June books

These are my favourite reads from June:

Elena Collins - The Lady of the Loch

Leah has been through a troubling time, so her sister Zoe encourages her to apply for her dream job, as caretaker of a historic Scottish castle. Zoe agrees to join Leah as co-caretaker as she can continue working from home. But she finds Ravenscraig spooky and at times chilling. Leah on the other hand falls in love with the place and its surroundings immediately. There's something strange about the deserted wing which houses the chapel. As the story unfolds, we're drawn centuries into the castle's past, when Agnes is a serving maid in the time of King Robert de Brus. She falls in love with daring Highland warrior, Cam. He is often away fighting secretly against the English king, Edward Longshanks, who aims to subdue the Scots. It's a bitter war, bringing hearbreak to many Scots. The stories of Agnes, Leah and Zoe eventually are woven together as each seeks to follow her heart, and find the solace of fulfilment at last. Intriguing, historically detailed, with the Scottish scenery of 14th and 21st Centuries brought vividly to life. 

Christy Lefteri - The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Nuri and his wife Afra are Syrian refugees, seeking to stay in England. Nuri misses his work as a beekeeper in Aleppo, but the hives are long gone, and his friend and mentor, Mustafa, has already been given residence in England. Nuri looks back on how he and Afra managed to escape the civil war back in their home country. It has been a harrowing journey, especially as Afra is now blind. Beautifully written, evocative, shocking and uncomfortable at times, we discover the reasons for Afra's blindness, and see the emotional damage that both she and Nuri have suffered. A book that stirs up many questions, and much compassion in the reader as we see the sort of events that people like Nuri and Afra have lived through in their search for peace and safety. Interesting also to read the author's afterword about how she came to write the novel.

Louise Douglas - The Lost Notebook

In Brittany, France, Mila is looking after her stepsister's daughter, Ani, following the tragic death of the girl's mother, Sophie, in a boating accident. Ani's father is also missing. Mila longs to get back to her life as a writer in the UK, feeling inadequate in her role as carer for her young niece. But an encounter with an eldelry travelling woman, Gosia, changes the course of the summer. Gosia is found dead shortly after, and Mila suspects her death was not natural, as the authorities insist. The notebook that she had seen in the old woman's caravan is missing, and no-one except Mila seems to find this important. Then the lead archaeologist on a local dig, Professor Perry, becomes the centre of a scandal which involves the investigation agency of Ani's grandmother. As the situation becomes more dangerous and involved, Mila finds herself torn between her wish to return to her old life, and her growing feelings of responsibility for motherless Ani - and her need to uncover the secrets of the past and bring a killer to justice. As always, Louise Douglas weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense, while the characters strive to find a resolution for their own personal dilemmas. 

May Books

The books which I have enjoyed reading in May are:

Mike Gayle - All the Lonely People

Hubert is an eighty-three year old widower, living in Greater London. The highlight of his week his daughter Rose's telephone calls. But as she's in Australia and worries about him, he's made up three imaginary pensioner friends to hide the fact that he barely leaves the house and can't face talking to others. He knows he'll have to find some friends before she comes to visit, but doesn't know where to start. Then single mum Ashley moves in next door. Despite his attempts to stonewall her chattiness, his innate kind nature surfaces and he finds himself helping her out. As more people begin to come into his life, we learn more about Hubert's past, his trials coming to England from Jamaica in the 1960s, his dear wife Joyce, and why he's so lonely. A tender and heartfelt novel which explores human kindness as well as people's brokenness and how love shapes our lives. At the same time it is heartbreaking as well as uplifting.  

Lesley Pearse - You'll Never See Me Again

In the final years of World War I, Betty's husband Maritn has been invalided out with shell shock so bad that he doesn't even recognise her. But her overbearing mother-in-law Agnes has taken over his care and only sees Betty as a worker to support the three of them. On a stormy night, Betty makes an impulsive decision to fake her own death. She knows Agnes will take care of Martin, and feels that the situation would have destroyed her. Changing her name to Mabel, she falls on her feet with a position as a maid of all work with a kind employer. When her employer's death means she must find another situation, she embarks on a journey that expands her horizons, bringing fulfilment as well as heartbreak, physical danger, poverty and despair. But the past doesn't stay hidden forever, and she knows that inevitably she must face up to what she has done. Another excellent historical tale by this fine author, vividly and intricately woven.

