Comfort me with Apples by Ruth Reichl

I didn't read the first book in the series - this one is the second and it was a download from Open Library. Had to wait twenty days for this one! But it did not matter as the sequel was very interesting as a stand alone. 

A memoir of good food, life and love of Ruth Reichl we enter the world of the restaurant critic. Having just embarked on this career which is a heady one (can't think of anything better than being allowed to eat at the best restaurants!) Reichl's book is a mix of beautifully descriptive food and meals interspersed with her personal life and marriage.

If you like good food, this is definitely one for you. Interspersed with receipes which one would certainly like to try - some of them simple ones this is a book for anyone who likes good food and restaurants.

Honestly written about her loves and her marriage as well, this is a very warm book.

Simon's Fel by P R Page

The cover is what actually drew me in. I am a sucker for pretty covers. The book did not disappoint either.

Lissy has been in an abusive relationship but her husband has died and for the last two years she has lived in a state of limbo. Not only her husband but her mother was a cold hearted, difficult woman who got together with Lissy's husband to manipulate and control Lissy to do exactly as they wanted. 

When Lissy finally awakens to the fact that she is not just free, but also quite independently wealthy she pursues her dream of a purchase of a cottage in the country. Moving to this little village, she sets about the complete renovation of her dream home and eventually moves in. Meeting a fellow villager who seems strange at the onset as he is antagonistic over the fact that she purchased the house as he too was trying to buy this, Lissy is at the same time very attracted to Simon. This is a feeling which is new to her as she was wary of all men. 

Lissy also finds a niche in the village - having found good friends who are supportive and caring, things which upto now were not part of her life.  The story unravels rather predictably but it was a very pleasant read for a holiday.

The book was sent to me by Netgalley via Troubador Publishing Ltd.

Mailbox Monday/It's Monday! What are you reading?

The mail was good to me!

             

I like this mix of genres.

I'm reading the Bina Shah book and have almost finished it. Excellent reading. I did read Benazir Bhutto's autobiography years back and found it fascinating - I found this book equally so. The centuries of history behind a particular person which has moulded Benazir Bhutto and made her what she was, was as good as the story.  Coming from a feudal family of Sindhis from a particular area of Pakistan and the history of that community is in itself a very good story.

The Abbot's Agreement by Mel Starr

The opening line in this one was a real eye catcher and it would be one which very few readers could resist. Especially if you are mystery book reader.

The book is one of a series written about Hugh a surgeon amongst other things in medieval England. The story revolves around an abbey and the vicious death of one of its young inmates. Seemingly random without an agenda Hugh and his sidekick Arthur on delving further find hidden motives amongst the occupants of the abbey, a young pretty woman in the neighbourhood and several young men outside the abbey all who could be responsible for the murder.

The who dun it was a simple story of deduction and method as to who the actual murderer was but the attraction in the story was also its writing and descriptive detail of how life was lived at that time in England. Slow paced but well written I enjoyed this book.

What you left behind - Samantha Hayes

The nightmare of parents is happening in the village of Radcote. A spate of teenage suicides happened two years ago. Seemingly random, it has raised alerts within the police community and when a young man is found dead by his motor cycle with a suicide note by his side, alarms are raised amongst many.

Freddie is young, vulnerable and unusually quiet. When his aunt Detective Lorraine Fisher comes for a vacation she realises that everything is not quite what it seems. Her sister has separated from her partner and whether this was the cause for Freddie's despair is also a possibility as Malc and the boy were unusually close. Unknown to the adults Freddie is a victim of  bullying and he does not know how to face up to his tormentors.  Although one other teenager is aware of what Freddie is going through, Lana is not going to come out with the truth as she feels that it will precipitate major problems both within her family and out, especially since once of the boys who committed suicide is her brother.

I could identify so much with Freddie - his wanting to just reveal all what he was hiding was so strong within in and at the same time he was terrified of what he had uncovered. He did not know whom to turn to and did not know what to do next. The dilemma of teenagers all over the world. What should one do, or should one try to be an adult and just deal with it.

A mystery thriller with elements of a family story as well. Secrets within a family well hidden and what happens when cracks appear and the whole sorry tale bursts out.

This was a book sent by Netgalley courtesy of  Crown Publishing. 

Mailbox Monday/'It's Monday! What are you reading?

Mailbox was light. Just one Elizabeth Bowen. Not the one recommended by one of the blogs but the same author, courtesy of Open Library

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Reading this one. A quizzical look at marriage. Three women married men twenty years older than them. The repercussions much later!

The rains have started in earnest now. Love them though they have caused devastation in some parts of the country.

Academy Street by Mary Costello

A very emotional and touching read. One woman a bit removed from the rest of her family and society, bearing loss and heartbreak all alone. Very stoic and one definitely feels for her.

Tess is our main character and her childhood in Ireland is focussed entirely on the death of her mother. Her life both before and after is totally related to this sudden death and how and what became of her life afterwards.

Moving to America and finding a fresh start and a once in a lifetime love, she bears the loss of her love head on. Inwardly dying of heartbreak, she maintains a facade of carefully cultivated ordinaryness. Living each day as it comes, providing for her son in the best way she knows how and then bearing his sudden death in the way she knows best by hiding her feelings from everyone around her. 

Very emotional read and very well written. 

This book was sent to me by Netgalley.