I came to the second novel by Louise Walters with some anticipation, having enjoyed her debut Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase very much. This second book is being self-published by Walters, an act of independence to be admired. A Life Between Us is set in the present day and features Tina, a lonely housewife, avid reader, compulsive… Continue reading Review: A Life Between Us by Louise Walters
Category: reading
February reading
A short month but not bad for reading. The Good Muslim – Tahmima Anam I read Anam’s debut years ago as part of the judging group for the Guardian First book Award and then had the pleasure of talking to her at a publisher’s dinner a few months later. She was a lovely, very neat… Continue reading February reading
January reading
I read eight – eight! – books this month. As a result, I didn’t write much this month. Ah time. But this has been a rich reading month and a pleasure. Here’s what I thought. (The eighth review is the previous blog post) The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Neil Gaiman I’d… Continue reading January reading
Review: How to be a Grown Up
I should start this review with a disclaimer: I am NOT the target demographic for this book. I’m way too old. However, I’m (just) young enough to remember the heady terrifying years of my twenties and now that’s thankfully all behind me, I can sit back and read this with an air of relaxation. How… Continue reading Review: How to be a Grown Up
To read: 2017
My ‘to read’ list currently looks like this: Every New Year I resolve to read more non-fiction, so am feeling pleased that I’ve already put a history book on my reads of January list. Four biographies on this list, a book of essays and a book about sport is a good start. I also resolved… Continue reading To read: 2017
Best books of 2016
I have read 60 new books this year. That is, books that are new to me, not just books published this year. There have also been 9 re-reads. I’ve amazed myself in how much I’ve read this year – my challenge was to read 50 books and I thought I’d struggle. As usual the number… Continue reading Best books of 2016
December reading
As You Wish – Cary Elwes This is Westley’s take on the filming of The Princess Bride. If you don’t know The Princess Bride please go and read and watch it – the book and film script are both by William Goldman. This book is an affectionate look at the film that, Elwes admits, changed… Continue reading December reading
A literary weekend
I’ve been trying to get to Haworth to visit the Charlotte Bronte exhibition all year. It finishes this month. I was going to go up on July but went to look after my mum after an op instead. Then I went to some workshops and events in Haworth in September but they overran and I… Continue reading A literary weekend
November reading
The Museum of Cathy – Anna Stothard I read this free from The Pigeonhole – thanks – and was intrigued by the premise. I like stories or articles that examine the significance of things and, in this respect, the Museum of Cathy didn’t disappoint. I did however have trouble warming to it, and Cathy especially.… Continue reading November reading
October reading
The Light Between Oceans I saw this recommended by a Twitter friend. Good lord, it’s devastating. You kind of know it will be when you pick it up and read the blurb – this is never going to end well for someone involved, you just need to pick who you care about the most. In… Continue reading October reading
Susan E Barsby 