The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen- #Translated by Sondra Silverston - #BookReview

 I look at the tiny fingers of a newborn baby and try to understand how they could possibly grow into the fingers of a killer. The dead boy is named Jamal Jones. In the newspaper photo, his eyes are as dark as velvet. My boy is named Adam Shuster. His eyes are the color of the sea in Tel Aviv. They say he killed Jamal. But that's not true...

***

Lilach seems to have it all: a beautiful home in the heart of Silicon Valley, a community of other Israeli immigrants, a happy marriage and a close relationship with her teenage son, Adam. But when aa local synagogue is brutally attacked, her shy, reclusive son is compelled to join a self-defense class taught by a former Israeli Special Forces officer. Then a Black teenager dies at a house party, and rumours begin to circulate that Adam and his new friends might have been involved.

As scrutiny begins to invade Lilach's peaceful home, and her family's stability is threatened, will are her own fears be the greatest danger of all?

***

When I read this author's book, Waking Lions, a few years ago I thought it was brilliant. So when the opportunity arose to read an advanced readers copy of The Wolf Hunt, I jumped at the opportunity. If you would like to read my review of Waking Lions you can do so by clicking here.

The Wolf Hunt was an equally wonderful novel from the pen of the Israeli author, Ms. Gundar-Goshen. I will be surprised if this does not make it into one of my favourite books of the year.

I was gripped from the very first page (above) and the author lays out the premise for the whole book in her opening words. She is a marvellous storyteller and pulls the reader straight into the heart of the book.

As a mother I could identify with the main character, Lilach. Her fears, concerns and worries were tangible and I think all readers, not just parents, will be able to empathise with her feelings. She is an excellently well portrayed character. It is clear that the author completely understands her character and fully inhabits her. The role of her husband and son are equally fully realised characters and she brings them fully to life.

The story is full of suspense, and it made this book a real page turner for me. It is also heart felt and compassionate, dealing with some difficult issues by considering the grey areas inbetween the black and white simplicity of a situation.

This is accomplished storytelling at its very best, and this was one of those rare books which I did not want to end. I highly recommend it.

ISBN:  978-1782279884

Publisher:  Pushkin Press

Formats:  Hardcover

No. of Pages:  288

Purchase Link*

About the Author:

AYELET GUNDAR-GOSHEN was born in Israel in 1982. She is a practising clinical psychologist, has been a news editor on Israel’s leading newspaper and has worked for the Israeli civil rights movement. One Night, Markovitch, her first novel, won the Sapir Prize for best debut. Her novel Waking Lions was a New York Times Book of the Year and won the Wingate Prize, and her novel Liar was Editor’s Choice in People magazine. All of her novels are available from Pushkin Press.

About the Translator:

SONDRA SILVERSTON is a native New Yorker who has lived in Israel since 1970. She has translated works by Amos Oz, Etgar Keret and Eshkol Nevo. Her translation of Amos Oz’s Between Friends won the 2013 National Jewish Book Award for fiction.

Purchase Link*

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(author/translator photo and info courtesy of Pushkin Press)

(All opinions are my own)

*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.

10 Books I Want to Read in September 2023

 

August has ended with a wet day, as much of the month has been. I am now very much hoping that we will get some late summer sunshine during September before the leaves on the tree turn brown and the country begins to look autumnal. Whatever the weather, I hope September brings you joy.

Here are the ten books which I hope to read this month.

The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page

The Garden of Evening Mists by  Tan Twan Eng

Bagels & Bacon: The Post War East End by Jeff Rozelaar

The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy

Alex Rider: Nightshade Revenge by Anthony Horowitz

Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor

The Pit by Peter Papathanasiou

The Old Haunts by Allan Radcliffe

Beneath the Surface by Fiona Neill

The Figurine by Victoria Hislop

Norah's Ark by Victoria Williamson - #BookReview #BlogTour

 

I must be the only girl in the world who doesn't have a mum.

I don't mean like Maya Turner from my old school whose mum lives in another town cos her parents are divorced. And I don't mean like Chelsea Mackay at my new school either who says her mum's got a super-important job in New York, and that's why Chelsea lives in a foster home here in Hull. I mean I never had one to begin with. Dad says I was grown in a test tube in some space-age science lab just like in that film we saw years ago, but I don't know if I believe him or not.

Dad doesn't always tell the truth...

