Books I read between January and March 2022
I started the year on a reading binge totalling 15 books in three months. Out of these, ten scored 4 stars or over in my complicated rating system. Below is the full list of books I read and their respective rating. I have linked each book to Goodreads where you can compare the average book rating with my own, read more detailed reviews (including mine - look for Lorna Dykstra) and get a better idea whether you will like the book or not. As you know, I am not the easiest reader to please. So any rating over four means the book was beautifully written and definitely worth my time.
- A Thousand Days In Tuscany by Marlena de Blasi 4⭐
- A Month In Siena by Hisham Matar 4⭐
- Breakfast At Tiffany's by Truman Capote 4.1⭐
- The Summer Book by Tove Jansson 4⭐
- The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor 4.5⭐
- The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain 4.8⭐
- Circe by Madeline Miller 4⭐
- 84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff 4.5⭐
- Fresh Water For Flowers by Valerie Perrin 4.2⭐
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 3.2⭐
- Where The Forest Meets The Stars by Glendy Vanderah 3.2⭐
- A Room With A View by E.M. Forster 4.1⭐
- The Day The Nazis Came by Stephen Matthews 3.75⭐
- The Last Bookshop In London by Medline Martin 3.5⭐
- The Postman Always Rings Twice my James M. Cain 3.3⭐
I am not going to bore you with a lengthy and wordy review of these 15 books because we'll be here till Autumn. Instead I am just going to write a few sentences about the ten that stood out for me. The text in italics is my interpretation of the essence of each book.
A Thousand Days In Tuscany by Marlena de Blasi
This memoir is a charming account of the time Marlena and her Venetian husband spent in San Casciano dei Bagni, an ancient village in the hills of Tuscany.
"An intoxicating insight into Tuscan life, cuisine and traditions". You may read my full review here.
Genre: memoir
A Month In Siena by Hisham Matar
Pultizer prize-winning author Hisham Matar captures the essence of Siena in this lyrical tribute to its art and culture.
"A book that will strike a chord with all those that have visited and loved this enchanting medieval city".
Genre: memoir
Breakfast At Tiffany's by Truman Capote
This short story is very different from the famous movie starring Audrey Hepburn and I thought that the final outcome is more true to the character of Holly Golightly that Capote created.
"A short, witty and wistful read".
Genre: modern fiction
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
This book is presented as a series of vignettes with each chapter recounting an adventure that six year old Sophia has with her Grandmother on an isolated island located in the Gulf of Finland.
"A heartwarming and nostalgic reminder of how summers should be lived".
Genre: modern classic
The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor
Recounted by a survivor of the atrocious experiments carried out on identical twins by Doctor Josef Mengele (the 'angel of death') in a simple and gentle style that belies the heavy subject matter.
"A harrowing and horrifying memoir that teaches an important lesson".
Genre: memoir
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain
This is a love story for grown-ups (not because it is X-rated in any way but because the protagonists are middle-aged and don't take themselves too seriously). My full review is here and I have just one piece of advice: read it.
"An enchanting Parisian romance".
Genre: contemporary romance
Circe by Madeline Miller
This retelling of the ancient Greek myth is written in Madeline Miller's inimitable style. There was never a doubt in my mind that her Circe would be a fascinating character.
"A compelling read about the mysterious sorceress who seduces Odysseus".
Genre: Greek mythology
84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff
A book that is written as a series of often-droll letters between the author and a bookshop in London represented by their senior buyer Frank 33 Doel.
"An iconic example of a long-lasting trans-Atlantic friendship built on a mutual love of books".
Genre: modern classic
Fresh Water For Flowers by Valerie Perrin
This story about a cemetery-keeper with a heart-breaking past is anything but morbid.
"A novel that reminds us of the restorative power of hope. I loved it".
Genre: contemporary fiction
A Room With A View by E.M. Forster
This book may be viewed as a social commentary on Edwardian society and its rigid class system written by a contemporary. It is a coming-of-age novel in a bygone era.
"A reminder that rules and class do not define who we are".
Genre: modern classic
I hope that you enjoy the new format and that some of the books I have featured will capture your interest. If anyone would like me to write a longer review about any of the books, let me know in the comments and I will be happy to do so.
What a fabulous list, Loree! A Room With a View is one of my all time favorites. I saw the film first, then had to read the book. Wuthering Heights, I just read for the second time about two years ago. It is so dark, yet has the reputation of being a love story!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in several that you have read and reviewed. I will add them to my TBR and find you on Goodreads. I really enjoy that platform.
Thanks for sharing your book love. It's always nice to hear what other people are reading and to discover new authors.
Cheers.
Thank you Lisa. I have not yet seen the movie adaptation of A Room With A View but I hope to correct that soon. I will find you on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteInteresting list
ReplyDeleteIt gives me a view of how narrow my choices are. Your choices open a better view for me to vary genres that I read. This is exciting. Thank you
I have "devoured" so many books in my life, starting at the age of 12 until I started blogging in 2006. Then I preferred to read blogs and still do ! Have learned a lot, for example when it's very hot 35° temperatures we are not equipped for to go into a Shopping center and spent the whole afternoon there together with some friends it's nice and cool, nobody had ever thought of that, although in winter there are many poor people who come to warm up ! We cooled down !
ReplyDeleteLoree as always wonderful and insightful reviews. I loved Jane Eyre but just could never get into Wuthering Heights. Have read several books this summer about WWII. Thinking the book about the Auschwitz Twins might be one I will add to the list.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words and sentiments regarding Shelby. Glad to see you are still blogging. I sure would miss your posts. Hugs
I just came upon you ~ and truly love your format. I am a professional book club facilitator & you have wetted my appetite with some new titles I might have not thought of before. Recommended by The Vintage Contessa.
ReplyDelete~patti