The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

This book was so wonderful; I didn't want it to end. It's a coming of age story set in 1950s England about an 18-yr-old girl whose life changes after encountering and forming relationships with a few interesting characters. The book also shows the effects the Second World War had on the lives of ordinary people.

I bought this book back in 2005 when I was studying in England. It was picked by the Richard & Judy Book Club, which is like the Oprah Book Club of England. I remember the book cover catching my eye, and after reading the description, I knew I had to read it.

However, as with all the other times I tried reading a book in the middle of travel, I wasn't able to finish it because I was too distracted by upcoming trips to Hawaii and the Philippines. After coming back to Chicago, the book was set to the side to collect dust like so many other books I've purchased and never read.

I don't remember why, but I decided to give it another go. As soon as I did, I knew that, this time, I would definitely finish it.

This book is pretty, exquisite, girly and an absolute joy to read. I love anything vintage, and this book transports you back to a time when women wore full skirts, young men enjoyed jazz, Elvis Presley was still unknown, and girls swooned over singer Johnnie Ray. At the same time, it also makes you realize that people then were not so different from us. They had the same wants, desires, fears, insecurities and joys.. albeit with better manners. :)

Every part of this book was so delectable, I had to read it slowly to enjoy it even more and be completely immersed in that culture and time. This definitely goes on my bookshelf.

4 stars ****

This is the American book cover: