Bookish Pleasures

What we are reading this week!

Julia Reed’s Mississippi home

Hello Friends!!

We’re doing it again! Last week, I asked our Island Hopper Team what everyone is reading. We’re onto new books. Below are our current reads as well as some we have finished recently.

Amanda Brooks’ Oxfordshire home

Emily

I recently read Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. This book was ODD! I finished it about a week ago and I honestly still haven’t decided if I liked it or not. It’s about a popular ‘tradwife’ influencer and follows her family on their ranch, ‘Yesteryear’, as she curates their lifestyle for social media. I won’t give any spoilers but there is a major twist in the second half of the book. If you’re looking for a book to spark intense conversation and debate at your next book club this would be a great pick! When discussed at my book club, we couldn’t agree on the genre—Satire or Psychological Thriller. We even had one vote for Sci-Fi. We did all admit we were confused by the ‘twist’ and not one of us predicted the ending!!! Anne Hathaway is already making the movie, and I can’t wait to see how she portrays Natalie, the main character.

Diane Von Furstenberg’s Connecticut home

Courteney

I am personally reading Eat & Run by Scott Jurek who is an ultra runner. He describes how he got into running and ultra running, as well as how his childhood and early life contributed to his success. The book follows his journey as an elite runner, winning The Western States Endurance Run seven times in a row, which is arguably the most prestigious race in the United States. He also speaks about diet and the importance of how athletes fuel their bodies. I’ve been enjoying it a lot so far!

Rita Konig’s London Home

William

I am halfway through Dostoevsky by Joseph Frank. This book, an exhaustive biography of the famed Russian novelist, is definitely more of a project than a light read. This is especially true when you read the referenced books while working through it. I would describe it as “very high calorie” in all the best ways. It is very informative regarding the 19th century and Russia, two subjects I find alluring.

Bunny Mellon’s Virgina library

Tricia

While traveling for the past month I read and/or listened to six books. My favorite by far was the new Kathryn Stockett book The Calamity Club. This is the second book written by the author of The Help. I predict this will be the break out book of 2026. It was one of the best books I have encountered in years. I listened to this massive tome because I couldn’t bring myself to carry it around Europe with me. The narration is spectacular with two very distinct female southern voices. I am so hopeful that it will be made into a fabulous movie with the caliber of The Help.

While in Amsterdam Courteney and I visited an English language bookstore (which is a huge treat while traveling) and I purchased the first two Agatha Christie novels. Last night I finished the first one which is called The Mysterious Affair at Styles.This is also the introduction to Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. I thoroughly enjoyed the old school 1920’s British mystery. The older I get, and the more toxic the news, I find my gravitating towards more wholesome British mysteries on paper and on the screen, and away from anything gruesome.

Today is a new day and I plan on cracking open a new book. I have stacks and stacks of books to read. I am hoping to dive into a meaty one! Stay tuned!

Skye McAlpine’s London townhouse

xx Courteney