Hope you’re having a lovely summer so far! I am! There’s still so much going on with my newly-released book–book club meetings, signing events, ya-da-ya-da-ya-da. But I’m still reading like crazy. That’s just a given.
And since I know you can’t read “Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace” alllllll summer, I thought I’d clue you in on a few books I’ve read lately. I think you’ll find something for just about any taste (Except no horror. I’m never going to bring horror to the table. Well, unless it’s a really bad hair day…)
Do Tell snagged me with its title. I don’t know what that says about me…that I’m a secret gossip who loves the dirt on Hollywood? Nah. That couldn’t be it. BUT, if you do like a dishy, voicy Hollywood drama, Do Tell is for you. Fun, fun, fun!
I bought into this rich fictional world author Lindsay Lynch infused into the glamourous, star-studded reality of the golden age of Hollywood. I even googled FWM Studios to see if it was real, even though I’d never heard of it. Spoiler alert: It’s not; but that’s just how vivid it was to me!
I adored the protagonist, Edie O’Dare, who’s a character actor limping toward the finishing line of her contract with an eye on a career change. Turns out she’s got a real talent for sniffing out the news—whether it’s true or slightly embellished—about all the A-list stars. She finds an audience who enthusiastically chants, “Do tell, Edie!”
Lynch does a masterful job of portraying a woman who is ambitious, broken, feisty, morally dubious, talented, saucy, and intelligent. You see all of her flaws and yet you root for her.
With the current writer’s/actor’s strike going, Do Tell is the perfect place to snag a satisfying dollop of entertainment without having to turn on the TV. I can’t wait to read what Lynch comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for a complimentary copy to read and review.
A Perfect Vintage
Because my mom and I are planning a trip to Provence, I knew I wanted to read this book. And it definitely got me in the mood. Perhaps I need to clarify that a bit because A Perfect Vintage focuses on friendship AND a sizzling summer romance…with a younger man. So, no, it did not get me into the mood for that, thank you very much to my husband of 43 years. But it did get me excited to pack my bags.
Romance isn’t typically my favorite genre. I don’t like the predictability of them and, to be perfectly honest, I don’t like reading sex scenes even if they’re fairly mild. I don’t know what that says about me, but it’s true. A good kiss is about as far as I’m comfortable going! But this romance IS a fun summer read, and the steam factor is palatable for old fuddy-duddies like me.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Orsay Press for my review copy. You can read my full review here.
The Paris Daughter
If you’re looking for a light summer read, you might want to skip The Paris Daughter. Light, it is not. But it is beautifully written and does make you think—two fabulous traits of a great book. I kind of have a thing for World War II books, so I couldn’t resist it. Plus it’s about artists and book lovers. What?! That’s just the best. It opens in Paris—another subject I find hard to resist—in 1939. Three mothers, Elise, Juliette, and Ruth become friends at Juliette and her husband’s bookstore in Bois de Boulogne. Their stories, fraught with impossible choices, pull you through a boatload of emotions. Read my full review here.
Once More With Feeling
This light-hearted second-chance romance brims with personality and is the perfect summer read for anyone who needs a dash of frothy escapism. With a dual timeline, the reader flits back and forth between the (past) pop star Katee Rose and the (current) “has been” Kathleen Rosenberg. Kathleen suffered a frenzied media bashing when she, as Katee, broke up with her boyfriend, the star of an adored boy band. She’s willing to settle for the ordinary life of a former star, but her past isn’t finished with her. Read my full review here.
The Bookbinder of Jericho
Set in Oxford in the days of World War I, The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams is one of those historical fictions that transports you in every way. I was immersed in the setting, the time period, and the characters. And I loved every word of it.
Peggy and Maude are twins, both beautiful but infinitely different. Peggy is brilliant despite a lack of education. She longs for more out of life than her job at Oxford University Press—she wants to read the books instead of binding them and even imagines a life at Somerville College. But her sister, Maude, is neuro-divergent and exhibits echolalia, and Peggy feels responsible for her. Peggy and Maude’s mother, who also worked at the bindery, has been dead three years when we meet the young women. Their father had never been a part of their lives.
I’ve had the author’s debut novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words, on my TBR list since it came out, but now it’s jumped to the top of that list. Williams’ luscious descriptions, her ability to paint subtle emotions, and her skill in developing relatable, flawed, unique characters guarantee it will be another favorite. I won’t forget The Bookbinder for a long time. You can read my full review on NetGalley or on Amazon when the book comes out on July 25.
Tell Me Everything
I rarely read memoirs, but this one by Minka Kelly intrigued me because we loved the series “Friday Night Lights.” (If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out on Netflix–so good!) Despite hardships and truly horrible experiences, this beautiful young woman most people know as Lyla from “Friday Night Lights” or Samantha on “Euphoria” managed to find her way. It’s clear as Minka writes that she’s had effective therapy. She honestly shows us the pain, dysfunction, and grief without portraying herself as a victim. Read my full review here.
That's All Until September!
Let me know if you read any of these. I love to talk books! And be sure to follow me on social media to keep up with where I’ll be and when. Just scroll down to those little icons at the bottom right of this page, click and hit follow! Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. Which reminds me, I’ve got some fresh lemonade calling my name…Bye!
Tracey Buchanan
Every book definitely has its strengths. You’ll enjoy many of them. I’m planning on our book club reading The Bookbinder
Paulette
All of the books that you previewed sound interesting each in their own way. I look forward to reading some of them. The sisters working in the book binder business especially caught my eye. It seems that having entered the book publishing business your world seems to have opened up to a whole world of new writers.
Thanks for the reading recommendations!