A sweet and addictive collection of short stories all revolving around the subject of Love. Whether it be in an affair, a chance encounter, an unhappyA sweet and addictive collection of short stories all revolving around the subject of Love. Whether it be in an affair, a chance encounter, an unhappy marriage, the love of a sibling or the love of a parent, all these stories are just the right length, bounce delightfully off your tongue and simmer quietly in your mind after you have finished reading. Great just to dip into or savour one after the other. ...more
A few very powerful and emotionally charged stories, mixed with some mediocre ones (as is probably the way for most short story collections) but on thA few very powerful and emotionally charged stories, mixed with some mediocre ones (as is probably the way for most short story collections) but on the whole, Vickers has a lovely way of writing. She makes you feel as though the stories she tells are directed at you personally which is always an attractive quality. I would like to read more of her work....more
Started off very interesting and rather gripping, but then changed to become slightly dull and confusing. I have no doubt that Modiano is a great writStarted off very interesting and rather gripping, but then changed to become slightly dull and confusing. I have no doubt that Modiano is a great writer, and can set an atmospheric scene, but can he keep the momentum up throughout the book? For such a short novella, I found that on this occasion I lost interest. The idea of a mysterious man honing in on an author who lives alone in his apartment under the pretence of being a fan is rather eerie, but this eerieness becomes silly by the time we reach the end. ...more
A gently written, yet extremely intense story about a young girl who finds herself pregnant and unmarried in the 1960s, as well as developing some difA gently written, yet extremely intense story about a young girl who finds herself pregnant and unmarried in the 1960s, as well as developing some difficult feelings for someone at work that shocks the community. Susan Hill has such a great way of writing that I sped through this book in 2 sittings and it took some time to get the plot out of my mind. ...more
The things this poor girl had to endure makes my heart hurt. The conditions, the work, the environment, and most importantly the separation from her dThe things this poor girl had to endure makes my heart hurt. The conditions, the work, the environment, and most importantly the separation from her dear father. Luckily, Helga was able to stay close to her mother despite the pair of them being constantly unwell, and almost dying from lack of proper food. I just cannot even begin to imagine leaving friends, family, home and every sense of normality you have grown up with to be escorted from place to place in a van with terrified, screaming, unwell people, who are either deemed fit to work, or too ill to live. It was thought that people with glasses posed a threat because of their intelligence and they were dispatched immediately. Heartbreaking account, but I was so relieved that she survived I had to sit quietly for 20 minutes to let it all sink in. ...more
Despite living in Cambridgeshire most of my life, I didn't recognise a large percentage of these villages that were mentioned! How embarrassing! HoweveDespite living in Cambridgeshire most of my life, I didn't recognise a large percentage of these villages that were mentioned! How embarrassing! However, the stories themselves were interesting and well written, and I enjoyed learning about areas of Cambridgeshire that ordinarily would not be relevant to me....more
Another wonderful trip down memory lane. We follow Georgie, who desperately wants to become a doctor, but who first has to train at medical school in Another wonderful trip down memory lane. We follow Georgie, who desperately wants to become a doctor, but who first has to train at medical school in the 1940s. Her retelling of her eventual success is charming and sweet, and what I love so much about these books is reading about how wards in hospitals were run, how nurses worked, how patients are tested for different diseases, what their shifts were like and how they managed to have a personal life at the same time. Georgie manages all this with difficulty....more
I absolutely adored this crime compilation. Some authors I knew, some I hadn't ever heard of, but almost all of the stories were gripping, exciting anI absolutely adored this crime compilation. Some authors I knew, some I hadn't ever heard of, but almost all of the stories were gripping, exciting and had fantastic twists at the end!! I love that Martin Edwards was in charge of collecting all the stories together. He also gives a bit of insight into the authors themselves at the start of each story. i'm going to search out 'Guilty Consciences' next!...more
A fairly amusing account of a woman's move to the country from her house in London. I did get the feeling sometimes that the woman was being rather snoA fairly amusing account of a woman's move to the country from her house in London. I did get the feeling sometimes that the woman was being rather snotty about the countryside, and putting down the very people who have lived their whole life there, but nevertheless there were some amusing moments, and overall the book was fun to read. If anything, it made me want to live in the country and never venture into London again!...more
'Killer Couples' actually covered some murders that I haven't heard of before, which gave it an added bonus. Too often, these sorts of books concentra'Killer Couples' actually covered some murders that I haven't heard of before, which gave it an added bonus. Too often, these sorts of books concentrate only on the most 'popular' cases, and whilst there were some (Fred and Rose West & Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo) that I knew pretty well, there were plenty of others that were a surprise to me and very interesting reading. Tammy Cohen writes clearly and concisely and her effort here was worthwhile. ...more
I wanted so much to like this, and it has very highly praised reviews, but I must admit to finding myself utterly bored by it. My mind wandered off anI wanted so much to like this, and it has very highly praised reviews, but I must admit to finding myself utterly bored by it. My mind wandered off and I spent a long time wishing I was at the end, so that when it finally happened it was a massive relief. The story revolves around an unknown killer named 'The Butcher' who is murdering innocent women under the eyes of the law. The story seeks to unmask the killer. Just very long and drawn out and I can't say I found any pleasure it the book whatsoever....more