Marius Gabriel - Goodnight Vienna

In 1937, Katya reluctantly abandons her university medicine course in Glasgow and heads for Vienna for the sake of her family. Her Russian emigre parents in England have been living beyond their means for many years, and now they're destitute. But a rich Viennese businessman, Thorwald Bachman, has to pay handsomely for Katya to be governess to his motherless and troubled daughter, Gretchen. The twelve-year-old seems to be uneducatable, and finds emotional connections difficult - but she has a wonderful musical talent on the piano. Despite herself, Katya becomes attached to the girl, and begins to form a bond with her. Thor himself is larger than life, kindly, generous and honourable, his home open to many thinkers and talented people. As the Austrian capital moves toward the darkness of a Nazi takeover, there is danger for Katya and for the people she has grown to love. The essence of Vienna and its history are vividly drawn, the characters full of life. Katya's experiences are breathtaking and heart-stopping, and I couldn't wait to turn each page. Excellent.

April books

These are my favourite reads from April:

Lucy Coleman - The Villa of Dreams

Seren is determined to break free from her overbearing father. She's been working for him for several years, but has now taken a dream job working for an art gallery in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. She finds herself in charge of a daring project involving art, fashion, and the local historic landmarks. But sometimes it's difficult to contain her insecurities in striking out on her own. Making new friends, immersing herself in new culture, exploring the vibrant city and its fascinating history bring her excitement. But two different men, both of whom have their own problems, now desire her, which brings her joy, heartbreak and anxiety. The writer immerses us in the Portuguese city, plunging the reader into the culture and the cuisine, bringing the novel to life in scintillating detail. Thoroughly enjoyable. 

Mansi Shah - The Direction of the Wind

Twenty-eight year old Sophie has grown up in India with a French name, given to her by her mother Nita who dreamed of being an artist in Paris. Now Sophie is mourning her father Rajiv who has raised her single-handedly since Nita died when Sophie was six. Her aunts have quickly arranged a marriage for her, but she is reluctant to embark on this. While clearing her father's possessions, she makes the astounding discovery of letters from her mother in Paris after the date of her supposed death. Desperate to find Nita, Sophie runs away to France to find her. As she searches fo her mother, she encounters many difficulties, and uncovers past secrets about her family while she also discovers herself. I found this novel fascinating, a story of two young women from a sheltered Indian background being flung into the fast life of the west, and how each reacts to a world so different from their own. The plot had many twists and turns and kept my interest right up to the end.

Liz Eeles - Secrets of the Last House before the Sea

Rosie returns to Heaven's Cove in Devon, following the unexpected death of her mother, Sofia. She couldn't wait to leave this place when she was growing up, and now lives and works in Spain where she has a new boyfriend, Matt. But her mother's death has shocked her, and stepping into Driftwood House stirs up many memories and regrets. It's not long before she bumps into former school friends, and encounters the village gossips. Growing up she always felt on the outside, but the longer she stays in the area, she realises that she has unfinished business there. A series of shocking discoveries mean that she can't escape back to Spain yet - and why is former heartthrob Liam being so helpful and kind? A picturesque setting, past secrets to uncover, romance - a recipe for a satisfying read.

March books

These are the books I have most enjoyed reading during March:

T.E. Kinsey - The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds

This unusual mystery is set in 1920s London, and revolves around the jazz band called the Dizzy Heights. They're a motley crew, all of whom served in World War I, even the two female members. Skins (real name Ivor), the drummer, is an East End boy married to a young American heiress. Somehow he and double bass player Barty end up making undercover enquiries for the police while employed to play at a gentlemen's club. An army deserter and thief is rumoured to be a member, but no-one knows his identity. There's a legend that diamonds are hidden at the club, stolen a century earlier. As mayhem turns to murder, the Dizzy Heights are determined to find the culprit and bring them to justice. Plenty of humorous moments and a good tale with interesting characters, although the setting of the club becomes a little claustrophobic at times.

Nicola Cornick - The Winter Garden

Kate is finding it hard to adjust to having a chronic illness that has put paid to her career as a classical violin soloist. She's gone to rest at her aunt's property, Gunpowder Cottage. But it's not as secluded as she imagined, and she comes up against garden archaeologist Finn. His dog is spooked by the strange atmosphere, and soon Kate is experiencing bizarre dreams and visions that seem to take her back to Catherine Catesby, the creator of the garden and wife of one of the Gunpowder plotters in 1605. But the threats don't just come from the past - someone appears to want her to leave, as she experiences unpleasant threats. With historical interludes leading up to the plot, the connection between the two women across the centuries heads to a dramatic conclusion, while in present day Kate and Finn begin a wary relationship. Another fascinating blend of history and romantic suspense from this excellent author.

