This book grabbed me early and never let go. When a writer whisks you so convincingly to another time and place its such an incredible skill. I found myself in post-Windrush London where new people are making the capital their home and the huge social change is causing friction. As one mixed race character observesContinue reading “This Lovely City by Louise Hare”
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Jack and Bet by Sarah Butler
About 16 years ago now I had my first experience of trying to live alongside another generation. My then husband and I had to make a decision about where we needed to live for the next stage of life. I had finished my first degree and he had retired with ill health, from a postContinue reading “Jack and Bet by Sarah Butler”
The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford
There are parts of this novel that read like poetry, and totally transport you to the sights and sounds of St Kilda. It took me back to a trip I made to the Farne Islands to visit the breeding puffins. I remembered the way these ungainly little birds wobble as they land, like little clownsContinue reading “The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford”
The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths
How lovely it is to pick up a new novel from one of my favourite series. It’s like putting on a favourite, worn-in pair of jeans. I love Dr.Ruth Galloway, Cathbad and Nelson like old friends, the type you only see once a year, but when you see them, you can simply pick up whereContinue reading “The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths”
A Fight in Silence by Melanie Metzenthin
The subject matter of this book is very close to my heart, so despite the WW2 novel market feeling a bit saturated at the moment, I decided to give it a try. I have a disability and have studied disability and literature to post-grad level so Hitler’s treatment of disabled people and eugenics in generalContinue reading “A Fight in Silence by Melanie Metzenthin”
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
This book surprised me, delighted me and broke my heart. It was not at all what I expected, but was all the more special for that. Cleverly, Serle wrong foots the reader into thinking this is a straight forward boy-girl romance, but it isn’t. It is about love though and our heroine Dannie is sometimesContinue reading “In Five Years by Rebecca Serle”
Coming Up For Air by Sarah Leipcigar
Coming Up For Air follows three people’s stories across three time zones linked by the theme of water. It starts by creating a narrative behind the resuscitation mannequin used across the world. ’Resuscitation Annie’ is based on the death mask cast from a woman found drowned in the Seine in the 1880s. She was neverContinue reading “Coming Up For Air by Sarah Leipcigar”
The Dilemma by B.A.Paris
The Dilemma is one of those novels that’s so difficult to review, because I’m constantly trying to work out how much to reveal. If I reveal this thing will it ruin the whole book? If I reveal that, do I have to signal it with a spoiler alert? So, here goes. The novel revolves aroundContinue reading “The Dilemma by B.A.Paris”
Saturdays at Noon by Rachel Marks
In Rachel Marks’s new novel, Jake and Emily meet at anger management class. Jake is there because of the frustration he feels trying to deal with his son Alfie. Jake wants to find a way of dealing with Alfie that works, because at the moment every day feels like a battle. He’s also aware thatContinue reading “Saturdays at Noon by Rachel Marks”
Rules of the Road by Ciara Geraghty
There is always a certain trepidation I feel when reading a book about someone with an illness I know very well. Twelve years ago, my much loved, cheeky, charming and romantic husband chose to refuse treatment for aspiration pneumonia and let nature take its course. He was 42 years old. The strong and athletic bodyContinue reading “Rules of the Road by Ciara Geraghty”