Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m reading Fuller‘s whole backlist this year, and while this was a so-so for me 5 years ago, it‘s a pick now. I liked the juxtaposition of Ingrid‘s epistolary chapters about the end of her marriage with the end of her husband‘s life in the alternating ones. I felt heartbroken for the two daughters caught between both losses. Great storytelling!

Looks like it will be another good year for the daisies!

#SummerSpecial

Two #Swim titles from my TBR, one from my #BOTM stack & one an ARC on my Kindle. 🏊‍♀️ 🏊‍♂️

Ugh, I'm cross with myself now for giving my time to such unsympathetic characters. ("Extraordinary marriage", my arse! More like "miserable in a predictably grubby way".) Not a fan of the form, either. A big chunk of it comprised letters written from one character to another, recalling their shared history: it filled in the backstory for the reader but I kept thinking, "they know all this already. They were there!" But... I kept reading, so...

Engaging story dealing with secrets, mystery, disfunction, and all the trigger warnings. I don‘t know yet what I think of the ending. I‘ll probably read her other books.

1️⃣3️⃣ Ariadne ➡️ 1️⃣4️⃣ Swimming Lessons

#ThingsInCommon: wavy hair on the cover, #botm

#awesomeapril

What a lovely #Bestof2021 swap package, @AmyG - thank you so much for everything! I've been meaning to read all of these books for ages, but am most especially excited about the tagged. And I didn't realize how much I needed a stationary tray (and all these cute things!) until I read your note, but it's ideal. And today is perfect for putting in cosy sucks and having a cuppa, so plans for the day sorted! Thanks so much and happy 2022.

This was not a happy book, but I loved it and I couldn‘t put it down.

This was my first experience with this author & I found her writing very enjoyable. The format for this story may not be enjoyable for everyone. Told through a series of letters & memories a marriage is explored.

Infidelity, paths not taken, fertility, substance abuse, growing apart, are all presented in this novel as the source of the break. A lesson in appreciating who & what you have. The ending was a little bit unfitting but overall solid⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alright, I will officially read anything by Claire Fuller. Finished this in two sitting. Would have been one, except I was working all day yesterday, and...kids. The suspense, the characters, setting... she pulls it all off flawlessly. I‘m also drawn to the common theme of poverty vs wealth in the 3 books of hers that I‘ve read now.

Who could resist this beaut of a cover?
Plus it matches my duvet cover perfectly 😂😂😊😍

When you find a deserted island...you read 🏝💕

My weekend read ❤️❤️

Regrets, accountability, secrecy, confessions, and escape.

Day 24 - #Swim #BoundTogetherJune
#SwimmingLessons #ClaireFuller

My daughter-In-law gave me this book but I haven‘t read it yet. It does look good!

#AcrossApril Some #blueandgreencovers off the shelves.

I need to get to the Ann Patchett!

This story is told in two parts. The first is the story of Flora and Nan twelve years after the disappearance of their mother, still dealing with the ramifications and now their father's health is failing. The second is the story of their parents relationship told through a series of letters their mother wrote and hid in books. I enjoyed this book but found it a bit long in parts. I probably loved the story of the relationship more.

I love author Claire Fuller on instagram, she‘s always really fun,and writes great reviews. My favorite thing she does is her themed book stacks.... today‘s is #bookstofilms which is always a great one... I‘m going to share my stack of my favorites on here, feel free to share yours too! 📚🎥💕

3 1/2 🌟 & I think I'm being generous here.

2pts for #teamslaughter's theme +1 for #scarathlon participation = 69pts @Clwojick

#fullmoon #screamathonphotochallenge @4thhouseontheleft

#7days7covers #covercrush day 4. Play along! Post a cove a day for 7 days. No explanation needed.

Lots of walking, 4 swims and 3 books! I love #BFC!

I‘ve enjoyed finding those little spots of time to make good use of, rewarding myself with little sweet treats and sharing success with a community of lovely lovely people!

As we close in on the final week - looking to smash my book based goal of 6 books on 6 weeks!

@chrissyreadit @erinsuegreads @itchyfeetreader @microbemom @phatsallylee @blaire @sudi @wanderinglynn

Thanks for the tag @Klou 😊💕👍
1. ⬆️... love Claire Fuller... and this is my favorite of hers.
2. Yesterday... I‘m such fan of Richard Curtis, love his writing, as sentimental and British as can be!
3. Greek food, always reminds me of childhood vacations...
4. Just 2, I have a very small family..
5. Will do! 😊💕👍

#Friyayintro @howjessreads

Received my book back for #lmpbc today from @Crazeedi! Seems like everyone liked it! Yay! @shellleigh33 @Skeebies05

Letters from a missing mother provide clues of the family‘s past. News is that she was drowned but she was seen by the husband from a window, twelve years after her disappearance.
#JulyColdPlay #swallowedinthesea

(Pic from clairefuller.co.uk)

Ingrid Coleman disappeared 12 years ago, presumed drowned, but her husband Gil just saw her outside a book store. The book is told in chapters alternating between present day and letters Ingrid wrote to her husband all those years ago. Through the letters we see marriage and motherhood through her eyes. While I found the characters choices frustrating as a reader this was definitely a pick for me.