Gentle and witty, Terence Blacker's imagined letters between himself and Queen Elizabeth are just the sort of cosy reading you need in your life. ElizGentle and witty, Terence Blacker's imagined letters between himself and Queen Elizabeth are just the sort of cosy reading you need in your life. Elizabeth is a wonderfully funny and intelligent human. Her letters are laced with sarcasm and playfulness whilst she attempts to navigate modern day events, the latest crazes and and you can well imagine that she might speak this way in real life. Just a lovely, and non offensive book....more
I spent a good portion of this book being seriously confused and probably missing out vital clues that would've helped me. This is not the fault of thI spent a good portion of this book being seriously confused and probably missing out vital clues that would've helped me. This is not the fault of the author, rather the fact that I can't keep up with the different names! The premise is amazing, and I am even more keen now to read 'Confessions' than I was before. A group of 4 schoolfriends are playing one afternoon when they are approached by a maintenance man who needs help holidng his ladder steady. One of the girls, Emily agrees to go with him and help him. She is found dead soon after. The mother of Emily is devastated, and when none of the remaining girls claim they can remember the face of the man, she believes that they are purposefully keeping the identity of the killer a secret. She tells the girls that they must uncover the killer, or else atone for their sins. If they do neither, then she will have her revenge. Minato is masterful at storytelling and you are transported into this amazing world. Recommended....more
I read this in one setting. I loved it. I love reading about people's experiences travelling because I have always been too scared to go myself, so itI read this in one setting. I loved it. I love reading about people's experiences travelling because I have always been too scared to go myself, so it's reassuring to read about it whilst from the safety of my own house! Lauren has always lived an extremely shelteres life, to the extent that she has never tried eggs, she has never used a bus, she can't speak to people and she doesn't know how to function her own. Added to whcih, she has numerous psychological problems including anxiety, panic attacks and hypochondria which make her a walking disaster zone. Still, when she sets her mind on travelling for a year, her parents and friends are less than supportive, believing that she will back out at the last minute. But she doesn't, instead, she travels the world, getting mixed up in scams, having near death experiences, eating food she never dreamed she would like, and last but not least, meeting a man who will change her for ever. Heartfelt, tender and very funny, I loved Lauren's story and feel so proud of her conquering her worst fears. ...more
This was a fascinating book about a young girl's entry into a nunnery in France, followed by her time on a busy ward in Liverpool. Eleanor describes tThis was a fascinating book about a young girl's entry into a nunnery in France, followed by her time on a busy ward in Liverpool. Eleanor describes the rigid routine, the kindness, the homesickness and the non-stop devotion that have her at times doubting whether she is doing the right thing. She also has to contend with some rather unpleasant nuns who treat her badly and criticise her which doesn't help her attitude to God. I love memoirs that show you a glimpse into another world, and this is no exception. Eleanor tells her journey with warmth, wit and sincere truth. ...more
What a wonderfully witty, charming and heart-warming story! I knew nothing of Chris Stewart before I read this, and only after did I realise that he waWhat a wonderfully witty, charming and heart-warming story! I knew nothing of Chris Stewart before I read this, and only after did I realise that he was the lead drummer in Genesis which is rather impressive! At the beginning of the book, Chris embarks on a scary but overall fulfilling journey to El Valero, a peasant region in Andalucia where he buys a farm on a whim with no running water, no obvious access to a road, no electricity and no sheep to boot. His wife Ana begrudgingly joins him, and the pair attempt to do up the farmhouse and plunge the rest of their money into buying a flock of sheep. The writing is sharp and observant and throughout the book Chris and Ana begin to accept that 'less is more' and that they are in fact, deliriously happy with their chosen home. Lovely book, i have put the sequel on my TBR list. ...more
A charming and tender look at newcomer vet Emma as she embarks on her new career full of highs and lows, miracles and disasters. I love the way she wrA charming and tender look at newcomer vet Emma as she embarks on her new career full of highs and lows, miracles and disasters. I love the way she writes, it's very gentle and matter of fact, without being gushy or 'false.' Her experience of working first with big animals, and then in a small surgery predominantly for pets whose debilitating conditions like being unable to walk turn out to be long toenails stuck together, and whose intenstine infested coats turn out to be nothing more than slugs!! Emma is also trying to juggle her new found fame in 'Vets in Practice' as well as her relationship wth her partner Joe and 2 manic dogs who follow her to the pub and back. A lovely little book....more
A lovely memoir about a young nurse in 1960s Cambridge. Living in 'the Bridge' myself it was especially nice to trace Eileen's steps as she attends paA lovely memoir about a young nurse in 1960s Cambridge. Living in 'the Bridge' myself it was especially nice to trace Eileen's steps as she attends parties, College dinners, meetings, plays and other get-togethers with her friends and boyfriend Peter, rushing to get home for the curfew or attempting to sleep a few hours before going right back on duty. I was fascinated by the methods of nursing used in the 60s. Certain procedures would be considered alien to nurse nowadays, and I loved the closeness of the nurses who worked together and became first friends. I immediately emailed Eileen when I had finished the book and she sent me a lovely message in response - what a lovely lady. And all her proceeds for the book went straight to charity which was even nicer....more
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