Reading Roundup for April 2024

 

Another month has passed us by. April has gone and what a wet and rainy month it has been. 

I am still working hard at training my puppy, Roxie. She is almost five months old now and her training classes are going well. It is very much still a work in progress though, although she is learning to let me get on with my work a little better!  It has been unfortunate that I sprained my ankle badly and so haven't been able to take her out for walks during the day. She is still getting out though as my husband takes her before and after work but I was enjoying my springtime walks with her. Never mind, my ankle is healing now.

I have read some great books this month. Have you read anything that you would recommend?

Books I Have Read

From Crime to Crime by Richard Henriques - This was a really interesting non-fiction book which I borrowed from the libraray. The author was both QC and later Judge in some of the biggest court trials in Britain. 

Murder on the Dancefloor by Katie Marsh - This is the second book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series and was very enjoyable. You can read my review by clicking here.

Wise Up! Wise Down! by John Agard and JonArno Lawson - A delightful collection of poems for middle grade children. You can read my review by clicking here.

Red Runs the Witch's Thread by Victoria Williamson - I read this for the blog tour. Set in Scotland during the late 17th/early18th century. You can read my review by clicking here.

Before the Swallows Came Back by Fiona Curnow - This is a gorgeous novel teeming with nature, wild life and a great plot. You can read my review by clicking here.

Whitechapel Autumn of Error by Ian Porter - Set in London's East End during the late 1880's when Jack the Ripper roamed the streets. This is a good addition to the genre. You can read my review by clicking here.

Looking for Lucie by Amanda Addison - This title for young adults is about using DNA testing to find out about ourselves. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and a Horse by Charlie Mackesy - I'm a bit late to the part on this one but enjoyed it once I finally got around to reading it.

Hard Times for the East End Library Girls by Jean Fullerton - This is the second book in the series and I enjoyed it very much. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher - I loved this one. You can read my review by clicking here.

Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green - A collection of short stories which are mostly set in modern Japan. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods - This was a delightful book with a dual timeline, a mystery and magical realism. It's probably my favourite book this month. You can read my review by clicking here.

Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley by Rosie Clarke - This was a great book in the saga genre. You can read my review by clicking here.

Books I Did Not Finish

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon - This has been on my TBR for so long and when I finally got to it I couldn't get into it at all.

Books I am Partway Through

The Book-Lovers' Retreat by Heidi Swain

Does My Dog Love Me? by Graeme Hall

Sleepers and Ties by Gail Kirkpatrick

Widows on the Wine Path by Julia Jarman

(header photo courtesy of Florencia Veadana)

(all opinions are my own)

Reading Roundup for November 2023

 

How has November been for you, my friends?  It has been a quiet month for me which isn't a bad thing as it has given me lots of reading time.

Have you started shopping for the festivities yet? Hopefully, you are more organised than I am. I have made a start but I still have lots to do! I will get there. I always do.

Have you read anything good this month? Do tell!

Here are the books which I read this month.

Books I Have Read

New York Miracle by Margo Laurie - A sweet Christmassy ghost novella. You can read my review by clicking here.

Number 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer - This was my favourite book this month. It scored an easy five stars. You can read my review by clicking here.

Ghosted by Rosie Mullender - This was a delightful rom-com which I really enjoyed. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Counterfeit Detective by Simpson Grears - A dual timeline novel with overtones of Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Heretic's Daughter by Michael Lynes - The second book in the Isaac Alvarez series, and probably my favourite of the trilogy. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Red Citadel by Michael Lynes - The perfect book to end the Isaac Alvarez series. You can read my review by clicking here.

Into the Lion's Mouth by Nancy McConnell - I read this book for the BBNYA Awards and I will post my review after the judging has taken place.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney by Mac Barnett - The age old question is considered in this lovely picture book for children. You can read my review by clicking here.

Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson - This was my book group pick this month. One or two members really liked it but the majority thought it was less enjoyable than some of her previous books.

Bunnies in a Sleigh! by Philip Ardagh - I loved this picture book for young children. Lots of reasons to make children (and adults) giggle. You can read my review by clicking here.

