If you’re looking for a few good titles, I recently read these books while recovering from an upper respiratory infection (which was no fun, thank you very much), and can recommend them all. Some are perfect for a book club discussion, while others just offer fun escapism.
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House | Cherie Jones
This fast-paced read offers an intimate look at how living in paradise is not always paradise, especially when race and class come into play. Set in Barbados, Jones creates a striking setting perfect for presenting this cautionary tale about Lala and Adan.
Black Cake | Charmaine Wilkerson
Loved this and highly recommend it for any book club that’s looking for a good conversation centerpiece. The story follows estranged siblings Benny and Byron Bennet who delve into their mother’s past after her death, learning about her identity and its connection to the black cake left as their inheritance.
With Love from London | Sarah Jio
This was an enchanting read that centers on Valentina Baker who inherits her mother’s London bookstore after her death. The last time she saw her mother was when she was 11, so when she’s called to London, Valentina begins the process of unfolding her mother’s complicated history while trying to save her beloved bookstore.
One Italian Summer | Rebecca Serle
This was a delightful read that offered a bit of magical realism to drive its mother-daughter story. Katy is left reeling by her mother’s death and is unsure of how life can go on without her. When their previously planned trip to Positano, Italy comes up, Katy doesn’t cancel but instead travels to Italy on her own. While there, she learns the intricate details of what made her mother the person she knew and loved.
Should I Tell You? | Jill Mansell
I adore Jill Mansell and have read all of her titles, save a few, and this book offered the same heartwarming escapism she is known to create. The story centers around three foster kids, Amber, Lachlan, and Rafaelle, and their continuing bond as adults. When their still grieving foster father brings home a new girlfriend, the three of them forge together to protect him and learn what the word family really means.