***

Norah Day lives in temporary accommodation, relies on foodbanks for dinner, and doesn’t have a mum. But she’s happy enough with her dad and a mini zoo of rescued wildlife to care for. Adam Sinclair lives with his parents in a nice house with a private tutor and everything he could ever want. But his life isn’t perfect-far from it. He’s stuck at home recovering from cancer with an overprotective mum and no friends.

When a nest of baby birds brings them together as an animal rescue team, Adam and Norah discover they’re not so different after all. Can they solve the mystery of Norah’s missing mother together? And can their teamwork save their zoo of rescued animals from the rising flood?

***

This is a wonderfully wholesome book aimed at children from about ten years plus. However, reading this as an adult, I enjoyed every word.

The two main characters, Norah and Adam, are both delightful in their own way. They each have their individual challenges and come from very different socio economic backgrounds but they come together through their shared love of animals and their loneliness. They both live in sad and difficult situations, and I would have liked to given them both a hug.

The book deals with some difficult themes; homelessness, childhood cancer, poverty and climate change to name just a few. The author treats each of these issues with sensitivity and never talks down to her readers in putting her message across. Instead, through empathy she allows the reader to familiarise themselves with these topics whilst encouraging a mindful and caring attitude in considering the difficulties that the two children encounter.

There is so much to admire in this book and it will appeal to boys and girls equally. It is well written, accurately paced and heartfelt. There is also an element of adventure thrown in which will increase it's appeal amongst young readers. It would make a great book for independent reading, but it would work equally well being shared as there are many points for discussion within the narrative.

I highly recommend this book. Also, the author is donating 20% of her royalties for this novel to the Shelter charity. If you would like to know more about this charity please click on the link here.

Also, if you would like to read my review of Ms. Williamson's book, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, you can do so by clicking here.

ISBN: 978 1911107996

Publisher:  Neem Tree Press

Formats:  audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  304 (paperback)

Purchase Link*

About the Author:

Victoria Williamson is an award=winning children's author and primary school teacher from Scotland. She previously volunterred as a reading tutor with The Book Bus charity in Zambia and is now a Patron of Reading with CharChar Literacy to promote early years phonice teaching in Malawi. Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see themselves reflected.

Purchase Link*

(Book and all author info. courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

*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.

Reading Roundup for August 2023

 

This month has not been such a great one for me, and I have not reviewed as many books as usual. I had to have a stay in hospital (nothing serious) and upon my discharge I caught covid. I was looked after brilliantly by the NHS but lying there recovering I found it really difficult to read. There was so much necessary hustle, bustle and noise going on around me and I found I couldn't settle to anything.

Most of all, I missed my dog. It goes without saying that I missed by lovely husband too, but I was at least able to see him each day during visiting hours. My husband tells me that the dog missed me equally and judging from the reception his waggy tail gave me when I returned home he was quite right. So, this month my gorgeous dog, Buddy, is my header photo for no other reason that I love him and missed him so much.

Anyway, enough dog talk and on to books. I am a little behind with my reviews this month but they will be coming. In the meantime, here are the books which I read this month.

Books I Have Read

The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen - This was easily my favourite book this month. My review will be up very soon so watch this space.  Purchase Link*

In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes - This was an excellent book and my review will be up soon.  Purchase Link*

All Good Things by Amanda Prowse - I like this authors' books very much and this was no exception. My review will be up soon.   Purchase Link*

The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey - This was most enjoyable for anyone who enjoys Golden Age detective fiction.  Purchase Link*

How to Draw a Giraffe: The Alice May Way by Alice G. May - I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with this book. You can find my review by clicking here.

Norah's Ark by Victoria Williamson - My review of this smashing book will be up tomorrow in time for the blog tour.  Purchase Link*

Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker - This is the first in the Cornish Girls series. I liked it very much and my review is coming.  Purchase Link*

Kings and Queens: Alfred the Great to King Charles III and Everyone In-Between! by Marcia Williams - This was a fantastic comic-strip presentation aimed at junior school/middle grade children. If you would like to read my review you can do so by clicking here.   Purchase Link*

The Cornish Rebel by Nicola Pryce - This historical fiction title is one in a series and I cannot wait to read some of the others. My review for this book can be found here.  Purchase Link*

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan - Although this book is not what I expected I enjoyed reading it very much. You can find my review by clicking here.  Purchase LInk*

The Prosecco Pact by Kiltie Jackson - A story of three very different women who are friends. You can read my review by clicking here.

