Wednesday 20 June 2012

Holiday reading

One of the things I love about holidays, is the chance to read - a past time I rarely find time for normally.  
My first book was by one of my favourite authors - Adriana Trigiani - "Queen of the big time".  Most of Adriana's books pull from her family's Italian/American roots and stories.  I loved this book.  It was heart warming and nostalgic.  I would love this to be made into a film - but I always think that about her books.

 I absolutely love novels that feature the odd recipe or two!
 My 2nd book was a bit more unusual.  I discovered  Petite Anglaise blog - purely by accident back in 2004.  I found myself drawn in by the real life adventures of this Yorkshire girl who was living and loving in Paris.  I  couldn't wait for her to post her daily doings (anonymously at the time) and followed her love life, her family life and work life avidly.  This was one of the first blogs I had read and I was gripped.
I don't want to give too much away, but she eventually was given a book deal, and here it is.  I liked the book but I loved the slow daily reveal of the blog better.  Like the author at that time, her readers did not know which way life was going to go for her which added to the suspense!

12 comments:

Lisa said...

I often see AT books in the charity shop and have wondered what she's like. The other one sounds interesting.
Lisa x

Elizabethd said...

Adriana, one of my favourites. I've just read the newest one, The Shoemaker's Wife, rather different but so readable.

HippieGirl said...

Just give it time and that first novel might just be turned into a film. Are her books any good? I'm always on the prowl for a good book. In fact, I'm reading one right now called War & Watermelon, which is about a 12 year old named Brody Tompkins who hsa an older brother named Ryan, who takes him to Woodstock in 1969

John Going Gently said...

I love that big red ball!
I have GOT to get me one of those!

Kathy said...

I've read a few of Adriana's books. I liked Lucia, Lucia. They're just easy to read and quite uplifting! I hadn't heard of the other one, but I'll check it out, as I love all things Paris!!!
xxx

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Queen of the big time, which is not usually my kind of thing. On the back of that I tried the big stone gap series (an omnibus version I picked up in the charity shop). It was so banal and boring I couldn't finish it. I wouldn't bother reading another of hers now.

Diane said...

I read the Big Stone Gap first and really liked it. Ive also read Lucia Lucia which was lovely too. To each his own I suppose. I think the trilogy would have been too much to read one after the other, but I loved the characters she created and I found myself caring about what happened to them.

Lx @ Twelve said...

For me a holiday is measured in quality book reading time....
They sound good - I will have to keep an eye out for a copy.
Lx

Shortbread and Ginger said...

They both sound interesting - must look out for them.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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elaine said...

I read the Big Stone Gap books and loved them - wasn't too sure about one or two of her others. The Petite Anglaise book looks interesting - have to see if I can get it.

Jackie said...

Good recommendations Diane - I read one Adriana Trigiana book, some time ago I admit, and enjoyed it. this is a reminder to look for one or two more before the next holiday (although I am wandering down the Jo Nesbo thriller route at the moment!). Petite Anglaise sounds familiar, maybe I read about it in the paper when the author was 'outed' or maybe it's that she shares my maiden name! xx