For today‘s version of #Booksonboats I‘m reading my backlist #BOTM in Oyster Bay Harbor. We have no plans for the day other than hanging out and relaxing. Rumor has it that‘s Billy Joel‘s house in the background. Also, I LOVE this cover.

Does anyone else miss when #BOTM sent a bookmark specific to your monthly pick? And when there were little surprise gifts every so often?

I did not enjoy this book and would not have picked it up if not for my bookclub. I liked the writing style but grew very bored with the characters. I had to force myself to keep going. Book 36 of 2019.

“Each reader will take something different from a novel, from a chapter, from a line.” This quote is the reason why I love meeting with my book club each month. Hearing how each person interpreted the book is always fascinating. Although this wasn‘t one of my favorites, I appreciated the writing style. The story unfolded with alternating chapters: the present, and the past told through letters. The cover of this book is amazing! #Book15of2019

My son just got his wife her first kindle( a surprise) .. they go on hols next Tuesday. He asked me for some suggestions to have on the kindle for her ..... no pressure 🤨 😳She likes thrillers too , I think this is a good mix ?!
He says - we‘ll have a debrief on their suitability post Holliday‘s - 😂

1. Swimming lessons (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
2. Cast Away
3. Copacabana

*The tagged book was one of my favorite BOTM picks!
#manicmonday @joscho

This was such a compelling read of marriage, infidelity and motherhood. I was completely immersed in the story. I really felt for Ingrid but Gil infuriated me. It‘s written in such a way that it keeps you wanting to turn the pages. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘m staying in a gorgeous house in the lakes for a few days. It‘s absolutely pouring down outside and I‘m all snuggled reading in front of the fire. I‘m in my happy place 🧡

Interesting story. Not sure I would have picked it up if not for book club. Really enjoyed the writing. I thought we got a pretty good picture of the two main characters. Though Ingrid wasn‘t my favorite, her letters were probably the best parts of the book.

6-1-19: My 44th finished book of 2019! #swimminglessons #clairefuller 👍🏼📖#️⃣4️⃣4️⃣

It will be on its way tomorrow! #LMPBC #GroupL

I liked how the book was set up, alternating between the present and letters written by Ingrid. An intriguing story about love, motherhood, hope, and regret. The story is engaging, especially as insight of the marriage is revealed, and there are parts which are beautiful. I‘m in the minority here.. didn‘t love it as I thought I would. 🤷‍♀️

In my #currentread Flora is #hookedonafeeling - or perhaps clinging to hope, that their mother, who has disappeared years ago, is still alive.

My first Claire Fuller.

#MayMovieMagic

A story of a troubled marriage & strained family relationships. I loved that Ingrid‘s letters were a “ place of truth “ : “ here , in this place of truths , I can say it “.
I also loved the part that water played : the sea , the water of the womb, the weightlessness. The fish on the road when Flora is driving home , she asks “ was it an omen? ”. I finished this last night & woke up having dreamt of water.
Thanks for this gift @TrishB

... “ It‘s difficult to live with both hope and grief ...”
Loving this book Trish ! It reminds me - what you said recently of 2 Kit de Waal‘s books : Like they were written by different authors.
This book is so very different from BITTER ORANGE... could be by another writer. It‘s unreal how far from from each other these 2 books are. SWIMMING LESSONS is on another level for me 👍🏻♥️

I loved this book! I‘ve even gifted it 2 or 3 times as part of book swaps. #lessons #springintoreading

My #groupL #round5 #LMPBC book came in from @Kayla.Adriena I love all my goodies and my cute card Kayla 🥰❤️. Thank you so much!! I can not wait to read this book.

Just saw this on @ writerclairefuller ‘s Instagram feed.... having just finished all of Ian McEwan‘s novels... she‘s ranking them top to bottom, favorite to least favorite.
I‘ve read 6 and really enjoyed them all.... so I‘m going to try and tackle her top two soon... (not read either but her 3rd choice is one of my favorite books)

So so sorry going out so late @shellleigh33 !! This book was a slow burn but i ended up really liking it!! @Crazeedi @Skeebies05

Thankyou Trish 😘 Loving my birthday books. XXX

Happy Birthday Julia. Little Bee looks great. And I‘m in love with marzipan ✨✨✨Thankyou X

I can‘t remember the last time I read a book in 2 days. It was definitely before I started working! I was sucked into this book, sucked into the lives and drama of Ingrid and Gil, mostly, but also into the life and inner workings of Flora, one of their daughters. After loving Fuller‘s first book, this didn‘t disappoint at all!