I read quite a few of Maeve Binchy books when I was younger and remember enjoying them. So when I noticed someone on Bookcrossing after a copy through the wish list tag forum I though I would pull this out of the back of the cupboard and revisit this author.

The first in this big book was Firefly Summer and is actually the longest of the two. An American returns to his small family home town and to set up a hotel. This delves into the effects this has on the residents of this small town - the good and the bad. It touches on some difficult subjects and although there a lot of characters and quite a few storylines, it was always easy to follow.

Echoes is also set in a small village although a different one to the first book. Again a lot of characters and several storylines. It’s maybe showing it’s age as the prejudice of wealthy families against those with less than them is generally not such a big deal these days, back in the period this was written, I can imagine it was a massive deal. Again some touchy subjects but I did find this book less entertaining than the first and slightly more frustrating with its views.

The thing that strikes me the most reading her book now is the lack of Irishness. We have family in the north and south and there are sayings and words that they use which we don’t, and there is no sign of them in this book at all, and I feel that’s a shame.

Sent on as part of the wish list tag forum

Received this large book in the post today from Kingfan30 as part of the Wishlist Tag game. Thanks very much. Will read ASAP.

This book will be lent to Emscott10 for her mother. (It's too big and heavy for me at the moment due to a recent hand operation but I will read it in due course).

To the finder:-
Welcome to bookcrossing -you have found a travelling book. Please make a journal entry now to say where you found the book in case it has been moved. Then, when you have read it, please come back and make a further entry saying whether or not you enjoyed the book and why. It is now yours to do as you like with it, pass it to a friend or just leave it somewhere different for someone else to find and help it with its' journey. Of course if you can't bear to part with it at the moment then keep it, but please let me know that you have found it. If you join bookcrossing, which is free and spam-free, you can follow the book on its' travels as you will get an email each time it changes hands, but if you prefer to remain anonymous, that's fine too. Please also say what you intend to do with the book next. Thanks for coming onto the site to let me know you have found the book.

I already have books travelling in many countries around the world-a list can be found on my bookcrossing profile.

When re-releasing this book please be aware that airports are not a good place to leave books unless they have a specific book exchange shelf or area, due to security problems, so they may well just be disposed of. Also charity shops may well discard books that have been labelled in any way and they mostly chose only the books in the very best condition
to place on their shelves and discard the rest-so another bad release option.

Received from Daffodil-2 today, met Daffodil-2 with my mum who has started to read Maeve Binchy after being given another one of her books by Daffodil-2, mum will read and then return to Daffodil-2.

This is the review from my mum:

“As always I enjoy the book I’m get very invested in the characters.”

Travelling to Daffodil-2 on our no contact swap.

Received back from Emscott10 at my request. I shall look forward to re-reading both these stories as soon as they fit into one of Plum-Crazy's monthly What to Read themes (see under Book Talk in the Forum).
ETA 3.7.2022-Unfortunately I've decided not to re-read these two stories right now as this large hardback is rather awkward for me to handle at my great age. However I'm sending it on to hopefully do some good for a charity.

This book will be given to a lady who is starting a charity bookshelf at her work in aid of the Costa Foundation.

To the finder:-
Welcome to bookcrossing -you have found a travelling book. Please make a journal entry now to say where you found the book in case it has been moved. Then, when you have read it, please come back and make a further entry saying whether or not you enjoyed the book and why. It is now yours to do as you like with it, pass it to a friend or just leave it somewhere different for someone else to find and help it with its' journey. Of course if you can't bear to part with it at the moment then keep it, but please let me know that you have found it. If you join bookcrossing, which is free and spam-free, you can follow the book on its' travels as you will get an email each time it changes hands, but if you prefer to remain anonymous, that's fine too. Please also say what you intend to do with the book next. Thanks for coming onto the site to let me know you have found the book.

I already have books travelling in many countries around the world-a list can be found on my bookcrossing profile.

When re-releasing this book please be aware that airports are not a good place to leave books unless they have a specific book exchange shelf or area, due to security problems, so they may well just be disposed of. Also charity shops may well discard books that have been labelled in any way and they mostly chose only the books in the very best condition
to place on their shelves and discard the rest-so another bad release option.