You’ll have noticed there’s been an increase in new books on the shelves. It’s a seasonal thing … come mid-year more books are released. Just in time for Winter, too … so yay. Not much beats curling up with a good book in front of the fire or in bed.
We’re massive fans of the monthly book recommendations from Exclusive Books … they always pick out the top choices from the new releases.
And our recommendation from this month’s list is Diva, by New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin. It’s the beautifully told re-imagining of the scandalous love affair of Maria Callas – the most celebrated opera singer of all time, and shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis – one of the richest men in the world. Raised in Nazi-occupied Greece by a mother who exploited her, it’s only when she meets Onassis that she thinks she’s found someone who loves her for herself. Madly in love, she gets swept up in a life of unbelievable luxury, mixing with celebs like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Then suddenly .. it’s over. Onassis marries former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and leaves Maria to pick up the pieces.
From act one, when Maria puts on the performance of her life to the last chapter, when she finds out the depth of his betrayal, this books enthralls, and entertains. It’s easy to forget it’s a novel … the author notes that while it’s not a Maria Callas biography, she has kept to the facts as much as possible, taking liberties with dates, adding she wanted to tell as story as compelling as it’s subject. Just brilliant! Head of Zeus, R390 from Exclusive Books or exclusivebooks.co.za
