Book Report: Longbourn

If you're a Downton Abbey fan like me, you are likely anticipating the start of the new fall TV lineup with that yearly disappointment that, here in the states, we still have to wait several months for the final season with the Crawleys and their staff. Fortunately, I recently stumbled upon a book that delivers the same behind-the-scenes feel following the household staff of an old English household. As a bonus, the staff in this book support the Bennet family of Pride and Prejudice. Darcy + Downton = match made in heaven!

Longbourn by Jo Baker centers around Sarah, a housemaid in the Bennet household, who was taken in by the housekeeper after losing her parents as a child. The work seems never-ending to keep up with the needs of the five Bennet sisters and their eccentric mother. But everything below stairs at Longbourn soon changes as a mysterious new footman arrives, promising not only a lightened load, but fresh new life into the otherwise tiresome responsibilities of the household servants. But Sarah learns you must be careful what you wish for:

This was what Sarah had always wanted: something--anything --to disturb the quiet, to distract her from the sounds of Mr Hill's revolving mastication, and the prospect of another spiritless evening, and the monotony of her own voice reading three-decker novels and three-day-old news. But now change had come to Longbourn, and Polly was staring at it as if she were a simpleton, and Mrs Hill kept topping up its glass, and even Mr Hill was smiling and glancing at it and then shyly away, and Sarah was left heartsick and ignored, and wishing that this change, with its dark hair and its hazel eyes, and its skin the colour of tea, had never come to Longbourn at all.

While knowing the story of Pride and Prejudice is not necessary prior to reading Longbourn, it certainly adds to the story's complexity. Just when you think you've figured everything out, there are more and more plot twists you'll never see coming. And the author's description of each of the characters makes even the secondary players important and intriguing. Pick this book up and you won't be able to put it down!

**If you would like to read Pride and Prejudice beforehand, or after reading have the urge to read again, you can read it for FREE on your Kindle app (on your phone, iPad, etc.) by clicking here.

Reading: A Romance

There is really nothing better than a good book. These five books hold special places in my heart because each, in it's own way, helped ignite a lifelong love of one of life’s most rewarding pastimes.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
When I read this story as a little girl, I experienced for the first time the way books let you lose yourself in another person’s life—in this case, orphaned Mary Lennox. The magic of a secret garden captured my imagination and jumpstarted a lifelong love for the transportive power of a good book.

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
The fabled (and perhaps true) story of a female pope in the darkest of the Dark Ages ignited my love of historical fiction. It also served as the inspiration for my first college research paper and, eventually, a degree in history. If you haven’t read it, prepare to be completely intrigued.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara Kingsolver has a way with words. This book showed me how gorgeous writing itself can be—while at the same time, telling a story more compelling than almost any other I’ve read. While I haven’t been as entranced with some of her later works, this book should be required reading for everyone.

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
I credit Isabel Allende with my love of epic family dramas. Her sweeping stories of secrets, love, and betrayals make her one of my favorite authors to read on vacation. While reading this particular book on the beach, an unexpected wave drenched it with salt water and sand—which only had the effect of making the beautiful prose more romantic and alluring.

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
When I read this memoir about three generations of women in 20th century China, I realized that nonfiction can be every bit as riveting (if not more so) than the best fiction. Memoirs have since become one of my favorite genres.

Are there special books that inspired your own love of reading?

Book Report: Sophie Kinsella

Anyone who's a fan of chick lit is familiar with Sophie Kinsella. She's one of the most notorious writers of romantic comedies. Several years ago, one of her books, Confessions of a Shopaholic, was adapted to the big screen. Admittedly, I didn't love the movie and thus avoided the books for several years. After having them continually pop on my kindle as recommended reads, I finally broke and read one of her stand-alone titles. Several laugh-out-loud moments later, I was hooked. And while none of these books are necessarily life-changing or super thought-provoking, they provide a great, simple (and humorous) escape. Here are a few favorites:

Can You Keep a Secret?
You know all of those secrets you keep inside? The little ones, the big ones, the embarrassing ones? Emma Corrigan has quite a few she's kept to herself over the years. But as the plane she's on begins to plummet she lets it all out in a death-bed confession to her seat mate. Only, the plane doesn't crash. And when she arrives at work the next Monday, she find that her seat mate is none other than her company's CEO.

