Books I’m Loving – December 2019

I couldn’t put Code Name Helene down! I was thrilled when I got a copy from Netgalley – it’s the same way I was able to read I Was Anastasia from the same author – and I curled up with it as soon as I could. Nancy Wake is an ex-Australian happily living in France when Germany invades during WWII. Not content with sitting idly, she finds ways to keep busy in the French Resistance until she’s able to join the British Special Operations forces. Nancy is such a complex character – undeniably feminine with a no-nonsense attitude that strikes fear into even the harshest of soldiers. I loved this book and can’t wait until everyone else can meet Nancy Wake in March!

The Dutch House is a serious contender for my best read of the year. For some reason, I have a really difficult time describing this one. I think it’s because it tells such a sweeping family story over a long period of time, despite it’s relatively short length. It’s the story of the Conroy family, told by Danny, and how wealth rarely answers anyone’s prayers. It centers around the ownership of their family home, The Dutch House. I’m hoping that Patchett writes another book about this family, but this time from Danny’s sister’s, Maeve, perspective.