In the town where I live there is a steep cobbled hill lined with independent shops and cafés. It’s where I located my imaginary shop in my latest book The Vintage Shop. Well, last week the street became a river thanks to the torrential downpours. I watched videos of water cascading down the hill as I sat nearby in my coworking writing space up in the attic of an old building, listening to raindrops hammering down on the Velux windows.
But despite the rain here in the UK, it is undeniably summer! The schools have broken up and some of you lucky folks might be off on holiday somewhere sunny (oh, I do hope so).
If you are taking an e-reader with you then here’s a nice treat for you… The Vintage Shop is on sale on Kindle throughout August for just 99p!
I am busy working on editing my next book The Lifeline. Hopefully this will be my final round of big edits before the book comes out in April.
Some things I’ve learnt so far from writing my fifth book…
Writing a sequel is hard. I’ve tried to make this book a standalone so that you can enjoy it even if you’ve never read The Lido. It’s meant creating lots of new characters and moving to a new setting. But I also want to make sure I include enough of the ingredients that readers loved from The Lido. Getting that balance right has been tough!
Sometimes it can take a while to find your story, but that’s just part of the process. I have rewritten this book from scratch twice, each time throwing away over 90,000 words. It’s been tough and frustrating but that’s what it’s taken to hone in on what it is I really want to say in this book. I don’t think of those words as wasted. They’re just the steps I needed to take to find this story.
Writing is therapeutic! In this novel, I deal with new motherhood and writing it has helped me process my own experiences as a new mum. I really hope that being vulnerable in this book might help other new mums who felt like I did.
I love to make readers cry! Gosh, that sounds awful when I write it down! But when I think about the books I love to read, they’re books that take me on an emotional journey and that’s something I try to replicate in my own work. There are parts of this book that make me well up every time I read them back. But overall the feeling I’m trying to convey is still an ultimately uplifting one. I want readers to get to the end of this book (and all my books!) feeling as though they’ve just had a big, tight hug from a friend.
Upcoming events
I have some events coming up next month! On the 13th September I’ll be at Goring Library talking about The Vintage Shop and on the 19th of September I’ll be in conversation with two amazing authors, Winnie M Li and Frances Liardet as we discuss our writing lives at an event with Hunting Raven Books, which happens to be our local bookshop! If you are an aspiring writer or a reader who’d love to learn more about the writing process, don’t miss this opportunity to hear all about how we have made careers out of writing (and you’ll be able to get signed copies of all our books too!).
And on 24th September I’ll be taking part in a ‘Brunch with the authors’ event as part of Appledore Book Festival.
I’m also doing some events this autumn with my mum, fellow author Sally Page, whose new book comes out at the end of September. We’ll be at Waterstones Bath on 27th September, Waterstones Swindon on 2nd October, Waterstones Dorchester on 3rd October and Waterstones Taunton on 4th October.
I’d love to see you at an upcoming event!
Now, for some summer reading recommendations…
My ultimate summer reading list
If you’re stuck for what to read next, here are some of my favourite summer reads.
You made a Fool of Death with your Beauty, Awaeke Emezi – This is a clever, sexy romance set in the most beautiful location. The writing is just beautiful too.
Thirty Days in Paris, Veronica Henry – Whether you’re lucky enough to be heading to Paris this summer or want the escapism of transporting yourself there, this book is such a treat. Because Paris is always a good idea.
You and Me on Vacation, Emily Henry – This book is all about summer holidays so is a perfect one to read on yours. The chemistry in this friends-to-lovers story sizzles. It made me laugh out loud as well as giving my heart a big old squeeze.
Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid – My favourite Taylor Jenkins Reid novel. It took me a while to get into it because at first I found it hard to relate to the rich and famous characters but before too long I was so invested. I loved the depth and backstories that develop for all of the characters, and the beachy setting makes for great holiday reading.
City of Girls, Elizabeth Gilbert – I just loved this book. So much so that I think I might re-read it this summer. New York in 1940, with a wonderfully memorable cast of characters.
The Shell House Detectives, Emylia Hall – A page-turner of a cosy crime novel that will transport you to windswept Cornwall and have you falling for all the characters.
The Sunrise Sisterhood, Cathy Bramley – Delicious food, gorgeous seaside location and a story of friendship, family and sisterhood. What more could you want?
What I’m reading this summer
Red, White and Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston – I am loving this at the moment. A really pacy, (and racy!) romance but with such great heart to the characters and depth to the story.
Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop, Alba Donatti - I spotted this near the counter in Waterstones when I already had a stack of books in my arms. The cover and title spoke to my soul so very deeply that I added it to my pile without even thinking.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin – All the brilliant reviews for this book means it’s been on my radar for a while but I am determined to actually read it this summer!
Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano – Another book that’s been on my list a while but has been bumped up by great reviews!
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, Philppa Perry – My son recently turned two and I am loving having a toddler – he is so sweet and funny. But the toddler tantrums are also making me feel out of my depth so I plan to do lots of reading of parenting books this summer to help guide me!
What’s on your summer reading list? I’d love to know!
Things I’m loving…
Reading in my plant-filled conservatory. It makes me feel like I’m in the garden even when it’s too rainy to go out!
It’s been six months since I joined The Novelry as a writing coach and I have been absolutely loving guiding writers through the process of writing their novels. The feeling of collaborating together and seeing someone’s book idea take shape gives me such a buzz. And I’m convinced that delivering the regular writing workshops I lead has encouraged me to really up my game with my own writing too. If you’d love to write your own novel then I can’t recommend The Novelry highly enough - and I’d be absolutely delighted to be your coach!
My friends and I are a little bit obsessed with the chefs behind the restaurant Honey and Co and their amazing food. We have spent many happy evenings cooking their food together at the cook book club we used to run (a topic for a future book, perhaps?!). Their cookbook Honey and Co: Food from the Middle East is 99p on Kindle this month! It’s great!
Late summer flowers, especially dahlias and sunflower. I’m loving seeing more florists embracing local flowers in their arrangements. My local florist Bramble and Wild do a bouquet of homegrown flowers and Petalon is another go-to florist for beautiful, Carbon Neutral flowers.
Colourful clothes! I recently did a bit of an online shopping spree in the sale at Collectif, a brand I love for fun, vintage-inspired fashion. This sunflower dress brings such a smile to my face, as do my new rainbow stripe dress and super cute peach-motif cardigan.
This weekend it was the Frome Independent, the monthly market that sees my hometown taken over by indie makers and stallholders and which features in my book The Vintage Shop. I picked up a gorgeous handmade yellow bag from Badger House Leather and a swimming print by Prints by the Bay. It made me think about my two main characters in The Lifeline!
As ever, thanks for reading and for supporting me and my books. I love what I do and I love sharing my books with you!
Have a great week.
Libby x
Loved tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow ! Absolutely incredible book ! Will definitely make you cry 😢
Also if you want a parenting book highly highly recommend “my child and other mistakes” by Ellie Taylor absolutely hilarious and an honest and raw account of motherhood !