Why Visit America - Matthew Baker

 

Description

Welcome, dear visitor, to a proud and storied nation. When you put down this guidebook, look around you. A nation isn't land. A nation is people.

Equal parts speculative and satirical, the stories in Matthew Baker's collection portray a world within touching distance of our own. This is an America riven by dilemmas confronting so many of us, turned on its head by one of the most innovative voices of the moment.

Read together, these parallel-universe stories create a composite portrait of our true nature and a dark reflection of the world we live in.

Review

This book of short stories won't suit everyone. Cleverly written with such imagination and creative writing, each one is a story set in a future America - although that future could be nearer rather than farther away from us in some of the stories. It's a little like Black Mirror.

The writing style is unique with the descriptive nature of the prose coming in the main from very long paragraphs and sometimes lists. It's certainly effective in bringing home the message but as I said it won't be for everyone. 

The first story was quite tragic and upsetting for me. It took me a while to fully realise what was happening and this is true of most of the stories, as you seem to fall into them and then slowly they unfold and explain themselves. Some of the stories left me wanting an explanation or an "ending" which is usually how I feel about them in general.

The last story will remain with me for some time. It's called "To Be Read Backward" and I actually read it twice to try to fully grasp it. 

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars and my thanks to the author and Pigeonhole for being able to read along.

Note To Boy - Sue Clark

Description

Eloise is an erratic, faded fashionista. Bradley is a glum but wily teenager. In need of help to write her racy 1960s memoirs, the former 'shock frock' fashion guru tolerates his common ways. Unable to remember his name, she calls him Boy. Desperate to escape a brutal home life, he puts up with her bossiness and confusing notes. Both guard secrets. How did she lose her fame and fortune? What is he scheming - beyond getting his hands on her bank card? And just what's hidden in that mysterious locked room?

I'm so thrilled to be on the Blog Tour for this book today.

Review

I liked the description of this novel, but it was when I read the author's bio that I knew I wanted to read it. Reading that she has written comedy for some of the greats, I knew this was going to be a funny book and I wasn't let down. There are some classic lines and right at the beginning Eloise is describing her previous "help" who couldn't even say essential words, such as "Gin and Tonic" - had me laughing out loud straightaway.

Once I got the characters voices in my head I cast Taron Egerton from the Kingsman in the role of Bradley - his grammar leaves a lot to be desired and Eloise tries to improve him in this respect.  Eloise is a sort of Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous, but if anything more outrageous and ditsy. 

Each chapter gives the heading of one of the characters and in the case of Eloise could be in the present day, which at times paints a sad and sorry picture or it could be her recollection of her colourful and  past life in the world of fashion. 

Meanwhile Bradley has his own issues with a prominent strawberry birthmark and a bully boy of a brother. I was routing for him to get on with Eloise and maybe improve his lot. Eloise employs him as her help and feigns not remembering his name and refers to him as "boy" leaving him notes - while she ponders why he hasn't yet brought her the requested "gypsy creams". Bradley has no idea what gypsy creams are, but does an admiral job of trying to track them down. There are quite a few 70s references so you might not get all of them if you're from a younger generation but for me it was perfect. She gets a little confused and at one point talks about Lionel Blair who used to live down the road - "you know he used to be PM!" 

This is a fab story of two unlikely people coming together to form a team who go on to take on some unscrupulous people in a funny yet at times sad and poignant landscape.

I'm giving this book five out of five stars. My thanks to Random Things Tours and Unbound digital for the ebook to review.

AUTHOR 

Sue Clark has grilled John Humphreys, quipped with Ronnie Corbett, danced with one James Bond and had a one-sided conversation with another, and penned funny lines for the likes of Lenny Henry, June Whitfield, Roy Hudd and David Jason. She's been a BBC radio and TV comedy scriptwriter on such shows such as Alas Smith and Jones, Weekending, The News Huddlines and The Jason Explanation, a copywriter, a PR, a journalist, a magazine editor, a writer of guidebooks, a secretary and was, briefly, paid to read books all day long for a film producer. And now she's written a novel. 

Twitter: @sueclarkauthor 

Facebook: SueClarkAuthor 

sueclarkauthor.com

The Authenticity Project - Clare Pooley

Description

The Radio 2 Book Club pick, perfect for fans of The Flatshare

'This is the feel-good story, full of hope, that we all need to read right now.' Woman & Home, Book of the Month

‘A joyous, funny read that leaves you all warm inside’ Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy

Six strangers with one universal thing in common: their lives aren’t always what they make them out to be.

What would happen if they told the truth instead?

Julian Jessop is tired of hiding the deep loneliness he feels. So he begins The Authenticity Project – a small green notebook containing the truth about his life.

Leaving the notebook on a table in his friendly neighbourhood café, Julian never expects Monica, the owner, to track him down after finding it. Or that she’ll be inspired to write down her own story.

Little do they realize that such small acts of honesty hold the power to impact all those who discover the notebook and change their lives completely.

