Monday Musing--More Book Recommendations

Downton Abbey Cast (Photo: pbs.org)

While the Crawleys continue to mourn the loss of their beloved family member, episode 5 of Downton Abbey had some moments to celebrate--the most notable being the exoneration of Mr. Bates.

 

Librarian Lisa Schimmer continues her episode-related book recommendations on the NoveList blog, Reading the World of Downton Abbey, with these latest suggestions:

 

                                         

                               

 Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier; The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins; Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

I read Falling Angels and enjoyed it immensely.  The story, by the author of Girl With a Pearl Earring, opens as England mourns the death of Queen Victoria and ushers in the Edwardian era.  It is the beginning of the twentieth century, and the country is on the verge of great social change.  Chevalier brings class struggles and the suffragist movement to life through the voices of both upper and working class characters, delivering a vibrant, fascinating look into a historical era.  And the book has one of the most memorable openings I've ever read:  

 

January 1901 

Kitty Coleman

I woke this morning with a stranger in my bed. The head of blond hair beside me was decidedly not my husband's.  I did not know whether to be shocked or amused.  Well, I thought, here's a novel way to begin the new century.

--Falling Angels, p. 9, Nook version

Enjoy life with books . . .

Catherine

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Monday Musings--More Book Recommendations was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.