Blog No 171 – 2021 Reading List

My goal for 2021 was to read more than 40 books. If I could beat my previous years target of 66 books or more, I was going to be extremely happy. I achieved 43 books in total, therefore I superseded my target and averaged nearly one book a week, which wasn’t bad for last year.

Here is my reading list: –

1. The Whitechapel Girl – Gilda O’Neil
2. Quick Cooking – Mary Berry
3. The Colliers Wife – Chrissy Walsh
4. A Sisters Sorrow – Kitty Neal
5. The Jam Factory Girls – Mary Wood
6. The Abandoned Daughter – Mary Wood
7. The Little Book of Colour- Karen Haller
8. Joe Biden – Beatrice Gormley
9. The Brave Daughters – Mary Wood
10. The Wronged Daughter – Mary Wood
11. An Orphan’s Journey – Dilly Court
12. Secrets of the Jam Factory Girls – Mary Wood
13. As Time Goes By The House – Anne Bennett
14. Get Fit, Get Healthy, Get Happy – Mark Wright
15. Another Mans Child – Anne Bennett
16. Unnatural Causes – Dr Richard Shepherd
17. Winter Wedding – Dilly Court
18. Where’s There’s a Will – June Francis
19. Girls in Tin Hats – Anne Murray
20. A Girl From Woolworths – Elaine Everest
21. Two Pence to Cross the Mersey – Helen Forrester
22. The Case for Keto – Gary Taubes
23. Suspects – Lesley Pearce
24. Fortunes Daughter – Dilly Court
25. A Promised Land – Barack Obama
26. A Mother’s Secret – Kitty Neal
27. The Patchwork Girls – Elaine Everest
28. A Winter Love Song – Rita Bradshaw
29. The Forgotten Daughter – Glynis Peters
30. The Doctor Will See You Now – Dr Amir Khan
31. Reluctant Heiress – Dilly Court
32. It’s a Love Story – Martin Kemp & Shirley Kemp
33. Rome is Where the Heart is – Tilly Tennant
34. Over the Rainbow – Katie Flynn
35. Keto in an Instant – Jen Fisch
36. Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart
37. Shamed – Linda Castillo
38. The Stolen Baby – Diney Costeloe
39. The Butler – Danielle Steel
40. A Sinple Wish – Rosie Goodwin
41. Meet Me in London – Georgia Toffola
42. The Red Cross Orphans – Glynis Peters
43. The Asylum – Carol Minto

Here’s a reading Q&A

What is your favourite time of the day to read.

I tend to read when I go to bed, however I do listen to audiobooks during the day whilst I’m undertaking tasks.

How many hours do you read a day.

I can read or listen anything from 15mins to 2/3 hrs. It all depends what I’m doing or how tired I am.

What is my favourite genre.

Historical fiction is my favourite, however I’m trying other genres. I do like biographies, I feel it’s an education learning someone else’s struggles. It can make me appreciate my life and have empathy and compassion for other people. Even though I have cancer, I’m always saying there is someone out there suffering more than me so I’m lucky.

Which author did you first get obsessed with.

I would say it was Lyn Andrews then Katie Flynn

Who are you currently obsessed with.

Definitely Mary Wood and Dilly Court. To be fair my obsession is growing with many authors.

Can you read multiple books at one time.

Yes I can, nevertheless I think two is enough for me.

Which book/books was your favourite this year.

I did love “The Orphans Journey ” by Dilly Court, “Patchwork Girls ” by Elaine Everest and “The Jam Factory”’Series by Mary Wood.

Who was your favourite author this year.

I would say Mary Wood because her books are all so different and clearly well researched. Her imagination is incredible and it blows my mind how creative she is with her books.

Which new authors did you try this year

I would say Tilly Tennant and Georgia Toffola this year.

Which book touched you this year.

It has to “The Asylum” by Carol Minto. The true story was about the horrific abuse by her family and Aston Hall, the asylum.

How many books do you intend to read in 2022

I’m think about 40 again, let’s see what happens.

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Blog No 167 – 2020 Reading List

My goal for 2020 was to read more than 46 books. If I could beat my previous target of 46 books or more, I was going to be happy. I achieved 66 books in total, therefore I superseded my target and averaged 1 book a week.