I've Got Your Number

Scatterbrained Poppy Wyatt has lost her engagement ring. During a fire drill. On the day she's supposed to be meeting her fiancé Magnus' parents. To top things off, her cell phone was stolen. She finds another in a trash can and begins to use that, for emergencies of course. But the owner of that phone isn't too happy with Poppy butting into his life and stealing his phone. He's in for several rounds of crazy text messages and confusing phone calls to get back what's his.

Twenties Girl

Lara Lington is being haunted by the ghost of her great-aunt Sadie. And as everyone knows the way to get rid of a ghost is to help wrap up its unfinished business, Lara starts on a mission to find Sadie's missing necklace. Along the way, the two discover that some bonds transcend time and even life itself. 

Book Report: Thrillers

Do you go through book stages? Sometimes I find myself obsessively reading memoir after gritty memoir of childhood dysfunction. Then I’ll go through a World War II/Tudor England/Renaissance Italy/Civil War historical fiction phase, followed by a sudden need to read every book short-listed for the year’s National Book Award. Occasionally, I’ll decide to “improve” myself and go on a short-lived non-fiction kick.

Lately though, I’ve been in the mood for thrillers—fast, easy page-turners that keep me engaged and guessing from start to finish. These are the perfect books to read on the beach, by the pool, or—in my case—on the couch, while my husband watches basketball (it is March, after all). Here are three of my recent favorites—and a big thanks to my friend Wendy for the great recommendations.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Are they crazy, or aren’t they? Each of the three women who narrate this addictive book aren’t quite what they seem, and you never know whose story to trust—if any. There’s Rachel, the heartbroken alcoholic voyeur; Anna, the mistress-turned-wife; and Megan, the golden girl whose sudden disappearance is at the heart of the mystery. A must-read!

The Silent Wife by A. S. A Harrison
Between a philandering husband and a cold-as-ice wife, you might not feel any love for the characters, but you will get obsessed nonetheless. She’s ignored his cheating for decades in favor of the lifestyle he provides, but when she’s finally had enough, she shows what can happen when a person feels they have nothing left to lose.

The Jury Master by Robert Dugoni
I discovered this Seattle lawyer-turned-author a few months ago and have enjoyed his fast-paced thrillers (some of which include references to the Northwest). In his debut novel, he introduces attorney David Sloane, who finds out more about his own past than he bargained for when a close friend of the President is found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Have you read any good page-turners lately? Let us know!

Music to My Ears: Piano

After last week's season finale of Downton Abbey, I don't know what I'm going to do with my Sunday Nights. All week I look forward to that dramatic piano theme to play as we prepare to see what new drama will unfold in the Grantham household. It's amazing how much emotion a good piece of piano music can evoke. And I love how taking the words out of a favorite song can give it a whole new sound and meaning. It's one of the reasons I love shopping at Nordstrom where the pianists often play remixed versions of pop favorites strictly with a piano. When I'm trying to get work done and need to be able to focus, or I just want some relaxing background music, I often turn to my piano playlist. I've even added the Downton theme song to help me get my fix until next January. What are some of your piano favorites?

Book Report: M. Sasek This Is Series

My son Max received the most magical book for Christmas this year. It's called This is Munich and it's a wonderful exploration of the Bavarian city, complete with witty writing and beautifully nostalgic illustrations. Since my husband spent several years in Bavaria, it quickly found a place in our hearts.

I was very excited when I found out the book was part of a reissued series originally written in the 1960s by Prague-born author and illustrator M. Sasek (read more about him here). Each book explores a different famous city, highlighting the customs, history, art, and architecture that make it great. For large, high-quality books, the price is really low: between $12 and $18 each.

