Hello Wineauxs!
It's time to vote for June's Book Club Selection. The theme is inspired by the best movie in the National Lampoon "Vacation" series -- European Vacation (go ahead, fight me!). The nominated books take place in countries visited by the Griswold's and a few more for added fun. Please research among the brief descriptions here and then Cast your vote in the comments! P.S. I've included the page count for each book and also attached photos of the book covers.
And the nominees are...
1. Slow Horses by Mick Herron (London)
A riveting spy thriller about a group of failed MI5 agents who, whilst they can't be fired from the service they have become persona non grata to the powers that be. One thing they all have in common, though, is they all want to be back in the action. And most of them would do anything to get there─even if it means having to collaborate with one another. This is also a series on Apple TV+ starring Gary Oldman. It's the first in the Slough House series of books. (408 pages)
2. The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller (Rome)
An art-heist adventure tale: It's 1943, 14-year-old Massimo is newly orphaned fleeing from Rome after surviving the American bombing raid that killed his parents. Massimo is attacked by thugs and finds himself at the base of the Montecassino. It is there that a charismatic and cryptic man calling himself Pietro Houdini, the self-proclaimed “Master Artist and confidante of the Vatican,” rescues him to serve as his assistant in preserving the treasures that lay within the monastery walls. (380 pages)
3. The Magician by Colm Toibin (Germany)
A dazzling epic family saga about the public and private life of author Thomas Mann, the most successful novelist of his time, Nobel Prize winner. His story begins in a small German city at the turn of the 20th century, where he grows up with a conservative father and a Brazilian mother, alluring and unpredictable. Young Mann hides his artistic aspirations from his father and his homosexuality from everyone. He is infatuated with one of the richest, most cultured families in Munich, marrying the daughter Katia. They have 6 children. On a holiday in Italy, he writes the "Death in Venice". (512 pages)
4. Mademoiselle Chanel: A Novel by C.W. Gortner (Paris)
A historical fiction novel, imagining the life of iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel—the ambitious, gifted laundrywoman’s daughter who revolutionized fashion, built an international empire, and became one of the most influential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Born into poverty, Gabrielle Chanel and her siblings are sent to an orphanage after their mother’s death. Gabrielle’s exceptional sewing skills, transform her into Coco—a seamstress and sometime torch singer who draws a wealthy gentleman who will become the love of her life. (435 pages)
5. The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza (Sicily)
A transporting novel rooted in the author’s own family history about a long-awaited trip to Sicily, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect. Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. The recent death of her beloved great-aunt opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. (383 pages)
6. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy (Ireland)
Set during the Troubles, a shattering novel about a young woman Cushla, who lives a quiet life with her mother in a small town near Belfast, teaching at a parochial school and moonlighting at her family’s pub. There she meets Michael Agnew, a Protestant barrister who’s made a name for himself defending IRA members. Cushla lets herself get drawn into his sophisticated world, and an affair ignites, setting in motion a chain of events that will threaten everything. (304 pages)
7. The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley (Europe)
The follow-up to the bestselling novel, The Guncle -- Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. Note: this novel will be released May 21, 2024.
CAST YOUR VOTE!
If you purchase your books online, please consider supporting our little book club by shopping through our pop-up bookshops. You can find all the nominees there.
LWS Amazon Store
LWS Bookshop.org Store
