My memories of May Day celebrations revolve around lazy picnics by the river in University Parks, cold beers at picnic tables at The Head of The River, dancing until dawn in lettuce coloured silk gowns and listening to the choir of Magdalen College welcome the warm dawn sunshine.
This week feels more like October than May and so ! thought you might like a few book suggestions to cheer your day until the Sun decides to don her Summer robes and scare the clouds away.
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
If I were to describe this book in one word it would be 'enchanting'. It is the story of Stella and her journey from feeling alone and overwhelmed in a foreign city to rediscovering her appetite for life. It is a sumptuous read that will brighten and lift the dullest of days.
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
Listed for the Booker Prize 2023 The House of Doors has become the popular choice for many book clubs. It is rare that a book manages to combine well to do society, scandal, murder and love whilst still holding warmth for each of the characters. The House of Doors is a masterful novel of public morality and private truth a century ago. Based on real events it is a drama of love and betrayal under the shadow of Empire.
Let The Light Pour In: Morning Poems by Lemn Sissay
Every bedside table should have a copy of this book. It is a sunbeam in book form.
"How do you do it? said night "How do you wake up and shine?"
"I keep it simple," said light "One day at a time".
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
If dark is your vibe then Alice is your girl. Four women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders and one victim. A baby is stolen and twenty years later a woman is murdered, the crimes are linked, but how? Good Bad Girl is a glorious page turner and a deliciously divine tale of how to solve a crime!
We would love to see you at the bookshop where we have lots more recommendations for you but if you can't bear to leave your fireside then you can find them at our online bookshop by clicking the link below!
Happy Reading!