The radio blared on with inconsequential nonsense, it was the six o’clock news headlines. Nothing made sense, I did not want to be awake. Surely I had only just closed my eyes! The night before had been a scramble to get back into our own bed from the put-you-up in the downstairs play room. We … Continue reading Pants
I was given this manuscript submission as a taster panel member of choc-lit. This submission was delivered to my kindle by the lovely team at choc-lit. Read in the garden in early summer 2017. Synopsis Lisa Blake returns to her hometown when her life in London doesn't work out. She advertises herself as 'The Purrfect … Continue reading My Review – The Purrfect Pet Sitter by Carol Thomas
I received an advanced proof copy of this book for an honest review. It was a tweet that brought this to my door, an offer from Georgina Moore of Headline, my first advance proof copy to review, thank you Georgina! Read over the course of 10 days or so, dipping in and out as I could between … Continue reading My Review – In Our Mad and Furious City by Guy Gunaratne
This book was the February offering of our monthly book group. A book, I have to admit, I certainly would not have selected for reading having perused the shelves at the library. Read whilst recovering from the winter flu over the course of 3 days, pretty much non stop, wrapped in a blanket and sipping … Continue reading My Review – Honour by Elif Shafak
It couldn't be defined a fall, more a slow motion sinking of body to the ground with balance and gravity taking over a backward roll to lying down. It would've been graceful, that's for sure, had it been witnessed. After all she had been a ballerina age 5 and hadn't lost the grace. It was … Continue reading Not quite Matt Bourne’s Swan Lake
This book was the January read of our monthly book club. Even though not chosen personally by me, I have read and enjoyed previous Tony Parsons books and so I was looking forward to reading this one. Read mostly during the evenings before bed, I found it a little tough going but that could be … Continue reading My Review – My Favourite Wife by Tony Parsons
I received an advanced reading copy of this book for an honest review This duly arrived on my kindle at the start of the Christmas holidays. A choc-lit supernatural time slip is not a book I would usually select, so thank you, choc-lit, for wafting this under my nose and at the appropriate time of year! … Continue reading My Review – A Little Bit of Christmas Magic by Kirsty Ferry
This was the offering for the month of December for our reading group. I read it over the New Year Period whilst travelling to Europe and back visiting family. Mostly read in front of log fires or wrapped up beneath bed covers with a small battery powered led light. Even though it is a thick … Continue reading My Review – Brick Lane by Monica Ali
Book club, but not as we know it, was held over a scrumptious meal and much togetherness at our local Curry House. Everyone attended, and mostly on time. Nicky and I were a smidgen adrift having forgotten exactly how far down the high street the restaurant was in comparison with the library. Parve and Yvonne … Continue reading December 2017 – Book Club
It was the first day of November and it happened to be a Wednesday, so off we trotted to book club not quite hand in hand and skipping, but the thought was there. A subdued group greeted us, but soon warmed up with the usual chit chat and catching up, much excitement was expressed at … Continue reading November 2017 – Book Club
A November morning Bugle Street beckoned With you our neighbours Our witnesses and friends No frills No fuss Promises made Pictures taken From our special day 14 years ago To this celebration 60 years on Congratulations to you both Margaret and Philip! Diamonds everlasting and Friendship never waning
I received an advanced reading copy of this book for an honest review I accepted an advanced copy of this book directly to my kindle. On an unseasonably warm October day, I wasted no time in settling down to read it, comfy in a garden chair. Synopsis Anything could happen when you spend summer in San … Continue reading My Review – Summer in San Remo by Evonne Wareham
A warm and humid evening greeted Nicky and I as we set off to book club, arriving as was the now customary 5 mins late we still managed to beat Parve and Yvonne, triumphantly smug we sat and greeted all. Yvonne and Parve arrived whilst apple and ginger juice was offered by Jacqui who was … Continue reading October 2017 – Book Club
