General

The Incredible Story of Britain’s Bravest Warriors by Mark McCrum (Sphere) ISBN 9 781847 444868 It is incredible what the human body can contend with especially if you use your mind to overcome terrible injuries caused by war. Four of Britain’s brave young soldiers, two with only one leg, a third with a paralysed arm […]

by Gabrielle Kimm (Sphere) ISBN 9 780751 544558 This is a read of passion, lust and power. In 1564 it was difficult for a single woman to make a living. One can hardly call it a decent living. But if you were young, absolutely stunningly beautiful and had a body to match, then wealthy men,

by Kristin Hannah (Macmillan) ISBN: 978 0 230 75446 1 Home Front examines the devastating emotional and physical impact of war on a family and is an emotionally gripping portrait of a marriage in crisis. After losing her alcoholic parents in a car crash, Jolene finds a new home in the army, becoming an ace

by Alexander McCall Smith (Little, Brown) ISBN: 978-1-4087-0340-3 Novels from prolific Alexander McCall Smith promise me a couple of enjoyable hours, smiles of delight and tears of compassion. I love his quirky characters and insightful observations. Through his various series I feel acquainted with Gaborone and Edinburgh. The Forgotten Affairs of Youth, nr 8 in

by William Horwood (Pan Macmillan) ISBN: 9780230712614 This is the first book I have read by the fantasy writer, Horwood, famous for the Duncton Chronicles. Awakening is the second book in his Hyddenworld series. Maybe I should have read the first, to appreciate this one more. The story flows, it is an easy read. The

by Kate Kerrigan (Macmillan) ISBN 9 780230 747715 This is a very different kind of read. When you think of the world depression we are all battling with at the moment, you are just amazed at this 1930’s woman, Ellie Hogan, who leaves Ireland to take New York by storm. If only there was someone

by Norman Finkelstein (Jacana) ISBN: 978-0984295036 For someone that only knows the basics about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, like me, I hoped this book would educate me and shed a light on the core of the dispute. That was too optimistic. The book reads like a university textbook. Each page has at least 5 notes and

by Anna Raverat (Picador) ISBN 978-1-4472-0237-0 This is an unusual read, written in an unusual way but the way the story is told is mind-blowing. The relevant poetry fits the story like a glove. This is all our lives, as they could be or have been, told in a way that is so easy to

by Lesley Pearse (Michael Joseph) ISBN: 978-1-71857043 “What did she know about Etienne? He might have saved her life back in Paris, but when she first met him he was no more than a hired thug.” The Promise is the continuation of Belle’s story from Belle. Belle is married to Jimmy and lives a comfortable life.