Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Books on My Fall 2025 to-Read List
This list is a mix of the review books I have coming up, books I ownf and the library books I currently have on my shelf.]
The Lucky Sisters by Rachael Johns - I always look forward to a new Rachael Johns book. I have booked in to go to a Books in Bars events in October which I am looking forward to.
Christmas on Fifth Avenue by Julie Caplin - If I think about the iconic cities to spend Christmas in New York would be right up there!
A Family for Christmas in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen - I look forward to each new Pelican Crossing book. I do like seeing Christmas in Australia portrayed in books
Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin - This came out a couple of months ago but I haven't got to it yet. I am looking forward to reading it!
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jeffries - We are going on holidays to Sri Lanka shortly so I thought I would find some historical fiction to read.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - It is RIPXX where we read all things spooky and mysterious. I have participated many times over the years but I didn't really have anything that fitted on my TBR shelf. I therefore borrowed this book from the library as it is the readalong book.
The Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden - I recently read my first Rachel Linden book and I loved it, so I have borrowed this one from the library.
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister - The theme for my read on a theme book club this month is romance. Whilst I have many, many, many books I could choose for this theme, I am nominating this book.
The Life She Could Have Lived by Laura Pearson - I usually really enjoy Laura Pearson's books and I don't see why this will be any different!
The Chocolate Maker's Wife by Karen Brooks - This is another author that I recently read for the first time and really enjoyed, so I have borrowed this book from the library.
My European reading continued last week. I mentioned last week that I was reading Daughter of Genoa by Kat Deveraux which is set in Italy (my review), and then I read A French Inheritance by Jennifer Bohnet which I reviewed here.
I then moved away from the Mediterranean to Ireland when I read my first ever book by Claire Keegan, Small Things Like These. This book was only around 120 pages long but it packed a punch. I have already requested another book by this author and I am looking forward to reading more from her.
I now have a bit it of a gap between blog tour books so I can read some of my library books and other review books from some favourite authors, so I am looking forward to a bit of mood reading, or at least a little more freedom!
I'm watching
We went on a date night on Monday night when we went to dinner and a movie...yes...on a Monday! But before you wonder what new release we saw, we actually watched a movie that was released in 1969. The Battle of Britain is my husband's favourite movie but he had never seen it on the big screen and with big sound! I did enjoy seeing it too. I have seen most of it but only in bits so this time I got to watch it from beginning to end without being distracted on my laptop or my phone.
Here's the trailer
On Thursday night, a couple of friends and I went to hear Jelena Jokic speak. She was actually being interviewed for show called Australian Story and the show will be on TV later this year! We watched her documentary earlier this year and she does have a really inspiring story to tell and is very humble. I look forward to watching the show when it comes out!
Life
We had a really busy birthday weekend this weekend. On Saturday night we attended a really lovely dinner for my friend's 60th birthday. It was such a lovely night, and as a bonus, she had a caricaturist there and we each came home with a drawing. I actually don't mind ours.
Then on Sunday, we had a family lunch to celebrate my nephew's 18th birthday. I think I am going to have to go back to work for a rest.
In other news, I ended up getting a new laptop this weekend which is exciting. Now I am trying to work out what needs to be transferred from one laptop to the other laptop. I also got a new keyboard and mouse because at least half of the letters are missing off my old keyboard due to overuse!
For 2025 I have decided to have a go at Spell the Month in Books which is hosted at Reviews From the Stacks. The link party opens on the first Saturday of the month, but I won't be posting until after that as I already have other things scheduled every Saturday and for the first two Sundays of the month. I will be sharing this post with Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz.
The idea is that you use the titles of books to spell the month name. The theme for September is Something to Savor – longer books (define as you will) OR ones that have been on your TBR for a long time. I am going to do something a bit different from the theme this month. My twist is that I am going to use the concept of long in a few different ways
Let's get started!
S - Song of the Sun God by Shankari Chandran - I chose this one because we are about to visit Sri Lanka. It is a destination that has been on my bucket list for a long time and I am really looking for
E - Emma by Jane Austen - Written so long ago but I still haven't read it
P - Persuasion by Jane Austen - Although I have read both Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice
T - Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich - I have been keeping a spreadsheet of all of the books I have read for the last 21 years which is a long time! This is the first title that is on my list of books read that starts with T (not counting the ones that begin with the word The)
E - The Endless Forest by Sara Donati - This is the final book in the Into the Wilderness series, which are all long books!
M - Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - I listened to this so long ago it was on cassette tapes. Funnily enough I got to the last cassette, and it was damaged, so I ended up having to go to the library to read the last few chapters!
B - Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth - Part historical fiction but also part retelling of Rapunzel fairy tale where she has to let down her long hair
E - The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde - I loved the Jasper Fforde books especially the Thursday Next books, but it has been a long time since I read this author
R - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - one of the first books I ever reviewed around 20 years ago which is so long ago
October's theme is Trick or Treat – Books that you feel strongly about whether positively or negatively. Should be a bit easier month with the only challenge being two O books that meet the prompt!
A few years ago I listened to a book called The Drifter by Anthea Hodgson. As soon as I heard this passage I knew that I wanted to share it but I ran out of time to do so for that year's International Scone Week. And then we were away last year and then I had other things to post, so that brings us to now. I've been saving the post in draft for so long but today is the day that it sees the light of day!
I have had scones on my mind recently after having lunch with an old boss who told me that she whips up a double batch of scones on a regular basis! I was kind of surprised by that as I didn't picture her as a baker but now she has a bit more time on her hands so I guess that accounts for it.
In this passage our main character Cate is talking to Henry who is a drifter who is helping her work her aunt's farm
"Anyway, I've gotta go inside and bake as I've never baked before."
"Have you ever baked before?" he asked without looking up.
"Never."
"Shouldn't be too hard then."
She wandered back into the cool of the house and started prepping the kitchen. She'd at least seen Masterchef, and she'd picked up tips from loads of share houses, so she wasn't a bad cook; it just that baking was a specific skill set, and she'd never bothered with it. That's what shops were for. She pulled a copy of The Golden Wattle Cookery Book from the shelf, ignored half the advice, and knocked out a dozen scones in well under an hour. Except they were a bit flat. Wrong flour, maybe. She threw them out and tried again. Burned her hand on the tray getting them out of the oven, accidentally turned off the over, nearly blew her face off when she leaned inside to light it again, then sore loudly and refreshed her cup of coffee while she contemplated her future.
She needed to get this done. The damn cake stall was tomorrow. She thought about packet scones, then decided Kath at the co-op couldn't keep her mouth shut. She stood up and launched her hands into the mixture, rubbing the butter into the flour, adding milk, then kneading like crazy.
"What are you doing?" Henry had come in to observe her progress, and his large figure was leaning in the doorway, looking aghast.
"Making scones."
Henry pulled her hands off the corpse of dough. "No, you're not. Step away from the dough."
She pulled a face of frustration. She didn't need this. "What?"
"How long have you been kneading this stuff?"
"Ten minutes or so."
"Don't."
"Huh?"
"You don't knead scones. You treat them gently, lightly, softly."
"Yeah, yeah, Nigella - what makes you an expert?"
"I have a mother in Victoria"
"You do?"
"And she's a good baker. Lots of sons. So I know you don't pummel scones to death. And you cook them quickly in a hot oven."
"Really?"
"Yes."
She was fed up, and threw the dough-pancake into the bin.
"Okay, you're up.Held me make these damn things or it's going to get embarrassing."
"Why?"
"Because I'm going to cry, and I can tell you aren't okay with crying women."
He nodded. He washed his hands like a surgeon ready to operate, and pored over the Golden Wattle Cookery Book with her.
"Here, rub the butter and flour together," he said patiently.
She looked unimpressed. "Why not use the mixer?"
"I have no idea. Just do as you're told."
She fixed him with a glare but got rubbing, and found, ultimately, that it wasn't so bad. Henry guided her through the process with the understanding of a cook who had done a bit of baking in his life. She wondered about the woman who had taught him to cook. Did she know where he was now? Was she looking for him? She hated to think of Henry's Victorian mother pining for her boy and not knowing his fate. Henry leaned over and bumped her as he reached for the baking tray.
"Cate? Time to cut the scones out and get them in the oven." He checked the temperature was high.
She picked up the scone cutter and pushed it into the soft dough, then twisted it and brought it back out.
