Book Review for April

I have decided to spent a little less time on the Internet or watching TV and start getting back to reading. I love reading whether it be curling up on the sofa at winter time with a cup of tea listening to the wind howl or if its sitting outside in the sunshine with a cold drink listening to the bees buzzing as I read.

My wonderful parents gave me the gift of reading as a child. My fondest memories are my parents taking turns every night to read me a bed time story. I was always given presents of books as a little child. Another of my first memories is my Mam bringing me to the mobile library that came to my neighbourhood. Getting my two little green library tickets and guarding them with my life every week until the day came when I could get two new books out! I fell in love with reading and the places it could take you.

I have kept that love with me even now I love the places reading can transport you to, 16th century England with battling Kings, 17th century France with its revolution, 18th century Italy with its painters! You can take the mind of a American psycho or be an Irish immigrate travelling on famine ships to start a life in the great unknown. Be transported to the most beautiful places from the wild moors of Yorkshire to hustle and bustle of turn of the century New York.

So I have decided to show a little of my love for reading here and will do a book review here every month (I will try my best but it might be every two months) here is my review for April:

The Courtesan's Lover

A small character from Gabrielle Kimm debut novel " His Last Duchess" takes centre stage in this book, but it is important to note that this is a stand alone book and I haven't read the debut novel but after this book I am definitely going to! This book tells the story of former mistress of Duke of Ferrara Francesca Felizzi she is now a high class courtesan in 16th century Naples. Francesca leads a double life she is a very successful courtesan with silks, jewels, and a beautiful home, she actually quite likes being a courtesan, but there is another side to Francesca she is a Mother to twin girls who she adores. When she meets and falls in love with a wealthy widower she gives up her life as a courtesan but she doesn't tell him the truth of what she was when she met him and her keeping her secrets put the life's of herself and her daughters in danger.
I loved this book and read it in a couple of days. There where times when I was reading it I could feel the Naples sun, hear the satin sheets, and taste the gourmet food Kimm's descriptions are that good. There is allot of sub plots that Kimm does really well such as Francesca's "pimp" Modestro back story and the relationship between a former client and his wife is intriguing. Historical novel at its best.

Fleetwood Mac The Definitive History

I am Fleetwood Mac freak! I loved them from the first time my Mam played Rumours for me. I love there songs and there image especially Stevie Nick's image and for a while as a teenager wanted to be her! So when I saw this in a book store in New York two years ago I had to have it! I read it then and forgot about it, I recently rediscovered it and spent a day reading it cover to cover! This more of a coffee table book with fabulous and rare pictures. Starting back in the 1960's with Peter Green's version of Fleetwood Mac until 2004 reunion of the Rumours version of the band. There is great facts about each album and single even solo albums and singles. If you are looking for an insider point of view Mick Fleetwood's autobiography has more text and personal feel to it. This is still one for the Fleetwood Mac die hearts like myself!

A Secret Kept

Set in present day France and in 1974 the story begins with Antoine Rey a divorcee in his mid forties taking his sister Melanine on a short break away for her forty birthday. He surprises her and take her back to Noirmoutier Island where they had there last childhood holiday before there Mother died. While there Melanine remembers something about that last holiday that upset her and sets of brother and sister trying to untangle all the secrets that have been kept from them for so long. I did like the narrative of a male point of view and like Antoine's thoughts as he deal with his teenager children and a sort of mid life crisis. However the middle of the book did get bogged down with Antoine feeling sorry for himself and not having the guts to do anything about. The big reveal towards the end of the book I had guessed at the start which was another kind of let down. I did enjoy this book but not as much as the other two.

Have you read any of these books if so please let me know what you thought of them. So the 25th of every month I am hoping to do a book review of much month.