I love when I find a children's book I enjoy reading as much as Max and that introduces him to the world beyond our standard ten mile radius of existence. Whenever he picks out an M. Sasek book for bedtime (instead of Noisy Trucks  or Dino Dig for the ten thousandth time), I'm the one who doesn't want the story to end.

Choose your favorite city:
This is Paris
This is London
This is Rome
This is New York
This is Edinburgh
This is Munich
This is Venice
This is San Francisco
This is Israel
This is Ireland
This is Hong Kong
This is Greece
This is Texas
This is Washington, D.C.
This is Australia
This is Britain

Grammy Party

It's time to get Fancy; you already know. The Grammy's are this Sunday, February 5th and we are ready to swing from the Chandelier with excitement. Looking for some fun ways to celebrate? Stay With Me, cuz we're all you need to get your party started. With these fun treats and games, you can take any concern you have and Shake it Off. You'll be completely prepared not to be All About That Bass-ic. (Ok, that one was a bit of a stretch. ;))

The Red Carpet
This year's award show has a throwback vibe that gives you a lot of flexibility in decorations. Whether you go bold with print and color, or classic with metallic and black, create a backdrop on a blank wall space in your home. I found a fringed backdrop from my local party store that works perfect. With a few props, you have a wonderful setting for a photo booth (aka red carpet) as people arrive. Sunglasses, microphones and wigs are great additions to your props, but feel free to print these cut-outs we found from Creative Juice and attach to skewers for your own quick set.

Worst Dressed Cones

While the Oscar's are a perfect excuse to go classy with your menu, the Grammy's are...less classy. To stick with our rock star vibe, we decided to do microphone-esque ice cream cones covered in chocolate and sprinkles.

After making these, we kinda understand how someone ends up on the worst dressed list. It seems like a good idea in your head but ends up looking more like a hot (or in this case, cold) mess. Still even while suffering an ice cream cone's version of a wardrobe malfunction, these did provide a lovely little sugar rush.



To make these, scoop any ice cream flavor you want into round scoops and place them on a plate lined with parchment paper. Freeze for an hour. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each time). When it's melted, stir in a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Take your ice cream scoops out of the freezer. Working one at a time, place the scoop on a sugar cone and use a pastry brush to coat the ice cream with the melted chocolate. Immediately coat with sprinkles and place back in the freezer until you're ready to eat.

Or if this sounds like too much work on a Sunday evening, pick up a box of Drumsticks for $4 at the grocery store.

All About That [BLANK]
It wouldn't be Grammy night without some (in)famous live performances (Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks, anyone?). With our Grammy Ad Libs game, you and your friends get a chance to take the stage--but only after you show off your songwriting skills. You're a true artist, after all.

Here's how to play:
1. Print out a copy of Grammy Ad Libs for everyone at your party.
2. Fill in the blanks for each Record of the Year chorus individually on the first page of the game.
3. When everyone's done writing, it's time to vote for the winner.
4. Now here's where it get's really fun...the person with the LEAST amount of votes gets to treat the crowd to their own rendition of All About That Bass
5. Before they can perform though, you get to improve upon Megan's little ditty on the second page.
6. When you're all done, hand over the microphone, sit back, and enjoy your friend's humiliation.
7. Pass the mic! Let everyone have their moment in the spotlight.

Get the Game

Pre-Show
Now that you've got your party supplies ready to go, here are a few of our favorite Grammy-related links to get you ready for the weekend.

1. Get familiar with the nominees by checking out the official Grammy website. grammy.com
2. Are young female fans the kiss of death when it comes to being nominated? latimes.com
3. 13 reasons Britney Spears' 2000 Grammy's performance was the best ever. mtv.com
4. Whose performances should you look forward to this weekend? cleveland.com
5. So much awkward dancing...so little time. fuse.tv

Book Report: Stories di Amore

No place has captured my heart quite like Italy. And how could it not? Ancient ruins still glorious in their beautiful decay, a language that sounds like music, more artistic masterpieces per capita than any one country should be allowed, and the food. Oh, the food.

