Hello, I thought I would have read more over July & August, but alas I didn’t even remember to swing about in my hammock with a good book. Maybe September will bless us with an Indian Summer! Here’s what I did dive into…..
The Woman In The Window ~ A. J. Finn ( 2018). I much preferred this psychological thriller to others such as Gone Girl and Girl On The Train. Anna Fox is a recluse, her everyday life is spent watching old Hitchcock movies, drinking wine and spying on her neighbours. One day she witnesses the apparent murder of her neighbours wife and the reader watches Anna’s life unravel as she tries to piece together what she has seen. There are loads of twists and turns in this book. It’s a real page turner that keeps you gripped until the end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Highland Fling ~ Emma Baird (2018). If your looking for a little rom com escapism, I can recommend Highland Fling as a fun & sparky get away from everyday life. Our heroine Gaby needs to escape too, she finds herself the purrfect cat sitting job ( despite being allergic to them!) in a remote Scottish Highland village, where she is soon befriended by a quirky cast of characters. And then there’s a rather moody but impossibly good looking Jamie Fraser look alike who catches her eye. Plus some rather dodgy advice from a dating guru. What could go wrong! ✳️✳️✳️✳️
Murder In Midsummer ~ ( 2019). A collection of short murder mystery stories , most with a summer holiday backdrop. This book is a retro dip into the past and perfect for reading any time of year really. Some of the tales are better than others though, my favourites being ‘The House In Goblin Wood’ and ‘ The Adventures Of The Lions Mane’ . ⭐⭐⭐
The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall ~ Anne Bronte ( 1848). I must admit it’s taken me a long while to get round to reading Anne Bronte’s tale of escape from an abusive marriage. I wasn’t convinced that I would enjoy her writing as much as that of her more famous sisters. I needn’t have worried though, Anne shares the same passionate spirit as her siblings. The book is written in letters and diary form and centures around the sudden arrival of a young ‘widow’ who has come to live at Wildfell Hall, a bleak country house that has been empty for many years. Her reluctance to socialize with her neighbours makes her a figure of gossip, especially when a frequent visitor is spotted leaving the hall. Bronte writes about subjects such as alcoholism, fleeing a violent marriage and women working for themselves, all contraversial topics in the 1800s. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Adventures Of The Yorkshire Shepherdess – Amanda Owen (2019). If you haven’t discovered Amanda’s refreshing books about her life on a remote North Yorkshire hill farm yet, your missing a treat. Amanda, originally a townie from Huddersfield ,has been shepherding since she was a teenager. In her early twenties she met her soon to be husband Clive and moved in with him at Ravenseat. Several flocks of sheep, loyal dogs, faithful ponies, free wandering chickens, a cheeky peacock and ‘9’ children later , Amanda is sharing their very down to earth adventures yet again. I love all her books and I’m actually going to see her at a talk she’s doing in September. Can’t wait! ✳️✳️✳️✳️✳️
What have you read lately?
sunshine and celandines 
I’ve never been a fan of the old classics and Anne Bronte’s book sounds too depressing to be enjoyable. I do like the sound of Highland Fling though, that’s more up my street 🙂
I read Anne Bronte’s other book Agnes Grey, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is much better. I am a bit of a Bronte fan, but your right, they are not exactly light relief. Highland Fling was a fun read, I enjoyed it. 🙂
I read Amanda Owen’s earlier book ‘A Yorkshire Shepherdess’ and enjoyed it. Lucky you to be going to see her talk! Wish I could go too! I have just finished reading ‘Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel’ by Ruth Hogan, which was a good read.
Aw brill, it’s cool that her books are reaching across the oceans. Xx
I read The Woman in the Window recently too 🙂
Did you enjoy it? It’s being made into a movie now I believe, starring Amy Adams. X
I’ve been in a bit of reading slump lately, but have unread copies of Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey on my shelf so might give them try, the Bronte’s novels are so suited for dark and stormy autumn evenings. 😊
Definitely! The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is much better than Agnes Grey I think. X
Thanks ever so much for the plug for Highland Fling, Sharon! What an honour. I’d like to read the Adventures of the Yorkshire Shepherdess, which sounds fascinating. (Nine children, though!) xx
Your welcome. I enjoyed it very much and I’m sure I will read Gaby’s continuing adventures. 🙂 Nine children, yep I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she has another. One was born by the fire at home and some were born in ambulances on the way to hospital, as it is such a long journey there. X
The Adventures Of The Yorkshire Shepherdess book looks very interesting. I read the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society book and I enjoyed every pages of it.
I’ve seen the film of the Guernsey literary society and I loved that, but have never read the book. I will have to search it out. X
You can have my copy if you like Sharon? Let me know and I’ll send it to you x
Are you sure, that would be lovely. Xx
Yes, I’ll pop it in the post at the weekend for you xx
Thanks very much 🙂 x
I read The Woman in the Window and found it intriguing and as you say it has many twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I have The Tennant of Wildfell Hall on DVD but have never read the book. Murder in Midsummer looks interesting too:)
The Woman in the Window really kept me hooked! X
I’m so pleased you enjoyed Anne’s Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The Woman in the Window sounds good. I’ve added it to my TBR list 😄 x
I was pleasantly surprised, it was more riveting than Agnes Grey. The Woman in the Window is definitely a good read. X
Oh some great books there. I have the Woman in the Window in my pile to be read this month. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is so good.
Hurrah, I think you will like The Woman in the window. 🙂
A Bronte and a Midsommer, perfect!!
Looks like some good books, thanks for sharing, I may well look at one or two of those.
I’ve got next to zero reading done over the summer!
In my opinion Anne Bronte is the superior writer to her sisters – who get far better press than her.
Agnes Grey I read years ago, though it didn’t leave an impression really. I liked Tenant much better. For me Wuthering Heights is my favourite Bronte novel. X
I haven’t done much reading over the summer. Our bookgroup read Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty which was ok. I haven’t seen the tv programme. I read a Maggie O’Farrell, I like her,The hand that first held mine.
I’d love to watch Big Little Lies. X
You’ve managed to read a lot more than I, so well done! 🙂 I’m plodding along with A New York Winter’s Tale. I don’t know how I downloaded the book but I thought I would give it a try. Didn’t know it was 100’s of pages long lol! xx
Ah, I think that’s another book that’s been made into a film. Starring Collin Farrell. X
I’m only 20% through!! It’s engaging, though not seen the film, may after I’ve read the book. x
I loved Tennant of Wildfell Hall but it is a long time since I read it. i haven’t heard of any of the other books but they all look like interesting books.
You list looks really interesting, especially The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and the shepherdess book (as I used to have sheep). I’ve just finished a fascinating book called Resistance Women about five young women in Germany in the lead up to the war. Based on the lives of real women who did their best to bring down the Nazi war machine, it was so intense I had to keep putting it down. How are people so brave?!? Written by Jennifer Chiaverini (who also wrote Mrs Lincoln’s Dress Maker, based on a true story, also excellent!!). I’ve also just finished Salt to the Sea, about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustlav, an overcrowded ship carrying refugees away from the invading Russian army sunk by Russian subs in the Baltic Sea, killing over 9000 people. I’d never even heard of it before!! I try to alternate these really intense books with lighter fare, but have Where the Crawdads Sing all lined up. 😊
I really liked The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I haven’t read any of the others though.