The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

It seems these days I'm only reading historical fiction; as if I'm trying to make up for all the years I refused to pick up a book not set in modern day.  But how could I resist a story about a library, the dewey decimal system, it's patrons and set in Paris.

The Paris Library begins in 1939 with Odile; a young woman excited by books and the possibility of love.  Odile's father, a police office, brings home an officer from work every Sunday for dinner in attempt to have his daughter married.  Odile and her twin brother Remy laugh and joke about each potential suitor.  

Against her father's wishes, Odile follows her dream of working in a library.  Things begin to change when Odile finds one of the Sunday suitors quickens her heart and takes her breath away.  Remy is also finding love with one of Odile's co-workers at the library.

The can only ignore the looming war for so long though and soon Remy is prepared to be a soldier and headed off to fight for his country.  Odile remains in Paris and is slow to realize there is a war happening in Paris as well.

Told in alternate chapters is the story of young Lily, growing up in 1980's Montana with lot of challenges thrown her way.  One day she decides to write a school project on France and who better to help then her neighbour Odile.  A unlikely friendship is born between the two but Lily wants to know what is the real story about her neighbour and why is living in Montana and not Paris?

At first I found The Paris Library hard to keep keep track of all the characters but like all good novels by then end I knew them all well.  This story is perfectly suited for those that love their libraries and a good book.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Daphne had it rough as a kid.  She was always the bigger girl.  She went to a fancy school but only because her dad was a teacher there and she got in for free.  Her parents were the type to cover the entire lawn with blow up characters at Christmas.  Which Daphne thought the Christmas decorations were amazing until it wasn't cool.  It was tough making friends.  Good friends especially.  

Drue was the cool girl.  She was the girl everyone wanted to be with.  She was the rich girl and her family owned the school.  She got away with everything - including bullying everyone who crossed her path.

Daphne kept up her friendship with Drue after school ended.  Sure, she knew she was being used.  But with Drue as a friend, life was an adventure.  Something was always about to happen.  One night the girls come back from their separate colleges and everyone meets up to go to the club.  Everything is great until she finds out that Drue just feels sorry for her because she's the poor, fat girl.

This moment changes everything for Daphne.  She starts learning to love herself - at least trying.  She starts a plus size blog and becomes Instagram famous.  Life becomes good without Drue in her life.

Years later Drue is getting married.  She has no friends.  She's been mean and bullied everyone until there was no one left.  But she's turning life around.  She'd do anything for Daphne to be her bridesmaid.  Daphne is stronger - what could it hurt?  A weekend in Cape Cod.  A fancy wedding - maybe celebrities.  It might help her social profile.

Big Summer sounds like a story about friendship and forgiveness right?  Well it is, but there's so much more!  There's murder!  There's mystery!  There's sexy love scenes!  I've been a fan of Jennifer Weiner for a long time.  She's a talented writer.  Some of my other favourite books from her are Then Came You and Mrs. Everything.

Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin

Claire was part of an upcoming band but when she decides to take a night she finds herself quickly replaced by someone prettier and maybe, if she's honest with herself, a better singer.  Now the band is skyrocketing and she's plummeting.  In a desperate attempt to save herself from heading back to her mega church town and living in her parents basement she takes a a job doing musical entertainment for some wealthy mommy group.

These women seem to have it all figured out.  They've got beautiful babies with gorgeous husbands.  They're wealthy and privileged.  These new mom's don't seem to be tired, they've all got their figures back.  These women also have the friendship of each other.  What's their secret?

Claire struggles to figure out how she fits in.  She's a paid employee but she seems to be becoming a friend and she's enjoying the feeling of belonging with the group.

Until one night when Claire is babysitting for one of the group moms and she's pretending to be one of the wealthy, put together moms.  Claire accidentally uncovers the secret that keeps these women going and it changes the way she sees them.

Now she's not certain she can continue her friendship and performing for the group knowing what she knows.  As more secrets unravel the group seems doomed.  Well it was fun while it lasted.

Happy and You Know It would be great for any new mother, thinking about becoming a mother or even well past that baby stage.  I think often mothers compare themselves and this book is for those that need to know that they aren't alone and often there's a secret behind those that look like they've got it all figured out.  Although not a new mother myself, I still really enjoyed the story.

In Canada, Happy and You Know It comes out May 19th which seems unfortunate as it would make a great Mother's Day gift.  Maybe pre-order it for an extra surprise or I recommend buying it for yourself.

Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster

Life has never been easy for Heddy.  She's never met her dad and her mom has struggled to make ends meet while working two jobs.  But Heddy is a bookworm and her studying pays off with a scholarship to Wellesley.  Until an unfortunate night with a boy threatens to end her scholarship and her days at school.

Thanks to Heddy's roommate she's secured a great job babysitting on Martha's Vineyard.  The summer is full of promise and excitement as she meets the islands rich and famous.  Heddy hopes the answers to her problems can be found on the island in the form of love or money to finish her senior year.

Heddy soon realizes money and fame don't bring happiness.  Behind the smiles and parties the island folk aren't all that they appear.  She's got two potential island guys but which one will be the answer to her problems.

At times Summer Darlings seemed predictable and then quickly it wasn't.  There were lots of exciting twists and an ending that I never saw coming.  I really enjoyed reading Summer Darlings.  I read it March during week 1 of self-isolation and it provided a great escape to the beaches of Martha's Vineyard.

What you Wish For by Katherine Center

What You Wish For almost felt like a book written for me.  There are two good reasons I picked up this book to read.  1. It takes place in Galveston, Texas which is one of my most favourite places to be.  My husband I went there for our 20th wedding anniversary.  It is a beautiful island.  I talk all the time about when I can go back again.  If you go - check out the San Luis resort - AMAZING!  2. I'm a school librarian and so is Sam, the main character.  Well, a supply now, but still, I can relate.  Sam is the librarian I strive to be.  She is a super star librarian.

Sam is an 'Islander by Choice' in Galveston.  She moved to the island 4 years ago after a love that was not reciprocated.  Now she's established a great group of friends and a great job at a school she loves.  That is until her beloved principal passes suddenly leaving the whole community shook up.

When it's announced that her old love will be the principal, Sam makes a plan to quit and start over somewhere new.  There's no way she can handle that heartache again.  But when Duncan Carpenter walks in to the cafeteria it's like he's a totally different man.  No longer fun loving, he's become a man in a grey suit that wants to change everything that is loved about their school.  Worse he wants to lock it up like a jail.  Sam blames the changes on his new wife.

Despite all the changes Duncan has made Sam still finds her heartstrings pulling.  Perhaps it's time for her to walk away. 

I really enjoyed What You Wish For.  I loved the characters and the setting was described just as I remembered it.  During this Covid-19 isolation I was happy to head back to Galveston for a few pages.  Grab this book and read it pool side at the San Luis with a plate of their yummy food and a cocktail.

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

When someone asks you 'How are you today?', how often do you give an honest answer?  Have you caught yourself politely asking someone how they are doing, but then not listening to their answer?  What would happen if you told the truth?  If you shared your true authentic self?

The Authenticy Project begins with an old, lonely man, Julian.  He spends days in bed, eats all his meals alone, sometimes out of a can in bed.  He used to have a life full of friends and fun.  He used to be an artist.  Now he is none of those things.  One day Julian writes his authentic truth in a notebook.  After his story he challenges whoever finds the book to share their truth.  He leaves the notebook in his local coffee shop.

Monica owns the coffee shop and finds the notebook while cleaning up.  What's Monica's truth?  She wants to get married and have a baby.  Certainly 79 year old Julian isn't the match for her but she can help with his loneliness.  She posts a flyer in the coffee shop window trying to entice Julian to come teach an art class.

With a little help from the next recipient of the project book a new group of friends is formed over an art class in the coffee shop.  But is telling your authentic truth to strangers a good idea?  Does life stay the same or is it life changing?

I really enjoyed The Authenticity Project.  I loved all the characters and wanted to find out all their truths and how they were changed for sharing them.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale is a book that I feel like everyone has read but me.  It came out in 2015 when I was still saying "No, I don't read historical, especially not war."  I have to thank some former co-workers for pushing me to just try one.  Over holidays I read The Great Alone which left me wanting more Kristin Hannah books.

The Nightingale is based during World War II.  Vianne and Isabelle are sisters that life had already been struck by World War I.  Their father fought in World War I and then after the sisters mother died the dad just couldn't cope with raising two young girls.

Isabelle, now 19, has grown into an impulsive young woman looking for love, while Vianne has sought out a safe life and is married with a daughter when war strikes again.  Vianne's husband leaves for war and her world is upset even more when a German soldier decides her home is a great place to billet.  Isabelle wants to fight.  She isn't willing to just sit and watch the men fight this battle.  But what can a pretty young woman do to save France?

The Nightingale tells the painful story of life in France during World War II.  It is also the story of the bravery of the women who risked it all to save a few.  It is hard to imagine the risks, suffering and loss that was World War II.

Kristin Hannah is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her novels.