The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox Review by Jan Speedie

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Margaret Graham

A story of jealousy, secrets, heartbreak and love – read and enjoy.

Beaufont Hall, ancestral home of the Tempest family, lies empty, crumbling and the family feel cursed. Will the future glitter for the younger members of the family as their lives take very different paths?

Eliza is bored with life in small council flat in Tottenham and school. Fuelled by thoughts of glamorous parties, night clubs, late nights and freedom Eliza heads for the electric pull of Soho in the 1980s. Eliza feels the world is at her feet, fame and fortune are within her grasp – can she grab it?

Cassie fascinated by her family history and Beaufont Hall and jumps at the chance to explore the abandoned Hall. Cassie finds Eliza’s diaries in the library and from them discovers the hidden truth about her family’s past.

Ilana Fox has woven a fascinating story about Eliza and Cassie who are separated by a generation but linked by the diaries. She paints an evocative picture of life in Soho in the 1980s and Cassie’s determination to find the truth about the past.

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Ilana Fox lives in East Dulwich and is a supporter of Save Soho whose aim is to preserve iconic music venues in Soho from developers. This is Ilana 4^th novel and before turning to writing fiction she worked as a journalist for several leading newspapers.

Published by Orion Fiction

In Paperback on 18^th February 2016 – £7.99 – eBook £4.99 Available from Amazon.co.uk

Not Working by Lisa Owens Reviewed by Frances Colville

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Frostie

Which of us hasn’t dreamed of quitting an unsatisfactory job to find out what we really want to do with our lives and careers? This is just what Claire Flannery decides to do, but despite excellent intentions to get fit, improve her general knowledge, read Moby Dick, get to grips with modern art and the world economy, she soon finds that having too much time on her hands is not entirely a good thing and that without a job to define her and map out her daily routine she is floundering.

The opening pages – a bizarre conversation with a passing stranger about the buddleia growing on the roof of her house – set the tone well for this first novel from author Lisa Owens. It’s a funny, observant and very perceptive view of the mundane ordinariness of daily life. And at the same time a poignant and intelligent discussion of some of the bigger issues we face.

Written almost like a diary and broken up into chunks of various lengths often with amusing headings, it’s easy to read and very easy to enjoy. But there is more to it than that and as you read it you’ll be left pondering questions and answers, and relating the narrative to your own life.

My first impression was that the ending didn’t work as well as it might have done. I’d expected something more definite to happen; for there to be a bit more resolution. But on second thoughts not knowing all the answers is just what real life is like – isn’t it?

Either way, it would be hard not to appreciate this novel. And I’ll look forward to the next from Lisa Owens.

Not Working is published by Picador and will be available in hardback on 21 April 2016.

Not Working by Lisa Owens is available here.

The Boy From Nowhere Gregor Fisher By Mary Higgins

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Frostie

Last Christmas I bought my mother a book.

So what, I hear you say.

Well, she is practically blind and cannot now read.

‘I shall read it to you,’ I promised.

The book is ‘The Boy from Nowhere’; the story of one of Scotland’s best loved comedy actors: Gregor Fisher of Rab C Nesbit fame.

Gregor, along with Telegraph columnist Melanie Reid, researched his past, sifting through the layers of lies and deceit surrounding his life and the reason why he came to live in the village of Neilston, with his aunt Cis, at the age of three.

I chose this book because we live in Neilston and remember Gregor growing up in the village; a likeable boy who always had a story to tell; we would sit on the roundabout in the swing park listening to his soft voice and laughing at his jokes

The book is riveting from the start, with an honesty which is both disturbing and refreshing.

The descriptions of his life back in the 50s and 60s have stirred memories of my own childhood in the village reminding me of how difficult life was back then.

A picture is painted of a very happy childhood – happy, that is, till he finds out that Cis, the woman he calls mum, isn’t his mother at all – But, in true west of Scotland style, he quickly gets over it and doesn’t let it spoil his happiness for long.

Although the family were close and the atmosphere was loving, the people he called mum and dad were, like most inhabitants of the west of Scotland at that time, undemonstrative. This lack of physical contact caused Gregor a few problems when he finally arrived into the touchy feely world of show business. But, like a true Scot, once again he got over it.

He was accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and, after a laugh-out-loud moment when he has to wear tights and a leotard, he settles in but his lack of confidence meant that he never felt that he belonged.

His career really took off when he was offered an acting job and an equity card. This opened up all kinds of possibilities for him. He was off on his journey as an actor, forging lifetime friendships along the way.

I am well into the story now, reading one or two chapters per day, only stopping when my voice becomes hoarse; reading aloud takes a bit more effort than reading to oneself.

