Summer reads

I always loved the Elizabeth Goudge books. The herb of grace etc

Nodding in agreement at most of these, but thank you for a few new ideas. Off to Scotland for the weekend to meet up with Sister and BIL so needed to charge and load up the Kindle!

jeni I have never met anyone who knew them - I love them too, especially "Th Herb of Grace"!

Ivelost my copy and it isn't on kindle

Can any of you avid readers recommend a good historical novel I might try? I don't normally read fiction, and having read only text books for years I want to get into reading for enjoyment and relaxation, especially as I am about to go on holiday for two weeks and want it to be a complete rest. I usually only read travel, biographies and autobiographes. I don't like anything like crime thrillers, fantasy or science fiction type stories, but fancy reading something that is based on truth and is historical....

My choice would be Victoria Hislop. 'The Island' and 'The Thread' are both set in Greece and 'The Return' is set in Spain. As well as being a good read they provide an insight into the social history of these two Countries.

I also enjoyed Kate Mossse's 'Labyrinth' and 'Sepulchre'.

They sound interesting, I am going to Greece so that would be appropriate.

yummygran Have a look at them. I hope you enjoy your holiday reading and Greece.

Yummygran You should read The Help as it is historical or you could try Phillipa Gregory. I find her fiction novels about real people can be a good read and also quite informative as she does a huge amount of research to make them as accurate as possible.

I also really enjoy Katie Fforde and Erica James. Always good holiday reads.

Sally Hadn't heard that Maeve Binchy had died. Just checked on Wikipedia and no mention there.

Maeve Binchy dead? Really?

betsysgran If you like Erica James and Katie Fforde have you tried Debby Holt. Always raises a smile.

Can't find anything on Goggle re- Maeve Binchy; where did you see it Sally?

I tried 'Maeve Binchy obituary' as a google search and nothing came up, so I think she might well be alive!

Her website says she's in the States and promoting Finding Frankie. There's a short story to read there too, but no news of her demise.

I meant Minding Frankie; she does mention that her health is not so good these days on her Homepage..

Yummygran did you enjoy the Little Women books, because if so March by Geraldine Brooks is afscinating read. It takes Mr March and John Brooks through the Civil War as a novel . It reveals the events surrounding March's absence during the American Civil War in 1862. The novel won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. A good read.

Perhaps Sally was thinking of Miss Read?

Nelliemoser I love Barbara Pym! All those church ladies knitting socks for curates and nervy anthropologists....

My latest find is Edward St Aubyn: Mothers Milk and all the others- intense but soooo well written.

I'd recommend Iain Pear's book Stone's Fall. It's set over several decades, late 19th/early 20thC and is the tale behind the fate of the eponymous Stone.

Any of Edward Rutherford's books such as Sarum, London, New York and so on are absorbing reading without being too demanding when you're (with a bit of luck!) soaking up the warmth of a summer's day.

An African Love Story by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Love, Life & Elephants. If you love animals you will love this. Sad ending though.

For Good Summer Reads-to remind you of your own grandparents and your life as a child: Pieces of Molly: An ordinary life by Judith Gurney. This memoir tells the story of one life but taps in on what all little children have in common, their hopes and fears, and how special their grandparents are. Good reviews on Amazon: it 'echoes in the mind' says one reviewer.

All the Patrick O'Brian series about Jack Aubrey (18th century sailing ships stories) . They are brilliant. I don't know what I shall do when I have finished them !

I was introduced to Lesley Pearse and loved "Bella". I followed that with
"Stolen". Both good holiday reads

Just remembered how much I enjoyed -

Erica James- Gardens of Delight (Lake Como) and
A Party at San Niccolo - Christobel Kent (Florence)

Both books for gardeners and travellers - the first being a romance and the second a murder mystery.

Good just bought it along with salmon fishing in the yemen and The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas which sounded good.
Will report back when I have read it