Cover Snapshot of Read Books

Sara's bookshelf: read

Crazy Little Thing
A Kiss at Midnight
The Disenchanted Widow
Hollywood Wives - The New Generation
There Goes the Bride
Table for Five
Do Not Disturb
The Husband's Secret
The Ugly Duchess
Help for the Haunted
The Power Trip
Flawless
The Haunting of Maddy Clare
Fame
Summer At Willow Lake
Barefoot
Every Crooked Nanny
The Mystery Woman
The Woodcutter
How to Be an American Housewife


Sara's favorite books »

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Chiaroscuro Reading

books that fall into the light and dark spectrums


Thus far this year, I have been vacillating between dark and light themed books, a chiaroscuro of book reading. Between the dark and light, I have found a few that I can recommend…

On the light side

Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray
Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, this is a complex love story wherein the main characters could be the Grandparents of the original characters. This is a modern take with a new twist. The Cacciamani and Roseman families have always hated each other, for as long as they have lived and yet no one remembers why or how the infighting started. In their sixties, Romeo and Julie meet up and discover that they want to pursue a relationship—in spite of their children’s intense displeasure.

A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell
In true British chic lit style, the older more mature Laura moves back to her hometown, eighteen years after she’s left. Laura has ensured that her old high school flame, Flynn will be out of town so she has nothing to worry about, there will be no chance run ins. Of course, plans change and their surprise meeting rekindles something…

Village Books by Craig McLay
 was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Written from the perspective of a young male bookstore worker this was a light fun surprise, very reminiscent of Nick Hornby.  The young man writes his co-workers and accounts of their issues so well, truly a satire of life told from a young man’s perspective.

On the dark side

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
This is categorized in Young Adult, but I can highly recommend this book for any adult book club. The story follows two young English girls working for the British government in World War II, one of whom has been captured by the enemy.

The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb
I really enjoyed this Gothic tale—it is a bit Rebecca and a bit murder mystery. Returning back to the family mansion after her Mother’s death, Grace realizes that there is someone or something in her mother’s house and whatever it is, it is deadly. Grace not only has to worry about her life, she must also worry over her daughter and the mansion staff. Soon she will learn the Pandora’s box of secrets which her mother took to the grave with her. The story is well written and smartly paced, as a mystery fan, I quite liked it.

Shiver by Maggie Stievater
This is also a Young Adult book, one that I have seen featured prominently in many bookstores. The story follows Grace as a somewhat neglected teenager. She gets herself to school and   pretty much runs her own life while her obtuse and uninvolved parents ignore her. Grace is particularly fascinated by the wolves in the woods behind her house, especially the one with the yellow eyes.

Do you have a preference or will you also fall into chiaroscuro?