Sun, Sea and Books!

I don't know about you, but when I'm holidaying, there are specific genres I want to plunge myself into. Anyone close to me, knows that I'm not a fan of novels (or movies for that matter!) that have a sad ending or leave me feeling heavy-hearted and dissatisfied. I like to be captivated, enthralled, gripped by mystery and suspense and of course, a good, old-fashioned love story with a 'happily ever after' kind of feel, are just the kinds of novels to enhance my 'holiday mood'.

The only issue with taking books abroad, is lack of space in one's luggage. In fact, being an avid reader produces daily problems - 'Where will my latest purchase live?' 'There are no available spaces left on the bookshelf!' The only answer to these 'first-world' problems is to have a device that is small and light to carry, and that can store all the books you could possibly desire. You've guessed it! I now have the reader's best friend - a Kindle! And not just any Kindle - a Kindle Paperwhite, allowing me to read a screen outside, even in the glaring sun. Perfect for those trips abroad or chilling in the back garden whilst sipping on a cocktail!

I had always sworn never to own a Kindle. Nothing could replace the feel of a hardback in my hands, the mesmerising smell of fresh pages and the beauty of the front-cover design. However, when I realised I simply had no space left in my home for any more novels, I caved; and so for my birthday last autumn, I was gifted a Kindle by my lovely parents-in-law.

This also resolved the problem for me this year when my husband and I finally got to go on our honeymoon back in March (two years late, due to Covid, but better later than never, as they say!) - I could take as many books as I desired, and all on one neat and compact device.

Picture this: reclining on a deck chair on a beach in the Caribbean, guarded by majestic palm trees, the sun glinting on the waves, sipping on a Pina Colada and immersing oneself in a riveting thriller that you just can't put down!

Well, that was me back in St Lucia in March, as I relaxed on the beach next to my wonderful Tom. I want to share with you the two engrossing novels I read during my two-week holiday, and would encourage you to read them for yourself - I don't think you will be disappointed!

The first one, was 'Breathless' by Amy McCulloch. This book kept my attention from start to finish. If you enjoy a good 'whodunnit' and like to be gripped by a captivating thriller, then this book is for you. It follows the story of a young journalist's harrowing adventure mountaineering with a group of colourful characters, almost with a 'and then there were none' kind of thread - but I won't give too much away! I'll leave you to discover this for yourself. My only complaint, was that the ending seemed rather hurried after pages and pages of tension and nail-biting moments. I would have liked a little more at the end to bring it to a truly satisfying finale. If you've read it, please share your thoughts, as I would love to know if you agree with me on this.

My second read in sunny St Lucia, was Rosamund Lupton's suspense novel, 'Quality of Silence'. This is the second book I have enjoyed by this author (the other is 'Three Hours' - another one that's hard to put down!) and I love the way the author lets you into the mind of the characters, especially as you look through the window into the life of a young child who cannot hear. Seeing things from a deaf child's perspective, and from the mind-frame of her mother, as they embark on a life-threatening journey across the menacing and treacherous terrain of Alaska in a desperate attempt to find their father/husband. Once again, I felt the ending came to a conclusion at a grinding halt for me, as I was expecting more details to conclude the story as a whole, but it is told in such a way that you can foresee how things will progress from there . . . but again, I won't give away any spoilers! This opinion is, of course, subjective, and others who have enjoyed this thriller may not agree with me; but I can safely say that my thoughts in no way negatively affected my overall opinion of the story, which was truly masterful storytelling.