I'm happy to say that I was recommended her by Julian Barnes. Of course, that's not really the case, but somewhere he writes that she is superior and undervalued. And he's right.

I knew The Bookshop as a film, which is nice but doesn't do justice to this wonderful short novel. The Blue Flower is a jewel. Again, it's short but very deep and empathetic about Novalis, a Romantic precursor of whom I knew little.

Finally, The Gate of Angels, which, by the way, just like The Bookshop, lightly touches on 'gothic', but is mainly a beautiful insight into the mores of the small bourgeoisie (and science) at the beginning of the 20th century. It's like Dickens, but much more readable and compact.

All in an impeccable prose that fits the time and place of the story.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is an all-time favorite!

Both my mom and I were completely engrossed and stayed up well into the early hours to finish this remarkable book. :)

What makes The Scarlet Pimpernel so incredibly effective is the fact that individuals like the protagonist actually existed during the Reign of Terror. They bravely made attempts to smuggle innocent children, women, and men out of France.

The time period is presented in such a fresh and dynamic way that the story becomes a page-turner from cover to cover!

Moreover, the love story within the narrative adds additional dimensions to the already palpable suspense.

This book is an absolute must-read for enthusiasts of historical fiction and romance alike, or for those who are just being introduced to these genres. It offers a captivating blend of adventure, romance, and historical authenticity that is sure to leave readers spellbound.

The first edition of the United States is a significant milestone in the country's history.

It represents the beginning of a new nation, with its own unique identity and set of values.

The 1st edition US was founded on principles such as freedom, equality, and democracy, which have since become the cornerstone of American society.

During this time, the US was in the process of establishing its government, economy, and social structure.

The Constitution was drafted and ratified, laying the foundation for the country's legal system.

The 1st edition US also saw the growth of industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, which contributed to the nation's economic prosperity.

Overall, the 1st edition US was a time of great change and progress, setting the stage for the country's future development and success.

I really should have listed these as distinct books.

Offshore was truly great. It was more of a character study than a traditional novel, and in fact, it adhered much closer to the aesthetic of a short story. This unique approach made it stand out and offered a refreshing perspective.

The other two books, namely The Bookshop and The Blue Flower, were both solid efforts. However, The Bookshop had some key flaws that couldn't be ignored. It might have had a great premise, but certain aspects of the execution didn't quite hit the mark.

As for The Blue Flower, it just didn't quite manage to connect with me on a deeper level. Maybe it was the pacing, or perhaps the characters didn't resonate as strongly as they could have. Nevertheless, it was still a worthy read, but it didn't have the same impact as Offshore.

Overall, each of these books had its own merits and drawbacks, and it's interesting to see the different ways in which the authors approached their respective stories.