Any date evening normally includes a visit to Exclusive Books as my husband and I are both avid bookworms. I love browsing and checking out what is new on the shelves and adding to my mental wish list. Two books I would love to own are The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton and Winter food in Provence by Marita van der Vyver. I cannot wait to get hold of a copy of The Miniaturist. It has so many excellent reviews and being an avid miniature lover as well as enjoying a good historical novel, I cannot wait to step in the pages of this book and be swept away. Marita van der Vyver's book also looks excellent. She is a wonderful author with the ability to draw her readers into her world. Combine this with delicious recipe's and photo's not only of the food but also French culture and there is a place on my bookshelf reserved for this lovely cookbook.
Hubby decided to gift me on this particular date with a very belated birthday gift and I came home with one of my favourite authors. Just one evil act by Elizabeth George is a book I cannot wait to dive into. I have read every one of her Inspector Lynley novels and the characters feel like family friends. I will keep you posted once I have finished the book.
Another favourite bookshop of mine is Rutlands Books. They have such a huge variety of books and their prices are excellent. Today I found Sue Grafton's V is for Vengeance. I love Kinsey Milhone, she is one of my all time favourite characters. This book is the 22nd in Sue Grafton's alphabet series. Kinsey is hired to investigate a suspicious suicide. With the mob involved and Sue Grafton's gift for drawing you into the story, I am sure it is going to be an excellent read. I also picked up an old favourite, Encore Provence by Peter Mayle. I love Provence and Peter Mayle has a unique view of the French and their way of life. My copy of this book has vanished and I am so glad that I manged to get hold of another copy.
Two practical books I came home with are Mini-boxes by Marian Ballog and 365 Easy one dish
recipes. I cannot wait to try out some of the boxes, particularly the get well kit and the chocolate kit. I am sure they will really make someone's day. The instructions are clear and include pictures and Chapter 1 clearly lays out what is needed to create these boxes. If you enjoy crafts or know someone who does then I recommend this book.
The title of Easy one dish recipes is what caught my eye. I work full time and have two very hungry little mouths to feed at the end of the day. Lots of dishes and complicated recipes are two things I really do not have time for at the end of a stressful work day.Main meals,sandwiches,soups and even dessert are covered in this book. There is one recipe to a page and they are easy to follow. Recipes are given with metric as well as imperial measurements. I cannot wait to try out some of the recipes. They will make a change from fish fingers and chips.
And last but not least an easy read novel to curl up with on a cold winter's night. I am not a chick lit fan but Shelter me by Juliette Fay jumped out off the shelf and yelled TAKE ME HOME. I am a real sucker for stories of grief and loss and rebuilding your life afterwards. Janie LaMarche receives a very unexpected birthday gift from her husband 4 months after his death. A builder arrives to add a porch to her house. Grief still has her tight in it's reigns and she is living in self imposed isolation. Unlikely friends help her navigate this unknown future in a way she did not expect. Doesn't that sound like a great read. I am so looking forward to settling in with this book.
I hoped that in this mishmash of reviews that there is at least one book that captures your interest. Do you have any favourite neighbourhood bookshops? Please share, as I am sure there are many avid bibliophiles out there who love the smell of books ,old and new, who would love to discover a new hangout.
