Book Club: January

Hand me down world (Lloyd Jones) - Lloyd Jones tells the story of the immense lengths a woman will go to in order to be with their child. The seas she'll cross, the acts she'll do all in the name of motherly love and a longing to be reunited with her baby boy. This story is told in such a beautiful way and unfolds so well through the words of everyone involved, I found myself reading this and feeling overwhelming emotions as I heard my own daughter playing and laughing in the background, reminding myself how lucky these moments are, how to never take these times for granted, asking myself what I would do given this woman's circumstances. Jones writing made it possible for me to feel what this woman was experiencing when she breathed in her little one, where her head must have been when she did the things that were necessary to get her to where she needed to be. This is a tale of love and loss and courage and you'll have a very hard time putting this one down. 

Barracuda (Christos Tsiolkas) - You may have heard of Tsiolkas from his best selling novel The Slap (If not pick it up read it - then watch the series - amazing). After you finish that and have successfully fallen in love with his style, grab a copy of Barracuda. This is a great interpretation of the class divides in modern Australia. This book takes you into the head of an adolescent boy in Melbourne from a working class household who is given a scholarship into an elite private school and the life that comes along with that. The emotions are so well depicted I was shaken after finishing this novel, the way he is able to make me, a 31 year old woman, feel so deeply the frustration and angst of a teenage boy is unbelievable. Christos has been quoted as being the most important writer working in Australia today and after reading this I'm sure you will agree.

The book with no pictures (B.J. Novak) - When Lottie received this book for Christmas from a dear friend of hers I was secretly delighted. As a fan of the American version of The Office I knew the authors name right away and couldn't wait to open it up. As the title goes, there are no pictures in this kiddies book, just text and silliness. In our household you can often hear Peppa Pig books being read to the voice of Gollum and other such absurdities, so this book suited us just fine. In this tale you'll have to pull out your silliest of voices, read all the ridiculousness printed on the pages and you will all ended up laughing hysterically by the end.

What are you reading? 

Book Club: December

Flight Behavior (Barbara Kingsolver) 

This woman has stolen my heart and I have been collecting all her novels for my summer reading. This book is so wonderfully written, addressing pressing issues in the most gentle and innocent of ways and being from only a few miles south of where I grew up it really hits home for me. Kingsolver is a master storyteller and I can't wait to dive into another of her novels and fall in love with a whole new set of her characters.

Shotgun Love Songs (Nikolas Butler)
On the cover of this book Author Matthew Quick writes, "A book that makes you want to call old friends. A writer that makes you feel more human than you thought possible." I couldn't possibly sum it up better than that, this novel will take you back to your hometown friends who you know, love and will be there for you through it all. It's a tale of a small town love, between best friends and partners told in perspectives from everyone involved. It's a perfect read for when your heart aches for these people or even better, when they're just right around the corner.

Ten Little Pirates (Mike Bronlow and Simon Rickerty) 

Tiny's new favorite obsession (okay, okay, I'm a little hooked too) Little Pirates doing mischievous adventures and teaching your little one to count in the process, what's not to love?! 

Reading: Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies

Liane Moriarty

Entering the middle of our trip, home with the family and finally there was time to relax a bit. Kick my shoes off, hand over the beloved and wild toddler to the cuddly arms of long awaiting grandmothers and lose myself entirely into a brilliant story. Big Little Lies was the ultimate choice, intertwining story lines and characters, school house politics and witty writing, it doesn't get much better than that when you want to float away with a good novel and lose yourself for a bit. Poolside while ignoring the background music of delighted screams, splashes and tattles of little ones, I finished this book off in 48 hours and that was while trying to savor each bit. You'll find yourself relating to certain characters and recognizing the rest. As the story unfolds and the secrets and lies and the truths behind the characters facades are unveiled you will have a hard time putting this little gem down. 

What are you reading?

Reading: Rules of Civility

Rules of Civility

Amor Towles

Upon entering Ireland I wanted to pick a book that was fun and kept my attention when I needed to tune out and relax. Well it turns out, as I should have suspected, it was Ireland that was too much fun and so Mr. Towles novel would have to wait until we were recovering from all that Celtic shenanigans and peacefully in the south of France. I couldn't have picked a better spot for indulging in this wonderfully written novel and a portion of this story takes place on this very soil. 

Rules of civility goes back to a time when the art of conversation was still in full swing, women were on the verge of equality in the male dominated world and the great depression in the US was just about to give way to the second world war. It takes you back, if you are not still there, to the freedom of a girl in her twenties with the world at her feet and a cocktail in her hand.  A wonderfully written story to get lost and found in. 

What are you reading?

Reading: Little Bee

One of the most important things I pack with me on a long adventure is a few good books. Since the tales that travel with me are such a big part I thought I would devote a section while we are away to them. On the first leg of our journey I had the pleasure of picking up Little Bee (aka the other hand) by Chris Cleave. It is a book so beautifully written I had trouble putting it down. Little Bee follows two women as their worlds collide and humanizes the very real and often tragic subject of immigration and those seeking refuge. Cleave hops from the voice of a young Nigerian girl to that of an English mother and is able to capture and give life to both. I won't give away any more and spoil the magic, you'll have to see for yourself how the story unfolds..

Read the first chapter Here and you're sure to want to keep going. 

What are you reading?