Here is my reading list: –

1. Girls in Tin Hats – Annie Murray
2. Villa of Secrets – Patricia Wilson
3. Hold on Hope – Jean Fullerton
4. Perhaps Tomorrow – Jean Fullerton
5. Sisters of Gold – Annie Murray
6. A Glimpse of Happiness – Jean Fullerton
7. I Owe You One – Sophie Kinsella
8. The Teashop Girls – Elaine Everest
9. No Cure for Love – Jean Fullerton
10. The Secret Midwife – Katy Weitz
11. The Volunteer – Jack Fairweather
12. Permanent Records – Edward Snowden
13. The House Across The Street – Lesley Pearse
14. Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas – Adam Kaye
15. The Whitechapel Girl – Gilda O’Neil
16. Christmas With The Teashop Girls – Elaine Everest
17. Finding Freedom – Carolyn Durand, Omid Scobie
18. Royal – Danielle Steel
19. The Orphan Twins – Lesley Eames
20. The Rag & Bone Girl – Maggie Ford
21. Going Hime to Liverpool – Kate Eastham
22. The Country Bride – Dilly Court
23. Liverpool Daughter – Katie Flynn
24. A Springtime Affair – Katie Fforde
25. The Light in Hidden Places – Sharon Cameron
26. Goodnight Sweetheart – Pam Weaver
27. Memories are Made of This – June Francis
28. Pack Up Your Troubles – Anne Bennet
29. How to Make it Happen – Maria Hatzistefanis
30. Official Secrets – Marcia Mitchell & Thomas Mitchell
31. A Daughter Ruin – Kitty Neale
32. A Village Scandal – Dilly Court
33. Many a Tear Has to Fall – June Francis
34. Mothering Sunday – Rosie Goodwin
35. It’s Now or Never – June Francis
36. Walking Back to Happiness – June Francis
37. The Spitfire Sisters – Margaret Dickinson
38. Love Letters in the Sand – June Francis
39. Shadows of the Past – June Francis
40. Her Father Name – Beezy March
41. How to be British – Tim Benson
42. The Jones Family Food Roster – Alison Jones
43. The Man Who Didn’t Call – Rosie Walsh
44. An Ophran Christmas – Katie Flynn
45. Diagnosis – Lisa Sanders
46. The Orphan Thief – Glynis Peters
47. Mind Over Clutter – Nicola Lewis
48. The Prison Doctor – Dr Amanda Brown
49. An Orphans War – Molly Green
50. A Strong Hand to Hold – Anne Bennett
51. Time To Say Goodbye – Rosie Goodwin
52. The Organised Writer – Anthony Johnston
53. The Christmas Wedding – Dilly Court
54. Rag and Bone Christmas – Dilly Court
55. For Better or Worse – June Francis
56. The Winters Promise – Rosie Goodwin
57. The Orphans of Halfpenny St – Cathy Sharp
58. A Daughter Duty – Maggie Hope
59. Do The Birds Still Sing in Hell – Horace Greasley
60. Dilly’s Sacrifice – Rosie Goodwin
61. Dilly’s Lass – Rosie Goodwin
62. Dilly’s Hope – Rosie Goodwin
63. The Mill Girl – Rosie Goodwin
64. Will You Take Me Home – Julie Tottman
65. The Convent – Maria Hargreaves
66. Home Front Girls – Rosie Goodwin

Here’s a reading Q&A

What is your favourite time of the day to read.

I tend to read when I go to bed. I can read everything from 10 pages to 100 in a night.

How many hours do you read a day.

I can read anything from 15mins to 2/3 hrs. It all depends how tired I am.

What is my favourite genre.

Historical fiction is my favourite, however I’m trying other genres.

Which author did you first get obsessed with.

I would say it was Lyn Andrews then Katie Flynn

Who are you currently obsessed with.

I would say Dilly Court and June Francis. To be fair my obsession is growing with many authors.

Can you read multiple books at one time.

Yes I can, nevertheless I think two is enough for me.

Which book/books was your favourite this year.

I did love “Rag n Bone Christmas” by Dilly Court. I also enjoyed “Will You Take Me Home” by Julie Tottman. This was a true story, which involved a Yorkie dog, therefore I brought the book for my goddaughter too as she’s a reader.

Who was your favourite author this year.

