Swimming Lessons | 
pickThis 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! 📚🎥💕
so-so3 1/2 🌟 & I think I'm being generous here.
2pts for #teamslaughter's theme +1 for #scarathlon participation = 69pts @Clwojick
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)
pickIngrid 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.
so-soI 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.
so-so“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
pickThis 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 🧡
pickInteresting 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
pickI 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
pickA 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
"Misjudged your limits
Pushed you too far
Took you for granted
Thought that you needed me more, more, more"
These lyrics reminded me of this book.
#boysdontcry #thecure #AnglophileApril
@Cinfhen @emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola @Mdargusch
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)
pickSo so sorry going out so late @shellleigh33 !! This book was a slow burn but i ended up really liking it!! @Crazeedi @Skeebies05
pickI 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!
Home alone on a Saturday equals creamy mushroom and bacon toast and starting a new book 👌
#currentlyreading
1. At work (B&N) I often recommend Kwame Alexander for reluctant boy readers⚽️🏀.....and on the staff recommendations shelves my current rec is Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller 🌊 (tagged).
2. Without fail! Every single day....🛏
3. 74F 😎... today is perfect 💕🌴
4. Marmite tossed with buttered popcorn. 🍿Also love homemade (unsweetened) coleslaw inside my grilled cheese🧀.... 😋
5. Will do 👋💕
#friyayintro @howjessreads
#MarchIntoThe70s #BridgeOverTroubledWater
There were some troubled waters in this one 🏊♀️
Since I never finished this for a book club, it‘s time to finish. Unfortunately, I attempted to pick up where I left off. 🙄. Back to page one. Sigh. Watching the Golden Globes and reading.
I had a few more birthday surprises in my mailbox when I got home today!! Thank you so very much!! This was so sweet and thoughtful of you Soubhi!! This one has been on my list for a while and the cover is beautiful 💛
Well, I gave this 4 days and 123 pages, and I‘m moving on. It might just be me, or timing, but I can‘t concentrate on it, it‘s not holding my attention. On to something more seasonal.
pickDevastated that I Forgot to read the book and had to miss book club discussion. Loving the book titles that end some of the chapters.
I just finished this audiobook as a re-read for my bookclub this week.... I didn‘t think it would be possible, but I loved ‘Swimming Lessons‘ even more the second time around! It‘s SOOOOO good! 💕💕
Luckily Claire Fuller‘s new one comes out tomorrow, so I just picked up the kindle version.... very excited!
pickThis book drove me crazy! I wanted to strangle, shake, hit over the head...and repeat...nearly all of the characters. I found myself dreading to pick it up because I couldn‘t stand them disappointing me even more. When I did pick it up, I had a hard time putting it down. What a story! I loved the format and the last 50 pages were so satisfying. I thought YES FINALLY! I‘m not giving anything away. Great stuff ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍🏼
pickI found this book a fascinating exploration of a life lived in a way so utterly and devastatingly different from what was imagined. There was an overwhelming feeling of being trapped in motherhood and marriage in a way rarely spoken of. There were many unanswered questions plus a few plot issues but still a compelling read. I especially loved the chapters told through letters.
My head is swimming with excel spreadsheets and formulas... time for a lunch break. I sure will be glad when this uni subject is done with. #ihatestatistics.
so-soOk, I enjoyed reading this but the ambiguity in the story wasn't to my liking.
Is the mother figure of the story dead, or just missing... her marriage was not particularly a happy one. She doesn't seem happy as a mother... her husband is abusive... is she also mentally ill and everyone around her ignores it???
Ambiguous book that didn't really work for me.
My latest physical book read (as distinct from my ereader and audiobook 'reads'). Anyone else read this one?
