It’s the season of the nativity, goodwill, and buying someone a special gift.

So for the next few days I’m concentrating on a roundup of things literary for the Christmas Stocking.

A book I have enjoyed enormously and which would make a belting Christmas present is

A Yorkshire Vet: Through the Seasons.

This is written by Julian Norton, one of the stars of Channel 5’s endearing series The Yorkshire Vet. It is his second book, and as in the first, Julian proves that he can not only untangle a calf having difficulties entering the world, but turn a neat phrase.

In Through the Seasons we join Julian as he works his way through a year in this glorious area of North Yorkshire, one of my favourite parts of the country, being a northern girl. But it’s not just a travelogue, good grief no, it is about the challenges and successes as Julian and his team go to the aid of animals in trouble.

The same compassion that is shown by the vets in the Channel 5 series shines through in this memoir by Julian. He made me laugh, and almost cry as he brings his experiences to life and evokes the countryside; the cold, the heat, the wind, not to mention the dramas taking place within it. We see the way the vets and staff at work as a team, and witness the stoicism and humanity of all concerned, including the animals.

It is an easy read but more than that, it leaves you feeling full of well being.

When is number three coming out, Julian?

Through the Seasons follows hot on the heels of his bestselling, Horses, Heifers and Hairy Pigs, which is now available in paperback and which is already a bestseller.

Naturally both books would make a great gift, but to have a signed copy would be extra special.

Which brings me on to the White Rose Book Café in Thirsk, the centre of the small but beautifully formed market town where Julian practises at: The Skeldale Veterinary Centre.

The White Rose Book Café has been featured in Frost Magazine before, and I make no apology for mentioning it again. It is an award winning bookshop, with a fabulous café and in another life, it is the sort of bookcafe I would have loved to run; friendly, informative, all things to all people. They have a mail order service, and are happy to post books to people, including signed copies. What could be better.

Well, how about their festive menu:  with Mince Pies, Coconut Snowball drink, Festive Cranberry Fizz, Gingerbread Latte etc. etc.

This glorious book shop tell me they have a book signing event with Julian at Thirsk Town Hall in conjunction with Thirsk Christmas Fayre, on Sunday 26^th November at 12.

In addition Jodi Taylor, author of The Chronicles of St Mary’s will be at the BookCafe on Saturday 9^th December 10.30 for festive book signing for this ‘madcap adventure packed series. Free event.

Meet Gervase Phinn  (wish I could be there, love him)  signing copies of Happy Days. Take tea with Gervase and enjoy his amusing anecdotes. A few seats left. A ticketed Free Event.  14^th December 3pm to 4.30 pm at the BookCafe

So, back to Christmas gifts, in particular signed copies.

Do contact the White Rose Book Café on 01845 524353 or email: sales@whiterosebooks.co.uk for home delivery of signed copies of any of these authors. They can also home deliver virtually any book in print.

A Yorkshire Vet Through The Seasons £14.99 signed by Julian Norton. A star of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet. UK Mailing costs £3.40 1^st class. £2.90 2^nd Class.

The pb of Horses, Heifers and Hairy Pigs is £8.99

About six months ago I went on a trip, not a nice one, but a real trip when travelling at speed I caught my foot in the handles of my bag on the floor by my table (please don’t do this, you out there)  and hurtled into a wall, breaking my shoulder and snapping my tendons.

Suitably screwed and plated I sat wondering how on earth I was going to type my latest novel for Arrow. Not only was my movement severely restricted but the pain path from the shoulder is down the arm through the wrist and into the fingers. Well, as luck would have it, I had been  sent the Penclic B3 Bluetooth Mouse to try.

As a Luddite the sight of it frightened me to death, because it looked like a joystick, or to be less panicky, a pen. So how would I get on?

It took me a while to break the old habit of grabbing for my mouse and having the  cursor leaping about the screen, but it became natural very quickly, thank heavens. This mouse held my wrist into a comfortable position, and the control was excellent. It’s much like holding a pen and the movement needed is  slight. The control you get though, is huge, and a   complete boon.

As you can see it is a slick design of Swedish origin, incorporating cutting edge technology and as I said it is efficient, with very little movement  needed.

It is practical and I was enormously pleased because it got me back in business. I’m a convert and the family is relieved because it reduced the pain making granny far less grumpy.

Penclic B3 bluetooth mouse. £79.99

The Penguin Book of Puzzles by Gareth Moore

This will appeal to many. The Penguin Book of Puzzles by Gareth Moore, is a compendium of conundrums stretching back to’way back when’ and a must for those who enjoy puzzling away.

Quite frankly, this is one to keep that certain someone quiet. Heavens, did I really say that? Well,  for those who like a puzzle it is a total treat. I’m hopeless, haven’t the patience and prefer to talk, but on the other hand, Him Indoors, would think ALL his Christmases had come together.

Such a good idea.

The Penguin Book of Puzzles by Gareth Moore. Pub Michael Joseph, £12.99

Devastation Road by Jason Hewitt

Jason Hewitt  has written an absolute belter and Devastation Road will not only keep you turning the pages, but will keep you thoughtful and engrossed. Written with empathy, imagination, perception,intelligence, and grace. Not once false note. I loved it.

Spring 1945. Owen wakes up in a field in a country he does not know. Injured and confused he starts to walk but without a memory of who, or what he is. This comes to him in fragments, and so it also comes to us, the reader, though we feel that we are there, alongside Owen, in the novel.

Great great novel and I strongly recommend it.

Jason Hewitt will be talking at the Words for the Wounded LitFest on April 21 2018.

Devastation Road by Jason Hewitt. pub. Scribner pb £8.99

Odd Man Out by Denise Beddows.

Another extraordinary book, this time, true crime by Denise Beddows.

I kept wondering how on earth Beddows found out all that she did about this 1948 Lancashire mill town murder. It is timely with gender fluidity being discussed.

Odd Man Out is the true and sad story of transgendered bus conductress Margaret ‘Bill’ Allen who barely knew the victim, and who was executed for the seemingly motiveless murder of an elderly woman. A woman who was described, even by her family, as abnormal.

It’s  a book that wonders whether the verdict of guilty was right, but if it was , why would she do this? It is a painstaking investigation, and threads are discovered, followed, and interwoven into some sort of an explanation.

Well written, absorbing, thought provoking.

Odd Man Out by Denise Beddows. Misbourne Press. Amazon.Co.uk pb £7.99

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Vera Lynn Keep: Smiling Through

My dad met Vera Lynn in the war when she put down at Karachi on that marathon tour to entertain the troops. He thought she was fabulous, as do millions of people, still.

As Vera says: ‘Sometimes I think that I never quite got over that period of my life. My memories of the wartime years are strongest when I think of Burma.’ Indeed, this is what comes over, that this tour was a defining moment for her, after which she thought about herself and the world differently.

Writing with Virginia Lewis-Jones, her daughter, this period comes to life, not just from Dame Vera’s memories but also from the perspective of the troops. It is a book that is valuable to us all, because that war and its aftermath of grim austerity and rebuilding defines many of us; our values and our loyalties, our strengths. This is definitely one for everyone. Lord, how she could sing and still can. Bless her.

Vera Lynn with Virginia Lewis-Jones: Keep Smiling Through. pub Century. £16.99