The French Cookery School by Caroline James
First line: (Prologue) “In the medieval municipality of Chauvigny in Western France, the run-down estate of La Maison du Paradis, once vibrant and meticulously tended, bore the mark of neglect.”
Chick-lit? Yes. Total fluff? Well… not entirely. The plot was good with some deeper themes and there were many wonderful food descriptions. But you know what? Sometimes we need light, fluffy reading to get us through reality. I enjoyed this a lot and would be willing to read more by the author. I think most of her books are marketed to (ahem) “mature” women.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
First line: (Preface) “At last, on Monday around ten or half past, Sybil Van Antwerp carries the mug of Irish breakfast tea with milk to her desk.”
What a marvelous book! Even when I already had it on my TBR as our April selection for book club, it was recommended to me by several people. I can honestly say it lives up to its hype and rave reviews. It’s an epistolary novel, told entirely in letters, so it took a short while to make all the connections, but once I did… well, I struggled to put it down. I highly recommend it!
Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie
First line: “Mrs. Oliver looked at herself in the glass.”
This is the first time I’ve ever figured out an Agatha Christie mystery. I didn’t have all the details in place, but I knew the basics. That didn’t keep me from enjoying it, though. I agree with the popular opinion that even when Christie isn’t at her best, she’s still better than so many others. I quite liked having Ariadne Oliver take such a prominent role in this one. She and Poirot together are almost as fun as when he’s paired with Hastings.
Light Upon Light compiled by Sarah Arthur
First line: (Introduction) “Welcome to this literary guide to prayer for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.”
I began this book last November, on the first Sunday of Advent, finishing it on Shrove Tuesday. It’s a lovely devotional supplement filled with scripture readings, prayers, poetry, and excerpts from various literary works. There were parts I loved, but I felt a lot of it went over my head. I can struggle with poetry at times.
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
First line: (Overture) “Helen Cartwright was old with her life broken in ways she could not have foreseen.”
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this lovely novella narrated by Christine Rendel. I was delighted by all the characters, especially the mouse, and enjoyed the way various details were revealed along the way, keeping the story fresh and interesting. I can’t remember where I came across it, so if one of you recommended it to me… thanks!
I recommend it here in return.
Atticus by S. Bennett
First line: (Prologue) “Things were fuzzy when I first came into the world.”
If you are a dog lover, this book is a “must read”. It’s a sweet (bittersweet in places) story of a dog who was rescued by a woman (or maybe the woman was rescued by the dog!) and how it changed her life. It’s a lovely story filled with humor, wisdom, and second chances. Although based on the author’s own Bernese Mountain Dog, the details of the plot are fictional. However, the author states that all the antics about Atticus are taken from real life experiences with her own Atticus (who passed away several years ago). She even provides links to the real Atticus’ FB and Instagram accounts. Thanks for insisting I read it, Kay!
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
First line: “My mother’s a prostitute.”
This YA novel is one of the books I bought when I showed my local independent book store some love last year. It was a pleasant way to end the month. A bit of mystery, a little romance, along with danger and excitement – all set in 1950s New Orleans. Sepetys is a good writer and I really enjoyed her cast of characters in this one.
Kelly
Kelly's Thoughts & Ramblings 
I’ve added The Correspondent to my list.
The French Cookery School sounds good, too. Escapist, perhaps? Not such a bad thing sometimes.
By: RoseReadsNovels on March 1, 2026
at 6:15 am
I feel certain you’re going to like The Correspondent! I’ve not heard of anyone who hasn’t!
A lot of these were good escapist novels. Not a bad thing!
By: Kelly on March 1, 2026
at 1:50 pm
I’ll keep my eyes open for the Christie — I haven’t read that one, Kelly. Oh, and Atticus sounds good, too, but I’ve got to ask: does the dog die? If so, I won’t be reading it. I know, death is a part of life, but we just get so attached to our pups!
By: Debbie on March 1, 2026
at 9:24 am
I think you’d like it, Debbie. There’s an epilogue that looks into the future, but you don’t have to fear a doggy death scene. Now there is a human….
By: Kelly on March 1, 2026
at 1:51 pm
Thanks for that info! I just can’t do doggie deaths … in books or on screen.
By: Debbie on March 1, 2026
at 2:31 pm
I can’t remember the plot of Elephants Can Remember, which is a bit ironic, but at least proves I’m not an elephant! Time to put it on the list for a re-read…
By: FictionFan on March 1, 2026
at 2:10 pm
Sometimes I feel like an elephant, but certainly not for my memory. I bet once you begin it, it will all come back to you. As always, Hugh Fraser does a fine job of narrating.
By: Kelly on March 1, 2026
at 2:14 pm
Thanks, Kelly. Several of these appeal to me. I love your eclectic reading lists! I’m starting “The Lord of the Rings” so I can understand Fleming Rutledge’s scholarship on Middle-Earth. Wish me luck – fantasy has never connected for me.
By: episcopalcowgirl on March 1, 2026
at 2:34 pm
I do wish you luck! So many people love those books. I read the Hobbit in junior high and didn’t really care for it, so I never went on to the trilogy. I’ve grown much fonder of fantasy later in life, so maybe I’ll try it someday. I’ll see how it goes for you! 😉
By: Kelly on March 1, 2026
at 2:38 pm
I have the Correspondent on hold at the library.. good to hear you liked it so much.
By: henatayeb on March 1, 2026
at 2:44 pm
I hope you like it, too!
