Astonish Me
Guys. Before I get into this post, I need help! I can't seem to settle on a title layout for the blog! The only thing I am committed to is the little bunny bum who looks like he is reading the title. I think it's cute and it seems to be the only part I don't get annoyed with! If anyone out there has ideas to jazz up the title layout for this blog… all ideas are welcome! Note: I am not changing the actual title, just want to change how it looks! Please email me suggestions or ideas at favoritesfunfluffybun@gmail.com or just leave a comment on this post!
Ok now that's out of the way…!
I want to tell you about a book I recently read! It's called Astonish Me written by Maggie Shipstead. Ms. Shipstead is a New York Times Bestselling Author for another one of her books titled Seating Arrangements.
I sort of stumbled on this book when looking for something different back in July. I actually noticed it during a Barnes & Noble wandering session because of the cover. The paper back version has a scene from Paris on it and that was enough to get me to pick it up! Once I read the description and found out that ballet was involved - I was completely sold! I loved this book. From the second I picked it up to the moment I put it down I was completely obsessed with it.
This is the book overview:
"For years Joan has been trying to forget her past, to find peace and satisfaction in her role as wife and mother. Few in her drowsy California suburb know her thrilling history: as a young American ballerina in Paris, she fell into a doomed, passionate romance with Soviet dance superstar Arslan Rusakov. After playing a leading role in his celebrated defection, Joan bowed out of the spotlight for good, heartbroken by Arslan and humbled by her own modest career.
But when her son turns out to be a ballet prodigy, Joan is pulled back into a world she thought she'd left behind—a world of dangerous secrets, of Arslan, and of longing for what will always be just out of reach."
Reasons I loved this book:
I whole-heartedly recommend this book. I devoured it in two days (mostly because I couldn't put it down) and would recommend it to anyone looking for something new! It is a perfect book for the beach or for a plane ride!
If you want to buy the book you can purchase it here
I hope you love it as much as I did! <3 WC
Ok now that's out of the way…!
I want to tell you about a book I recently read! It's called Astonish Me written by Maggie Shipstead. Ms. Shipstead is a New York Times Bestselling Author for another one of her books titled Seating Arrangements.
I sort of stumbled on this book when looking for something different back in July. I actually noticed it during a Barnes & Noble wandering session because of the cover. The paper back version has a scene from Paris on it and that was enough to get me to pick it up! Once I read the description and found out that ballet was involved - I was completely sold! I loved this book. From the second I picked it up to the moment I put it down I was completely obsessed with it.
(This is the one I have! Paper Back Version)
(Hard Cover Version)
"For years Joan has been trying to forget her past, to find peace and satisfaction in her role as wife and mother. Few in her drowsy California suburb know her thrilling history: as a young American ballerina in Paris, she fell into a doomed, passionate romance with Soviet dance superstar Arslan Rusakov. After playing a leading role in his celebrated defection, Joan bowed out of the spotlight for good, heartbroken by Arslan and humbled by her own modest career.
But when her son turns out to be a ballet prodigy, Joan is pulled back into a world she thought she'd left behind—a world of dangerous secrets, of Arslan, and of longing for what will always be just out of reach."
Reasons I loved this book:
- Maggie Shipstead is a fantastic writer. There are books that you have to read a bit to get invested in... this was not one of those books. Page one alone was enough to suck me in.
- I actually learned a lot reading this book. I honestly knew nothing about Soviet defection and feel much more educated on the subject having read this book.
- There are a couple love stories in this book - BUT (and this is important) they are realistic love stories. And by this I mean they are not overly romantic, but instead, real life, comes-with-drama, not alway happy love stories. The character dynamics are down to earth and it makes the story that much more relatable.
- The book is written in a style that I always seem to enjoy. Each chapter is written from a different characters point of view and the story progresses through time. One of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult, writes her books in this style and I have never found a book of hers that I did not like! This was my first Maggie Shipstead book and I was pleasantly surprised to find it written in this style!
- And finally - I danced for 15 years and love all things related to ballet…heehee
(This is little ballet me!)
I whole-heartedly recommend this book. I devoured it in two days (mostly because I couldn't put it down) and would recommend it to anyone looking for something new! It is a perfect book for the beach or for a plane ride!
If you want to buy the book you can purchase it here
I hope you love it as much as I did! <3 WC
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