April has swung wildly between quiet and chaos, between blossoming trees and chilly winds, between laughter and loneliness. (Isn’t that life?) Amid all that, here’s what I have been reading:
The Seekers of Deer Creek, Thao Thai
I loved Thai’s debut novel, Banyan Moon. This, her second, follows two Vietnamese-American sisters, Calla and Vivi, who go on a quest to untangle their family’s connection to a French-Vietnamese artist after their father dies and leaves behind some mysterious (related) papers. So much here about complicated loves, of various kinds; Thai’s writing is beautiful. To review for Shelf Awareness (out Aug. 4).
The Burning Issue of the Day, T. E. Kinsey
Lady Hardcastle and her intrepid maid/comrade, Florence, are asked to investigate a case of arson when a local suffragette is wrongly accused. They uncover a tangle of corruption in the city, as well as some interpersonal secrets. A super fun entry in this lighthearted British series.
The House of Serendipity, Lucy Ivison
I (serendipitously) found this middle-grade historical novel at the library, and enjoyed the story of Myrtle, a tailor’s daughter forced to become a maid, and the whimsical, impulsive Lady Sylvia. When Sylvia discovers Myrtle’s talents, they band together to create some gorgeous, daring couture gowns – and more – for several London debutantes. Delightful, if wildly unbelievable at times.
Across So Many Seas, Ruth Behar
I picked up this middle-grade novel at the Book Catapult last month. It follows four generations of young women from a Sephardic Jewish family through several centuries, from Spain to Turkey to Cuba to the U.S. and back to Spain. A wonderful concept and an important slice of history; I liked how the oud reappeared throughout the story. But the characters all felt very much the same to me.
Counterweights: An Essential Practice for Holding Hope in a Heavy World, Shannan Martin
I tend to steer clear of Christian self-help these days, but had heard good things about Counterweights from Anne and others. These essays trace Martin’s practice of filling up on the good (and looking for it in sometimes unexpected places) to balance out (not cancel out) the heaviness. The metaphors stack up too high sometimes, but I admire her commitment to daily joys and to being a thoughtful neighbor.
Runner, Ashton Lattimore
Lattimore’s fast-paced second novel follows Lena Jameson, who plunges into rum-running off Martha’s Vineyard after her father (also a liquor smuggler) is killed. Lena, her brother Walter, and their new friend Dee – who has secrets of her own – must navigate treacherous waters in more ways than one. A great slice of historical fiction and a tribute to the historic Black community on the Vineyard, with glimpses of Boston and Harlem. To review for Shelf Awareness (out July 28).
Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives, Alice Loxton
A friend found this book while travelling in England and sent me my own copy. It’s a fun, quirky “history lite” look at the early lives of a handful of important Britons. Loxton’s breezy tone was fun, but I’m not sure the book’s structure quite worked, especially as 18 didn’t seem to be a pivotal age for most of the subjects.
My Beloved, Jan Karon
It’s been a while since my last trip to Mitford, but I enjoyed this book – in which Father Tim’s Christmas letter to his wife, Cynthia, goes missing and circulates (unbeknownst to him) among his neighbors. I did find the writing a bit choppy, and there were too many characters to try and follow – but it’s always a sweet return to Mitford.
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What are you reading?
cakes, tea and dreams 
