My Great Aunt’s Diary by Laura Sweeney

Aug8

Choose Love

My Great Aunt’s Diary by Laura Sweeney is a marvellous dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in the Dovecote Cottages series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in 1943 and 2016. We ‘hear’ about the action in real time and also via an old diary. The diary is about forbidden love. It ends abruptly, causing the Great Aunt’s niece to search for the end of the story. The search takes her across the sea to Ireland and then back again to Dovecote.

The novel opens in Brighton in 1943 and London in 2016. Both time periods see the characters ending up in Dovecote, unexpectedly. 1943 sees a family bombed out of their Brighton house. In 2016 a cottage is left to a character in a will.

There is loss within the novel. “Grief never really leaves you; you just get better at living with it.” The journey of grief is not linear. There are both good and bad days, one just has to cope the best one can.

In 1943 we see characters having to hide their true selves as social norms of the day mean that certain relationships cannot come to light. “I wanted her [Mum] not to pity me or see me as something broken, or deviant. But I didn’t know how she’d react if I told her.” It is heartbreaking to read, especially as the reader learns, along with the character, that her Mum loves her unconditionally.

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Waves Of Change In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

Aug5

Totally Charming

Waves Of Change In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is a very charming contemporary novel that I adored. It is the sixth book in the Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order for character progression and the background stories to the characters.

Pelican Crossing is a place we would all love to reside, where the welcomes are warm and the coffee is flowing. It is a place where people go to heal. “Pelican Crossing was a good place to heal.”

Home is the place that calls us – whether we are in a good or a bad place, we all long to return home “Livvy began to feel better. Nothing had changed but she was home in Pelican Crossing.” Home is the place where people love us.

We see that the worst hurt comes from those we thought we could trust. ‘Friendly fire’ really pulls the rug out from under a character. The storyline reminded me of Joseph’s story in Genesis – what others meant for harm; God used for good. Sometimes our biggest disappointments can turn into our biggest triumphs.

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By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

Aug4

There Was Once A Girl

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult is a marvellous dual timeline novel that I really enjoyed. It has its’ roots in fact and will educate you as you read.

There are actual historical figures including Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. The leading lady in the sixteenth century is Emilia Bassano who we know actually existed. Jodi Picoult’s notes at the end of the book are fascinating. Emilia Bassano is the focus of the novel and has links to present day author Melina who is researching her as she is her ancestor.

There are many parallels between the two women as they are both seeking to write, and both are marginalised in favour of men.

Jodi Picoult has created a fascinating tale around the subject of invisible women. “There was a girl who became invisible so that her words might not be.” Women, it seemed, were invisible in all sorts of walks of life. As they aged, they were passed by.

Writing about Alice Arden who murdered her husband Thomas, Emilia Bassano says: “For a woman to have status, she must be married. Yet a married woman loses everything – her name, her body, her property, her money. It all belongs to her husband. A widow… is given back all that rightfully belongs to her… It is a wonder there aren’t more husbands murdered.” It is very sad to see women “sidelined because of gender.”

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The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley

Aug2

A Final Request

The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley is a charming contemporary novel that I loved and read in just one sitting.

The leading characters are all over seventy and prove that you are never too old to have a new adventure or experience, or to learn new skills.

Three former work colleagues find themselves heading to Shetland to fulfil the final wish of their former boss and friend, as they scatter his ashes in a place he always wanted to visit. An old photograph gives clues as to why.

As the three journey together, old feeling emerge. They all have feelings of guilt from one dreadful day years ago, and have avoided each other ever since. Close proximity forces them to confront what needs to be laid to rest.

Shetland is a wild and rugged landscape, more so in winter. The landscape comes alive under the author’s descriptive pen.

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