Recent reads: Summer 2012 Part Two
So I may have a slight obsession with Peter Mayle right now and Provence. His books make me want to speak with a French accent, eat copious amounts of bread with olive oil and drink some hearty red wines. Seriously, if you ever lose your appetite for whatever reason, pick up A Year in Provence or Toujours Provence. You'll be dying for some Provencal sun and food within five minutes. That is exactly the type of retirement life that I want - spitting out best sellers in Southern France.
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and Daughter of Smoke & Bone were recommended to me by two different bloggers - Hila and Hilarity in Shoes. One is a murder mystery novel and the other is a YA fantasy-esque book but what they both share in common are extremely strong female characters. The sequel to Daughter of Smoke & Bone is coming out this November and I won't deny that I haven't already placed it on my Amazon wishlist. Come on, Laini Taylor (the author) has PINK HAIR! I won't ruin either novel but why is love such a strong focus in YA novels? That soul consuming, body burning, can't sleep can't think reach for the stars type of love? Do you remember love being all consuming when you were a teenager and feeling like it was life ending / affirming? Do you feel silly now for feeling that way? I do.
Again, if any of you would like to talk about the merits of these individual novels, including the ones I didn't discuss above, message me in the comments or send me an email and we can discuss away!
A Year in Provence sounds wonderful. The title makes me want to run to the bookstore after work today and enjoy some quiet time at the coffee shop.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I've never read Peter Mayle, although I've read so many good things about his work. Another author to add to my to-read list:) And totally agree with YA novels and the love angle. I remember the good old days, and yes, I must admit that emotions ran much higher back then:P
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books you have above but I love Sarah Vowell on This American Life {if it's the same one} and I've heard good things about the Provence books.
ReplyDeleteTotally don't feel silly about the teenage love thing. It has to happen at least once and, at least for me, it's low on the "ridiculous things I have done" meter. :)
A year in provence sounds like a really good read.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you're expanding my reading list to impossible legnths!! lol I could use a good beach read :)
ReplyDeleteShwaaaa-eeeeet. I need some book recommendations. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteoh, great, I have a think for fantasy at the moment. and French is always good. thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI'll take the French ones. I miss France (although I never made it to the South), and the books would probably make me want to go back even more. Maybe I should read them after all.... Umm, yes, I feel silly when I think about how puppy love made me feel, haha.
ReplyDeleteI love book recos! Never heard of Peter Mayle, but have noted him down. I'm still reading the Hunger Games trilogy.
ReplyDeleteAn Unsuitable Job for a Woman and Daughter of Smoke & Bone BOTH sound really good.
ReplyDeleteAHHH so many books to read so few hours in the day!
I'm always looking for book recommendations. Did you like them all? Or are there specific books you think are worth a read? I'm definitely interested in hearing your take.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh, I've got to get Assassination Vacation off the bookshelf and read it! Thanks for including it in the picture to remind me.
ReplyDeleteI had to google An Unsuitable Job for a Woman--the synopsis sounded interesting. I was surprised to see it was written in 1972. But I shouldn't have been. A good story is a good story.
Looking back, I feel silly that a crush or two (or 5) were on girls I didn't even know. That was crazy! But all in all, it was a good experience and left me with a few good stories--and one thing I feel guilty about. But not guilty enough to keep me from blogging about it. =)
One of my favourite series of books is the "Trial of Blood and Steel" by Australian author Joel Shepherd. It is a fantasy-intrigue (think Song of Fire and Ice) with a strong female lead.
ReplyDeleteSo good to read that it was annoying trying to live on no sleep.
Lovely blog :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of them
ReplyDeleteIf you love Peter Mayle, pick up "French Lessons" by him! Boyfriend bought it for me for Christmas and I loved it!! xo
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, will have to look into them :) xx
ReplyDeleteI keep getting Daughter of Smoke and Bone from the library and then returning it unread, even though everyone raves about it. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get back to reading...I always get into it and then let it go.
ReplyDeletexo erica
Oh, I feel silly . . . especially since the guy I spent the most time pining over, turned out to be gay. Sigh. :)
ReplyDeleteI seriously need to dedicate time for reading more books. In my list is work & business related books, while they are very useful, I miss the leisure in getting caught up with characters and the settings of a great novels!
ReplyDeleteI may have to check a few of those out.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I never have time to read, but I really want to get back into it! Thanks for stopping by, I'm your newest follower. Hope you visit again soon! :)
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Will have to check these out!
ReplyDeleteLove A Year In Provence! I read it before my last trip to France in October and it totally got me all geared up and excited. Great selection of books!
ReplyDeleteim actually looking for new summer reads so definitely will check out some of these titles
ReplyDeleteOooh did you like Diamond Age? I love it, and loved Snow Crash, too. Very strong female characters and I don't usually read sci-fi/fantasy at all.
ReplyDeleteAnd Provence. Sickeningly good.
ruth, you know what we need to do? start up the book club again!
ReplyDelete