Review: Chocolat (Chocolat #1)

Chocolat by Joanne Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Love this movie--it's one of my favorites. The book is good, and mostly the same, yet very different.

You still get to live in the world of Vianne Rocher. And Anouk, and the small-town life in France. You get the same dose of magical realism. You get a different Roux. Slightly different characters all-around. But beautifully descriptive writing and a good story. 3 1/2 stars.

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The Perfume Collector

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After a slow start, I found myself captivated by this book.

It's a story about the power of life's choices. It's a story of love, of sacrifice, and of family. But at it's core it is the story of how two women's lives are intertwined, and how the past catches up with the future.

I also found myself intrigued about the process of capturing scents to make perfume. I have never been a big perfume person but after reading this book I want to run out and find a scent that really speaks to me. Or, better yet, have someone create a scent especially for me. An extravagance, to be sure, but the book made it seem so special.

Overall, an interesting piece of historical fiction. 4 stars.




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Fascination in France

114. Fascination in France by Barbara Cartland

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Oh Barbara---your stilting---prose makes--my head--hurt.

Silly, fast read about two young ladies who are sent to a rich man's house, one to be married off in the interest of a business partnership. The other sent to chaperone her cousin. Expect a classic Cartland switch-a-roo with the Duc falling for the other one unexpectedly. Yes, there will be perils for our young heroine. She will be in danger, but will pluckily save the day and everyone will live happily ever after. But if you weren't looking for a HEA, you wouldn't have read a Barbara Cartland romance.

Plus for the book being short, and the main characters not horrible in the end. Minus for the dumb cousin who was annoying and nothing but a plot device.



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The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A beautifully written, heartbreaking piece of historical fiction. Set in World War II France during the Nazi occupation, we follow the lives of two sisters who both deal with the war in very different ways. Young, impulsive Isabelle rushes headlong into the Resistance, while her older sister Vianne is just trying to keep her daughter alive until her husband returns from the Front.

This book will leave you emotionally shredded, for sure. So much sadness and senseless death. War is never an easy read and especially when it involves the atrocities committed by the Nazis in WWII, but Hannah does a wonderful job weaving the lives and stories together in a way that might just leave you curled up in a ball crying. It's that good. Do yourself a favor and read it while you are alone so you can absorb yourself in the storyline and then take a little time to decompress. I suggest having something light-hearted on hand to immediately read as a tonic afterwards.



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Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot #2)

The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


An early Poirot and Hastings mystery. It's funny to see how the characters evolved (and didn't) over the years. Hastings, ever the romantic, falling for beautiful ladies left and right. Poirot, ever practical, laughing quietly behind his back. And solving the crimes while outfoxing Giraud.

In this one, what's past is prologue. Poirot remembers a famous case and uses it to solve this one. Clever, so clever. You might, like me and Hastings, think you have solved the crime several times until you give up and let Papa Poirot explain it all. And in the end he proves he does have some romance in his heart and a true friendship for Hastings by setting up a sweet ending.



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All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


World War II. Occupied France. Two young lives in different places, both impacted by the conflict. They come together in this unique, well-written work of historical fiction. The writing is both beautiful and sad. My heart broke into a million pieces several times while reading.

I fell in love with Marie Laure, her father, and Entienne. Marie Laure was an unusual heroine who filled me with hope. And I felt sympathy for Werner, who grew up fighting for the Nazis. In war, there are no winners, only survivors. Marie Laure and Werner both found a way to survive despite the world around them.

Read it. You just might, like me, find yourself leaving a piece of your heart in Saint Malo.



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13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1)

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fun, if unrealistic, adventure. Non-existent parents and teens running around the globe. What's not to like? Ginny's aunt sends her on a globetrotting quest across Europe. A coming of age book that will make people like my daughter want to run off and have adventures. Hell, it makes me want to run away to Europe too.

It's a cute book--I didn't hate it. If I find the next one cheap or free I will read it too.



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Sex with Kings

Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge by Eleanor Herman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh, decadent history! I love to eat you up with a spoon.

Sex with Kings is a fast-paced tour through the various mistresses of kings throughout history. Some were well known to me, like Barbara Palmer and Diane de Poitiers, and others were new to me. The life of a mistress was a terrible career choice. I can't pretend to understand why women in those days would make this decision (or oftentimes, their family would make the decision for them). However, it was a fascinating introduction to different women throughout history.

Consider it a primer on women who you might want to read about further in other books, as there isn't a lot about each one. The perspective I want to know more about is from the one of the queen herself. I guess tolerating it was part of the job, which is why I am glad to be a mere peasant with a happy, normal marriage.

Full of intrigue, bad decisions, revenge and death, it is an interesting look back at the mistresses of the royal courts. History lovers will enjoy. A solid three stars.

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When You Are Engulfed in Flames

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures of David and Hugh! Hugh is my favorite--the man must be a saint. I find myself waffling between love and hate for David. He is a terrible person, but then he says something that hits so close to home that I find myself laughing out loud because it's so relatable.

Lots of funny vignettes in this one. I think my favorites were the airplane lady, his parents' art collection, and his landlady, Helen, but they all gave me a chuckle. Typical Sedaris fare--give it a read.

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