But this is a post about books, so I'll stop there. When I started thinking about my favorite love stories, I realized many of them are set in this place to which I'm so drawn. I'd thought I'd share three of my picks, just in time for Valentine's Day.

In these historical fiction novels, romance is a central element; however, they're also about strong women who live in turbulent times and do whatever it takes to survive. I love the way the authors manage to combine a page-turning plot with historical details that give you a little window into another world, whether ancient Rome or Renaissance Florence.

I hope these books find a place in your heart as they have in mine. Buona lettura! (which should mean "thanks Google Translator")

I Am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith
As someone who dreams of Rome, I couldn't pass up a book about ancient power couple Augustus and Livia. As the wife of one of the greatest Roman emperors, Livia has spent the last two millennia with a pretty ruthless reputation. Here she finally gets her say.

I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis
Get the real story behind the famous smirk, at least as imagined by Jeanne Kalogridis, who does a wonderful job crafting a novel that captures all the grandeur, intrigue, and fanaticism of fifteenth century Florence. Be prepared for the suave yet sweet Giuliano to sweep you off your feet.

In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant
Beginning in Rome but set mostly in sixteenth century Venice, this is the story of Fiammetta Bianchini, a successful courtesan (which is definitely a prettier word for her profession than others) and her companion, a whip-smart dwarf named Bucino. The plot twists and turns as they navigate Venetian high society together, making this the perfect read for the beach (if you're lucky enough to have an upcoming getaway) or a stormy evening. I also love The Birth of Venus, Dunant's first book set in Renaissance Italy.








What are your favorite love stories, Italian or otherwise?

Book Report: Big Little Lies

Things are never as they seem in Pirriwee Beach. Not in the supernatural sense, but in the superficial one. In Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty weaves a wonderfully suspenseful tale on how people can hide surprising, and sometimes dangerous, secrets right under our noses. All it takes is a little lie (or two).

The story begins with a murder. A parent has died at the school trivia night and with the particularly opinionated mothers at Pirriwee Public, someone is bound to know who's to blame. Each chapter focuses on our three main characters, giving a little background of the events leading up to "the incident." At the start of each chapter we get statements from fellow trivia night attendees that divulge a little more on what the dynamic between Kindy (Kindergarten) moms is like.

"Mothers took their mothering so seriously now. Their frantic little faces. Their busy little bottoms strutting into the school in their tight gym gear. Ponytails swinging. Eyes fixed on the mobile phones held in the palms of their hands like compasses." 

"Helicopter parents. Before I started at Pirriwee Public, I thought it was an exaggeration, this thing about parents being overly involved with their kids. I mean, my mum and dad loved me, they were, like interested in me when I was growing up in the nineties, but they weren't, like, obsessed with me."

It sets us up for our introductions to Madeline, Jane and Celeste who are, themselves, kindy moms from different backgrounds, each with a unique personality.

Madeline is the feisty leader who has an opinion about everything and is never afraid to speak her mind.

They say it's good to let your grudges of, but I don't know, I'm quite fond of my grudge. I tend it like a little pet.

Jane is the quiet newcomer who seems to have a secret past that she's trying to get away from.

Maybe moving here was going to be the beginning of something, or the end, which would be even better.

Celeste is the beautiful, wealthy woman who seems to have everything the world has to offer, but has something more lying under the facade.

Recently, she'd noticed something strange happening when she talked to people in groups. She couldn't quite remember how to be. She'd find herself thinking: Did I just laugh too loudly? Did I forget to laugh? Did I just repeat myself?

As we come to discover the lies each person is telling, we get closer and closer to solving our mystery. And we realize that sometimes the biggest little lies we tell are the ones we tell ourselves.

If you love a good story that will keep you on your toes, with a lot a little sarcasm in between, this one is for you!

Listen Up: This American Life

A few years back, there was this Kleenex commercial I loved which emphasized this point that everyone has a story to tell - they just need someone who will listen. (And a box of Kleenex, of course.) I love that concept of making personal connections with all kinds of people, in all kinds of situations, simply by sharing our life stories. That's probably why, when I first listened to an episode of the podcast "This American Life," I was so intrigued. My dad had been a listener for quite a while and shared a portion of one show as we were on a road trip. I loved the way people directly connected to the story retold their memories and experiences. I made a note to look up previous recordings upon returning home.

After listening to a few episodes, I was hooked. Some stories would bring on gut-wrenching, tear-at-your-heartstrings, ugly cry while others would have me laughing so hard I was brought to tears. Even reading the excerpts in advance would rarely do justice to the plethora of emotion each episode would bring.

Early in our marriage, my husband and I didn't have cable and had run out of our free Netflix trial. (Think starving students.) One thing we loved to do for entertainment was relax and listen to episodes of This American Life. It was very reminiscent of our ancestors huddled around a radio in the evenings listening to shows. I loved the simplicity in listening to people's stories together as we started our own life of stories together. It's still one of my favorite low-key date nights.

Book Report: In a Land Far, Far Away

As much as I want to see more of the world, right now books are my passport to places I've never been, my cure for severe cases of wanderlust.

Today I'm sharing five of my favorite far-flung reads. As you may guess from the rather tumultuous locales, these are not exactly lighthearted books, but reading them did more than entertain me. Each one stayed with me long after I finished and taught me something new about places I'll probably never go. That really is the magic of reading: the chance to explore, learn, and travel without ever leaving home.

The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China by David Eimer (China)

Ever heard of Xinjiang? How about Dailand? I hadn't until I read this completely fascinating book about China's minorities and hinterlands. Focusing on the vast regions where the country borders its 14 neighbors and the central government has far less influence, the author braves nightmare travel conditions to give you a glimpse of a China you've never heard about before.

The Ruins of Us by Keija Parssinen (Saudi Arabia)
A Saudi billionaire takes a second wife and his first wife, an expat American, is less than pleased. Sounds like a great set-up for chick lit, right? But in this book, the author uses the marital dilemma as a way to explore cultural differences, economic inequality, Saudi society, and fundamentalism.

A Constellation of Vital Phenomenon by Anthony Marra (Chechnya)
A man works to save his neighbor's daughter after her father disappears, eventually enlisting the help of a jaded local surgeon dealing with her own wartime losses. Reading this made me think about how I'd act in desperate situations and taught me something about a place and conflict I'd only heard about in 60 second news clips.

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson (North Korea)
If you've ever wondered what North Korea is like, you must read this book. Distrubing? Yes. Terrifying? Yes. Unforgettable? Absolutely. Adam Johnson won the Pulitzer for his story of survival, sacrifice, and love in the world's most insular country.

Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti)
This book is as enchanting as the title. Edwidge Danticat's prose almost feel like poetry as she weaves the story of seven-year old Claire and the people of Ville Rose, a small fishing village in Haiti. The intertwined plot lines and rich descriptions pulled me in from the first page.

Where has your reading taken you lately?

Music to my Ears: Workout

Since music is one of my biggest motivators while working out, I've got a playlist for you to keep that booty moving. (It's still January so we're all thinking about working out, right?...) Each track has the perfect tempo to keep you on pace whether you're running outside or on the treadmill. Listen directly below or follow me on Spotify to access all of my playlists!

Book Report: We Were Liars

“Welcome to the beautiful Sinclair family.
No one is a criminal.
No one is an addict.
No one is a failure.”

Or are they? In one of the fastest-paced books I’ve read in a long time, author E. Lockhart manages to weave together a love story, a family saga, and a mystery into a dynamic novel with a killer twist.

We Were Liars tells the story of the wealthy Sinclairs, who spend every summer on their private island off the coast of Massachusetts. Their world of catered clambakes and tennis tournaments appears like American perfection, anchored by the family patriarch and his three beautiful daughters:

The Sinclair daughters were sunburnt and blessed. Tall, merry, and rich, those girls were like princesses in a fairy tale…They were made for legends. Made for princes and Ivy League schools, ivory statues and majestic houses.