Christmas at the Cabin by Rebecca Boxall - A gorgeous tale that is the perfect festive read. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride - I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which is the first in a planned series. You can read my review by clicking here.

A Woman of Courage by Rita Bradshaw - I enjoyed this book very much. You can read my review by clicking here.

Moroccan Traffic by Dorothy Dunnett - The seventh book in the Dolly series. You can read my review by clicking here.

Books I Am Partway Through

The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan

The Only Way Out is Death by Varun Gwalani

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh

(header photo courtesy of Dollar Gill/Unsplash)

Christmas at the Cabin by Rebecca Boxall - #bookreview #blogtour

 

There are worse places to be homeless than St Helier. Jersey is one of the smartest places in Britain, after all, and the people are generally very nice. They don't like to look at me - I'm a blot on the beautiful landscape - but they're generous when they see me busking, tossing their coins past my dog, Lola, into my open guitar case.

The weather here isn't too extreme - rarely too hot or too cold, though you'd be surprised how bitter it can feel when you're trying to sleep in a bleak multi-storey in the thick of winter. And there are charities, soup kitchens, shelters, hotstels - even some vicar who seems to have made it his mission to befriend me...

***

A festive, coming-of-age tale about an Oxbridge candidate and a young homeless man who find themselves in the bittersweet predicament of falling in love with exactly the right person at exactly the wrong time. 

Well-to-do Jed never imagined he’d end up homeless, but family circumstances have made it his only option. Local vicar, Ben, tries to help him but there’s an element of self-punishment to the homelessness that makes Jed continue to put up with his situation – until disaster leads him to re-consider the vicar’s offer of a place to stay. 

Hattie is on the cusp of adulthood, frantically trying to persuade her mum that she doesn’t want to attend an elite university, preferring the idea of pursuing her love of art and textiles. When she meets Jed, she badly wants to understand his circumstances and why, when she has everything at her fingertips, he doesn’t. 

Hattie’s mum, Christine, has had a hard life and is desperate for more for her only child. When she meets Ben, the vicar who’s trying to help Jed, she finds an unlikely ally, and the two heartbroken souls find themselves drawn to each other. Until they find their relationship suddenly tested to the limit. 

One thing’s for certain: none of these characters is looking forward to Christmas. It’s the worst time of year for each of them, for different reasons. But perhaps this year, the festive season could defy all expectations.

***

This is a lovely story which begins with the plight of a homeless man. However, if that makes you think that the plot will be a little depressing I urge you not to as this is one of the most uplifting books I have read in a while.

It is the story of four people and how their lives interact. Jed is the homeless man I referred to previously, Ben is the local vicar, Hattie is studying for her A levels and Christine is her mum. Christmas is fast approaching (for them and us) and none of them are looking forward to the festive season. Each of them had a complex background which had led them not to trust others.

I was completely gripped by this book and enjoyed reading every word. It has been well written in an engaging style. Ms Boxall brings her story and characters to life on the page which made me want to get back to this book on every occasion. 

Throw in a dog, Lola, to the story and you have the perfect festive read. I have not read anything by this author before and she seems to specialise in novels set at Christmas. I would love to fit another one in before the festivities but I may be being a little optimistic timewise. Never mind, there is always next year!

Formats:  e-book - currently available on Kindle Unlimited

About the Author:

Rebecca Boxall was born in East Sussex in 1977 and grew up in a bustling vicarage always filled with family, friends and parishioners. She now lives by the sea in Jersey with her family and Rodney the cat. 

She read English at the University of Warwick before she trained as a lawyer and more recently worked at a psychiatric unit.

She is the No. 1 bestselling author of Christmas at the Vicarage and Christmas on the Coast as well as the bestselling writer of Home for Winter, The Christmas Forest and Christmas by the Lighthouse, in respect of which she was nominated for the Romantic Novel Awards in 2020. She is also the author of Christmas at the Farmhouse and her popular short story, A Winter’s Day. 

(e-book and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Number 23 Burlington Square, Kensington. It had taken Mercy a while to find as she wasn't familiar with this part of London, and one grand Georgian terrace looked much like another. The green panelled door stood at the top of five wide stone steps, and she rapped loudly on the brass knocker, gripping her crocodile skin handbag tight.

