On My Bookshelf #1

May reading books be your healing ritual

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a book can change a life” Ruth Wilson

Hello my friend,

If you are a lover of storytelling, here’s three fabulous novels that continued to bubble and fizz inside of me long after I finished reading them.

Each one of them touched my heart and I am ever so grateful for the brilliant talent of these three female authors. Bravo!

Here we go.

In no particular order.

Seriously, that would be impossible.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

I came across this book from Anne Patchett’s instagram. It had been recommended to her by loads of booksellers during her recent book tour. I knew nothing about the storyline. I simply jumped in. A huge leap of faith for me as I tend to overthink when choosing my next novel.

It didn’t take me long to become transported into the story and fall easily into rhythm with the writing and characters.

The story spans from the 1960’s to 2018. Travels from Caribbean, Italy, California and England but mostly the Caribbean. It begins with the death of the main character Eleanor Bennett, her two estranged adult children and the re-telling of the hidden life she had lived. Times were different for women in the 1960’s and we can’t choose what we inherit from our ancestors. A tender story with many layers to it and well researched. I learnt lots about the Caribbean mid last century. The story explores the heartfelt lifetime bond between Eleanor Bennett and her childhood bestie.

If you are wondering what black cake is - its a rum soaked fruit cake infused with burnt sugar. Black cake is part of Caribbean history.

I loved this book.

Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

This book. Wow!

A story about sea women bound to their ancestral lineage, hidden in a tiny pocket of the world until the world slowly and sometimes brutally encroached on their ancient ways.

I knew nothing of the deep sea diving women (haenyeo) on the small island Jeju, off the coast of South Korea. Historically women were the breadwinners in their community and lived with a spiritual connection to the waters of the sea, the seasons and Mother Nature. I was mesmerised by their folklore.

It’s a multi generational family saga. Extremely well researched and written.

I thought about this novel for weeks and weeks afterwards.

I will be reading Island Of Sea Women again when the sea women call me.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

I recently went to a fabulous book club at Gertrude and Alice Bondi Beach, Australia (best bookstore/cafe ever - not to mention their famous chai).

What a great night.

Firstly, everyone on the night loved the book. Very unusual for a bookclub.

If truth be told I convinced myself that I would not like this book as the backdrop story was the early days of computer games but I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

The story grabbed me from the beginning. The two main characters Sam and Sadie have a complex relationship as friends and business partners.

This book is worth all the hype. A must read if you haven’t already read it.

Random note: Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow is a line from William Shakespeares Macbeth.

Before I sign off, I would absolutely love to know what book you are reading at the moment or which books have touched you recently.

Recommendations warmly welcomed, anytime time of the day or night. Fire away.

And, in the words of Stephen King “Books are a uniquely portable magic”

Much love to you all,

xox Carole

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