I feel an excitement when I reach for the book, The Boy from Nowhere has awakened memories and feelings within me which I haven’t touched on for some time but, each evening, I look forward to switching off the TV and with the face of a young Gregor smiling out at me, I wait till my mother settles back into her chair in anticipation then open at the page we finished on the night before and begin.

The Secret of the Cathars by Michael Hillier Review by Frances Colville

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Margaret Graham

This book is an intriguing mix of fact and fiction. Based on the history of the Cathars, a religious heresy of the medieval period in France, and with references to the Knights Templar, there is enough information to whet the appetite of those interested in such things without turning into overkill for those who just want a good story and don’t care too much about the setting. After a rather slow start and a lengthy list of characters to get to grips with, the story moves along at a good pace with some interesting twists and turns on route. A sort of archaeological treasure hunt with competitors ranging from a TV presenter through a religious group to members of the mafia. Some of the characters are stereotypical and didn’t really come to life for me, but others – including the two main – were more convincing. I was initially somewhat disappointed by the ending which didn’t seem to tie up all the loose ends, but then I realised that this book is intended as the first of a trilogy and all became clear. And the over-long list of characters was also explained. All in all a good enough read to make me look out for the next instalment at some stage, but not one which completely wowed me.

The Secret of the Cathars is published by Matador and available in paperback and as an e-book.

Sweet Memories of You by Ellie Dean Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Ellie Deane has produced another heartwarming story in her Beach View Boarding House Series.

Sweet Memories of You is set in 1943 in Cliffhaven, a small town on the south coast of Britain. Peggy Reilly runs the Beach View Boarding House and is determined to give her lodgers and evacuees a homely, happy place to live.

Peggy’s husband, Jim, is away with the Army in India and she is reliant on his regular airgraphs to know he is safe. Doreen, Peggy’s younger sister, has at last found happiness after her divorce from her adulterous husband but fate changes this.

Doreen returns to Cliffhaven to the love and comfort of her family but her past cannot stay away.

There is however a protector in Ron Reilly and his faithful brindle lurcher, Harvey. Ron watches over everyone at Beach Villa and with his Irish charm, mischievous ways and network of friends, keeps trouble at bay.

Read and enjoy this charming story of ordinary people coping with the hardships of air raids, rationing and the heartaches of a war which feels as though will never end.

Ellie Dean has lived in a village in the heart of the South Downs for many years. She has raised 3 children and this is her tenth novel in a successful writing career.

Published by Arrow in paperback: Price £5.99.

Also available as an ebook.

Vintage Home by Judith Miller Reviewed by Frances Colville

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Judith Miller, of Antiques Roadshow fame, begins her new book Vintage Home with a very useful definition of the word vintage: ‘For the purposes of this book, the term ‘vintage’ covers the many decorative styles of the 20^th century’. And indeed this beautiful book does just that, providing a wealth of information on designs, designers, trends and styles with reference to buildings, whole rooms and individual items. Whether you are interested in getting an overall view of a style, discovering who designed what, working out what innovations appeared when, investigating the value of a particular item, or indeed putting together a whole new look in your own home, there is something in this book for you.

But this is so much more than just a reference book and what stands out above everything are the stunning photographs on every page. If what you want is a book filled with images to enjoy and admire, then you need look no further. I can personally vouch for the number of hours you can happily while away just turning the pages.

Vintage Home by Judith Miller was published in this hardback edition by Jacqui Small in November 2015.

New Self Help Book on Breast Cancer Released

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Frostie

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows by Dr Kathleen Thompson

ISBN: paperback: 978-0-9935083-0-1 ebook: 978-0-9935083-1-8

Published by Faito Books

Cancer cells appear in everyone’s body much of the time, and more than one in three of us will experience some form of cancer during our lives.

One of the commonest of these is breast cancer.

So what is breast cancer? What is cancer come to that?

What is it like to have breast cancer?

Cancer cells are usually destroyed by our immune system – but sometimes they breach these defences, and we get cancer – why?

What can we do to prevent this?

Actually there are lots of simple things we can do to avoid cancer in the first place, and to give ourselves the best chance of recovering completely.

This is a non-fiction autobiographical, self-help book written by a doctor who has had breast cancer. Sharing her own experiences, the author takes the reader through the raw emotions associated with having cancer and needing to face one’s own mortality.

Always referring to her own cancer journey, with all its highs and dips, she helps the reader understand what they will experience during the treatment.

She explains the various medical consultations, tests and procedures, and the different treatment options, and how to make the best treatment choices.

She uses her personal experiences of things going wrong to illustrate how to deal with such circumstances, including coping with problems as an in-patient, and challenging incorrect medical decisions.