But deep fractures exist beneath the surface, threatening to destroy all the family stands for (which, let’s be honest, is mostly money). The main character is Cadence, the eldest grandchild and heir apparent to the Sinclair legacy. At fifteen, an accident on the island leaves her with debilitating migraines and memory loss. After several years engrossed in pain, struggling to remember what happened, Cady returns to the island in a quest to find the truth and to rekindle her first love. While I don’t want to ruin the mystery, I’ll just say that this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

I admit that YA books are not my favorite and I’m usually a bit skeptical about picking one up, but after devouring this book in one lazy afternoon, I might have to change my stance. The writing is snappy and sharp and the descriptions are brilliant.

Like this one of starry summer night:
So many stars, it seemed like a celebration, a grand, illicit party the galaxy was holding after the humans had been put to bed.

Or the yearning of first love:
I wanted to touch him like he was a bunny, a kitten, something so special and soft your fingertips can’t leave it alone.

I love that the action starts at the very beginning and doesn’t let up until the final chapter. While this is an easy, fast read, it doesn’t sacrifice any substance or style in favor of speed. Pick it up and I promise you won’t be able to put it down.

Check it out on Amazon.

Bachelor Party

Through 12 years and 19 seasons, I'm still a big Bachelor fan. I know, it's the same idea every...single....time: a bunch of girls (or guys) thrown together in a house without television or connection to the outside world and a lot of alcohol. Of course there'll be drama! But that's why I love it so much.
Admittedly, I'm typically more of a Bachelorette fan, but this season's Bachelor, Chris Soules won even my husband's admiration during last season's bachelorette. Who doesn't love the classic All-American farm boy?

One of the best parts of Bachelor season is getting together each week to watch with my girlfriends. We gather once our kids have gone to bed for treats and some good old fashioned girl time. We're all pretty opinionated so the commentary during the episode is quite entertaining.

Since the content each season has gotten predictable over the years, I started making Bachelor Bingo cards with commonly occurring phrases and/or scenes. We like to use red hots or hot tamales as bingo markers but you could use rose petals, sweethearts or even cut up pieces of paper. The game helps mix things up a little bit for those of us who have been watching since Trista's time. Whoever hosts the game can bring a small prize for the winner, who then becomes responsible for the game and prize the following week.

You can print your own "Bachelor Bing-Oh No She Didn't" cards here. All five cards are different to ensure you only have one winner. There's even a blank template if you want to create your own.

So while I'm still waiting for Chris Harrison to follow through on his promise for the most dramatic moment in Bachelor history, I'm really looking forward to starting the season on Monday. Hopefully there will won't be too many stumbles, awkward introductions or catfights. Will you be tuning in?

Book Report: Top 10 UK Reads

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. The day after can sometimes feel like a bit of a letdown. Since I'm a firm believer that reading is a wonderful antidote to gloominess, I thought today would be the perfect time to share a few great reads.

As you probably know, today is Boxing Day in Britain and her former colonies around the world. Traditionally, employees would receive gifts ("boxes") from their bosses. In modern times, it's a day of family, friends, sports, and shopping...all without the pressure of Christmas. Sounds like a pretty great idea to me.

So to celebrate a holiday I wish Americans celebrated, I've put together a list of books set in England.
For a little help, I turned to my dear friend Lynn. In addition to conquering the world of investment banking, making the best brownies, and being one of the wittiest and most genuine people I know, Lynn is a serious reader with great taste in books. As the daughter of a British mother, she has a special love for English literature and graciously agreed to share some of her favorites.

This list of a combination of Lynn's picks and mine, and between the two of us, I know you'll find a book you love too.

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
When I asked Lynn for her recommendations, this topped the list. First published in 1959, this memoir tells the story of the author's boyhood in a small Cotswold village. Prepare to be transported to another place and time.

