photo credit: carley rehberg photography
from Elizabeth
When I have a free moment between work and household routines, nothing beats cracking open a new book and getting lost in the story. Of course, I always have a hard copy or paperback in my hands: the smell and texture of the book set the tone.
With so much going on in our daily schedules, just having the opportunity to read is a great way to wind down and relax. I thought I’d share my most recent and favorite books. Enjoy these wonderful books in front of a cozy fire, outside on your front porch, or even squeezed in during your lunch break.
- A Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: Rachel, the main character, goes down a slippery slope trying to solve a local murder. Watching the victim everyday from the commuter train, Rachel somehow gets involved. You keep asking yourself while reading, “Why, Rachel? Why?” but she’s only trying to piece back together that This book has many twists and turns along the way, keeping you guessing who the murderer is and wondering whether Rachel’s life will ever return back to normal.
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: This entertaining murder-mystery book has you guessing from the very first chapter: who and how did someone die at a PTA meeting? The story is told by the three main characters plus little snippets of parents talking to the police. Subtly, the author sends the message throughout the entire book that we all tell lies to each other and ourselves.
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: This was my most recent book. It might be a slow start, but the ending will have you wanting more. It’s a story about two French sisters trying to survive during World War II when the Nazi invaded France. The older sister is married with a daughter and is trying to get through the war the best she can. However, her younger sister cannot stand idly by while family and friends are dying and takes action behind her back. This book is full of love and tragedy as the author explores what we do in moments of great challenge.
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: This is Harry Potter meets X-Men plus pictures to add even more to the story. The whole series takes you on an adventure thru time loops from the present to WWII. After his grandfather dies, Jacob tries to find out if his grandfather’s old stories were true. Growing up, his grandfather would tell him stories of an island where children with special abilities lived, and it was protected by an older woman, Miss Peregrine. Once Jacob finds them, his story starts to unfold, as his teenage life is no longer as ordinary as he had originally thought.