What I Learned - Beneath the Water by Sarah Painter

A gorgeous novel set in the gorgeous wee Scottish village of Arisaig. Amazing descriptions of one of my favourite parts of Scotland, and a beautiful story cleverly entwined with mysteries from the past. An absolute must read.

What I Learned:

Maybe we should all try to be a little bit more aware. Maybe then we would make the most of the minutes we have.

I just love this perfect description of the Scottish landscape. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've rounded a corner and been utterly surprised by a body of water, or a mountain, or some other hidden treasure that you had no inkling was there. And the light! I've seen this light. Frequently. You never see the same view twice up here thanks to the ever changing light. We're so incredible lucky.

Anyone who has trouble sleeping can relate to this. Sometimes you just need to switch your brain off.

I wonder if incredible authors like this one realise that this is what they are doing, one word, one sentence, one page, one chapter and one book at a time. Generations will read their words in years to come the same as we do with much loved favourites from the past. The generations to come will get a real insight into what day to day life was like for us when they read these books in the future. I think that is an incredible legacy.

There is nothing more restorative than the Scottish sea air, or the mountain air for that matter.

Well they do say that every day is a school day and this proved it for me! I had no idea this is what Arisaig meant.

Some useful advice for the dog owners amongst us.

I think it's important that this is something we all strive for. We should all want to leave the world just a little bit better for us having been here.

Humble, perfect, heart-warming wishes. All the important things in life.

Well ain't that the truth!!!!

This struck a chord with me. Truth be told I am struggling at the moment, and that's not something I often share. My force of will is strong, to a fault, stubbornly so, but it doesn't matter how strong the force sometimes you just can change your circumstances when it comes to your health and that is a bitter pill to swallow and takes a bit of getting used to. Basically, it sucks!!! But I am doing my best to keep on keeping on I guess.

The best of intentions.

I am guilty of forgetting this, of questioning my gut reaction to things. And I shouldn't because most of the time my initial gut reaction was the right one.

Anything is possible...so reach out, and don't just take it, grab it with both hands and don't let go!

This sounds like the greatest hug in the world!

Yep. Scottish weather through and through!

It would be nice to test this theory once in a while though!

What's your excuse for not going out and doing it right now?

Taking that risk and taking that chance can be terrifying. I get it. But what's the alternative? Always wondering "what if?".

See the past for what it was. Don't ever sugar coat it because it's uniquely yours. It's where you've come from and shapes who you are? Learn everything you can from it and make your future amazing.

I know from personal experience how true this is so go out there and make the most of every little bit of life you have while you can.

My Goodreads Review:

Beneath the Water by Sarah Painter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book so much. I was drawn to the fact that the story is set in Arisaig, the wilds of Scotland, and being a Scottish lass I love to read how our gorgeous and remote places and portrayed, and I absolutely was not disappointed. A "cursed" big house, village folklore, mysterious historical letters, and the wee village pub all help to paint a picture of "incomers" and deep rooted suspicions surrounding the "laird". All in all a gorgeous story that keeps you guessing until the end! And the beautiful lyrical descriptions of my gorgeous Scotland will definitely whet your appetite for a visit.

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My copy of Beneath the Water was published by Lake Union Publishing. Find them online at: