The Earth Hums in B flat Mari Strachan

A title that got the better of my curiosity.

Set in a small Welsh town, Gwenni is a young girl who is inquisitive and seizes any opportunity to dabble in some detective work.

An off-beat read yet held me to the end as I wanted to know who done it! Yes, there is a death that requires investigation.

Continued references to the expressions/stance of some Toby Jugs add to the momentum of this book.

Family relationships/turbulence are issues playing a large part of this read. Biology homework reveals a few home truths. A family tree presented in eye colour and scientific diagrams transpire to be clues to the father of Bethan, Gwenni's sister. This has some bearing on the death of the local man in question, in the story.

Not my best read, but another novel under my belt!

I score this novel 6/10 ( 10 is high)

Books read...

11 The Day Job Mark Wallington
An account of one year spent working in gardens around Hampstead Heath, North London whilst Mark is financing his dream of becoming a published Author. Mark didn’t know anything about gardening so how he approaches developing repeat business and the characters he meets plus the scrapes he experiences is both entertaining and engaging.

12 Eat, pray, love Elizabeth Gilbert
After a bitter divorce and rebound fling Elizabeth was determined to embark on a year of self-enquiry. She bases the structure of her book on 108 beads of the Japa Mala then divides the book into 3 parts (Italy, India and Indonesia) 108 divided into 3 = 3 sections of 36 chapters. What is curious is she is also in her 36th year!
Parts 1 & 3 were best for me. Acceptance, allowing yourself space + time to think, rather than speak, are invaluable lessons shared with the reader.

13 The Lacemakers of Glenmara Heather Barbieri
Kate left Seattle to travel across Ireland. A broken relationship, failing career in fashion and grieving over the death of her Mother prompt her to flee. She arrives in Glenmara after a chance meeting with a Traveller.

14 The Other Family Joanna Trollope
Chrissie and Richie had been together in Highgate for 23 years and had 3 daughter - not married. Richie had married Margaret of his past when in Newcastle where he was a musician. They had a son Scott. Only Richie dies... Issues of legacy and inheritance are explored.

15 The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Mary Ann Shaffer/Annie Barrows
It is 1946. Writer Juliet Aston is stuck for a writing idea. Out ofthe blue Dawsey Adams of Guernsey writes to her as he has acquired a book of hers and an exchange of correspondence develops. Life under the German Occupation in Guernsey unfolds in letters from members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society that prompts her to visit. Ideal for Year six pupils to read portions of when studying World War 2 as the emotions and experiences of evacuees are informative in this book.

16 Lovely Bones Alice Seboold
Only age 14 when Susie was murdered by a man who lived alone in the neighbourhood, also known to her Mum and Dad. Susie Salmon is speaking from heaven throughout the book... Compelling and well written. I wanted the ending to deliver the murderer caught but instead you must assume he is left to rot having been covered over with large icicles? Susie watches her friends and family adjust to her death and do all the things she would never have the chance to do.

17 One Day David Nicholls
A friendship between Emma and Dexter unfolds who met at their Graduation 15th July 1988. Each chapter is about what they are doing the same day but the each subsequent year. I believed they would eventually marry and it took until 2003 they did but then tragedy fall!

18 Valeria’s Last Stand Marc Fitten
A first novel for this Author. Valeria a robust, direct character lives in Hungary. A talented potter turns sculptor mellows her, a rogue Chimney Sweep stirs up the way of life for the locals and adds action to the storyline. A delightful novel with descriptions that enable the reader to readily visualise the village and the characters therein.

19 On Chesil Beach Ian McEwan
Set in 1962. Edward & Florence married - their fears of the wedding night unfolds. Ian is a master of language skills – exquisite dimension with well crafted sentences. Their marriage lasted all of 8 hours and their genuine love lasted a lifetime. Quite a sensual read in places.For me a good mix of Oxford Locations and Chesil Beach near Lyme Regis.

Target 52 books during the year!

I am back-tracking a bit, as I'd been reading and later started the blog, so I've chosen to copy my comments on each book I've read so far his year...

1 Teacher, Teacher! Jack Sheffield
One year in the life of Ragley Village School in North Yorkshire. An hilarious and honest account of true characters and their dialect.

2 The Story Factor Annette Simmons
Effective storytelling to inspire, influence and persuade.

3 That’s Another Story Julia Walters The Autobiography Julia Walters
I so related to this autobiography. Location of ancestry. Funny, so funny! Loved her truthful and candid way of sharingher life experiences.

4 Dear Fatty Dawn French
Endless laughs. Could visualise throughout. Captivated by using letters to present her memoirs.

5 toast Nigel Slater
This so struck a cord with my childhood! A refreshing & alternative way to present memoirs.

6 Christmas in Seattle Debbie Macomber
Discovering that people called Debbie Macomber “a hopeless dreamer” when she first decided to write a novel, only served to make me more determined to make an attempt.
I was surprised when approaching half way in the book I was coming to an end. There were two stories in one book, both equally compelling. I love Christmas, so eagerly read. I found humour and the twists engaging.

7 Twenty Wishes Debbie Macomber
A group of widows had gravitated from what originated as a reading group. They meet on Valentine’s Day and begin individual lists of 20 wishes of things they’ve always wanted to do. Proved food for thought.

8 Thursdays at Eight Debbie Macomber
Every Thursday at eight, four women meet to talk and share their lives...
Each chapter is headed with a quote and is devoted to one person. First their journal entry followed by storyline. Chapters 12, 30 and concluding 40 bring the reader to: “Thursday Morning Breakfast Club”. Interesting approach to linking people & events. Each arrived at a WORD for the year: Faithful, Time, Acceptance and Gratitude.The message: “Make time for friends”

9 Good Grief Lolly Winston
Referred to on page 10 of “Twenty Wishes” by Debbie Macomber. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed when I read she wasn’t a widow, although I would not wish it upon her. I remain amazed how she arrived at such a vivid account. I loved the feel of the paper and the texture of the cover which made it such a manageable book to read for bus journeys. Three parts to the book tastefully divided, each made up of chapters which highlight aspects of grief. Thought provoking!

10 Old Boyfriends Debbie Macomber
Susannah didn’t understand how she could lie with her husband night after night,
yet dream about another man... a previous boyfriend. She returns to her childhood home, to her mother now battling with loss of memory. She learns to value her husband and what she has!