Blogger-Inspired Wishlist is a
feature where I post recent additions to my wish list, which had been inspired
by reviews from my fellow bloggers. It includes some synopsis, as well as some
excerpts of the review which have intrigued me, complete with a link to the
blogger's original post.
The present selection is so random, I think there will be something for almost everyone.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by
Satoshi Yagisawa
Synopsis:
When Takako's boyfriend reveals
he's marrying someone else, she reluctantly accepts her eccentric uncle's offer
to live rent-free in the tiny room above the shop. Hoping to nurse her broken
heart in peace, Takako is surprised to encounter new worlds within the stacks
of books lining the Morisaki bookshop. As summer fades to autumn, Satoru
and Takako discover they have more in common than they first thought. The
Morisaki bookshop has something to teach them both about life, love, and the
healing power of books.
From Davida's review:
"
The really fun part of this
book was Takako’s getting to know her uncle Satoru, who was really sweet, if a
bit annoying at times. The development of that relationship, together with her
growing love of reading books, was really at the heart of this story, and what
kept it going from start to finish. The author really used this as the basis
for the book, and brought other things along to put obstacles in their paths,
as well as bolster their commitments. This is the main reason why it really
must be considered a coming-of-age story."
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Synopsis:
In December 1995, Jean-Dominique
Bauby, editor-in-chief of French ‘Elle’ and the father of two young children,
suffered a massive stroke and found himself paralysed and speechless, but
entirely conscious, trapped by what doctors call ‘locked-in syndrome’. Using
his only functioning muscle – his left eyelid – he began dictating this
remarkable story, painstakingly spelling it out letter by letter. His book offers a haunting,
harrowing look inside the cruel prison of locked-in syndrome, but it is also a
triumph of the human spirit.
From Lory's review:
"
Bauby writes with wry humor
and an impressive lack of cynicism about the humiliations imposed by those
around him who don’t understand or don’t want to engage with his condition. But
his restraint all the more brings home the fact that even within a person whose
inner world is completely closed off to us, there is a living being deserving
of respect and love. The butterfly trapped in the diving bell finds release
through communication, through the links that we forge through empathy and understanding."
A Month in Provence by Gillian
Harvey
Synopsis:
Interior designer Nicky always
used to know how to make the best of things. Ever since she lost her husband
though, things haven’t been easy. She’s had to raise her two daughters alone
and she’s so proud to see them all grown up, and she knows that’s down to her.
But she can’t help but feel like she doesn’t know what to do with her life now…
But then her best friend begs her to help out. Jenny is a TV exec and her new
renovation show is in peril. Only Nicky can help. The catch – Nicky needs to
fly to Provence… tomorrow. To renovate a tumbledown B&B.
From Marg's review:
"
One of the things that I
really liked about Nicky and Robert is that they are both widows, so they
really understand each other, and that they are both expats. Normally you will
read these new start stories and one will be moving from the UK but the other
character will be French/Italian/Greek etc. I also liked that Nicky had been
alone for a long time. Many times these stories feature women who have just
recently separated from their partner, move to France and find true love in the
space of 300 pages. I also really enjoyed reading about the town of Rousillon.
It sounds like a beautiful place on the pages of the book. I did go and look at
some pictures of the town and it did look gorgeous!I have read several of
Gillian Harvey's books now and have enjoyed them all."
A Paris Odyssey by Axel Forrester
Synopsis:
American Grant Decker is in Paris
on a photography assignment. When he arrives at Gare du Nord train station, he
discovers just how unprepared he is to navigate this new world where the
language is both vaguely familiar and baffling. ‘”Vous ne parlez pas franΓ§ais?”
My brain turned around three times and then went to sleep!’ Determined to get his bearings,
Grant explores the length and breadth of the city on the metro. But it is when
he makes new friends among some street performers that he discovers a different
Paris. These off-beat characters help him sharpen his eye and open his heart to
the many love stories that weave through ‘the city of light.’