Review

I'm not sure what drew me to read this book, maybe it was the lovely cover of the cafe. Reading the description now I'm not sure I would rush to read it, but I am so glad I did! I just loved it and couldn't wait to get back to it each time, and spent the time in between thinking about the characters.

I will admit it had a little bit of a slow start, but once the Authenticity Project notebook began its journey to the next person it really took off. Julian is the first to write in the notebook and leave it in Monica's cafe - for him it truly is the beginning of something he could never have dreamt of. One of the saddest parts of the book is when Monica is in Julian's cottage and she opens a canister of peppermint tea. There is a note from his long ago dead wife, reminding him to offer his guests biscuits, and he says, "oh that's a new one" I haven't come across a new note for a while.

Monica writes in the book next and then when the following person writes in the notebook it takes a trip overseas. As each person writes in the book their lives become entwined eventually until at a point about three quarters into the book I exclaimed out loud "OH !!!". I don't do spoilers so to find out what had me shouting out loud you need to read this extraordinary and wonderfully written book. Just when I thought I could second guess what was going to happen it all changed and then there were more changes which had me gripped as much as any thriller.

I could reveal so many tidbits about the characters, but really I think it's best for you to discover them for yourself, bit by bit, or page by page of the notebook.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

The Switch - Beth O'Leary

Description

This program is read by British actors Alison Steadman and Daisy Edgar-Jones, star of Hulu's Normal People.

A grandmother and granddaughter swap lives in The Switch, a charming, romantic novel by Beth O’Leary, who has been hailed as “the new Jojo Moyes” (Cosmopolitan UK)...

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some long-overdue rest.

Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen.

So they decide to try a two-month swap.

Eileen will live in London and look for love. She’ll take Leena’s flat, and learn all about casual dating, swiping right, and city neighbors. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire: Eileen’s sweet cottage and garden, her idyllic, quiet village, and her little neighborhood projects.

But stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Will swapping lives help Eileen and Leena find themselves…and maybe even find true love? In Beth O'Leary's The Switch, it's never too late to change everything....or to find yourself.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

Review

As soon as I read that Alison Steadman was going to be reading one of the parts I knew I would love it, as she's one of my favourite actors. I wasn't disappointed, she was superb at bringing to life Eileen aged 79. As was the actor that read the part of Leena. My only slight disappointment is that when they read the parts of the supporting actors, there was obviously a change in the voice. So when I had gotten used to Eileen's Felix, when Leena spoke of him I thought "that's not Felix!".

As Eileen and Leena swap lives they bring so much to the people that surround them. From the lovely Letitia in London who had been so lonely to the grump Ronald who Leena makes not grumpy at all. The book is told from the alternate points of view of Eileen and Leena. With it being an audio book there was no mistaking which character was reading, but also the name was announced at the beginning of each chapter.

Part way through the book Eileen thinks she needs to go back to Yorkshire and I was beside myself, she couldn't go back, I needed to know what was going to become of her projects and new friends. Unfortunately the eight weeks whizzed by and the time for the swap does come to an end. 

I loved how Eileen stands no nonsense, and when one of the 30 somethings is about to send email to  someone in the same building, Eileen tells him "there will be none of this email nonsense, face to face it is". I could feel the look of shock on his face as he contemplated actually speaking to someone. Meanwhile Leena in Yorkshire is having to win over the villagers and her project manager skills aren't all that much help. 

Behind all of this we learn that Leena's sister Carla passed away. Everyone has been dealing with it in different ways, not entirely successfully. This is the deeper side of the book and it was dealt with so sensitively and the emotion in the actor's voices really brought it to life.

Whilst I am not sure I would re read this book I would love to listen to the audio again. I am already missing Eileen and Leena and their friends so much.

I'm giving this audio book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the audio to review.

Hector at Ground Level - Gary Finnan Book Blitz

This Little Book is about being present to the wonders that exist around us At Ground Level, discovering all that we fail to see when we spend so much of our lives chasing bigger, better, faster, more, endeavouring to fly higher.

Everything else seems much more desirable around us than ourselves, or our lives and loves, after a long day at the slug farm.

When do we decide how to proceed with the life we have built thus far: Joy, Passion,

Marriage, Divorce, Suicide, Enlightenment? Choices we have made. What if you built from a place of strength rather than always feeling diminished and unfulfilled? A life built upon the life you have, rather than the elusive life you imagine, yet fear. Build a great life in balance with your best self and your nurtured relationships. Transformation is seeing the hidden gems that truly exist in plain sight.

We have all heard someone say, The grass is greener on the other side. Is it?

Most of us were 4 or 5 years old when the belief structure we made with life set in: I

am stupid, I am weak, I don’t deserve, etc. We engaged believing that we should spend

our lives proving that we are who we believe everyone else thinks we are. Breaking the

cycle of doubt is essential. Loving self is the first love.

The grass is greenest where you are!

Author Bio

Born in Scotland and raised in Zimbabwe and South Africa, Gary Finnan splits his time between Sonoma Wine country in California and his farm in Aiken South Carolina, along with his wife Eva and two daughters. Gary is an award-winning inspirational author. 

