I love this author but panicked a little at the start that the characters were going to be so caricatured that I wasn't going to enjoy this one. ThankI love this author but panicked a little at the start that the characters were going to be so caricatured that I wasn't going to enjoy this one. Thankfully this wasn't the case and the ususal charming, engaging and feel good story raced along on the page. Lovely....more
So emotive and at the same time so interesting. Rachel Clarke is such a good and accessible writer. What a wonderful way of telling this story one of So emotive and at the same time so interesting. Rachel Clarke is such a good and accessible writer. What a wonderful way of telling this story one of miraculous courage, professionalism and kindness within a such a devastating tragedy....more
I read this because I love sewing and knew Esme as a judge from The Sewing Bee. There had been hints on the programme Esme had the repution of a ratheI read this because I love sewing and knew Esme as a judge from The Sewing Bee. There had been hints on the programme Esme had the repution of a rather wild life in her youth and it turns out she was an innovator in the fashion and design world and pretty out there on the party scene. Nice to read about the real affection she has for her siblings and all her collaborators past and present including Patrick Grant....more
For me a perfect book in every way. Superb writing. Very emotional. Loved it and didn't want it to end.For me a perfect book in every way. Superb writing. Very emotional. Loved it and didn't want it to end....more
So excited when a new Jackson Brodie comes out. This was witty and well plotted throughout with elements of farce and the usual kindness, sense of faiSo excited when a new Jackson Brodie comes out. This was witty and well plotted throughout with elements of farce and the usual kindness, sense of fair play and justice from Jackson even if this means not exactly following the letter of the law. Love how Kate Atkinson can write in such different styles and they are all so good....more
Enjoyable romp through the sights, scents and colours of Venice. So much better then the previous book I read on the subject of Anna Maria Pietà back Enjoyable romp through the sights, scents and colours of Venice. So much better then the previous book I read on the subject of Anna Maria Pietà back in 2012 on a plane to Italy. It was clever to imagine her with sound-colour synesthesia but I did find the descriptions a little repetitive. It is so true that history forgets the contribution women have played in all the arts and this tries to redress the balance a little if a little unrealistically for the times....more
Not sure I should have read two contempory Irish authors one after the other as their styles are rather similar. Colin Walsh I feel may have been inflNot sure I should have read two contempory Irish authors one after the other as their styles are rather similar. Colin Walsh I feel may have been influenced by Donal Ryan. However this short novel is composed of impressions, of characters voices and feelings with each chapter gradually building into the bigger picture. No pun intended there as a lot of people here work in the building trade and have built themselves back up from past tragedies, abusive childhoods and finacial ruin. For most of the story I felt depressed and despairing of the state of Ireland and the people who exist in this modern world of ours however we get a satisfying and uplifting ending. I read 'The spinning heart' in 2015 and sadly could not remember it sufficently to tie up the characters from ten years earlier with what was happening to them in this novel though I love how the cover and the penultimate chapter reference the actual spinning heart....more
**spoiler alert** A new Irish writer for me and another exciting find. The Irish just seem to have an easy and natural rhythm and are so good at story**spoiler alert** A new Irish writer for me and another exciting find. The Irish just seem to have an easy and natural rhythm and are so good at storytelling. This one was dark and upsetting at times but a real page turner. Each chapter was told from the point of view of various characters and they all had a different voice which pleases me. I had two suspects in mind for who killed Kala and one of them was correct.Police batons sure come in handy at times....more
An intense book which seemed to take me a long time to read. It reminds me of the style of classic American writers of the likes of Richard Yates and An intense book which seemed to take me a long time to read. It reminds me of the style of classic American writers of the likes of Richard Yates and John Williams not sure why exactly. Didn't tug at my heartstings as much as I expected and was told it would by the burb but it was a worthwhile read. I was surprised to realise I had read an earlier book from this auhor 'Dear Edward' in 2020 which from what I recall was quite different....more
Another fascinating book from this author who has a poetic touch to her writing. She not only details her finds but brings them to life giving the reaAnother fascinating book from this author who has a poetic touch to her writing. She not only details her finds but brings them to life giving the reader the benefit of her research and bringing her objects to life. As I did when reading her first book I itch to go mudlarking ( though the raw sewage may dampen the idea) and vow to keep my eyes open on countryside walks....more
