between the pages

Well, it has taken me awhile, but I have finally finished a couple of books in 2013!

1. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, and while we Americans waited and waited for season 3 to begin in 2013, I discovered a different show called Call the Midwife.  I was only able to view one episode of this series but I was instantly in love.  It is beautifully filmed and acted and while watching just that one episode I was transported to London's East End during the 1950's.  Imagine my delight when it was pointed out to me that the show is based from a book-a book very easy to get quickly on my Kindle.  (This is actually the first in a trilogy, the third being released in March ) The book is well written, and handles the mess, poverty, and horrors of life which surrounded the poorest of the poor in London with grace and dignity. It is the author's memoir of her time working among these people as a midwife and nurse. She lives among nuns who are such warmhearted and dedicated people with individual personalities which will bring a smile to your heart.  I highly recommend! Oh, and I can get caught up on the rest of the first season (2nd season starts in late March) by watching them on Amazon.  Well done, BBC.

2.  Secret Lives by Diane Chamberlain

Back in 2010, I picked up a book which was all the rave around the blogging world.  It was called The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain.  It was the kind of novel which holds you gripped until the final page, yet strangely I never thought to pick up any other books by Ms. Chamberlain.  But just recently I was scrolling around my Kindle and found a great many more by her being offered.  I purchased Secret Lives and once again found myself gripped between the pages. I will let you click my link above (the title) to see a synopsis, but I will mention that while this book would not let me put it down, it does touch on some topics that can be tough to read about--again, I don't want to say much as it will destroy the suspense. There were a few love scenes which were written a little bit too descriptively for my taste, but all in all I did not let it ruin the story for me.