21 Comments
User's avatar
Felicity Keefe's avatar

Great article Aimee! All great but Marvellous Ways in particular would be amazing to sit down with. Love Sarah Winman books.

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

I think I might have to reread it x

Expand full comment
Kate Harvey's avatar

Love this, and all these inspiring women! I must read a year of Marvellous Ways too. 💛✨

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

It's a perfect summery read, I think. Let me know if you enjoy it! x

Expand full comment
Kelly Hargie's avatar

Such a beautiful post Aimée. I was smiling the whole time! I loved Marvellous Ways too, one of the first books I read by Sarah Winman and fell in love with her writing. Have you read Still Life? I devoured it last summer and think it may be one of my favourite books ever. So happy to find you here on Substack as I've always loved your writing x

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

Kelly, it's so nice to connect with you on here. I loved venturing into the Mournes with you. I hope life on the Emerald Isle is treating you well and all the next chapter is all coming together. I miss our bookish/nature-writing chat so I'm glad we're able to pick up that conversation again, albeit virtually.

I went to Florence earlier in the year and so I started Still Life on Audible while I was there. I didn't get very far and I think I may have to seek out the physical book for that one. I love Sarah Winman. x

Expand full comment
Kelly Hargie's avatar

I miss our chats too and I am not on Instagram etc these days so no clue what's going on with anyone. Florence is an amazing city isn't it? I was there in 2004 for my honeymoon and took our boys back a few years ago to show them all the places we loved so reading Still Life was such a treat. Hope all is well with you and your wee man. I'm sure he's getting big. My eldest is off to uni this year!

Expand full comment
Sophie Erin's avatar

Oh I love this, A year of Marvellous Ways sounds brilliant. I must put that on my to read list - and meet her on the pages.

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

Yes! It’s a very ‘Sophie’ read ☺️

Expand full comment
Floriferous Ideas's avatar

I thoroughly enjoyed this post! I really enjoyed Marvellous Ways too. Sarah Winman is a wonderful author, I really enjoyed her novel ‘When God Was a Rabbit’ her writing has so much authenticity and heart. I think I would love to invite Caro from the Jessie Greengrass novel ‘The High House’. I completely devoured that book and fell in love with Caro and her ability to embrace and shape her new life with strength, grace and beauty.

Expand full comment
The Literary Assistant's avatar

I love this so much! ❤️

Expand full comment
Debs Stott's avatar

Oh, this is just fabulous. I must admit to not having read four of those five, but I still loved your descriptions of the women and why you'd want to talk to them!

Expand full comment
Tiffany Writes's avatar

This post made me just so happy - what a treat 🧡

Expand full comment
Leah's avatar

This is such a fantastic idea! I'd love to invite Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter) and Alice (Alice in Wonderland) – I think our tea party would be so interesting ☕

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

This would be such an epic combo! Also sounds a lil trippy which I'm totally here for 🤣

Expand full comment
Leah's avatar

That's exactly what I was thinking! 😂 imagine the conversations we'd have! 🫖

Expand full comment
prue batten's avatar

What an engaging tea party.

I love the sound of Marvellous and am off to seek out the book...

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

Even better if you can listen to it on Audible. Such an enchanting listen x

Expand full comment
prue batten's avatar

I love audiobooks, so thank you.

Expand full comment
Louise Tilbrook ✨'s avatar

Jane Eyre would be my top choice too. Insightful, witty and not one to suffer fools gladly, I think she would have made a great tea time companion.

Expand full comment
Aimée Francis's avatar

Yep! “I have no wish to talk to nonsense,” quote to a drunk Mr R is my fave. 😂

Expand full comment