Emma by Jane Austen
What would an English book list be without Jane Austen? According to Lynn, her favorite by the vaunted Miss Austen is "quintessentially British." Kindle owners can download this tale of mischievous matchmaking for free.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave
During a brutal encounter on a nearly deserted African beach, the lives of a sixteen year old Nigerian orphan and a British couple become forever intertwined. This is a suspenseful and thought-provoking read--one that sticks with you for months after you finish.

The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein
In Harry Bernstein's working class neighborhood in northern England, Jews and Christians never cross the invisible wall dividing their street--until Harry's sister falls in love with a Christian boy. Written when the author was in his nineties, this barrier-breaking love story is one of the best I've ever read--and it's true.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)
This crime novel by an author you may have heard of is a great quick mystery read. When the beautiful starlet Lula Landry falls to her death, PI Cormoran Strike (don't you love British names?) is hired to find out what really happened. You'll recognize the storytelling style of the Harry Potter books but with much more grown-up themes.

Royal Affairs: A Lusty Romp Through the Extramarital Adventures That Rocked the British Monarchy by Leslie Carroll
Sometimes history is way more fun than fiction. That's definitely the case with this book about 1,000 years of cheating kings and secret flings. If you love drama, look no further.

How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewelyn
Lynn calls this "one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful books you'll ever read." Set in Wales, the author remembers when the mines came to his small village. There's a reason this is a classic.

22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson
A husband and wife  reunite in Ipswich after World War II. He spent the war fighting with the the Polish Resistance and then the British; she, hiding in the forests with her baby son. This book is heartbreaking as two scarred people try to return to normal life--but ultimately triumphant.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
One of my all-time favorites. It's a young adult novel, but the antics of Catherine, the daughter of a minor noble in thirteenth century England, as she tries to avoid  unsuitable suitors are hilarious no matter how old you are. If you're like me and love to read about how ordinary people used to live, you'll find the descriptions of everyday medieval life totally fascinating.

The Dreaming Suburb by R.F. Delderfield
A favorite of Lynn's mother, this book tells the interwoven stories of four families living in an English suburb between the two World Wars. In his day, R.F. Delderfield was one of England's most popular writers and in this book and its sequel (The Avenue Goes to War), he's at his best.

Can't get enough of all things British? Stay calm and read on...here are a few more favorites:
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
Small Island by Andrea Levy
The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease

We'd love to add even more titles to our list. What are your favorite books set in England?

Happy reading!

Book Report: Best Christmas Books for Kids

When I was growing up, my mom had a collection of books that she stored with the holiday decorations and only brought out at Christmas time. Each night of December, we'd pick one or two to read together under the glow of the tree lights. Pretty nice, right?

I'm working on building a Christmas library so I can carry on the tradition with Max (and on that note, do any fellow moms of heavy-machinery-obsessed toddlers have recommendations for Christmas stories featuring cement mixers and excavators?).

Anyways, here are a few of my favorite Christmas tales:

The Story of Santa Claus by Scribbler Elf
The lush illustrations in this book are so magical they’ll enchant even the most skeptical little ones. As a kid, I truly believed Scribbler Elf  penned this tale of how a man named Nicholas became Santa (especially after my mom told me that the editor was just Scribbler's American publishing partner).

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Relive your childhood with this Caldecott-winning perennial favorite about a young boy swept away on a magical Christmas Eve journey.

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
I love Jan Brett’s signature Scandi style, which is at its best in this story of Teeka, who learns a valuable lesson about how to win friends (human and otherwise) as she helps train Santa’s reindeer.

The Snow Child by Freya Littledale
This isn’t strictly a Christmas story, but the snowy setting and themes of hope, love, and dreams coming true make it a worthy edition to your Christmas library.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!” I’m sure it’s already on your list, but I’d feel irresponsible if I didn’t include this Christmas classic.

Stars Were Gleaming by Greg Olsen
A beautiful tribute to the true Reason for the season. Kids will love the beautiful artwork, while you’ll enjoy the poetry, scriptures, and quotations about the Savior.

I’m sure I’ve missed some great books...what are your favorite children’s stories for the holidays?