Hiya!

If you are looking for some amazing reads, look no further. I have hit the goldmine over the past couple of months.

1. The Time in Between: A Novel by Maria Duenas

I plucked this book from the shelves of the Costco in Maui purely for it’s size. You see, I had forgotten my literature at home and needed something to fuel me through a 9 day vacation. At 600+ pages it certainly tips the scales but for darn good reason. This book proved to me that sometimes it is good to just dive right in, knowing absolutely nothing about the story or the author. The plot captured my attention within the first 30 pages and I found myself just aching for the heroine. I appreciated the historical nods, twists in the plot and naturally, the subject matter (she works as a couturier, OMG). A book of this weight could have been just that – dead weight. I was glad that it was not.

2. Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland

After that 600 pager, I was in the mood for something a bit, shall I say, smaller? This book was actually at the condo we rented in Maui and I recognized the title. Botta bing botta boom. I really enjoyed this book. It takes you through time, telling the story of a Vermeer painting as it passes along from owner to owner. It was a quick, sweet read and made me want to buy art.

3. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

This one is kind of a gut-wrencher. I seriously cried like three times. But I am getting ahead of myself. I chose this book because 1.) I had heard the title 2.) I like the title 3.) It takes place in SEATTLE. In this book, two childhood friends face the world together given tumultuous adversity and then are forced to separate. In the beginning, the story takes place in the 1940’s during WWII. The author takes us back and fourth from then, to the late 80’s. The main character is Chinese and the heroine, Japanese (a big no-no in 1940 in parts of Seattle). In the beginning I felt a slight Romeo + Juliet kind of thing happening as the two begin to develop real feelings for one another. They even sneak out to see a jazz concert together – gah! How I loved this book. I’ll stop talking now.

2. 50 Shades of Grey by E.L James

I caved. #whatcanisay?

3. The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory

I really love this author, most notably for The Other Boleyn Girl. Nan gave me this one and although I have just begun this book and I can already tell I will love it. Phillipa, you kill it every time.

What are you reading?