Henry tut-tutted and placed his hand over hers for the next one, his large arm running casually down hers, looking over her shoulder to check her form. "Don't twist it."
"Why not?"
"Not sure. Stops it rising as much?"
He gave off a lot of heat. "Okay."
He kept his hand on hers for a few more scones. Maybe he thought the technique took practice. Finally, the scones were in, and rising, forming perfect golden scones.
And now I want scones with lashings of jam and cream
Weekly meals
Saturday - Sunday - Monday - Steak egg and chips Tuesday - Work event Wednesday - Home made pizza Thursday - Out for dinner Friday - Takeaway
Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page
Briony has been going through a rough time. She was made redundant shortly after her beloved grandmother has died and her divorce was also finalised on her last day at work. She knows that she is going to have to find a new home and new job in the auction industry soon.
What she didn't know is that Giselle, her French grandmother, has left her a cottage on the French Riviera and one of Giselle's final wishes was that Briony would give living in the cottage a go. Briony's initial reaction is shock. She was expecting that her mother would inherit the cottage but this isn't possible under French law. And then she thinks that she will sell the cottage, but if there is ever going to be a time when she could try living in France this is it. But first, they need to sort through her grandmother's belongings. When they find an old diary there is also a bit of a mystery to solve.
The cottage is near to a property that is owned by an expat couple, Adam and Lucy. The bought a parcel of land a few years ago and they are slowly building up the business by renovating various outbuildings, and trying their hands at growing grapes for wine making as well as a few other ventures. Also living on the property is Adam's brother Elliot who has just gone through a very public and very bruising divorce. He has just passed the French language test so that he can get back to his career as a vet.
I have enjoyed this author's previous books where a group of people come together at different points in their respective new lives in France (for example in A French Country Escape) and this had a similar focus. Whilst Adam and Lucy love their life it is hard work, and when Lucy decide that she needs a Girl Friday, Briony is happy to take the job for the summer, and she slowly begins to realise that this life in France doesn't need to be just for the summer, and maybe, a chance for a new start in life from all aspects.
I don't really love visiting second hard markets myself, but I did enjoy the fact that Briony's previous role was working in auction houses and the way that she was able to translate that into a new career in France.
I also appreciated that the story is multi stranded as we get to know Lucy and Adam, Elliot and Briony but also a nice side story featuring Briony's mother, Jeannie. Oh, and there are some animals thrown into the mix as well!
Jennifer Bohnet's books always make me want to visit France again. I do know that I don't have a French grandmother. I recently did a DNA test and I don't have a drop of French blood but if anyone wants to unexpectedly gift me a French cottage on the Riviera, I wouldn't say no!
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!
Rating 4/5
About the Book
A French Inheritance
Every moment is a new beginning on the French Riviera
Five years ago, Adam and Lucy Belgrave took the plunge and bought a sprawling rundown farm in the South of France to bring back to life, much against the advice of Adam’s brother, Elliot.
Today, that dream is becoming a reality and the farm is beginning to thrive and Elliot finds himself grateful for the refuge it provides after his career falters and his marriage fails.
After the death of her beloved granny, a bitter divorce and surprise redundancy - the saying ’sad things come in threes’ resonates with Briony Dymond's life. With her mother by her side, Briony travels to France to learn some news that will change her life completely. Will she have the courage to embrace granny Giselle’s special wishes?
As spring returns to the French Riviera both Elliot and Briony seek to put their pasts behind them and look to find happiness in the future. But can the past give up its hold on the present?
Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 14 women's fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.
Anna relies on the kindness of a select number of people like the banker to help her survive. Other than that, she remains hidden in her apartment with the days running into each other. That's what you have to do when you are a Jewish woman who has lost her husband and whose immediate family has already escaped to America. It's a big change from her previous life where she was a trusted worker in the office of a prominent shipbuilder in Genoa.
Little did she know but it turns out that things could get worse, when her home is destroyed and she lost what little she had. Left dazed, while she was being comforted, she meets a Jesuit priest. Anna doesn't trust anyone, and certainly does not trust priests but when you have no other options then you have to take a chance.
This is how Anna finds herself hiding in the home of Bernardino and Silvia who are key members of a group that helps Jews escape from Genoa, which is in Northern Italy. Other key members include Father Vittorio, the priest that saved her, and mysterious Mister X. They all face danger as they provide new documents for the Jews who are fleeing the Germans.