The style of bag was dated, purchased many years ago by her mother, but it had great sentimental value to Mercy. She didn't have many nice things and no one had brought her gifts for so many years - but then all the people who had truly loved her were dead now...

***

London, 1927: One house. Three lives. A decision that will change everything. A powerful, unique timeslip story, perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Miniaturist, and Lucinda Riley.

On the morning of Friday 5th August, 1927, Miss Agnes Humphries – the landlady of the attractive, if-slightly-shabby, white-fronted townhouse at Number 23 Burlington Square – has a decision to make.

The rooms of the second floor lie empty, since poor Mr Blandford’s unfortunate demise, God rest his soul. And Agnes must make up her mind as to who will be her new lodger… Will it be her spirited, young niece Clara, who drifts through the glamorous world of London’s Bright Young Things? Or Stephen, the sensible, church-going, respectable banker who seems just be too good to be true? Or the timid war widow named Mercy, who is clearly running from something – or someone…?

Agnes must choose between them. But what will her decision lead to? One of the choices could result in scandal, one in devastation, and one could even lead to happiness. If only she gets it right…

As all three lodgers enter Number 23, in alternate timelines, relationships are formed and destroyed, feathers are ruffled, and secrets are exposed. Three different choices. Three very different paths. And Agnes is to discover that nobody – including herself – is quite who they seem…

***

I frequently read more than one book at the same time, and I tend to find one of them calls to me more often than the other. I consider this as the call of a good book, at least in comparison to the others that I am partway through.

In the case of this book, I could not stop myself going back to it and the others which I was reading were put on hold. I adored this book from its very first page to its last and I could not leave it until it was finished.

The central aspect to the story is Agnes Humphries, the owner of the titular property and who takes in lodgers. When the rooms on the second floor become vacant, Agnes interviews three potential occupants, her wayward niece, Clara, the respectable Mr. Stephen Thompson who works in a bank and Mrs. Mercy Mayweather, a meek and quiet widow but whom Agnes suspects is hiding something.

The author then skillfully portrays these three alternate scenarios in which she offers the accommodation to each of them. It was this that elevated this book from a good foundation for a story to a superb book to read.

Agnes and her other lodgers remain consistent throughout the three story lines, and they each have a part to play in the stories of Clara, Stephen and Mercy. However, Agnes is the main character and her backstory is filtered through as the individual stories progress. She is a delightful personality upon which the whole novel revolves. She cares deeply about those around her, is outspoken but always thoughtful.

I appreciated how skillfully the author brought all of her characters together in the epilogue. This is not a spoiler but it is testament to how well rounded and completely the author concluded her book. It has a lovely feel good factor to it and it was a delight to read.

The things that I took away from this book are that family are not necessarily those we are bound to by blood. Rather, it is the emotional connection through friendship which we forge with others that bind us closely together.

If this book is anything to judge by then I cannot wait to read more from Jenni Keer.

ISBN: 978 1785139611

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback - currently available on KindleUnlimited

No. of Pages:  424 (paperback)

About the Author:

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, her first book with Boldwood The House on Burlington Square will be released in October 2023.

(ARC courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore - #BookReview

"England, March 2010

The muffle of cloud that had settled over Badley Compton Harbour was so dense that the little fishing boats tethered to the buoys in the middle of the bay had completely vanished."

A cookery course in the heart of Tuscany proves irresistible to Gracie Burton. She decides to plough her life savings into the week-long trip, leaving her daughter and granddaughter baffled by her impulsiveness. But having grown apart over the years, in many ways the three women barely know each other.

Travelling together from Devon to the breathtakingly beautiful Italian countryside, they take up residence at a castle belonging to the elusive Count Tancredi. Yet everything is not as it appears, and quickly Gracie's family begin to suspect that this is not Gracie's first visit.....

What secret in Gracies's past is drawing her to this small hillside town? Will she let the magic of Italy revive her adventurous past and open her heart once more? And in doing so, will it reunite the three generations of her family?

Ms. Montefiore is an excellent storyteller and it was very easy to get swept along on the current of this story. Gracie is such a lovable character and I warmed to her from the very first page.

