Reading list #3

Three of the books I read took place in Ireland, this is my little watercolor is Fanad the farm where my 6th or 7th great grandfather lived in County Donegal.

This is the house where my 1st great-grandfather raised my grandfather  in County Tyrone. He came to America in the 1920’s.

1. The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner a fun magical story takes place 1820’s and present day about archaeological divers looking for wrecks and stregas — sea witches who could influence the waters of the sea and a love story in both time periods.
2. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose the second Maid book as delightful as the first.
3. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans I just about quite reading this book even though I waited a couple months for it, ( I just wasn’t getting into it ) then I went back and read reviews by readers and decided to continue reading. It did get better. It is a collection of letters written and received by a woman in her 70’s. The book turned out to be very good. Then I read the preface again (something I frequently do) and I read the whole book again in 2 days! Now I’m thinking I should purchase the kindle edition so I can read it again someday.  It was that good.
4. Isola by Allegra Goodman based on a true story takes place in mid 1500’s a young French noble woman is marooned on an island by her guardian. Not great.
5. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt a cleaning lady talks to the creatures in the aquarium, a young man is looking for his father. Very good story!
6. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout for book club everyone liked the book. More about her usual characters.
7. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall very good takes place in England in 1950’s and 1960’s young lovers, aspiring writers, misunderstanding, new relationships, marriage, some unfortunate events. Lots of surprises in the story I don’t want to give it away. Did I say it was very good?!!
8. Draw Your Day by Samantha Dion Baker lots of inspiration to illustrate your journal each of her journal pages was like a little poster advertising her day—beautiful, but I just want to improve my drawing / sketching skills.
9. The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose book 3 and as good as the first two. This book reveals the story of Molly’s grandmother.
10. Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller for book club and as good the second time as the first time reading it.  I had forgotten so much.
11. If Walls Could Talk by Jean Grainger first in a new series centered around an old estate house in County Clare contemporary story about 3 women one has rented the house and is cleaning it, she dreams of turning the house into a retreat offering natural remedies. Another story takes place in the 70’s when the house was home to unwed girls. Good story I look forward to the next book.
12. Three Bags Full by Lennie Swann The Sheep Detectives the book was fun to read the author must have spent a lot of time observing sheep and their habits and personalities. Her descriptions took me back to my childhood on the farm the lambs were so much fun to watch, I loved bottle feeding the orphans.  I’m looking forward to the movie. But then I saw the list of actors voicing the sheep…..some sheep are missing or renamed hmmmmm do I still want to watch the movie?
13. The Alchemist of Paris by M. C. Dulac a journal written by an orphaned girl who grew up in church supported orphanage where she learns about natural remedies, she is hired as a maid in early 1800’s her master is a scientist working on a steam engine but also turning mercury into gold to fund his lifestyle and delving into ancient alchemy for an elixir of life. Fantasy I probably won’t read book 2.
14. The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan story takes place in western Ireland about friendship and new beginnings very good I will definitely be reading more of Faith Hogan’s books.
15. Murder at the Royal Ruby and The Nosy Neighbor both by  Nita Prose  two very short stories the second story reminded me of Shirley Jackson short stories. 
16. The Rector’s Daughter by Jean Grainger same characters as If Walls Could Talk learning more history of Dunmara House. Waiting patiently for the 3rd book comes out in September. 

Half was through this reading list I was trying to keep characters and plots straight in my head, this is another list with lots of connections from one book to the next.  The Mystery Guest connected to The Maid  (previous list) same setting, same characters, same author, jump ahead to Remarkably Bright Creatures (RBC) two women obsessed with cleaning and a mystery.  The Correspondent about getting older but then aren’t we all getting older.  Tell Me Everything (TME) also about getting older and being in a nursing home.  Broken Country missing a child also missing a child in RBC. BC naming the sheep and the sheep all have names in Three Bags Full. RBC and TBF talking sheep, talking octopus solving a mystery. A couple of the books deal with adoption mysteries. 

 It has been hot here too hot! But a good day to stay inside and read. —Ann—