We may be nearing the end of winter, but it’s still inescapably the last bit of this season with spring days still a distant dream. Mornings are still welcomed with a thin layer of frost and popping out without being tightly wrapped in a duvet jacket is a foolish idea (at least here in the UK). With that, I’m firmly keeping my curtains drawn until the sun stays out for longer than just an hour in the morning, wrapping myself in my warm, comfy clothes and attempting to make a dent in my To-Be-Read pile in front of the fire – or, at least, the fireplace on my telly courtesy of Netflix. Here are the books we’ll be reading as we make our way through this awkward stage of the season.
Cher’s Reads:
My Good Life in France: in Pursuit of the Rural Dream – Janine Marsh
My Good Life in France is a true story which follows the ups and downs of Janine Marsh as she chases the dream of living in rural France. I read this book a few years ago and found the book to be very informative, honest, sometimes funny and a little bit off-putting about taking this leap of faith. Janine gives an honest recount of the trials and tribulations of buying a home in desperate need of being restored, and hits on trying to fit in with the locals and taking part in village/town festivities. This book is for those of us who dream of living the good life abroad or those who are just curious about how people do it. Fans of TV shows such as Escape to the Chateau and A New Life in the Sun will undoubtedly enjoy this read.
The Help – Kathryn Stockett
This is a wonderful read, set in early 1960’s America Deep South. This book offers laughter, sadness and frustration as it tells the story of Black maids raising white children. At first, I found it a little hard to read this book as it’s written in their dialect, but after a friend encouraged me to push on, I did and I’m glad I did.
There is also a 2011 adaptation of the novel, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer and a few more well known faces which is equally as good. My recommendation is to read the book, then watch the film – you won’t be disappointed.
Viv’s Reads:
The Investigation – Jung Myung Lee
This English-translated Korean novel entails a lot of themes I usually gravitate towards when searching for my next read. It falls within the genre of historical fiction (it’s based in Japan’s war era period of 1944 Fukuoka Prison) and contains sentimental and dystopic human connections between ‘enemies’, while tying in beautiful structure poetry and literature elements that acts as the catalyst that bridges the connection between the two antagonists. This novel holds a special place in my heart as it was a serendipitous moment when I stumbled upon this underrated book in a Poundland book bin, and now it has unexpectedly turned into one of my most-read books of all time.
Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff
This pocketable book played a huge part in helping prove my hypothesis in my Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) thesis on ‘How Pooh Bear is the embodiment of the ancient Chinese philosophy, Taoism’ and it continues to be a nice refresher that life is meant to be lived in a non-stressful manner. It simplifies some of the key philosophies in one of the three well-known ancient philosophies in China, Taoism, using the Pooh Bear as the key narrative to help explain ‘complex’ principles, like the Wu Wei (The Pooh Way) and the Uncarved block (P’u).
Karis’ Reads:
Peaches for Monsieur Le Curé – Joanne Harris
Readers of our other book recommendations may already be familiar with my love for Harris’ Chocolat series. While I’m still in the middle of reading Peaches for Monsieur Le Curé, I so far have nothing but good things to say about it. The book takes place some years following the events of Chocolat and The Lollipop Shoes as Vianne Rocher returns to the village of Lansquenet where things, and the people she left behind, are very different. The third installment in this series is as charming and magical as ever, and serves as perfect escapism.
Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy – Elizabeth Beller
I’m not one to read one book at a time (or do one thing at a time with anything to be honest) and so in addition to being halfway through Peaches for Monsieur Le Curé, I’m also halfway through this Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. This biography of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy – wife of John F. Kennedy Jr – is a fascinating read of the life of the elusive 90’s style icon. She’s had a bit of a resurgence of late, especially among Gen Z, with numerous Instagram accounts dedicated solely to her style. Beller debunks some well-worn false narratives and tabloid stories that came out both during her life and in the 25 years since her untimely death. A fascinating figure, it’s a must-read for any fan of CBK.