This book deals with many issues and I was really involved in the changing relationship of Gracie, her daughter Carina and her granddaughter Anastasia. They initially present as a fairly dysfunctional bunch and I was fascinated to observe the change in their relationship as the story progressed.

Italy was almost a character in itself. I was lucky enough to take a holiday there the year before last so I was really able to place myself within this book quite easily. However, even if you have never visited Italy the author describes it in such vivid detail that you will feel as though you were there. She clearly has a real love for the place and it shines through in her writing.

The dual narrative moves in time from the present day to the 1950's when Gracie was growing up and I found myself impatient to move from one era to the next to progress the story in both timelines. In addition, the narrative also occasionally takes us back to Gracie's English village in order that we can keep up with the present day village story at the same time. For me, this elevated this book into something much more as the minor characters were pure gems in their own right.

The final chapter catches up with the self appointed village matriarch, Flappy Scott-Booth. She is a wonderful character and had me in fits of laughter and demonstrates the authors skill of being able to flesh out even her more minor characters.

I enjoyed this book very much and highly encourage you to read it for yourself. I would love to hear your thoughts on this book. Have you read anything else by Santa Montefiore?

ISBN: 978 1471169618

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

About the Author:

Born in England in 1970 Santa Montefiore grew up on a farm in Hampshire and was educated at Sherborne School for Girls. She read Spanish and Italian at Exeter University and spent much of the 90's in Buenos Aires, where her mother grew up. She converted to Judaism in 1998 and married historian Simon Sebag Montefiore in the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London. They live with their two children, Lily and Sasha in London.

Santa Montefiore's novels have been translated into twenty languages and have sold more than three million copies in England and Europe.

(author details courtesy of Goodreads)

Holiday Reading

I've recently been away for a couple of weeks. The best bit about holidays is that there is time and opportunity to immerse myself in reading. I read some good books across a range of genres. Have you read any of these? I would love to hear what you thought of them.

Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

Ria and Marilyn have never met - they live thousands of miles apart, separated by the Atlantic Ocean: one in a big, warm, Victorian house in Tara Road, Dublin, the other in a modern, open-plan house in New England. her family and friends, while Marilyn's reserve is born of grief. But when each needs a place to escape to, a house exchange seems the ideal solution. speculation as Ria and Marilyn swap lives for the summer ...



Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon

There are three things you should know about Elsie. The first thing is that she’s my best friend.
The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better.
And the third thing… might take a little bit more explaining.
84-year-old Florence has fallen in her flat at Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As she waits to be rescued, Florence wonders if a terrible secret from her past is about to come to light; and, if the charming new resident is who he claims to be, why does he look exactly like a man who died sixty years ago?

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

In this prequel to Practical Magic we meet sisters Frances and Jet and Vincent, their brother. From the beginning their mother Susanna knew they were unique: Franny with her skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, who could commune with birds; Jet as shy as she is beautiful, who knows what others are thinking, and Vincent so charismatic that he was built for trouble. Susanna needed to set some rules of magic: no walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles and certainly, absolutely, no books about magic. . . But the Owens siblings are desperate to uncover who they really are. Each heads down a life-altering course, filled with secrets and truths, devastation and joy, and magic and love. Despite the warning handed down through the family for centuries - Know that for our family, love is a curse - they will all strive to break the rules and find true love. 

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

When Zoe Walker sees her photo in the classifieds section of a London newspaper, she is determined to find out why it's there. There's no explanation: just a grainy image, a website address and a phone number. She takes it home to her family, who are convinced it's just someone who looks like Zoe. But the next day the advert shows a photo of a different woman, and another the day after that.

Is it a mistake? A coincidence? Or is someone keeping track of every move they make...

The Librarian by Salley Vickers

In 1958, Sylvia Blackwell, fresh from one of the new post-war Library Schools, takes up a job as children's librarian in a run down library in the market town of East Mole.

Her mission is to fire the enthusiasm of the children of East Mole for reading. But her love affair with the local married GP, and her befriending of his precious daughter, her neighbour's son and her landlady's neglected grandchild, ignite the prejudices of the town, threatening her job and the very existence of the library with dramatic consequences for them all.