By: Kelly on March 1, 2026
at 2:56 pm
I cannot believe it is March already. I am finally getting some light in the backyard (tiny patio area). We don’t get any light there from Sept – February, roughly.
I will definitely be reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, this year, soon I hope. I think that Elephants Can Remember is the only Poirot novel that I haven’t read. I will have to check that out. I do have it on the Kindle so maybe I will read it soonish.
By: tracybham on March 1, 2026
at 4:32 pm
I still have so many Christies to read since I got such a late start on them. I’ve really enjoyed some stand alones as well as most of the Poiroits I’ve read. I’ve only reason one Tommy & Tuppence and one Miss Marple and though I enjoyed them, have preferred to stick with the Poirots for now.
I hope you enjoy the Correspondent when you get to it.
By: Kelly on March 1, 2026
at 4:57 pm
Kelly, As always I enjoyed your new extras very much. And I will definitely keep Atticus, The Correspondent and Elephants Can Remember in mind. Raven
By: stardustraven on March 2, 2026
at 12:04 am
I feel sure you would enjoy Atticus, Raven. It’s a great story!
By: Kelly on March 2, 2026
at 10:20 am
Oddly enough, as a crime fiction fan, Agatha and I just do not get along.
By: noveldeelights on March 2, 2026
at 6:23 am
I read my first about ten years ago and enjoyed it, but got hooked when I started listening to them as audiobooks. I love Hugh Fraser’s narrations.
You’re not alone. One of my book club friends finds them quite boring!
By: Kelly on March 2, 2026
at 10:23 am
I haven’t read the Christie but love Ariadne so I certainly will, and The Correspondent looks and sounds great, definitely on my list!
By: Jane on March 2, 2026
at 6:35 am
I think this might be my third with Ariadne and she’s quite good in it! I need to look up which ones she and Hastings appear in so I can make sure they’re all on my TBR.
By: Kelly on March 2, 2026
at 10:25 am
I was hoping “French Cooking” was a good book to learn how to cook… I’ve only read “Light Upon Light,” which I enjoyed a few years ago during Advent-Epiphany.
By: jgarrison75 on March 2, 2026
at 9:19 am
Haha…. it does include a lot of talk about French cooking, but I’m not ready to do any after reading it.
By: Kelly on March 2, 2026
at 10:26 am
Loved, loved, loved The Correspondent and also very much enjoyed Sipsworth. Not the dog person you are, but I think Atticus would be a perfect fit for me.
By: Anonymous on March 2, 2026
at 10:52 am
That was me, by the way!
By: Bob on March 2, 2026
at 10:53 am
I thought it might be you. 😉 I’m relieved to know where I learned about Sipsworth. Thank you, I really enjoyed it! And yes, I think you’d like Atticus.
By: Kelly on March 2, 2026
at 11:16 am
Ain’t nothing wrong with being a “mature” woman, and definitely nothing wrong with a book aimed that way!
I love it when light and fluffy turns out to make our gears grind too.
BTW have I alerted you to Emma Grey yet? (disclaimer – I am related to her, but don’t hold that against her) Her third book Start at the End is coming out soon, but Pictures of You and The Last Love Note have both also done well over there.
By: jeanie on March 2, 2026
at 2:14 pm
You must have told me because I have one of them tagged at my digital library. Now I need to make sure I get to it in the near future! I have a book by one of my own relatives on my TBR that I really need to read soon, too. So many books!
By: Kelly on March 2, 2026
at 3:28 pm
You did read the Elephants and figured out the murderer. Fab!
Atticus sounds lovely, but it’s not available at the library. I found a series of children’s book with a cat Atticus instead, a cat-detective sort of book that actually sounds rather fun.
The first 2 books aren’t available at the library either. Such a shame.
By: Anca on March 4, 2026
at 3:31 am
I’m surprised The Correspondent isn’t at your library. It’s very popular over here.
I’ll have to look up the cat detective books. I bet my younger grandson would love them!
By: Kelly on March 4, 2026
at 11:00 am
You had me at ‘the woman was rescued by the dog.’ Those stories always hit home, even when they’re bittersweet. It’s also a huge ego boost to finally crack an Agatha Christie mystery before the reveal, isn’t it?
– Mr. Shife
https://www.mrshife.com/
By: Anonymous on March 5, 2026
at 11:37 am
I bet you would like the book!
By: Kelly on March 5, 2026
at 11:54 am
I ADORE an epistolary novel, so I must try that one you read!
Thanks for Atticus. I must get that for my Stepmum!
By: Anonymous on March 6, 2026
at 1:13 pm
…. MMy phone froze so I couldn’t complete my comment. I don’t think we should have to apologise for reading fluff. I read a book aimed at 6-8 year olds yesterday and thoroughly loved it and I’m not ashamed to say I read it!
I qquite like a bit of Chicklit now and then.
I ddo enjoy an Ariadne Oliver mystery!
By: Kezzie on March 6, 2026
at 1:15 pm
I hope you can find The Correspondent. Anca said it wasn’t at her library, so maybe it’s not as popular over there!
By: Kelly on March 6, 2026
at 2:07 pm
Good to know you liked The Correspondent. I am reading it right now.
By: Anonymous on March 10, 2026
at 3:35 pm
I’ve not heard any negatives about it.
By: Kelly on March 10, 2026
at 3:39 pm
[…] Kelly from Kelly’s Thoughts & Ramblings read and recommended The Correspondent recently, so it is on my list. […]
By: Six Degrees of Separation: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans | Rose Reads Novels on April 3, 2026
at 4:49 pm