Monica back in her rightful place at the head of our club of ladies, had the rabble well and truly captivated with her recent shenanigans. So Nicky and I almost managed to sneak in pretty much under the radar. Not known for our decorum when chortling together, we may not have been the quietest … Continue reading September 2017 – Book Club
It was the first Wednesday of the month, which of course means book club. In accordance with routine, Nicky and I ventured along to find we were not the last to arrive and that Hazel was chairing the meeting this month as Monica was indisposed but would be back with us in September. As we … Continue reading August 2017 – Book Club
I start writing at 10 o'clock, at least this is the decision I have made today. I find I make many decisions, mostly with the best of intentions but almost inevitably curtailed at the point of launch by something, anything. But today, is that day, it is here and I am here sat in front … Continue reading Morning Routine
Back to fighting fit, Nicky and I ventured along together for this months meeting of Book Club where we were delighted to find a couple of new members sat with our usual group, minus Parve and Yvonne who had not yet arrived, probably due to the traffic. A warm welcome was extended to Joyce and … Continue reading July 2017 – Book Club
Light up, radio muffled birds sing, boys clatter lead poled legs, eyes coffin lids consciously aware wanting unconscious body slump and walking for sleep routine kicks with effort decisions muffled, tasks complicated bothersome boys and belligerent dog school run weary, dog walk forgettable caffeine brings clarity chatter brings life the day begins...
Apologies for another late posted review! I read this book in June, hastily purchased from Amazon directly after attending the choc-lit tour in Southampton. Incidentally around the same time as our book club offering; On Chesil Beach by Ian McKewan. Both books are set in Dorset, in particularly Chesil Beach and the Island of Portland. … Continue reading My Review – Follow Me Follow You by Laura E James
Sadly Nicky was unwell and unable to come along to Book Club this month, so I went along with her copy of the book and her post it notes of thoughts to meet up with the ladies who read. On arrival I found we had been penned into the corner by tables and chairs. The … Continue reading June 2017 – Book Club
I brought this book from Amazon directly after choc-lit on tour visited Southampton in May. I find it compelling to listen to an author tell their tale of how they came to be. I was captivated by Jan and her journey and was keen to read the book. This was read alongside a pool during … Continue reading My Review – As Weekends Go by Jan Brigden
Nicky and I arrived to find everyone seated behind their tomes of Madam X, faces unreadable and the room feeling a little tense, it was tricky to tell how the evening was going to pan out. Monica greeted us all and updated us on her adventures, hence the week late meeting this month, it seems … Continue reading May 2017 – Book Club
Hindsight is much underrated. It's a sunny day, you are coasting down river, birds are singing, water gently lapping, swans effortlessly gliding alongside your sleek gondola painted in soothing colours whilst you feel the warm weather relaxing your bones, literally not a care in the world. A moral point, made under pressure whilst emotional, and … Continue reading Retrospection
Nicky and I were a bit late, I say late but, the clock hadn't reached 7pm, however everybody else, including Parve and Yvonne had managed to be seated already. Noted. Everyone greeted it was time for the deluge of comments. The thickness of the book was mentioned more than once, as was the binding closet … Continue reading April 2017 – Book Club
I just could not get into this book and wasn't able to give a review. In the previous month I had left my job, lost a stone in weight and felt pretty rubbish so perhaps it was a state of mind thing. I did try a couple of times to get into it but couldn't … Continue reading March 2017 – Book Club
So, our first contributory meeting arrived. We arrived in the pouring rain and cold wind to a cheery crowd eager to tell all from their months readings. We spent a couple of minutes adjusting to warmth aided by ginger and apple refreshment and some cheesy sticks! I tucked into my small punnet of grapes having … Continue reading February 2017 – Book Club
We, a friend Nicky and myself, attended our first monthly meeting of 'Book Club', something we had thought about for a while but as with most intentions whilst being full time working mothers, we didn't ever manage to get around to. This being one of our new years resolutions, along with world peace, obviously, we … Continue reading January 2017 – Book Club