The Librarian is a moving testament to the joy of reading and the power of books to change and inspire us all.

Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs by Monty Don

When Monty Don's golden retriever Nigel became the surprise star of BBC Gardeners' World inspiring huge interest, fan mail and his own social media accounts, Monty Don wanted to explore what makes us connect with animals quite so deeply.

In many respects Nigel is a very ordinary dog; charming, handsome and obedient, as so many are. He is a much loved family pet. He is also a star.

By telling Nigel's story, Monty relates his relationships with the other special dogs in his life in a memoir of his dogs past and very much present.

Witty, touching and life-affirming, Nigel: My family and other dogs is wonderfully heart-warming. Monty Don is a great writer coming out of the garden and into the hearts and homes of every dog lover in the UK.

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

When Adela Quested and her elderly companion Mrs Moore arrive in the Indian town of Chandrapore, they quickly feel trapped by its insular and prejudiced 'Anglo-Indian' community. Determined to escape the parochial English enclave and explore the 'real India', they seek the guidance of the charming and mercurial Dr Aziz, a cultivated Indian Muslim. But a mysterious incident occurs while they are exploring the Marabar caves with Aziz, and the well-respected doctor soon finds himself at the centre of a scandal that rouses violent passions among both the British and their Indian subjects. A masterful portrait of a society in the grip of imperialism, A Passage to India compellingly depicts the fate of individuals caught between the great political and cultural conflicts of the modern world. 

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy - #BookReview

Dear Harold,

This may come to you as some surprise. I know it is a long time since we last met, but recently I have been thinking a lot about the past. Last year I had an operation on a tumour, but the cancer has spread and there is nothing left to be done. I am at peace and comfortable but I would like to thank you for the friendship you showed me all those years ago. Please send my regards to your wife. I still think of David with fondness.

With best wishes, QH

When Queenie Hennessy discovers Harold Fry is walking the length of England to save her, and that all she must do is wait, she is shocked. Her note to him had explained she was dying. How can she wait?

She must write again, someone says. But this time she must tell Harold everything. In confessing to secrets hidden for twenty years she will find atonement for the past.

Queenie thought her first letter would be the end of the story. She was wrong. It was just the beginning.

                                                                          

Ms. Joyce insists that this is not a sequel to her previous book, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, but is a companion volume and I completely agree. This does not follow on from her earlier book but is written from Queenie's perspective as she lies in the hospice awaiting Harold's arrival.

Incidentally, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, was one of my Top Ten books of 2017 and I heartily recommend reading it if you have not already done so. It will also enhance your reading of this novel, although this book will still make sense if you have not previously read it. However, Harold's journey is well worth reading about. I did not think that I could possibly enjoy this companion book as much as I had enjoyed reading about Harold's journey in the previous book but how wrong could I be? 

Written with wisdom, compassion and understanding this book was a joy to read. Following Queenie on her emotional journey alongside Harold's actual journey gave real insight into their lives. Having previously read the narrative of Harold's walk I further enjoyed accompanying Queenie on her journey through her past and reading how her story interlinked with Harold's.

This is a fantastic novel and a wonderful piece of writing. If you hold any pre-conceived ideas regarding a hospice as a mournful, dreary place then this book will blow those ideas completely out of the water. The author brings alive the characters in the hospice in a way that had the ability to make me laugh and cry simultaneously. 

However, this is not a book about dying. Rather it is about living every moment to the full. It is about love, redemption and how each of us plays a part in the life of others. It has a very real feel-good factor about it and I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

ISBN: 978 1784160302

Publisher:  Black Swan

About the Author:

Rachel Joyce is the author of the Sunday Times and international bestseller The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Music Shop and Perfect. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize and long-listed for the Man Booker Prize and has been translated into thirty-four languages. She was awarded the Specsavers National Book Awards 'New Writer of the Year' in December 2012 and shortlisted for 'Writer of the Year' 2014.

She is also the author of the short story volumes A Faraway Smell of Lemon and A Snow Garden and Other Stories.

She is the award-winning writer of over thirty original afternoon plays and classic adaptations for BBC Radio 4.

Rachel Joyce lives with her family in Gloucestershire.