about summer coming to an end I am excited for knitwear season. I recently bought this M&S jumper in the perfect, softest red and also love this Boden rainbow jumper and am eyeing up this ‘Bookworm’ sweater.
I recently came across Ladies Who Lit, a company that runs female reading retreats where you go somewhere lovely and spend the day reading, then hang out in the evenings. And now I am desperate to go on a reading retreat. Can you think of anything better?
Binge watching the latest season of Emily in Paris (and adoring the outfits and setting) and Love is Blind UK. Please share your easy-watching TV recommendations!
I'm rewatching Ugly Betty. Need easy comfort at the moment. And I have also started watching Frasier from the beginning.
Love the look of the lit retreat. The Snowdonia one is tempting
Oh I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea! I read it back in May and it was like a warm hug. Novel Love Story is sat on my Kindle and I can't wait to start reading it.
I also got a book nook kit for Christmas! I had the plant sunroom one and it's sitting pretty on the top of my bookshelf now. I'd love to do another soon.
Verrry intrigued by the Ladies Who Lit retreats! Checking my calendar as we speak...