There's a full moon this weekend - the Strawberry Moon, coffee lovers!
Darkness Falls in Jakarta by Louise Soraya Black
Description: The death of Claire’s parents triggers traumatic memories of her past life in Jakarta, a time that Claire has been running away from ever since.
Haunted by guilt and the terrible misunderstanding that forced her to leave the city she loved as a teenager; she embarks on a journey back in the hope of finding answers and perhaps a path to forgiveness.
Louise Soraya Black perfectly captures the heartache of lost chances and the fragile hope of making amends.
My review on goodreads.
Crime, Croissants, and Lots of Humor on this Bike Tour in the Eastern Pyrenees of France
Setting: Pyrénées-Orientales in France, along the Mediterranean Coast near the Spanish border
I love the humor in the main character's telling of her story. Sadie's observations and descriptions along the bike route are original and clever and you want to meet her in person. An example: Her description of imminent and unwanted downpour starting on their bike tour goes: " a raindrop the size of a grape fell on my nose." Ha, ha, I say.
The crimes, vandalism, and subsequent murders along the tour route may be due to at least two persons. I like that this mystery storyline does not prevent the reader from armchair travel of a very good kind through the Pyrenees mountains and villages and sights.
The visit to a giant grocery store with a whole section devoted to multiple varieties of French yogurt, custards, and puddings was new and appealing. French pastries also play a large part in the routine of the tour group.
I loved taking this nine-day cycling tour through hills, mountains, and very scenic villages and towns. Not only for the travel, but the food and the humorous and interesting characters, plus a mystery with a surprise culprit. Of course, there is also a handsome gendarme to spice up Sadie's bike tour.
What are you reading/watching this week?
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves
I like the sound of the Ann Claire book. Hope you are having an excellemt week!
ReplyDeleteThe Coffee shop book sounds quirky and interesting.
ReplyDeleteSeveral fun ones here! I'll look into both the Japanese one and the cycling one. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll be adding 'The Full Moon Coffee Shop' to my 'interest' list. [grin]
ReplyDeleteI expect to finish my statistics book on Monday. I'll then read 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling, followed by 'The Assassination of the Archduke - Sarajevo 1914 and the Murder that Changed the World' by Greg King & Sue Woolmans.
Hope you get hooked on Japanese "cat" and coffee shop novels after reading this one.
DeleteMy kids grew up watching Disney's version of The Jungle Book, the cartoon film. I enjoyed it as well, as the songs and antics of the animals were endearing.
The Full Moon Coffee shop sounds good. I'm going to add that to my Goodreads Want To Read List.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/stacking-the-shelves-childrens-edition-2/
Yeah I got to go for the cycling novel first ... we've done a couple of these trips ... but the Jakarta novel I'm a bit curious about too.
ReplyDeleteThe Full Moon Coffee Shop sounds interesting -- I'll have to keep an eye out for it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like some good books.
ReplyDeleteFriday was the full moon and the beginning of a period known as the major lunar standstill that only happens every 18.6 years. I enjoyed learning about this phenomenon and how it relates to Stonehenge and the Calanais Standing Stones. Like "Mercury in retrograde," I have limited understanding of how things appear in our sky.
ReplyDeleteThe Full Moon Coffee Shop sounds like a wonderful place to visit when problems pop up in your life. Who wouldn't like a coffee shop with a wise cat?!
ReplyDeleteAnd I always enjoy a book that includes good food and travel like A Cyclist's Guide to Crime and Croissants.
Oooo I have been wanting to read The Full Moon Coffee Shop!! I am glad to hear it was so good!
ReplyDeleteI do like the look of your books. Coffee shops make a great setting. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThe Full Moon Coffee Shop sounds SO fun! I totally want to read that one. Enjoy your week. :D
ReplyDeleteAnything set in France will always appeal to me!
ReplyDeleteAll of the books look so good, but of course The Full Moon Coffee Shop has my attention. I'm adding it to my list right now.
ReplyDeleteOooh! All of these books sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post
Rabbit Ears Book Blog: WORLD’S WEIRDEST BOOK BLOG!
I love how they are set in different places. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI read a review for The Cyclists Guide to Crime and Croissants somewhere else and now I can't remember where, lol! It does sounds like a fun, armchair traveling kind of mystery!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that Japanese authors commonly use cats and coffee shops in their work. I have never heard that.
ReplyDeleteA select group only. Cat novels are popular now and bookstore settings also
DeleteSee The Travelling Cat Chronickes or The Goodbye Cat
DeleteI enjoyed Crime and Croissants too. I would love to visit that grocery store in person!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have a good variety. Happy reading.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Adding Full Moon Coffee Shop to my TBR. That sounds wonderful. I have A Cyclist's Guide to Croissants and Crime on my TBR and I'm so glad to see you enjoyed it!
ReplyDelete