June reading round up

So, I have really taken my self set "summer reading challenge" by the horns. Yes, I am a reader, but there are the nights where I am "too tired" to read, or watch tv until I crash, etc, etc. Maybe it's the books I've chosen or my intense desire to get through all 9 books, but I am reading every.spare.second I have right now!

This book was SO sweet. I love novels set in Britain - the language, the culture. This sweet novel is about an older, retired Major who has lost his wife and brother. His son is a twit and the Major loves the quiet country life he leads in a small seaside town. The village shopkeeper, also a recent widow, becomes his acquaintance, and eventually a little romance is born. However, some in the town, and the Major's own son all question their friendship, mainly because Mrs. Ali is of Pakistani origins. Can their friendship ensure - really - beyond charming!!

I love this series on PBS/BBC and was delighted when I learned it was based on the memoirs of the main character, Jenny. So glad I've read the book! It adds so many amazing details and anecdotes to the stories told on the small screen. I can hear the voice of the TV character in my head and it was fascinating to learn how different pregnancy and birth were in the 1950s. This one I honestly couldn't put down and read most of it laying on my stomach on my bed (when I really should have been doing other things!). Highly recommend the book and the tv series!

This was such an interesting read, a quick read, but a very deep and interesting read. I had read Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog (highly recommend) a few years ago and was intrigued by the premise of this book, set in the same posh Paris apartment building. This tells the story of a famed food critic who is on his death bed. The voice flips between his, as he reminisces about his life and how he came to be famous as a food critic and between the voices of those around him, who share what is like to be part of his life (not always fond memories, stories, etc). I just love Barbery's use of rich language, I felt as though i was there savoring the food and memories brought to life on the pages. Very interesting read indeed. 

So, managed 3 books this month and am already a few chapters into the next book!