Hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found my Wednesday post gives you a taste of what I am reading this week. A similar meme is run by Taking on a World of Words
At the moment I am reading The Silent Hours by Cesca Major, an epic tale set in wartime France. I’m loving this historical novel and having a chance to be completely involved with the wonderful characters.
You can read an excerpt and the synopsis in yesterday’s post.
I’ve gone a bit off-piste this week as I’ve just finished My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal, a touching story and compassionate tale about a nine year old boy separated from his mother and baby brother. Set in the UK in the 1980s, this book also provided a healthy dollop of nostalgia.
Blurb
A brother chosen. A brother left behind. And a family where you’d least expect to find one.
Leon is nine, and has a perfect baby brother called Jake. They have gone to live with Maureen, who has fuzzy red hair like a halo, and a belly like Father Christmas. But the adults are speaking in low voices, and wearing Pretend faces. They are threatening to give Jake to strangers. Since Jake is white and Leon is not. As Leon struggles to cope with his anger, certain things can still make him smile – like Curly Wurlys, riding his bike fast downhill, burying his hands deep in the soil, hanging out with Tufty (who reminds him of his dad), and stealing enough coins so that one day he can rescue Jake and his mum.
Evoking a Britain of the early eighties, My Name is Leon is a heart-breaking story of love, identity and learning to overcome unbearable loss. Of the fierce bond between siblings. And how – just when we least expect it – we manage to find our way home. NetGalley
Never fear though the dark side of life is never far from view, and next up I have Blood Wedding by Pierre Lemaitre
Blurb
A gripping standalone psychological thriller about marriage, manipulation and murder by the internationally bestselling author of Alex
Sophie is haunted by the things she can’t remember – and visions from the past she will never forget.
One morning, she wakes to find that the little boy in her care is dead. She has no memory of what happened. And whatever the truth, her side of the story is no match for the evidence piled against her.
Her only hiding place is in a new identity. A new life, with a man she has met online.
But Sophie is not the only one keeping secrets . . . NetGalley
What are you reading this week? Do share your links and thoughts in the comments box below.
I have heard so many good things about My name is Leon. I am glad you enjoyed it
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting 🙂 Yes, most unlike my normal type of read but a well-told tale which felt realistic.
LikeLike
I’ve read Blood Wedding: be patient with the first part…it gets better 😀
LikeLike
Ooh thanks for the warning – I did wonder as I was originally going to choose this one for my excerpt post yesterday but… 🙂
LikeLike
All your books sound great. Blood Wedding is my kind of book. I look forward to your review. Happy reading 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Diana, I’m looking forward to getting back into my normal genre with what I’ve heard is a fantastic book.
LikeLike
Wow, these all sound amazing. My Name is Leon, Blood Wedding, and The Silent Hours…all of them belong on my list. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Thank you Laurel, quite a mixture this week from me 🙂
LikeLike
I’m reading Lesley Glaister, one of my favourite authors, Easy Peasy at the moment and then Now You See Me. It’s hard to better her psychological writing.
LikeLike
I knew I recognised Lesley Glaister’s name and it’s because I read Nina Todd Has Gone which was very good – thank you for reminding me of this author, I need to put one on the wishlist before she slips my mind again.
LikeLike
I want to read all of these but somehow haven’t got around to it! I’m currently reading ‘The Beautiful Dead’ by Belinda Bauer, have just finished an anthology of short stories ‘Sex and Death’ (which is a nice mix of humour and very sad) and will probably crack open a reliable Ian Rankin next…
LikeLike
I loved the humour in The Beautiful Dead! I hate to admit it but I never took to Ian Rankin which is opposite to most crime fiction lovers but that’s the way it goes sometimes…
LikeLike
I’ve just finished a time slip novel leaving me in 17th Century Scotland – The Rip in the Veil and I’m about to head off to India with The Girl from the Tea Garden – I do get about!
LikeLike
I did consider reading My Name is Leon, but then I heard so many reviewers say how sad it was and I’ve got a rather dark historical on my list this week. I have to pace the sadder ones out so they don’t depress me! I’m glad you liked it.
Here’s my post: https://clairehuston.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/www-wednesday-30th-november-2016/
LikeLike
No reason you shouldn’t go off-piste if you want to, Cleo. I think sometimes a change of scenery, so to speak, can be nice. And you’ve got a Lemaitre coming up, which should be great. I see it’s a standalone, rather than part of his series, and it sounds intriguing. I do like that varied sort of reading.
LikeLike
The Silent Hours sounds like something I would very much enjoy! I will have to check it out, I definitely want to read more historical fiction in 2017!
Here’s my WWW Wednesday
LikeLike
I’m just coming to the end of Hold Back the Stars by Katie Khan. It’s out of my comfort zone but it’s been quite a good read.
LikeLike
Gosh! I really love the sound of all these books! Especially The Silent Hours. I’m looking for a good epic historical fiction 🙂
Happy Reading!
https://aliasfaithrivens.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/www-wednesday-30-11-16/
LikeLike
I just started Good Behavior by Blake Crouch and next up is The Ice Beneath Her. I also have Blood Wedding waiting on my shelf from the library. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts about it:)
LikeLike
I absolutely loved the silent hours and must get her second book…also want to read Blood Wedding…
LikeLike
I’ve heard good things about my name is Leon. I hope you’ll like it hehe 😀 http://www.curious-daisy.com/www-wednesdays/www-wednesday-november-30-2016-the-historical-fiction-edition/
LikeLike
Lots of variety this week! I think my choice would be the LeMaitre, although they always sound a bit graphic for my taste. I’ll wait and see what you think…
LikeLike
I’m so jealous that you have Blood Wedding! Have you read Alex? I loved this book and have been meaning to read more but you know…too many books and all that 😉
Here’s my WWW – https://bookboodle.co.uk/2016/11/30/www-wednesday-november-30th/
LikeLike
My name is Leon sounds like it could be quite a hard hitting story. I hope you continue to enjoy your current book. Happy reading!
LikeLike
Blood Wedding sounds right up my street but My Name is Leon has also caught my eye…having a feeling they would also be crying by the sounds of the book!
LikeLike
I haven’t heard of any of these books but they all sound interesting! My WWW: http://shoshireads.weebly.com/home/www-wednesday5906078
LikeLike
I have never heard of My Name is Leon. Blood Wedding sounds interesting but I am starting to wonder when a character doesn’t remember if it gives the author ‘an easy way out’ on details.
LikeLike
Enjoy going back to the dark side with Blood Wedding. Happy reading!
LikeLike
Blood Wedding sounds really good. I love the cover too.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Suspect I didn’t love Leon as much as you but there were sections that were beautifully done, particularly in the beginning when the boys are with their mother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was quietly surprised by this one – I thought it would be too sentimental for my tastes but some parts are stunningly insightful.
LikeLike
Your week is quiet French! 🙂 I think I saw Pierre Lemaitre mentioned a couple of times. I can’t wait to read your thoughts on Blood Wedding. Happy reading 🙂
LikeLike