I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I am the slowest reader I know. But despite that, I wanted to start this book review series on my blog. I am madly in love with book stores and new books, especially the smell of a newly printed book and that feeling when you finish a really good book. Only problem is…I don’t make reading a priority. The only time I usually set aside time to read anything is when I’m on the beach or on a plane. Now that I’m working 40 hours a week, I tend to put reading at the bottom of my to-do list, unless a book immediately hooks me from the beginning. This was the case with the book I’m reviewing today, Circling the Sun by Paula McLain.
I read this book while on the cruise I took at the beginning of the summer. You can ask Taylor… I couldn’t put it down. I read Paula McLain’s book The Paris Wife when I was in high school and honestly I’ve never been the same since. I cried so hard while reading that book, but also fell in love with historical fiction. Paula McLain really outdoes herself with Circling the Sun, which is all about the life of Beryl Markham. I hadn’t even heard of Beryl before picking up this book, but I felt truly inspired by her story. McLain does a fantastic job of staying historically accurate while also writing an addicting story that includes moments that can only be speculated but you really hope happened.
Beryl grew up in Kenya during the 1920s in an age where a headstrong, courageous and independent woman is frowned upon and rare. Beryl lives her life wild and free while dealing with disastrous relationships, a love triangle, professional failure and conquering aviation at a time where it was practically a death sentence to fly. Just when you think the book is about to slow down, another twist or disaster happens that Beryl must fight through. There were so many interesting historical references in this book that I kept fact checking and looking up events to see if they actually happened…and they did! I’m so happy I learned about Beryl’s life because it was truly inspiring. You really feel for her character and really want her to have it all. Paula McLain tends to end her books on a more bittersweet note that can bring you to tears, but by the time you close the book you’re definitely happy you finished it.
You can buy it here from Amazon!
Do you know anything about Beryl Markham? Comment below!
Thanks for reading! xx