Continuing with my book reviews, here’s my next pick…
Beautiful Ruins, a New York Times Bestseller, immediately caught my eye (I was judging a book by its cover, literally.) But who can blame me with that magnificent photo of the Italian coastline. I figured this was something I would be interested in as I have a slight obsession with Italy. This was the first novel I’ve read by Jess Walter, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I must say I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to reading a few more of his books. Beautiful Ruins is the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962…and is rekindled in Hollywood fifty years later. This book has romance, drama, a beautiful setting, and tells a great story.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (synopsis from Goodreads)
The story begins in 1962. On a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a young innkeeper, chest-deep in daydreams, looks out over the incandescent waters of the Ligurian Sea and spies an apparition: a tall, thin woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an actress, he soon learns, an American starlet, and she is dying.
And the story begins again today, half a world away, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio’s back lot—searching for the mysterious woman he last saw at his hotel decades earlier.
What unfolds is a dazzling, yet deeply human, roller coaster of a novel, spanning fifty years and nearly as many lives. From the lavish set of Cleopatra to the shabby revelry of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Walter introduces us to the tangled lives of a dozen unforgettable characters: the starstruck Italian innkeeper and his long-lost love; the heroically preserved producer who once brought them together and his idealistic young assistant; the army veteran turned fledgling novelist and the rakish Richard Burton himself, whose appetites set the whole story in motion—along with the husbands and wives, lovers and dreamers, superstars and losers, who populate their world in the decades that follow.
Gloriously inventive, constantly surprising, Beautiful Ruins is a story of flawed yet fascinating people, navigating the rocky shores of their lives while clinging to their improbable dreams.
Well, there you have it…so, pickup a copy of Beautiful Ruins or download it to your e-reader, and enjoy this great story.
Have you read any good books lately? I love suggestions!
Listen2Mama 
I don’t read, but from the sound of the description, I can see how it made it to the NY Times best seller list. Sounds like it’s a captivating read.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fabulous book! Now I just need to make the time to sit down with a book and get into it! Thanks for the recommendation!
LikeLike
I read this book about a year ago. I definitely got lost in another world. It was a bit slow for me, but I enjoyed it!
LikeLike
This is good to hear. I like having books that are really immersive when I’m stuck on a plane or in a car.
LikeLike
I love to read books that span generations and I always hate for them to end! I just paused in the middle of my comment and downloaded it on my Kindle. I know what I’m going to be doing on this rainy afternoon once my work is done. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love reading when I have the time! I literally just ordered this after reading your review!
I just finished reading “Girl on the train” it was really good!
LikeLike
Sounds like a fun book! I love books with inventive characters, and this one sounds like it would fit the bill.
LikeLike
This sounds like a great book. I need to start making more time to read.
LikeLike
This sounds like an interesting read. This is the kind of book that I love to read. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
LikeLike
Now this sounds like a book I would enjoy – I’ll have to add it to my TBP which I will day hopefully see the bottom of 😉 x
LikeLike
This sounds like the perfect book for the beach! I love the picture on the front too – I’d probably pick it just based on that as well, lol!
LikeLike
I read so much for business I barely have time for a novel or fiction. I’ve got to find some time to read some of these books!
LikeLike
I find some of my favorite books by judging a book by its cover. This sounds like a great one. Thank you for the suggestion.
LikeLike
This sounds like a really good one. I haven’t read anything recently but it would be nice to have something to read on my flights.
LikeLike
Sounds like a beautiful love story! I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in a bookstore!
LikeLike
I love reading new books. Ill see if this one will be at my local book store! Thanks for the share.
LikeLike
I’m glad the characters have flaws. It’s tough to relate when the characters are too perfect.
LikeLike
Sounds like an interesting read for sure. This time of year I have to dust off the Poe and Lovecraft – it’s just too perfect a time of year not to read something spooky and dark-ish.
LikeLike
Fans of films may really enjoy this
LikeLike
It sounds like something I’d enjoy reading. I love those old black romantic black and white movies. This seems like it would play off of those.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fascinating book. I could curl up with this book for a good read
LikeLike
You are right, that cover is beautiful and it would draw me to read this for sure. It does sound like a really good read and something I should put on my list. It has been awhile since I have read a good book.
LikeLike
I love reading books and it sounds like a great book!! I will read this book on coming weekend!!
LikeLike
Beautiful Ruins looks fascinating, like a great read as I do judge books by their covers. I would love to read a story that takes place in Italy since I am so in love with that country.
LikeLike
I always judge a book by the cover. Awful I know. But I would pick this one for it too. So pretty. Sounds like a book worth checking out!
LikeLike
I just finished my book. This looks like it would be a great replacement. I will have to check it out.
LikeLike
This looks like an interesting read I’ll add it to my list and check it out
LikeLike
I have a stack of books I need to read. Now I want to add this to my list!
LikeLike
I can toally see how that cover drew you in. It’s a very beautiful location.
LikeLike
I love that this novel spans fifty years. I’m sure it covers a lot of history and human experiences.
LikeLike
Sounds like an awesome book to read with interesting twist and spin 🙂
LikeLike
I love reading so much & Beautiful Ruins looks like a great read for a weekend. My husband would love it being a love affair story filled with romance & drama. Would love to grab a copy for sure.
LikeLike
Pretty sure the cover alone would give me wanderlust. It does sound intriguing. 🙂
LikeLike
This sounds like a delightful book indeed. I haven’t picked up a book in ages but I wonder if it’s available for my Kindle. Will have to check it out.
LikeLike
I wish I could read like I use to! I haven’t picked up a book in months!
LikeLike
This book has been on my reading list for a while. You just reminded me to move it closer to the top.
LikeLike
I can see why you judged that book by its cover. It looks great from the outside, and even better after your review!
LikeLike
Definitely my kind of a book to read, I can not wait to check it out. I need to start reading again
LikeLike
This sounds like a really interesting book! I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m looking for a book to read.
LikeLike