Before the Swallows Come Back by Fiona Curnow - #bookreview

A knock on the door. 'On you go, sweetheart. It's for you.' His words, slow, breathy, like they had been pushed from somewhere very deep, very narrow. Charlotte grinned at her father, tip-toed to the door, let out a deep sigh, and pulled it open. The delivery man stood there with her birthday present. There was only one thing it could be. The size of it. The shape of it...

***

The Blurb

Tommy struggles with people, with communicating, preferring solitude, drifting off with nature. He is protected by his Tinker family who keep to the old ways. A life of quiet seclusion under canvas is all he knows.

Charlotte cares for her sickly father. She meets Tommy by the riverside and an unexpected friendship develops. Over the years it becomes something more, something crucial to both of them. But when tragedy strikes each family they are torn apart.

Charlotte is sent far away.

Tommy might have done something very bad.

Before the Swallows Come Back is a story of love, found family, and redemption that will break your heart and have it soaring time and time again as you sit on the edge of your seat desperately hoping.

My Review

I can hardly put into words how beautiful this book is. In all honesty, I had never heard of it until one of the members of my Book Group mentioned it. She was gifted a copy for Christmas and suggested that we all read it. I am so very glad that she did as it was a five shiny star read for me.

It is set in Scotland and the vivid descriptions made reading this visceral. In fact, I think the environment in this book is every bit as important as the characters. This is a book to get lost in. The natural world is so beautifully depicted I was completely immersed.

The main characters are Charlotte, a young girl who cares for her ill father, and Tommy, a Tinker who, with his family, set up camp every summer in the woods and fields a bike ride away from Charlotte's house. Every summer they meet and become the unlikeliest of friends. However, this bond strengthens as the years progress and it was a sheer delight to follow. Their friendship represents the coming together of two alternative lifestyles. 

One of the things which I loved about this book was the gentle pace at which it moved along. However, about half way through there are a couple of dramatic events which I definitely did not anticipate. From there, the book becomes more people centric with the dialogue and prose being every bit as engaging as its leisurely the first half.

The book is a love letter to the natural world and the environs of Scotland. The writing is exceptional and beautiful to read. I was mesmerised by it. It is one to be savoured. At times I slowed down my reading to take in its beauty, and I can well imagine reading this book again as there is something very special contained within it's covers.

This is a fabulous book and is an independent publication. If Ms. Curnow's other books are anything as gorgeous as this one, then I want to read them all. I highly encourage you to read it.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 0995531499

Publisher:  Curnow

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  414 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Blackwell's

About the Author:

Fiona was the winner of the Federation of Writers (Scotland) short story competition, 2023. 

Her writing has been described as, "Human experience impacted upon by political situation, interwoven with a love of nature."

She dropped out of school aged fifteen, because being the consummate rebel, she hated it! After becoming a single parent she decided to return to education, graduating in 1996 with an honours degree in primary education. Ah, the irony! 

As soon as she graduated she packed everything she owned into her Renault 11, including her daughter, two dogs and a cat, and headed off to Estonia to become an international school teacher. 

After travelling the world teaching for fifteen glorious years she returned home to pursue a long held ambition of committing herself to full time writing.

She lives on the east coast of Scotland where her days are spent dog-walking and writing.

She has written four books under the name F J Curlew. She now also writes under her given name of Fiona Curnow.

You can also find Fiona at:

Facebook

Instagram

Author Website

(author media courtesy of https://fjcurlew.wixsite.com/author/bio)

(book and all opinions are my own)

The Wit & Wisdom of David Attenborough by Chas Newkey-Burden - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Sir David Attenborough is many things - all of them wonderful. He is a broadcasting titan, whose passionate, semi-whispered narration of the natural world has been adored for generations. He is also an environmental warrior who has delicately shown us how we have harmed our plantet and what we can do to make it right. Along the way, he has rightly become nothing short of a national treasure - a charming, adorable and admirable grandfather figure for generations...

***

A fascinating and entertaining collection of facts, quotes and stories, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's wicked sense of humour and astute wisdom.

David Attenborough is a national treasure, known for his soothing voice, calming presence, passion for the natural world, and his humble, easy-going nature. Despite his incredible talent and influence, he tends to play it all down, one time stating that, 'I can't believe I'm still employed'.

So if he won't celebrate himself, we'll have to do it for him.

Filled with facts, tributes and anecdotes, as well as beautiful illustrations, this enormously positive book celebrates Sir David, providing a fascinating insight into his life as well as showcasing his brilliant sense of humour. Running chronologically, this book begins with his early days, to his first job at the BBC, to eventually becoming the most esteemed naturalist on the planet, as he is today.

