As I write this the day is warm, the dog is out on the lawn enjoying the sunshine and the patio door is open. I can hear the leaves fluttering on the trees and the gentle cooing of the pigeons.
It's warm but it isn't July/August humid. The mornings and evenings are cool and there's a palpable freshness to the air. This means we are sliding gently into Autumn and by the end of the month, well who knows what the weather will be like. Cooler evenings are a possibility which means one thing. The lighting of the woodburner and reading a good book in front of it.
I always read more during autumn and winter - except for the week I'm on a sun bed during summer. And this month I wanted to read something uplifting and cosy. I'm hoping these three will fit the bill:
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
Richard and Judy describe this as a 'charming novel' and it has become a bestseller after being published in January 2017. It's about a chap who likes to collect lost treasures. When he dies it's up to his assistant, Laura, to unite these objects with their rightful owners.
The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes
The year is 1919, there's a beautiful country house and a murder mystery to solve. Louisa has escaped from poverty in London and becomes nurserymaid, chaperone and confidante to the Mitford sisters at their home, Asthall Manor, in Oxfordshire.
When a nurse is killed on a train Louisa and the youngest Mitford sister become sleuths.
Jane & Prudence by Barbara Pym
Set in an English village Prudence pays Jane a visit. Prudence is a decade younger than Jane, who is married to the local vicar, so Jane decides to play matchmaker.
(I realise my descriptions of each book is rather vague but this is deliberate as I don't want to find out too much about the book before I read it.)
So, what are you reading this month? Any recommendations? Let me know here or on Instagram.
I'll be writing about what I thought of these books in my October newsletter.
