BOOKS!

Books have played such a huge part throughout my life I could not let this seventieth year pass without at least one post dedicated to such an important contribution to the world of knowledge, creativity, and relaxation. Reading occupies a great deal of my time. Stories in books usually provide the clear blue water between day and night in the pattern of my days.

Here's a list of the new-to-me authors I've sampled and enjoyed during my seventieth year:

FICTION

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus - this one was deservedly in the bestseller lists and has been made into a TV series.

THE CROSSING PLACES by Elly Griffiths - a crime novel. I don't generally enjoy crime fiction but this author was recommended by friends. The interesting twist is that the main protagonist, Dr Ruth Galloway, is not a detective but an archaeologist who is called in to investigate the age of some bones that are uncovered near the coast.

THE TRACTOR by Tor Hansen. Tor is a friend but I had never read any of his work before. We are different personalities with different backgrounds, and different perspectives on the world, which makes the subject matter of his novel all the more interesting as a portal into unfamiliar places.

THE WESTERN WIND by Samantha Harvey - a historical novel. This story fascinated me because it is told backwards.

THE HEALING KNIFE by SL Russell - set in a surgeon's world, this well-told story explores revenge and redemption.

THE SUITCASE KID by Jacqueline Wilson, written for children. I like to read children's fiction to keep in touch with what is being published, but I also enjoy it for myself. Jacqueline Wilson is such a prolific and successful writer that I am surprised I've never tried anything written by her before. She wrote mostly since my own children moved on to reading for themselves, maybe that's why I'd missed out until now? (I've bought another one because I liked the way she tells this story.)

NON-FICTION

INGIMUND'S SAGA by Stephen Harding. Perhaps that should be Professor Harding? An academic text book disguised as a story, this book makes the evidence for Viking settlement on the Wirral (where I come from) accessible to anyone with an interest in the subject and the area. There are lots of photographs included too. Stephen and I were at primary school together and it's been good to reconnect recently. Friends are important!

THREADS OF LIFE by Clare Hunter. The sub-title of this absorbing book says it all: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle. About textiles and sewing through the ages. Sewing is another hobby I enjoy, so this book combines two of my loves.

TOTAL FORGIVENESS by RT Kendall. I try to read some new-to-me Theology each year. This was my Lent study for 2024. I'm glad I read this.

There was poetry too but this page has enough titles to recommend for now.

A REVIEW

One of my favourites:

Flash fiction as a genre has taken off in recent years. These shorter-than-short stories range from a handful to a few hundred words, rarely more than a page, or two at the most.

You could say that Die Booth is totally unlike me in every way, except that we both love good writing, and have both worked on producing an anthology to mark 30 Years of Chester Writers (still available to buy from Eregendal.com). When I bought a copy of his book to read through 2024 I expected gothic horror to predominate - way outside my comfort zone - because I thought that is what Die had written mostly. I was making unfair assumptions. The range of subjects and styles in these daily stories exceeded all my expectations!

This book is a trove of surprises, something new every day. I started to look forward to my daily "dose" of Die's excellent writing. From poignant to creepy, tear-inducing to laugh-out-loud funny, moving to chilling - many of these tiny tales linger in the memory. I have revisited some of my favourites several times already, before the year is properly over. Here is a writer with exceptional talent.

Since downsizing I have not kept many paperback books, once I've read them I usually pass them on, but this book will stay on my shelves to revisit in the future. If you buy a copy the proceeds go to charity too, how good is that? facebook.com/dieboothauthor

Trying books by authors new to me (all year through and ongoing) #63 of 70