Such revelations include:

- There are 18 plants and animals named after him

- When asked by a reporter how many degrees he had, he said it would be 'rude to count'*

- The single thing that would improve his quality of life is 'good, workable knees'.

Blending his quips galore with his powerful messages on the environment and future of the planet, this timely book showcases everything we love about Sir David, making it the perfect gift for any fan.

* He has over thirty!

***

It is very clear from the opening paragraph at the top of this page that the author is a huge fan of Sir David Attenborough. And why wouldn't he be? Throughout this book Mr Newkey-Burden goes on to provide evidence of the qualities and attributes of the incredible Sir David Attenborough.

The book comprises of five sections in the life of Sir David:

1. The Making of David Attenborough

2. Hitting the Small Screen

3. The Broadcasting Titan

4. Protector of the Planet

5. The Legacy

Throughout these chapters the prose is presented in snippet form, detailing biographical information, anecdotes, facts and interviews from his life. Interspersed throughout are some lovely line illustrations depicting everything from a puffin to a sundial. These complement the text nicely and certainly add to the appeal of the book.

This was an effortless and fascinating read. I read it in hardback form and it is sized that it is easy to slip into a pocket or handbag. Also, the nature of the writing made it an easy book to dip in and out of.

Although this book has not been endorsed by Sir David it is a celebration of the life and accomplishments of a great man.  Fans of environmental issues or admirers of Sir David Attenborough will enjoy this book very much.

ISBN: 978 1856755269

Publisher:  Gaia

Formats:  e-book and hardcover

No. of Pages:  272 (hardback)

About the Author:

Chas Newkey-Burden writes about animal rights, veganism and the environment for the Guardian, Independent, the i, Metro and the Daily Telegraph.

He is the author of dozens of books, including, Running: Cheaper Than Therapy, The Runner's Code, Get Lucky: Rituals, Habits and Superstitions of the Rich and Famous and The Reduced History of Dogs.

(book and media images courtesy of Random Things Tours)

(all opinions are my own)

Caring Conservationists Who Are Changing Our Planet by Kate Peridot & Illustrated by Sarah Long - #BookReview #Blogtour

 

Step into nature and look around you. Hundreds of creatures are going about their day: digging, building, hunting and harvesting. Our planet is home to around 8.7 million species of animals and plants and each is unique, extraordinary and important.

Sadly, many wild animals, plants and their habitats are disappearing, from the mammals in the forests to the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, even once plentiful insects. Today over one-million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction and we, humans, are the main cause... But there is still hope and we can all help make a BIG difference.

***

Travel around the world and discover the stories of 20 conservationists and the endangered animals they are helping to save, including the orangutang, blue whale, Indian tiger, rhino, honeybee, Komodo dragon and sea turtle. Positive, uplifting and packed full of information, with 20 fun activities for children to try, this book will show children no one is too small to make a difference. 

***

This is a lovely book aimed at primary school aged children. It is full of information and beautifully illustrated.

Each page is dedicated to an individual conservationist, both living and dead, young and old, and includes a section on 'how to be a wildlife champion." Each page includes activity ideas for children to investigate and suggests ways in which children can care for wildlife in their own geographical area.

Although the book covers conservationists from across the world, its chief message is that everyone can make a difference, even in a small way - from building bee hotels to putting a bell on the collar of a pet cat. The book is full of examples on how to protect wildlife.

I think children will enjoy reading this book for themselves as well as sharing it with an adult. I could also envisage that it could be a useful teaching aid. All school libraries would benefit from having a copy of this inspirational book on their shelves.

ISBN: 978 1529506150

Publisher:  Walker Books

Formats:  Hardback

No. of Pages:  48

Support Independent Bookshops - Buy from Bookshop.org *

About the Author:

Kate is an author of both fiction and non-fiction children’s books. Originally from London, she now lives with her family in the South of France. She writes wild and adventurous stories about animals, people and STEM that encourages a can-do spirit, a quest for knowledge and a sense of adventure. 

Caring Conservationists (Walker Books) is her first non-fiction children’s books. A further nine books are in production launching between 2023-2025. Find out more about Kate and her books at https://kateperidot.com/ .

About the Illustrator:

Sarah graduated with her illustration degree from Cambridge School of Art in 2004 and headed off into the sunset. Not really. She needed to get a paid job.

She started off her career at Caroline Gardner before moving into giftware, where she designed bags, ceramics and textiles from initial concept to final product. This also involved working with licensors designing products for The Beatles and Moomin.

When she’s not happily illustrating or starting a new interiors project, you can find her encouraging her children to colour outside the lines or having a mini rave in the kitchen to songs that are probably aimed at a much cooler/younger age bracket.

(book, photo and bio info from the blog tour organiser)

(illustrator photo and info from The Bright Agency)

Support Independent Bookshops - Buy from Bookshop.org *

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.