Don't Look Away by Rachel Abbott - This was a fabulous read and I highly recommend it. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase Link*

Books I Did Not Finish

Last of the Summer Moet by Wendy Holden - Not finishing this is no reflection on the book but I was trying to read this in hospital and could not get into it.

I, Julian by Claire Gilbert - I had really high hopes for this book but couldn't get into it. I may try it another time.

Books I am Partway Through

Murder on the Farm by Kate Wells

The Yorkshire Farm Girl by Diane Allen

*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.

How to Draw a Giraffe: The ALice May Way by Alice G. May - #BookReview #BlogTour

 

When I was in school, my favourite lesson was art. Sadly, one day, my art teacher told me I was very bad at drawing. I stopped drawing for a long time. Many years later, I started again. I soon remembered how much I used to enjoy it. Even though I still wasn't very good at it, I drew everwhere; on paper with a pencil, in sand and mud with a stick, on dry stones with a brush and water...

***

There is only one rule when you draw the Alice May Way and that is to have fun.

Follow along step by step and learn how to draw a giraffe.

Packed with interesting facts about giraffes, the environment and what we can do to protect our planet, this book is a must have for those who love drawing animals.

***

I spent a lovely afternoon one day this week both reading and following the step by step instructions that this lovely book provides on how to draw a giraffe. I am no artist, but I am rather pleased by the outcome of my drawing above.

The instructions were incredibly easy to follow, and I think both children and adults alike will enjoy this. Each page also contains interesting facts about giraffes so there is plenty of opportunity for learning too.

Unsurprisingly, the book is beautifully illustrated. It concludes with a word search, an activity for finding particular giraffes dotted throughout the book and resources for finding out more about this lovely spotted animal. In addition, there is an emphasis on wildlife and planet protection.

All in all, this is an excellent book which I highly recommend. It would make a perfect gift for children or anyone lacking self-confidence in drawing.

 ISBN: 978 1916087286

Publisher:  THTSD Press

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  58

About the Author:

Former GP surgery manager turned school librarian, Alice is mum to four not-so-small children and married to (probably) the most patient man on the planet. They live in what used to be a tumbledown cottage in the New Forest.

Alice is the double ‘Chill-with-a-Book’ award winning author of The House that Sat Down Trilogy and also How-to-Draw Giraffes - the Alice May Way.

A contributing writer and artist for Leisure Painter, the UK’s number one how-to-paint magazine, Alice is a huge advocate for the benefits of creative activities as part of an effective self-care toolkit.

She regularly speaks to clubs and groups about writing, painting and creative self-care.

(book and all info courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

Kings & Queens: Alfred the Great to King Charles III and Everyone In-Between by Marcia Williams - #BookReview

 

Dear wingless creatures, may I present "The Royal Timeline"! Just let your finger do the walking from me, Caw, to our earliest king and onwards all the way to the present day. Yes, I'm brilliant, I know. The idea just flew into my brain by way of my crown!

But... Let's start with the king who had the bright idea of a king of all England - and then meet every one of the 59 kings and queens that followed after him!

***

Meet every king and queen in the history of Britain in this lively comic-strip guide from award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams.

From medieval monarchs to the newly crowned King Charles III, join award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams on an entertaining guide to every king and queen of Britain. Discover the kings who fought off the Vikings, the queen who spent the longest time on the throne, the king who died from eating too much fish, and many more. Featuring famous faces like Henry VIII and Elizabeth II, plus the lesser-known stories of the daring, the caring and the cruel who have worn the crown, this is an accessible and engaging introduction to the kings and queens of Britain, sure to inspire even reluctant readers.

***

In my humble opinion, every school library should have a copy of this book as it has so much to offer. 

Written throughout in comic strip form, the book covers the period from 871 with the reign of Alfred the Great and finishes with our present monarch, King Charles III. As well as text below each picture, the illustrations themselves have speech bubbles from the mouths of the monarchs themselves.

Add to that the book is narrated by a royal raven called Caw, and you have a fantastic book that will appeal to junior school/middle grade aged children. Caw provides many little facts and witticisms as he flies from page to page and is a fantastic creation by the author.

The book looks to the future and concludes with a diagram of the current royal line of succession, starting with Prince William and ending with Princess Lilibet, although the author indicates that there are many more following.

This is a fantastic book which I highly recommend. Any child interested in history will enjoy this book and because of its witty and engaging style, I think many other children will enjoy it too.

