Morgan's October Picks

Drizzled with Death by Jessie Crockett

Come meet the author! Jessie Crockett will be at MainStreet BookEnds on Sunday October 13th from 11am to 2pm enjoying the Warner Fall Foliage Festival and signing copies of her new book Drizzled with Death. This fun murder mystery kicks off her new Sugar Grove Mystery Series and takes place in a fictional New Hampshire Town. Sure to please the discerning mystery lover and syrup aficionado alike the book even includes delicious recipes which I haven't tried yet but that I sure intend to when I pick up some delicious local syrup at Festival. Be sure to join us for this fun event and a great festival.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

I rarely read or recommend two books by the same author back to back but in the case of Jojo Moyes I had to make an exception because her two books were somehow totally different in genre, feeling, language and subject matter and yet both were incredible and worth recommending! The Girl You Left Behind is split between the narratives of two women, one in WWI era occupied France and one in modern day London. The women are united in strange ways both emotionally and in their connection to an incredible painting. I loved both women as they were interesting, very human and strong in their own ways. Both stories are love stories although not in the traditional sense.

The book begins in German Occupied France at an inn staffed by the main character, Sophie and her sister. Both of their husbands are away at war and to keep their livelihood they struggle to keep their inn open and must make peace with serving the German soldiers in their town. This story is heartbreaking as are most WWI stories and pauses about halfway through the book leaving the reader hanging on wanting to understand what has happened to Sophie and her missing husband.

Then the book then picks up with the story of Liv, a young widow in modern day London who is struggling to make ends meet while honoring the legacy of her late husband. Here the reader begins finding crumbs of information about what may have happened to Sophie and we struggle alongside Liv to understand what really happened all those year ago.

This book keeps you engaged and guessing at the conclusion right up until the very end. An amazing piece of historical fiction and contemporary literature I would definitely recommend picking up a copy.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

This classic retelling of the stories of King Arthur is fantastic. It had been on my to read list for awhile and at the urging of some friends I moved it up to the top. I'm so glad I did. It is an enjoyable book as all of the stories we know and love about King Arthur come to life through the eyes of all of the women we often don't hear much from in other versions. The characters are I think the best part of this book because they seem completely real. They are flawed but endearing and each undergoes an important transformation. I was also struck by the feminist undertones of the book as it is impressive to accomplish writing strong, believable female characters who lived during this time period. A must read.