Comments on: What I am Reading Now

By: Judy

Judy — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 13:44:17 +0000

I am currently reading The Violin Conspiracy by Bernard Slocumb. It is about a black child prodigy who finds that an old fiddle of his great great grandfather’s is a Stradivarius. Racism and prejudice doesn’t hinder this young man’s reach to win the Tchaikovsky competition. However, on the eve of the competition, the violin is stolen. The book is about determination, family, racism, and love.

By: Rebecca Plotnick

Rebecca Plotnick — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 12:50:50 +0000

In reply to Pam.

Hi Pam,

Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed The Paris Seamstress. I can't wait to read it. I will add A True Pleasure to my list.

I hope all is well. xo

Rebecca

By: Pam

Pam — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 01:54:29 +0000

I loved The Paris Seamstress. I also recommend A True Pleasure, a memoir by Lucinda Holdfortth. She walks you through Paris and talks about historic literary people and how their lives helped changed Paris.

By: Rebecca Plotnick

Rebecca Plotnick — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 20:32:37 +0000

In reply to Carolyn.

Hi Carolyn!

Thank you. I read the Alice Network a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

Keep the recommendations coming! xo

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 20:01:09 +0000

I highly recommend The Alice Network. It's a WW1 European spy mystery book and a lot of the book is set in the city of Lille, where I lived for a bit which makes it even more interesting. I found myself getting really into the characters and it has a very gripping finish!

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 00:37:38 +0000

I love WW2 France books as well…. there are 2 GREAT follow ups to The Paris Seamstress. The Paris Orphan and The Paris Secret, all by Natasha Lester. I’ve had trouble getting into some of my own book choices also. I’ve found that during Covid times, certain books were so sad and heartbreaking I just couldn’t. I tried the Tattooist of Aucschwitz – no way. I also tried Gentleman in Moscow, I was confused and bored with it! I just bought All The Ways We Said Goodbye and yet again, I just can’t get into it! So, I decided lighter and with good family dramatics, that’s my new focus! Finished The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey and Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty – enjoyed them both! Anything by Adriana Trigiani – she is truly a very funny family drama writer.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 23:27:12 +0000

You mentioned two of my very favourite books -- All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale -- I loved them so much. I both listened to and read The Nightingale. I have just finished listening to The Dressmaker's Gift which was another story about the war, set in Paris and very good; it thoroughly drew me in. Two other excellent titles that I suspect you would enjoy are Little Fires Everywhere and Where the Crawdads Sing. For a trip to the English countryside with an intergenerational mystery try anything by Kate Morton.
I must say that my book club has been wonderful over the last year; we have continued to meet virtually and although there is less wine and food than at our in person meetings, the conversation remains engaging and provides a really important social connection. We never pressure people to finish the books, but most of us do and our meetings are casual and fun. Maybe you can join or start a book club as a way of easing back into the "new normal"?

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 20:00:25 +0000

A fun book is THE SECOND WORSE RESTAURANT IN FRANCE.......hope you enjoy !!!
Also loved the book THE GOWN the making of ( then) Princess Elizabeth wedding dress,

Love your posts!!!!!!!!

By: Susan Ashley

Susan Ashley — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 17:40:45 +0000

I’ve read ‘Woman in the window’ but as someone e who’s had agoraphobia, it is a hard read at this time.
I read a lot...WWII reading great is ‘The Paris Architect’-you cannot put down. Design, architecture, building hiding places for Jews during the war.
‘Paris by the Book’ Liam Callahan...
Art enthusiasts like ‘The Art Forget’...Anything by Shapiro.
Also loved ‘Origin’ by Dan Brown. For those who love art and architecture in Bilbao, Barcelona and Madrid. His research is spot on and I’d just returned from Spain so doubly enjoyed.
Susan Ashley

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 15:13:12 +0000

Hello! Just thought I would recommend some great books for your reading pleasure. I am a avid reader as I read about a book a week on my Kindle. I have read hundreds and I recommend the following; The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey, and Lullaby Auschwitz. I can also recommend the authors of other great books as follow; Grace Green, Robert Bryndza, Joann DiMaio, Greg Olson and many others. I hope your week is going well and I will try your recommendations of the books listed. I love, love, love your blog and can’t wait until your new entry comes! I live in the southern tip of Illinois and retired from the university a few years ago. I don’t know what I would do without my computer, Kindle and IPhone during this pandemic. You have helped make my quarantine much brighter! Hope you have a blessed day.

My best,
Deborah