Buy Link 

https://amzn.to/3eUUSs6

The Little Village Library - Helen Rolfe

Description

It takes a village...

Cloverdale is known for its winding roads, undulating hills and colourful cottages, and now for its Library of Shared Things: a place where locals can borrow anything they might need, from badminton sets to waffle makers. A place where the community can come together.

Jennifer has devoted all her energy into launching the Library. When her sister Isla moves home, and single dad Adam agrees to run a mending workshop at the Library, new friendships start to blossom. But what is Isla hiding, and can Adam ever mend his broken past?

Then Adam's daughter makes a startling discovery, and the people at the Library of Shared Things must pull together to help one family overcome its biggest challenge of all . . .

A heartwarming story about the kindness we can find when we least expect it, and the places we learn to call home.

Review

The first thing I want to say about this book is that it is not about a library for books! The second is it's not the cosy read that the cover maybe leads you to believe. Towards the end of the book there is a lot of descriptive domestic violence. It is dealt with sensitively and obviously it is something that happens, but I did not expect it in this book and probably wouldn't have read it had I known.

The story centres really around the characters in the village, one of whom happens to have opened a "Library of Shared Things". I would have loved to have read more about the comings and goings in the library but really it was just a mechanism for the characters to meet and be introduced.

I struggled with the book, for me it didn't flow that well and none of the characters were at all likeable. Every time I picked it up I felt I was wading through a lot of wordy descriptive writing that was unnecessary. The characters were full of woes and really I just wanted a cosy read which I didn't find.

There is intrigue around Adam who is new to the village and I only kept reading because I wanted to know his backstory and hopefully read that all the things he was being suspected of were untrue. When everything came to a head at the end of the book it was quite tense, and I feel this book should really have been marketed differently than it has been.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

The Last Lemming - Chris Chalmers

BLURB 

TV naturalist ‘Prof Leo’ Sanders makes it to his deathbed without a whiff of scandal — then confesses his career-defining wildlife discovery was a hoax. 

A National Treasure shattering his own reputation on YouTube is enough to spark a media frenzy, and the curiosity of part-time journalism student Claire Webster who makes him the subject of her dissertation. 

Her investigations lead to Prof Leo’s estranged family, and a high-flying advertising guru he also slandered in the video. 

Ultimately Claire uncovers the truth behind the discovery of the Potley Hill Lemming — the first new species of British mammal in a century. 

It’s a mystery spanning four decades; a tale of greed, obsession and long-forgotten murder at a lonely beauty spot.'

A revered TV naturalist with a guilty secret, a cute critter, a brand of stout and a lovelorn personal trainer all collide with tragi-comic results in this witty whydunnit. The Last Lemming combines pathos, humour and mystery to irresistible effect.’ Suzi Feay, literary critic

REVIEW

The blurb for this book had me intrigued and wanting to read it, and I'm so pleased I did.

The book is based around the current day story of Claire, who is undertaking a journalism course and writing her dissertation. The subject of her dissertation takes us back to 1987 and Prof Leo who recounts for us his journey of the discovery of the Potley Hill Lemming. It also took me back to reminisce about so many things in the 1980s I had forgotten. With the references being spot on for that time frame, including that famous storm.

Whilst Claire is on the trail of Prof Leo and what his confession means, we also get the back story of her life. I really liked the character of Claire. As her dialogue appeared I had to double check who had written this book, because he has really got inside the head of a woman - it all reads so true to life. Claire is a PT at a gym for her day job and I did like all the little tidbits of insider knowledge drip fed into the book, maybe some of it will rub off! She's also looking for love - but this is no romance novel and her love interest left a lot to be desired on that front!

The book flip flops between the present day and 1987 as Claire delves deeper and more of the mystery is uncovered. There's certainly a few laughs in the book which can bring you up sharp when the darker side of the book is finally revealed.

I think there is mileage in Claire appearing in another book she's certainly got a lot going for her. A really good read and a little different journey taken to most books. I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to Random Tour Books for the invite onto the tour today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Chris Chalmers was born in Lancashire and lives in south-west London. He's been the understudy on Mastermind, visited 40 countries and swum with marine iguanas. His first novel, 'Five To One', was winner of a debut novel competition and nominated for the Polari First Book Prize; his latest, 'The Last Lemming', is out now in paperback and ebook. He has written a diary for 42 years and never missed a night.

Click on a reading from 'The Last Lemming', or a Five-To-ONE-MINUTE-MOVIE for a 60-second intro to the main characters and themes of 'Five To One'. Or search 'chris chalmers novelist' on YouTube, for clips of Chris reading from his other books, poems about Christmas Eve and butcher's shops, and fox cubs dancing to ABBA. (Yep, it's as high-brow as that.)

Blog, news and more about his books at http://www.chrischalmers.net/



Twitter @CCsw19

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Lemming-Chris-Chalmers/dp/0993323944