Hi Pandora! I love your book recommendations and had an idea recently for a themed roundup I thought I’d share - I just read Claire Lombardo’s newest novel, Same As It Ever Was, and adored it (I’m American so not sure when it’s out in the UK but I know her last book was a big hit so hopefully soon!). I thought it was particularly lovely on long-term marriage, and it got me thinking about other books on this subject (I am getting married myself in October, so to be fair it’s on my mind already!). I would love to see a roundup of your favorite books on the subject, or even just a short list if you’re at all intrigued.
Thank you for the Folkestone recommendation, Pandora. I was on the lookout for a nice seaside town not too far away from London that is not Brighton and that has a nice Hotel. Found it now :)
Curious if you've ever read Elin Hilderbrand? The covers make the books look very fluffy, but they're such smart 'beach reads.' Recommend starting with 28 Summers, which is One Day-esque and my favorite of hers so far (working my way through all like I am with Laurie Colwin!). Plus they're SO evocative of Nantucket - I'll probably never make it there but feel like I have through her books! Her final Nantucket book is coming out this month.
Speaking of a sense of place - for a great book podcast, I recommend Strong Sense of Place, which someone just got me on to - each episode features a destination and they discuss 5 books that bring that place to life: https://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/. I'm listening to the whole back catalog, I love it!
I finished one of the books you recommended this morning, "On Hampstead Heath". Initially, I wasn't sure if I would like it, but eventually, I got into it and enjoyed reading it. It's a nice story, and I like Marika's writing. Thank you for the new book recommendations.
Yesterday, I bought new books at this cool bookshop called "Hopscotch" in Berlin. The bookshop owner, a lovely man named Siddhartha, very passionate and recommended some books for me based on my background. I loved it! You should check out his bookshop and meet him if you're in Berlin. If you need some new inspiration, these are the books I was recommended and bought:
Home Lands - Chitra Ramaswamy
Why I killed my best friend - Amanda Michalopoulou
How to be Muslim - Haorron Moghul
Salonica city of ghosts - Mark Mazower
Sadness of Pleasure or Zen and the Art of squirt - Ayoto Ataraxia (this is a fellow writer on Substack, and he was there with me yesterday, so I ended up buying his book, too)
Hi Pandora! I love your book recommendations and had an idea recently for a themed roundup I thought I’d share - I just read Claire Lombardo’s newest novel, Same As It Ever Was, and adored it (I’m American so not sure when it’s out in the UK but I know her last book was a big hit so hopefully soon!). I thought it was particularly lovely on long-term marriage, and it got me thinking about other books on this subject (I am getting married myself in October, so to be fair it’s on my mind already!). I would love to see a roundup of your favorite books on the subject, or even just a short list if you’re at all intrigued.
I'm currently reading it and loving it. I like that as a theme, too!
Agree!
Thank you for the Folkestone recommendation, Pandora. I was on the lookout for a nice seaside town not too far away from London that is not Brighton and that has a nice Hotel. Found it now :)
Started The Husbands last night - loving it so far!
LOVED The Husbands! I thought I knew what it was going to be and then it totally surprised me.
This comment intrigues me to buy it as I,too, think/thought how it would pan out . Thank you :)
Curious if you've ever read Elin Hilderbrand? The covers make the books look very fluffy, but they're such smart 'beach reads.' Recommend starting with 28 Summers, which is One Day-esque and my favorite of hers so far (working my way through all like I am with Laurie Colwin!). Plus they're SO evocative of Nantucket - I'll probably never make it there but feel like I have through her books! Her final Nantucket book is coming out this month.
Speaking of a sense of place - for a great book podcast, I recommend Strong Sense of Place, which someone just got me on to - each episode features a destination and they discuss 5 books that bring that place to life: https://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/. I'm listening to the whole back catalog, I love it!
I've never heard of her! Thank you so much for the tip. And for the pod tip, too!
Oh interesting, she's massive in the states! But still not taken so seriously in the literary world. But I think her books are a lot more complex and emotionally deep than, say, an Emily Henry book. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/books/review/elin-hilderbrand-says-goodbye-to-nantucket-summers.html
I finished one of the books you recommended this morning, "On Hampstead Heath". Initially, I wasn't sure if I would like it, but eventually, I got into it and enjoyed reading it. It's a nice story, and I like Marika's writing. Thank you for the new book recommendations.
Yesterday, I bought new books at this cool bookshop called "Hopscotch" in Berlin. The bookshop owner, a lovely man named Siddhartha, very passionate and recommended some books for me based on my background. I loved it! You should check out his bookshop and meet him if you're in Berlin. If you need some new inspiration, these are the books I was recommended and bought:
Home Lands - Chitra Ramaswamy
Why I killed my best friend - Amanda Michalopoulou
How to be Muslim - Haorron Moghul
Salonica city of ghosts - Mark Mazower
Sadness of Pleasure or Zen and the Art of squirt - Ayoto Ataraxia (this is a fellow writer on Substack, and he was there with me yesterday, so I ended up buying his book, too)
Just Bought Home Lands off Vinted - so thank you!