Isola by Allegra Goodman had a really slow start and, if it hadn’t been one of my summer reading picks, I might have abandoned it. However, I am glad I stuck with it, as it turned out to be a really good read. While somewhat implausible, apparently this one was based on a true story. Amazon: “Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. That journey takes a unexpected turn when Marguerite, accused of betrayal, is brutally punished and abandoned on a small island. Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.” This is an excellent beach bag choice and a good island adventure tale. Recommend.