Here are the books read since September 2026. The book covers are rather small but if you click on them you will see a larger image.
Out of the 6 books in the above photo, my favourite was Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See. Three women arrive in the small and dustry pueblo of Los Angeles in 1870 during a time of anti-Chinese sentiment. The women all come from very different backgrounds but are brought together one night during what is called he Night of Horrors. The novel gives one an appreciation for what it's like going to a far flung country when civilian sentiments are against you and about one's struggle for survival despite the hardships one faces in life.
The Paris Daughter is a gut wrenching book. In 1939 Paris, two young American artist and mothers Eliza and Juliette meet and become friends. Both of them have young daughters and when Eliza has to flee due to her husband's arrest and becoming the target of the Nazi's, she leaves her daughter in Juliette's care. After Eliza suffers various tragedies including a period in the concentration camp, she begins a search for her daughter and ultimately tracks both her & Juliette to New York City. This story is powerful and gut wrenching and deals with themes of trauma, grief and love.
Meet Me in Paris was a change of pace from the historical fiction that Ms. Harmel generally writes. The book is set in contemporary times and is appropriately all about love since it's set in Paris, known as the City of Love. Nine Americans meet in Paris and what follows are 7 intertwined love stories, all very unique and some very bittersweet. It was a pleasing reading experience.
In The Parisian Chapter a young American, Lily, and her friend Mary Louise, move to Paris from their small town in Montana. It's 1995 and they share a 6th floor walk up surviving on baguettes and French cheese. Lily wants to be a writer and Mary Louise wants to become an established painter. When Mary Louise suddenly moves out Lily is left alone trying to navigate a new chapter in her life. She finds a job at the American Library in Paris (ALP) and begins a written correspondence with Odile, a French woman who lives back in Montana and who also worked at the ALP.
Mansfield Park is a novel by the very well known English author of the 17th century, Jane Austen. I'd read this book a few years prior and enjoyed it so I thought I'd read it again. I very seldom read books a 2nd or 3rd time because there are so many books I've yet to read a first time. In the book, Fanny Price is sent to live with her well to do uncle and his family. Over the course of time as she develops into a young lady she draws the interest of a well to do gentlemen who asks for her hand in marriage. She refuses to accept him raising the concern of her uncle and other family members who pressure her to change her mind but she stands firm in her refusal to accept the offer of marriage. Her refusal stems from what she's observed as a character flaw in her intended suitor and fiancé. I won't say how the book ends in case you haven't read it yet and want to add it to your reading list.
Perfect Recipes for Having People Over is about exactly what it says. I found the book very useful in identifying potential meals and preparations for entertaining. Personally I enjoyed the recipes unlike some reviewers who didn't think the recipes passed muster for entertaining purposes. Whether you agree or disagree will likely depends on your personal style and the kind of people you want to entertain. I found the recipes tasty looking and fancy enough without being too labour intensive or intimidating to try. If I was buying books I'd buy this one for a reference.
My favourite book was Little Wonder followed by Daughters of the Sun and Moon out of the books I've read this autumn.
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