Good Reads

The Book Thief:
This book came out in 2007, and I don't know how I missed it until last month. Hands down one of the best books I have ever read.

The Paris Wife:
This historically-based novel tells the story of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage, set mostly in Paris in the 1920's. The characters are beautiful and flawed and I couldn't put it down.

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag:
Flavia de Luce is the star of this "mystery" novel (the second in a series; the fourth is coming out soon), set in England in the 1950's. She's a sassy eleven-year-old who loves chemistry and outsmarts most of the adults in the story. It is fun to read and I just love Flavia! (Update: lovely reader Megan pointed out that this is actually the second book in the series. I do recommend starting with the first, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, here on Amazon.)

Room:
The narrator of this novel is 5-year-old Jack, who has spent his entire life held captive in one room. The story really draws you in - it's hard to put down before you know the fate of Jack and his "Ma."

Bossypants:
I thought this book was funny and I love learning more about the TV world and Tina's work on Saturday Night Live. I laughed out loud a lot, although at times I also thought she was trying to hard to be funny when I would rather just learn more about her story. I still enjoyed the book and I bet you will too.

These are my latest favorite books - I always love to get recommendations because if I just wander in to a bookstore I often get overwhelmed choosing between the 20 books that "look good." Anyone have any good recommendations for me? I'd love to walk through my secret bookshelves door...

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and curl up here and read all afternoon:

Image from House Beautiful