ISBN: 978 1529512755

Publisher:  Walker Books

Formats:  Hardcover

No. of Pages:  32

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

About the Author:

As a child:

Marcia Williams’ mother was a writer and her father was a playwright and theatre director. She spent the early part of her life in Canton, Hong Kong, Nigeria and the Middle East with her mother and diplomat stepfather. She loved books from an early age and remembers being read to almost every night. “I would often be scared, especially by fairy tales, but I never wanted the stories to end.” She went to boarding school in Sussex, from where she sent weekly illustrated letters to her parents overseas.

As an adult:

Marcia didn’t receive any formal art training. She calls herself "an obsessive illustrator" and says, "I’ve just always done it. I never consciously thought: that’s what I want to do.” She had a number of jobs, including nursery teacher, which is when she developed her taste for story-telling to young children; “I learnt what they found accessible and what they enjoyed.” Giving up teaching to paint, she studied watercolour at Richmond College and held some successful local exhibitions before a friend suggested that she took her work to show Walker Books. Marcia also has an MA in Children’s Literature. She lives in London and has two grown-up children and three grandchildren, one extra-large dog and a cat.

As an artist:

Marcia has written and illustrated numerous books since The First Christmas was published in 1987. Many of these have been retellings of classic stories, illustrated in her distinctive cartoon-strip style. She has also applied her characteristic storytelling to history, with award-winning books about the World Wars (Archie’s War and My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright), Greek Myths and The Stone Age. She works in watercolours, which, she says, “are just unreliable enough to be interesting”. She has retold many of Shakespeare’s plays and taken to the boards herself to play the Bard in a production based on her books, Mr William Shakespeare’s Plays, and Bravo, Mr William Shakespeare! – culminating in a performance in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org* 

(Book and all author info. courtesy of Walker Books)

(all opinions are my own)

*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.

The Time Between Space by Charlie Laidlaw - #BookReview

 

Yippee! Mummy is taking me to the cinema and has told me that it's a surprise. This doesn't really make sense, because if taking me to the cinema is a surprise, why has she told me?

But this is typical Mum; opening her mouth and saying something, then realising that she shoudn't have said it and wishing that she could un-say it. Even in my short life, I know she's confused a lot of people - and offended many others. Nothing nasty, but if someone at the shops says what a nice day it is, Mum will often disagree about the weather.

***

There are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on Earth...

Emma Maria Rossini appears to be the luckiest girl in the world. She's the daughter of a beautiful and loving mother, and her father is one of the most famous film actors of his generation. She's also the granddaughter of a rather eccentric and obscure Italian astrophysicist.

But as her seemingly charmed life begins to unravel, and Emma experiences love and tragedy, she ultimately finds solace in her once-derided grandfather's Theorem on the universe.

The Time Between Space is humorous and poignant and offers the metaphor that we are all connected, even to those we have loved and not quite lost.

***

I so enjoyed reading this lovely book. I have previously read two of the authors books, The Things We Learn When We're Dead  and Everyday Magic both of which I enjoyed enormously. You can read my reviews of these books by clicking on the title.

The main character is Emma who we first meet as a child. Mr Laidlaw does a fabulous job of not only writing from the perspective of a child, but a child of the opposite sex which he does admirably well.

Emma has a wonderful relationship with her grandfather, Alberto Rossini, an astrophysicist. Running throughout this story is Alberto's book, Universe Theorum. Each chapter heading is an equation and there are many references to physics throughout this book which went way above my head. However, I am not a scientist, and I do not feel it is necessary prerequisite in order to get a lot out of this book.

For me, the relationship between Emma and her grandfather was perfect. Equally well done was her relationship with her actor father and her somewhat irrational mother.

A very enjoyable book and I am looking forward to Mr. Laidlaw's next offering.

This is a republication of the author's book, The Space Between Time. The cover photo above shows the new cover.

ISBN: 978 1901514759  

Publisher:  Ringwood Publishing

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

About the Author:

Charlie Laidlaw is a PR consultant, teaches creative writing, and lives in East Lothian. He is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and was previously a national newspaper journalist and defence intelligence analyst. His other novels are The Things We Learn When We’re Dead, Being Alert!, Everyday Magic and Love Potions and Other Calamities.

All but one of Charlie Laidlaw’s novels have a strong local connection, collectively forming an East Lothian Quartet. 

Purchase Link - Bookshop.org*

(Book and all author info courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

*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.