bookmad

During the last few weeks I've tried to read as wide a range of genres as possible - currently half-way through Margaret Thatcher's The Downing Street Years - brings back memories of my earlier years and the major episodes going on at that time. It's, for me, trying to see what makes people like her tick! Ironic that I caught myself reading about the miner's strike in a Morrisons' car park which now covers the pit exactly where the year long miner's strike began!! Can't say I'm that happy with what I'm reading from Thatcher's point of view! A couple of others I've really enjoyed recently are The Belle Fields and the relatively recently published sequel Ashes of Roses written by Lora Adams. A couple of books which took me into another world of my grandparents and both ends of the social spectrum of that time - pure escapism - would really recommend! Yet another - The Lonely Leader - Monty 1944-1945 written by Alistair Horne with Montgomery's only son David. A very good insight into his eventful but perhaps very sad life? On reflection I would put Montgomery into my top 5 of people who got us there in 1945 - I reckon along with Churchill, Harris, Turing etc. Good reading if you try any of these

Hooray - the sequel to The Belle Fields by Lora Adams mentioned above has now been published. Ashes of Roses is now hot off the press and I've just read it in just a couple of sittings. Pacey and again plenty of obvious research and a thoroughly enjoyable read! It at last gave answers to how some of the characters in the original ended up and am glad at least one of the originals got what they deserved! Surprised though how some of the others went on. Again plenty of twists and turns but if interested in Ashes would suggest reading Belle Fields first and think you would enjoy the sequel better - although with the prologue it quite readily stands alone if you prefer. Good reading!!

Hi - new to this forum and have enjoyed reading many of the previous posts. Some good suggestions for future reads! I love a wide variety both fiction and non-fiction and would recommend a couple of books I've recently enjoyed. The Belle Fields by Lora Adams would be enjoyed by many. It's a story of a local girl who lands a job in a local Big House in late Victorian times. She comes from a poor family but is propelled into another world by what she encounters living with the rich and powerful. Fast moving narrative describing the youngster's ups and downs when advances are made by some 'above stairs'. Very descriptive scenes when celebrations at the mansion take place and many twists and turns with an unexpected end! A sequel has been promised - Ashes of Roses and I can't wait for that to be published to see how Emily fairs. It's available in paperback or for Kindle - think it cost me a couple of pounds! Another I would recommend is perhaps unique? Say Kangaroo by Five Sisters is a compilation of poetry and drawings written by (you guessed it) - five sisters who grew up in the 50's and 60's and formed a close-knit family who like a lot of others struggled to make ends meet. Mum was always doing her best and dad worked all hours but seemsto have liked a drink! The poems are funny, sad, some very 'deep' and certainly took me back to my childhood. Subjects include holidays, schooling, pets, Christmases etc etc. Really enjoyed this one - again a couple of pounds from Amazon. Hope anyone having a look at either will enjoy as I have? - would love your thoughts.