H and I just got back last night from a week spent on the east coast. We first went to the beach in South Carolina on Sunday to see H’s family and spent a few days basking in the sun, taking long walks, reading, and staying cozy in sweatshirts during a few summer storms. The salt air felt so refreshing. I wore this dress to the beach each day. At the end of the week, we drove north to Raleigh, North Carolina where we saw more of his family.
On our way back yesterday, we stopped at the Biltmore in Asheville and had lunch at the Stable Café, then took a self-guided tour of the house.
After, we lingered in the rose garden and Conservatory, which were just gorgeous and filled with lush, vibrant plants and blooms. I wore this comfy linen dress.
I’ve also read a few books since the start of summer, and the last two were particularly wonderful.
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
This book is about the wealthy Stockton family, living an extremely privileged life in Brooklyn on Pineapple Street. It’s told from the perspective of Darley, the oldest daughter, Georgiana, the youngest sibling, and Sasha, who is married to middle-brother Cord. This is a very character-driven novel with not much plot and mainly focuses on the internal and familial struggles of each character, including dealing with money and possessions, motherhood, love and heartbreak, guilt and shame, estrangement and acceptance. One thing I struggled with is I could not stand Georgiana — just not a likable character to me. Overall, it’s a fairly light and entertaining read. If you enjoy family dramas and reading about New York’s one-percenters, I bet you will enjoy this one.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Wow, this was an absolutely beautiful read, one of my favorite books of 2023 so far. It tells the story of the Padavano family — the four sisters, Julia, the eldest and leader; Sylvie, the romantic and reader; Cecelia, the bold artist; and Emeline, the calm caregiver, as well as their parents, Rose and Charlie. Everything changes when William Waters, who grew up in a household with tragedy and a lack of love, joins their family as Julia’s husband. What seems like a promising future is soon shattered, causing a falling-out that lasts for many years. This book explores love, family, parenthood, grief, choice, depression, mistakes, shame, isolation, loss, acceptance, and is ultimately about the sheer power of human connection, and how, we need each other. I loved the writing, with well-developed and complex characters, and emotional breadth without sentimentality. I recommend this to everyone, and particularly lovers of Little Women, and those who love rich stories that really make them feel.
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal
I loved this sweet book. Set in the Midwest, it tells the story of several generations of women — Betty, Florence, and the latest owner, Mariel — and their family’s supper club, a beloved establishment in their small town community. Mariel is married to Ned, who is also set to inherit his father’s restaurant chain. Mariel and Ned must navigate the restaurant industry amid their own uncertain future as a family. This book explores family businesses and grievances, traditions, small communities, motherhood, tragedy, mistakes, forgiveness, and deciding what kind of life to live and legacy to leave. Full of heart, funny and tender moments, and quirky, charming, and lovable characters, this book is an enjoyable and quick summer read.
Next weekend, we head back to the east coast for a wedding, and then onto Rhode Island where I’ll read more books! How’s your summer going?