Anna, who is using a different identity, uses some of her skills to become useful in helping create the identity cards, often accompanied by the cat. Soon she is spending extended time with both Father Vittorio and Mister X and their friendships and they begin to create a bond. There is, however, danger in getting close to people when everyone is hiding their true identity and danger lurks around every corner. One unwise word could put the whole organisation at risk, along with the lives of everyone involved
This book really highlights the role of the Catholic church and in particular a group known as DELASEM or the Delegation for the Assistance of Jewish Emigrants, and some of the characters in the book were influential in real life. Several of them were honoured for their work
I really liked that there were several ways that the author connected the story to what was actually happening in Genoa at the time. Before the book even started there was some Essential Information painting the picture of the racial laws that had been enacted before the story in the book started. At the end there was a section called What Happened Next and then What Happened Afterwards. There was also notes on names and sources.
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host. Thanks to the publisher, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!
Rating 4/5
About the Book
Daughter of Genoa
In Nazi-occupied Italy, keeping secrets could be deadly…
Genoa, 1944:
Widowed and alone, Anna Pastorino has been surviving on her wits since the Germans invaded. The daughter of a prominent Jewish antifascist, Anna lives a hidden life in her small flat near the harbour ... until an RAF bomb destroys her only shelter. When a Jesuit priest approaches her offering help, she has no choice but to accept. She follows her new friend, Father Vittorio, to a safe house above a printers’ shop in a quiet street near via Assarotti.
But the Tipografia Guichard is more than just a refuge. It’s a forgery workshop: a key part of the secret rescue operation headed by Massimo Teglio, the “Scarlet Pimpernel” of Genoa’s persecuted Jewish population. Drawn into a world of clandestine resistance, Anna discovers a new sense of purpose, a circle of friends, and a passion that brings her alive.
Soon, the little flat above the shop holds more secrets than anyone could imagine. As Anna grows closer to both Teglio and Vittorio, she must confront a past trauma of her own: a secret that might endanger her and everyone she loves.
Kat Devereaux was born near Edinburgh, and lived in the United States, Russia, France, Chile, Germany, and the Czech Republic before finally settling in Italy. She is a writer and translator with a special focus on Italian literature.
Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Literary/Bookish Candles I’d Make (Pick a book and assign it a fragrance or fragrance combo that would make a nice candle.) (Submitted by Heather @ The Frozen Library)
Originally, I wasn't 100% sure I would do the topic as written but then I remembered that there are plenty of foodie scents that would work in a candle. I have also been meaning to do a foodie books post so I am combining the two! Not all of these books are foodie as such but they do have food items in their title!
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden - I just recently read this and really enjoyed it! The main character, Lolly, makes a lot of Lemon Drop Pie in this book. Think lemon meringue pie with a small twist!
A Faraway Smell of Lemon by Rachel Joyce - This is a short story and the only thing I have read by Rachel Joyce. I do mean to read more as I love the sound of this book. Bonus is that it is set at Christmas and so we can combine the smell of lemon with the smells of Christmas.
A Crown of Bitter Orange by Laura Florand - I love Laura Florand's books so it is a real shame that she isn't publishing any more. They mostly are foodie or about perfumes and set in France. This is the third book in the La Vie en Roses series.
White Mulberry by Rosa Kwan Easton - I read this earlier this year before our trip to Japan and Korea and learnt so much about the history in the 20th century between these two countries. (my review)
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Flake - You could use just about any book by in the Hannah Swensen series for this prompt
It was the Pie's Fault by Elizabeth Sa Fleur - This was a super fun romance that I read a while ago now which features fake dating, grumpy/sunshine tropes and delicious sounding cherry pies!
Chai Time at the Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran - This is a two for one book. Chai and Cinnamon could both be candle flavours right. It is also an excellent read!
Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown - I mean if someone likes the smell of gunpowder this could be a two for one too! I started reading this ages ago but other things go in the way and I never finished it! One day I will.
The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - My favourite in this trilogy was The Winter Rose but this was a great read too. And another two candle flavours title.
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki - If I am going to do tea then it is only fair that I do coffee too! This was such a fun read when I read it last year. The next book in the series is being released in English next month and I am looking forward to it! (my review)
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