Book reviews

I have had a lot of time for reading lately what with one thing and another. Some of the books I have read make me want to go around and shout at everyone - 'Read this! You've got to read this book!'. There are also occasionally books that I am lucky enough to get an advanced copy of in exchange for an honest review so I felt it was a good time to do another book round up.

 

 

Before I go any further though I really need to say something about Goodreads. I like it. It's a useful tool to keep a track of books and to find ones I might not have heard of other wise. I am a list person. I see sometimes though, people beating themselves up about the star system. If you look at three stars it is only half way on the chart and might not look much but it means 'I liked it', to me that's good. Four stars I think of as high praise, it means 'I really liked it'. Every now and then a book comes along that blows every other book out the water (the 'you've got to read this' ones). If you have given all the stars to every other book then there is nowhere else to go and to me it then becomes meaningless. That doesn't mean I'm right. This is just my feeling, I can't speak for anyone else but to me it's the words that are the important bit. As to the competitive reading that the site is sometimes accused of, you don't have to join in with that bit if you don't want to.

So, here's what I've been reading lately.  

 

Edith Cavell by Diana Southami.

Following the life of  an extraordinary woman from her childhood in rural England to her death by firing squad in Belgium. She cared for and treated so many, she taught and inspired many more. Her life left a legacy still felt in nursing today. This book is an interesting and detailed account of her life. 

 

A timeless celebration by Diane Ashcroft

A Canadian cosy crime story with bagpipes.

 

Michael Rosen. Many different kinds of love.

This is an extraordinary book. Created from the memories, diaries and messages of his time as a very sick patient with COVID. This book is raw, beautiful and honest. There were many moments that made me stop and gasp. A lived experience of the hospital, 'blood pressure, pulse and whatever they do when they are staring at you for 30 seconds.' This book shows how every word, action and expression has an importance and leaves its impression. The final poem These are the hands gives me goosebumps every time.

 

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay

Yes, it is good. You've probably read loads of reviews of this book.

Overboard on the ocean by Ellen Jacobson (A Mollie McGhie Sailing Mystery #6)

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Ellen's love of boats and the water shines through all her books as this food loving investigator and her amazing cat investigate another murder. Cosy crime books have all the mystery without the sex, gore and horror of some crime books and are an enjoyable story of real people. I love how much Mollie has embraced liveaboard life and I love that she gets pleasure from things like fiddling with the diesel engine. Another great cast of characters, lots of food and a healthy dose of romance keep this story flowing. I really enjoyed this one.

Five days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink

This one is difficult to read because of its subject matter. The author has pieced together the lives of all those trapped in a hospital in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina and the challenges they met both before and after the storm. It is a well written book and an important record. An account of hideous circumstances, it's hard to picture the horror these people endured.

The clocks, Sparkling cyanide & And then there were none all by Agatha Christie

More cosy crime from the doyenne of the genre. These books age well and I love rereading them.

 

Loving my new bookmark, thanks to my niece

 

 Soul Music, Pyramids & Jingo all by Sir Terry Pratchett

Books that make you laugh out loud, think and have all the feels. Sir Pterry is the master of his craft. These were all rereads, the books have so many layers they are worth reading more than once. Loving the fact that one of the deckhands is now a big fan of his stuff too.

 

 

Mayflower by Nathaniel Phibrick

Not a light read but fascinating. Lots of detail, information and pictures creating an account of the Pilgrims preparations, crossing and first few years in 'The New World'. Clearly thoroughly researched this is an interesting book if you want to know more about the passengers of the Mayflower.

 

So, maybe one of the books above sounds like just your cup of tea. Hope you get some time over the sunny, long weekend to enjoy a bit of reading.