Good idea and written by someone who obviously lives with cats and knows their behaviour well. Don't like the magic realism but then I did know it wasGood idea and written by someone who obviously lives with cats and knows their behaviour well. Don't like the magic realism but then I did know it was about a talking cat so what did I expect. Writing not particularly brilliant but as a cosy little story it passes muster....more
Loved this. Swept along on a tide of someone elses addiction in Scarborough somewhere I know well and so it would appear does the author. One characteLoved this. Swept along on a tide of someone elses addiction in Scarborough somewhere I know well and so it would appear does the author. One character relies on opioids the other on Northern Soul music.The author does not gild the lily but gave a glimpse of what life is like for ordinary folks trying to survive in a place past it's heyday. Add in a stranger in town American and in pain inside and out who has a chance of redemption and it makes for a great, hopeful and heart warming story. Always "keep the faith" as the much missed Paul O'Grady would say every week on his radio show....more
I won this in a competition and so have read two chick lits in a row when it is not something I would normally read. Enjoyed this one more than the prI won this in a competition and so have read two chick lits in a row when it is not something I would normally read. Enjoyed this one more than the previous one.Warm cosy feeling generated from the idea of renovating and creating a beautiful lighthouse inside and out. Who wouldn't want to live in somewhere as quirky as this with a fantastic view? Find me that place in Cornwall as it appears to have no tourists? Well it is summer escapism and it worked for me on that level....more
2.5 I have to state right away this genre of book is not really to my taste. I read it in a day in the hot sunshine in the garden and it was perfect f2.5 I have to state right away this genre of book is not really to my taste. I read it in a day in the hot sunshine in the garden and it was perfect for that. Not sure why the same sentences seem to be repeated in the very next paragraph as if we hadn't just read them in the one before but a vibrant cover, an overall feel good factor and mouthwatering foodie descriptions helped to make up for it a little....more
Well written. Good setting and well rounded characters. It deals with present day issues gender fluidity, Me Too and mental health in an inclusive andWell written. Good setting and well rounded characters. It deals with present day issues gender fluidity, Me Too and mental health in an inclusive and unobtrusive way incorporating them into the story and certainly not in a preachy way. I think that is a real skill....more
I bought this for my husband at Christmas as he likes books that make him laugh but as he hasn't made any inroads into it I thought I would give it a I bought this for my husband at Christmas as he likes books that make him laugh but as he hasn't made any inroads into it I thought I would give it a go. A little bit boring and not terribly funny if I am honest. I came to realise that though I love the films of Peter's stand up routines and Carshare I haven't watched any of his other stuff. I did have a titter every now and then but was a bit disappointed. At least you can say he wrote it himself with no ghost writer I think that is obvious and that is to be applauded....more
Quite entertaining. Lots of luxury combined with horrible rich, entitled people in a curated but rather beautiful setting getting up to nefarious thinQuite entertaining. Lots of luxury combined with horrible rich, entitled people in a curated but rather beautiful setting getting up to nefarious things with a bit of occult shenanigans thrown in. It all comes good in the end....more
Starts out in the North East among the sea coal beaches with Keely an unusual girl and her family living in a caravan and traces her life and that of Starts out in the North East among the sea coal beaches with Keely an unusual girl and her family living in a caravan and traces her life and that of Finn also an unusual character who does not fit in with the crowd as they find each other and somehow make each other whole. I really loved these two and was totally rooting for them to find happiness with each other. Their vunerability was heartbreaking. Lyical writing. Read very quickly....more
Set in Cape Cod which I love even more so since I have been there this was a heart wrenching yet also amusing story of the love a mother feels for herSet in Cape Cod which I love even more so since I have been there this was a heart wrenching yet also amusing story of the love a mother feels for her children no matter their age and how to approch showing them that love without trying to influence their lives or smother them.Some of the American references and attitudes I found a little alienating but a lot of the feelings I totally resonated with....more
I needed to work at this one before I started to enjoy it. The writing style is impressionistic and poetic and I was I have no idea what he means oh yI needed to work at this one before I started to enjoy it. The writing style is impressionistic and poetic and I was I have no idea what he means oh yes now I have read the rest of the page it makes sense. Some descriptions were truely magnificant and only a poet could conjure such things so sparsely yet so clearly. A hard and gritty story to read you just know there will not be any happy endings....more
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