She deals with the post-treatment period, and what to do if the cancer comes back.

Alternative therapies are discussed, and, importantly, advice is given on how to distinguish credible research, and genuine therapies, from quackery.

Finally that all important question is answered – what can we do to protect ourselves against cancer?

Biography: Dr Kathleen Thompson

Kathleen is a doctor, specialising in pharmaceutical drug research.

A few years ago her life changed completely, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This became the inspiration for her first book.

She writes medical contributions for Frost e-Magazine and has authored various scientific research publications through her career.

She has two long-suffering children, who patiently tolerate their mother’s crazy projects, and rescue her from frequent IT catastrophes.

She has a passion for ballroom dancing and enjoys adventures. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, walked the Camino de Santiago (500 miles) and cycled the mountains of Kerala, and also through Rajasthan. During two of these activities she raised funds for Women v Cancer –which provides funding for three cancer charities, including Breast Cancer Care.

Month 12 of my reading challenge By Frances Colville

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Margaret Graham

The Secret of the Cathars by Michael Hillier (published Matador 2015) is the first of a new trilogy of books based on the history of the Cathars, a medieval French religious sect. Lots of different groups of people hunting for various treasures and all a little bit confusing with quite a few loose ends by the end of the book though no doubt that is at least in part because books two and three are still to come. I think I will read them – it was a good enough plot to hold my interest and I do want to know how it all works out.

Ian McEwan is one of my favourite authors and his latest book The Children Act (Vintage 2014)didn’t disappoint, although at the same time it didn’t quite measure up to my absolute favourite, On Chesil Beach. The Children Act tells the story of Fiona, a high court judge who is going through a personal crisis at the same time as being called on to make a hugely important judicial decision. McEwan’s fascination with judicial issues, with music and poetry, and with the moral conundrum of how far you place your religious beliefs above the life of someone you love, all feature in this book which will leave you thinking long after you have finished it.

The 100 year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (Hesperus Press 2012) has been recommended to me by several people over the last few years but I never quite got round to reading it. But now I have and I’m very glad indeed. The book tells the story – obviously – of the 100 year old man who climbs out of a window of his care home and has a succession of adventures with an ever-growing group of people. At the same time as we progress through these escapades we are told stories about the rest of his life. It’s absurd, ridiculous, incredible and very funny indeed. And it has in passing a lot to say about the twentieth century, its events and many of its main characters, and also about the treatment of the elderly.

Not Working by Lisa Owens (Picador 2016) was another quick read. Easy (because it is told in bite-size chunks) to pick up and put down in between enjoying a house full of Christmas visitors. It’s the story of Claire who decides to take some time out from work to decide what she really wants to do with her life. The ending was disappointing, I thought. It sort of fizzled out as if the author couldn’t quite work out how to finish it more definitively. I enjoyed it though – I empathised with the main character and I liked the mix of humour and more serious issues.

Jill Mansell has long been an author I turn to when I want something light and cheerful. Three Amazing Things About You (Headline 2015)is her latest book and I thoroughly enjoyed it as I knew I would, though I have to admit there were parts which were definitely not happy-ever-after. A sensitive handling of some of the issues resulting from chronic ill health, and from the need for transplants. But the happy ending I hoped for was definitely there.

I thought long and hard about my final choice for this month – and indeed this year – and eventually settled on The Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor (paperback edition re-issued John Murray2004) which was given to me by my elder daughter and fellow obsessive reader. I knew as soon as I read the introduction that it was going to work for me – not only did I discover the source of the title of another book I read and enjoyed this year (Like a Tramp, Like a Pilgrim), but there was also a quote from George Herbert, the poet I recommended last month. Very serendipitous! The author tells the story of a walk he took as a teenager from Rotterdam to Istanbul in the 1930s. But he wrote the book in the 1960s so has the benefit of hindsight and far more knowledge than he had at the time of the walk. It’s crammed full of historical, geographical and cultural information and you can learn so much from it. Or you can just read it and allow the beauty of the language to wash over you. It’s a wonderful book.

So here I am at the end of my year of reading. Total of books read = 63. And conclusions drawn? I love variety and I love to read all sorts of books, I admire good and original literary fiction, and – somewhat to my surprise – have become aware during the year that my absolute favourite genre is travel writing. I also know that even if I reach the grand old age of 105 as my wonderful great-aunt did earlier this year, I will never be able to read all the books I want to read. Life is, quite simply, always going to be too short.

Where do I go from here? Not sure yet, but the possibilities are endless – and the prospect so exciting. I can’t wait.

All books available from www.amazon.co.uk

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