The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey
This was a lovely, sweet and moving winter read. Seventy-nine-year-old Missy Carmichael lives alone and feels consumed by loneliness as well as her past haunting her, until she meets two women in a park and a dog, who all introduce her to a new kind of life and show her that it’s never too late to make friends or start fresh. Slowly, Missy begins to find herself again. This book had me feeling all the feels; it’s emotional and deals with some tough life occurrences, but is also so uplifting. It sends a reminder that in the end, we need other people and should not try to do or shoulder everything alone, and in addition to human connection, animals are such wonderful gifts to us. This book called to mind the inscription that Clarence leaves for George Bailey at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life — “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” Friends, whether people or pets.
The Maid by Nita Prose
I absolutely loved this book and read in just a few days! Once I started, I couldn’t stop. This page-turner is a murder mystery and a funny, uplifting story with charming characters. Molly, a highly detailed and hardworking maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, goes to work each day with a spirit of positivity, but she struggles with social situations and reading others. When she discovers a wealthy guest dead in his bed, the police quickly suspect her. Molly is a wonderful main character to follow, and the story is very entertaining.
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
This was such a fun read that takes place during the Regency era. Lady Augusta and her sister Lady Julia embark on adventures to rescue women in deplorable situations (some difficult to read about, but all based on real occurrences). These adventures often involve disguises, pseudonyms, escapes, and more. This is a great read for lovers of period pieces, mysteries, and forbidden love.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
This book is told from the perspective of Andy, a comedian in his thirties struggling in the aftermath of his difficult breakup with Jen. We see him go through all of the madness. There’s both heartbreaking and funny bits. I found the beginning somewhat depressing to read at times but started enjoying the story more as the book went on. The writing is excellent, and I thought the ending was perfect!
Recipe for Second Chances by Ali Rosen
This was a cute romance set in the Italian countryside as well as New York City. Stella, who writes recipes for a living, travels to Italy for her best friend’s wedding, and runs into her ex Samuel with whom she shares a complicated history. The story goes between the present wedding festivities and Stella and Samuel’s past. This book was sweet, simple, and easy to read, but not super memorable, and I didn’t really connect with the characters. My favorite parts were the food and setting in Italy — but there could have been more of both!
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
This book takes place in the art world of the 80s in New York City, where artist Anita de Monte and her husband and fellow artist Jack live and work — until Anita’s tragic death — and the 90s in Providence where Brown art history student Raquel prepares for her thesis. The book moves back and forth in time, and we get the perspective of all three characters — Anita, Jack, and Raquel. Raquel gets into a relationship with an older student and finds herself in situations similar to Anita’s, which begins to register when Raquel discovers her buried story. It is a very well-written, entertaining, and intriguing read that examines power, influence, art, love, education, and legacies — whose stories and work we celebrate and remember, and whose are forgotten.
The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez
I loved this rich story about the Panama Canal’s construction and the people there whose lives become interwoven. There are many great characters in this book, including Omar, who decides to dig for the canal to the displeasure of his father, Francisco; Ada, who travels to Panama to find work and earn money for her sick sister Millicent, who is at home with their mother Lucille; John Oswald, a scientist who has moved to Panama to discover a way to eliminate malaria, and whose wife Marian falls ill; and Joaquín and his wife Valentina who try to stop the people of Gatún from being displaced. This book is beautifully written, perfect for lovers of historical fiction and sweeping tales with wonderful endings.
I’m currently reading Chenneville by Paulette Jiles and really enjoying it. What about you? Happy reading!
P.S. More book recommendations and last year’s summer reads.
