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.