-Colin Hay (as quoted on Brainyquote.com)
Today as I think about the book that I just finished listening to, I'm also thinking about everything that has transpired in our family during the past couple of months. I made three trips to Kentucky for my mother's surgeries, attended our daughter's thesis presentation, senior pinning, and college graduation, and helped to plan and host our daughter's outdoor wedding. So if you've missed my posts, don't worry...I'M BACK! I'm looking forward to getting back into routine and sharing some of the great books that I'm reading.
Last time I wrote about a fun book that I read by Corine Gantz, Hidden in Paris. I enjoyed the stories of characters who overcame hurdles in their roads to find peace and happiness. I might add that I'm thrilled that Corine is one of my readers now, and I appreciate her desire to read my thoughts about reading. So, thank you, Corine!
Right now I'm listening to a book by Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed. Hosseini is also the author of A Thousand Splendid Suns that you have probably heard of. He's an amazing storyteller so I'm enjoying his stories. So far the stories are set in Afghanistan so as readers we can learn about the culture of that region of the world. I'm just getting started on this book, but I look forward to commenting on it in the near future.
Meanwhile, the hardcover book that I'm reading is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I'm just starting this one as well, but I can already tell that this is going to be a great book that I won't want to put down. I'll be sharing my thoughts on this book soon.
Today's book review is based on 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith. I've read another book by Smith, Love Over Scotland, and I enjoyed that one as well. The books are very similar as they describe the lives of Scots who live in Edinburgh, Scotland. 44 Scotland Street is about people who live in the same building in Edinburgh. They meet each other as they come and go to their flats, and sometimes they develop friendships as they come and go. I enjoyed reading about a five year-old boy named Bertie whose mother is determined to treat him as if he were a gifted adult instead of a little boy. She is obsessed with getting the very best for Bertie, but all of the lessons and books don't make him happy because he just wants to be a little boy. More than anything, Bertie wants a friend. He ends up being expelled from nursery school and so the story continues. Pat and Bruce are flatmates and soon Pat becomes infatuated with Bruce, not for his personality, but for his good looks. In the end she sees that he is a boastful egotistical jerk and she is able to get past her crush on Bruce. Meanwhile, Pat works at an at gallery and seems to like Matthew, her boss, even though at first she was turned off by him and obsessed with Bruce instead. There are several other characters in this book and as their lives intertwine, they develop relationships as they live out their lives in their beautiful city.
Two years ago we had the opportunity to go on a guided tour of the UK. We enjoyed England, Wales, and Scotland in ten days of touring with a Trafalgar group. I admit that my favorite country was Scotland with its foggy Highlands and sheep. I was intrigued by all of the very, very old history that we were able to see, and I'll never forget that adventure. From London to Grasmere (home of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter) to Bath to Loch Lomond to St. Andrews, we enjoyed every bit of it. Although it does rain a lot in Scotland, we were blessed with mostly sunny skies most of the time. I definitely can see how poets and other writers like J.K. Rowling get their inspiration from this beautiful land.
I'm looking forward to writing more regularly this summer so stay tuned. My school year as an E.S.L. teacher ends on June 14, and I'm looking forward to lots of reading and rest, my "GO TO" R and R. Have a great holiday weekend!
Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
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