From Harvee's review:
"
At first I thought this was
a memoir, the details sounded to true and the narrator so authentic. Then I
realized that the book was actually fiction - a novel about Grant the
photographer on his first trip to Paris, written by a female author! This
really didn't matter, in the long run."
Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson
Synopsis:
When Krissy Hancock and her best
friend Vicki decide to open a bookstore cafΓ© in their new town of Pine Hills,
they decide to call it "Death by Coffee," after Krissy’s father’s
most famous mystery novel. Little do they know how well the name fits…
From Rekha's review:
"
Coming to the murder
mystery, we have plenty of suspects there. Krissy manages to question them all
and looks like each of them had a motive. Once again, Krissy has this unique
ability to pester people – which finally ends with them talking to her so that
she stops bothering them. Lol! The identity of the killer was shocking and
unexpected. There’s a shocking development before Krissy comes face-to-face
with the killer. I didn’t see this coming. Didn’t expect it either. Overall,
Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson is an entertaining and engrossing read."
Foul Play at Seal Bay by Judy
Leigh
Synopsis:
It was meant to be the start of
quiet season in the sleepy Cornish village of Seal Bay, but not for
sexagenarian librarian and wild swimming enthusiast Morwenna Mutton. Because
when a local businessman is found on the beach with a bread knife is his back,
bungling police officer DI Rick Tremayne is soon out of his depth. Morwenna
knows it’s going to be down to her to crack the case.
From Davida's review:
"
Leigh sets up the basic
premise very intelligently, where we have no reason to disbelieve why Morwenna
wants to find the killer, or why she becomes endangered herself. Then there’s
Cornwall… what a beautiful place in England to put a bunch of cozy mysteries! I
must praise Leigh for some of the action/danger scenes which were deftly
written, and definitely had me on the edge of my seat a couple of times.
There’s no questioning that this book is a truly enjoyable read, and an
excellent introduction to Morwenna as a brand new, and loveable amateur
sleuth."
Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by
Darci Hannah
Synopsis:
Lindsey prefers to keep her
bakeshop’s Halloween decor light and autumnal, rather than gruesome and
ghoulish. But everyone knows her lighthouse home is haunted. Some intrepid
teens have even tried to break in to witness the resident ghost themselves.
Dreading Halloween night, Lindsey reluctantly allows her influencer and
podcaster best friend, Kennedy, to host a live ghost hunting investigation in
the lighthouse, conducted by a professional team. Protective of her ghost,
Lyndsey is understandably nervous about what they might uncover . . .
From Carla's review:
"
Darci Hannah’s fourth book
is a wonderful addition to her series and I highly recommend this book to any
looking for a delightful Halloween escape lakeside. There is a little bit of
something for everyone – dogs, a ghost, costumes, a murder, romance, intrigue,
and of course pumpkin spiced everything. One really can’t have too much of
that, and there are some rather tasty recipes in the back that readers will
have a hard time passing up."
Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau by
Sheena Wilkinson
Synopsis:
April McVey hasn’t a romantic bone
in her body. So how has she found herself at the door of Mrs Hart’s Marriage
Bureau, job application in hand? Matchmaker Martha hopes the lively Irish girl
will breathe fresh air into a business struggling to keep with the times amid
the tumult of 1930s Britain. So when lonely widower Fabian arrives at the
bureau, the pair’s matchmaking skills – and professionalism – meet their first
true test. Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau is a charming and witty romantic comedy
about friendship, loneliness, and the unexpected places where we find
fulfilment.
From Simon's review:
"
But most of all I enjoyed
Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau because of April. Give me a spirited and garrulous
heroine and I’m sold. I love the delightful chaos of a character who combines
good intentions with putting her foot in it. It’s a real treat of a book, and I
had a lovely time reading it."
Have you own/read these books? If
you haven't, which book appeals to you most?