John Preston - The Dig

This short novel was intriguing, delving into the characters involved in the discovery and excavation of the ship burial at Sutton Hoo in 1939. Told from the point of view of several different characters, we begin with Basil Brown, the local archaeologist who is paid by Mrs. Edith Pretty, the owner of the land, to dig into the mounds outside her house. The historic detail is deftly drawn, including the fascinating archaeological practice of the time. Of course, we know what was found there, but eavesdropping on the lives of those involved brings it all to life. There's the starchy heirarchy of the local museum and Cambridge University, and even national institutions jostling to direct the dig. Then we see the next stage of the dig through the eyes of Peggy Piggott, summoned from her honeymoon with her professor husband to join the team. We also have the lively presence of Mrs. Pretty's young son, Robert, keen to get involved in the excitement of the discoveries. It makes a good foundation for the recent film (which I haven't yet seen), but I felt the book was too short and I would have liked to read more.

February Books

These are my favourite reads from February:

Megan Chance - A Splendid Ruin

When May's mother dies in the early years of the twentieth century, she's taken in by her rich San Francisco relatives. May's mother worked hard bringing her up on her own as an unmarried mother. The luxury of the relatives May has never known before is overwhelming. She allows her cousin Daisy to buy her a new wardrobe and introduce her to society, even though it feels uncomfortable at times. But there's something sinister behind all the glitter of society. May can't decide who's on her side - her cousin, her aunt who spends most of the time in a laudanum-induced stupor, or the young men she meets. When her world descends into chaos, she has to rely on her own resilience and strive to regain her own sense of worth, and reach out to those who really can be trusted. A good read.

Becky Chambers - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

When Rosemary joins the crew of a spaceship that specialises in tunnelling wormholes between star systems, it's a culture shock for her. She's from the Earth colony on Mars, but now she finds herself far from home with a group of beings from diverse species. But she's trying to escape her past life, and going on this dangerous and remote assignment seems to be her only chance of a new start. Highly imaginative, the author has created a universe populated with fascinating sentient beings, all with their own cultures, personalities and beliefs. This book was totally engrossing. Although quite long, the different stories and sub-plots unfold seamlessly, ensnaring the reader's attention. The end of the novel came all too soon for me (although everything reached a satisfactory conclusion) - I suspect I'll be tempted to go on to the next one in the series, to enjoy the further adventures of the crew.

​Kazuo Ishiguro - Never Let Me Go

Kathy, Ruth, Tommy and their friends grew up at Hailsham, a children's home in the English countryside. Now aged thirty one, Kathy looks back on her time there. The reason why they lived at Hailsham became clear to the children as they coped with adolescence, and interacted with the staff. Now this group of children are adults following their appointed purpose. They are still trying to make sense of their lives and relationships, and understand what was so special about Hailsham that made it different to other homes for children like them. An intricate and at times disturbing book, this science fiction story is written with depth, pulling the reader in as we follow Kathy and her friends. It makes us question, what if something like this really could happen, and what is the morality of the situation?

January Books

 

These are my choice books from my January reading:

Kitty Johnson - Five Winters

Veterinary nurse Beth has been in love with her foster brother Mark since they were teenagers. But she's never let on about it, not wanting to spoil the amazing relationship she has with his family, who took her in when she was orphaned. Now she's in her thirties, and Mark has married the beautiful, perfect Grace. Beth stays close to Rosie, Mark's sister, and supports her too through the ups and downs of her relationships. Beth decides it's time to move on and find her fulfilment elsewhere. Over five winters the story unfolds, as she searches for happiness, and her priorities begin to change. Warm, funny, heartbreaking and emotional, this is a brilliant read for the coldest months of the year. 

​Raynor Winn - The Salt Path

This non-fiction book is totally engrossing. The author tells the story of how she and her husband, Moth, end up homeless in their fifties, losing their farm and savings following a bad investment. To make matters worse, Moth has just been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease. Somehow they seem to be falling through all the cracks in the system. Determined not to give up, they embark on a seemingly crazy venture. Spending the last of their money on cheap, lightweight camping gear, they set off to walk the famous Salt Path around the Cornish coast. At times heart-wrenching and shocking, this book is full of vivid descriptions as the two experience hardship, physical trauma and discrimination, as well as the glories and healing power of the natural world, and unexpected kindness of strangers. A moving account, evocatively told.  

Delia Owens - Where the Crawdads Sing

Having read mixed reviews about this book, I hesitated to begin reading. But I wasn't disappointed. I found the setting fascinatingly unfamiliar, the characters far from my world, and the mystery thread satisfying and gripping my attention. Kya grows up in the coastal swamp area of North Carolina, daughter of a man who carries demons from his past, and a woman originally from a genteel background. At the age of six, her mother walks out without a backward glance. Eventually Kya's totally alone, but she grows and learns from the swamp ecology and all of the creatures that inhabit it. But when she's grown up, a local young man is found dead, with no obvious clues to whether it was suicide or murder. Local suspicion falls on Kya, her unconventional lifestyle arousing distrust. As we follow her from childhood to adulthood, and the mystery unfolds, there's beautiful vivid depiction of the landscape and the animals, beautifully poetic language which isn't dull or over-contrived.