On the Bookshelf: June

New batch of books due in shop this June.

First stop....17th century Amsterdam......

A new young bride adjusting to a new life with her older, prosperous husband. The springboard for the novel is the dollhouse-like replica of her new home and the miniaturist hired to decorate it. The author was inspired by an actual version now in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It took 19 years to complete and cost just as much to build as the real house. Great reviews all last summer for this debut coupled with the whole art history theme definitely piqued my interest. Think Girl with a Pearl Earring but thicker....and more eerie.

 Fast forward 300 years....

This is a family saga type novel set in 1940s by the author of Fall of Marigolds - another great title that is out of stock at the moment. While waiting for publishers to get restocked,  I thought we'd try some of Meissner's other books. This one looks promising. Two young sisters sent to countryside to avoid Blitz. Burning ambition leads to devastating separation and heartbreak. And keep on look out for Fall of Marigolds to be back on the shelves later in Jun. It's turning into a quiet bookseller favorite -  good book group title - gaining momentum via word of mouth.

Who doesn't like secrets?!........

This title caught my eye with description: Young Vivian heading to Mad Men-realm of 1964 Manhattan receives strange bulky parcel from overseas and contents pull her into family secret of her infamous, scandalous aunt. Who doesn't like family scandal, drama and mysterious relatives we never knew existed!

Now for some great true secret stories......

Ben Macintyre's latest is out in paperback. This time he turns his attention to the Brit spy, Kim Philby. Perfect for fans of John le Carre or if you love a rich narrative history that we expect from this excellent historian. If you liked Operation Mincemeat or Double-Cross this one will be a great choice. Cold-war spy fans rejoice for another excellent installment by Macintyre.

Fan of Cuckoo's Calling? You know.....the one by mysterious debut novelist Robert Galbraith?

Second installment in the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Gabraith (aka J.K. Rowling). Book 2 in this classic contemporary detective series with a bit of grit and great characters. Time to begin the "Who To Cast in the Movie" Game because it's sure to hit the big screen someday.  Our book group enjoyed #1 and in excellent care of Rowling sure this installment even better. She's loving writing the series and has plans for many more Cormoran Strike tales.

 

Now for something very different......and dark..... and unusual......

Picture a deary, suspenseful, dystopian tale  combined with the Bee Movie (Jerry Seinfield 's animated kids cartoon). It tells the story of a young worker bee and is set (literally) in a bee hive. This young bee comes to possess a profound deadly secret. Sounds intriguing; an interesting cerebral read, along the lines of Margaret Atwood or Ursula Le Guin. Or Handmaiden's Tale meets The Hunger Games. Could be thought-provoking on many levels.

Now for something lighter, prettier, gentler......

We have this seemingly frothy book. But is it? Contemporary retelling of Chaucer's Tale and a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral with eight women. Think JoJo Moyes meets Cheryl Strayed. But with a much prettier cover! Plenty of heartfelt emotions and insightful revelations, not to mention plenty of friendship and feminine bonding along the journey.

While on the topic of Canterbury........Cathedrals......and England....

Charming Vicar Sydney Chambers is back solving mysteries with his mate, Policeman Geordie and of course Dicken the Dog. This is fourth in series. Masterpiece aired first season (book 1) in Jan. Spoilers so if you absolutely want to wait for season 2 avoid. But if you can't wait to find out what happens to this most handsome of clerics....this is for you!

While in England shall we visit realm of Ms. Thirkell?

 

Keeping with the charming English village theme we have new reissues of Angela Thirkell's English-Village stories. She's know for her "satiric exuberance" and "sparkling" 1930s comedies a la P.G. Wodehouse and E. F. Benson. Fun, light and sweet. Perfect reading for hot summer days. Definitely fits the frothy and fun bill.

Let's jump back across the pond to pioneer days on the prairie......

By far the most in-demand book of winter season. Publishers totally blindsided by the demand for this academic, annotated biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It's finally back in stock after they ran out three times. We had a few copies arrive few months ago and I got to take a peek. It's more than just a biography. Loads of pictures, facts and details about the real story of Ingalls' and Wilders' and the history of American Pioneer days. A truly unique compilation of family histories and true accounts of events that inspired the Little House series. Fascinating and perfect for any fan of all things Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Finally....get your pencils and sharpeners ready! Coloring books are hot, hot, hot! 

Welcome to the hottest trend: Coloring books!  They're touted as perfect stress-relievers. Think of it as zen meditation with colored pencils. These titles by Johanna Basford in particular are the in-demand titles of spring. The publisher totally underestimated how popular so it's been out of stock for months. The author's blog noted publisher getting more now so watch for copies to arrive in shop June. Plus they're doing notecards, postcards and other items by Basford. Perfect for travel and camping trips.