Summer makes us want to pack a suitcase and jet off to somewhere else. Even if you’re only going as far as the neighborhood pool this July, we recommend these books that will transport you to some unique places, near and far. And, if you order from The Snail on the Wall bookstore, http://www.snailonthewall.com, they’ll appear on your doorstep without your having to leave home at all.
Hula, by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
You may have visited Hawai’i, but chances are you didn’t get this immersive look at its people and its history. This novel focuses on a young girl who carries on the legacy of hula in her family. Yet, in order to compete for the Miss Aloha Hula title, she may have to turn her back on her culture. You’ll go deep into the majestic traditions of hula and Hawai’i in this beautiful book.
The Cuban Heiress, by Chanel Cleeton
Take a suspenseful voyage on a real luxury cruise ship from history, the SS Morro Castle, which made trips from New York to Havana in the 1930s. The historical backdrop is real, but this story of heiresses and jewel thieves, secrets and shipwrecks is delightful fiction that will captivate you as soon as you set sail.
The Little Italian Hotel, by Phaedra Patrick
Sometimes we need to leave our regular life behind to discover our future. That’s what Ginny Splinter, a radio host and relationship expert, learns when she hosts a group of strangers for a vacation in Italy. You’ll fall in love with the family-run (and somewhat rundown) hotel at the center of this charming book, which combines sunshine and sadness with a lot of heart.
The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese
Get ready for an extended journey in this thick new epic from the author of Cutting for Stone. It spans three generations of a family whose home is on the southern coast of India. In addition to his writing career, Abraham Verghese works as a physician, so his books are filled with questions about modern medicine, healing, faith, and more.
Hedge, by Jane Delury
If you like the idea of spending warm days among gorgeous gardens, follow along with Maud, a talented garden historian who takes a summer job caring for a lush 19th-century estate in the Hudson Valley. When she befriends an archeologist working alongside her, Maud begins to question her roles and responsibilities with her family back home and wonders how to find a fresh start.
SNAIL ON THE WALL
HUNTSVILLE'S INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
You can order online at www.snailonthewall.com or attend a pop-up or book signing event hosted by owner Lady Smith.