I would say June Francis because her characters in her books follow through her books, which I loved.

Which new authors did you try this year

I would say June Francis and Jean Fullerton were the most popular as I had read a few of their books.

Which book touched you this year.

It has to “The Convent” by Maria Hargreaves. The true story was about the horrific cruelty to children by a nun in a care home in Oldham, U.K.

How many books do you intend to read in 2021.

I’m not sure I’ll reach that target again but let’s see what happens.

Blog No 150 – 2019 Reading List

My goal for 2019 was to read more than 24 books. If I achieve 24 books or more, I was going to be happy. The target was to read 2 books a month and in some cases it was more. My reading last year took a real boost with a total of 46 books.

Here is my reading list: –

1. The Tattooist – Heather Morris
2. Christmas Rose – Dilly Court
3. Always Smiling – Georgia Toffolo
4. The Hiding Place – Trezza Azzopardi
5. The Choice – Edith Eger
6. Spitfire Girl – Lily Baxter
7. Poppy’s War – Lily Baxter
8. Wartime Girls – Anne Baker
9. The Shopkeepers Daughter – Lily Baxter
10. Whistledown Woman – Josephine Cox
11. A Song for Bridget – Phyllis Whitsell
12. The Empty Hearth – Kitty Neale
13. After the war is over – Maureen Lee
14. A Christmas in Disguise – Katie Fforde
15. Into the Fire – Edric Kennedy-Macfoy
16. The Barefoot Girl – Cathy Sharp
17. The Little Orphan Girl – Sandy Taylor
18. Liverpool Sisters – Lynn Andrews
19. The Librarian – Dita Kraus
20. Nettie Secret – Dilly Court
21. Kitty and her Sisters – Maureen Lee
22. I spy – Tom Marcus
23. Under the Hawthorn Tree – Marita Conlon McKenna
24. My Not So Perfect Life – Sophie Kinsella
25. In His Father Footsteps – Danielle Steel
26. Come Rain or Shine – Pam Weaver
27. Eminence – Morris West
28. Brutal Honest – Melanie Brown
29. Daughters of Courage – Margaret Dickinson
30. Sing Them Home – Pam Weaver
31. Christmas to Come – Carol Rivers
32. This is Going to Hurt – Adam Kaye
33. The Butlin Girls – Elaine Everest
34. Becoming – Michelle Obama
35. The Orphans of Bell Lane – Ruthie Lane
36. The Winter Orphan – Cathy Sharp
37. Bicycles & Blackberries – Shelia Newberry
38. A Family’s Heartbreak – Kitty Neale
39. Light Out Till Dawn – Dee Williams
40. The Collaborator – Diane Armstrong
41. A Precious Gift – Rosie Goodwin
42. The Secret Orphan – Glynis Peters
43. Clika’s Journey – Heather Morris
44. The Titanic Sisters – Patrica Falvey
45. The Orphan Thief – Glynis Peters
46. Twas the Nightshift Before – Adam Kay

Last year, I wanted to open up my mind to new authors. I had introduced approximately 23 new authors of various genres

The books I had read were so varied from The Tattooist to I Spy. Reading books expands the mind and triggers imagination.

Books make me happy and give me immense pleasure. My well being is surely improved by reading. My goal this year is to be 46 books.

Weekly Blog No 136 – Annual Reading List

My goal for 2018 was to read more than 24 books. My reading this year has been hit and miss. I know I did a count in September and it was 21 books and I thought this was going to be an easy target to achieve with an average of 2 books a month. I was very much mistaken because it remained at 21 books, therefore I didn’t reach my target.

Here is my reading list: –

1. Flesh and Blood – Stephen McGann
2. A Little Leaving – Anne Bennett
3. The Liverpool Rose – Katie Flynn
4. Me Life Story – Scarlett Moffat
5. The River Maid – Dilly Court
6. Fear of the Collar – Patrick Touher
7. Mothering Sunday – Rosie Goodwin
8. A Daughter Courage – Kitty Neale
9. The Soldiers Daughter – Rosie Goodwin
10. An Orphans Secret – Maggie Hope
11. Mill Girls – Tracey Johnson
12. Dancing in the Dark – Maureen Lee
13. Pie N Mash & Prefabs – Norman Jacobs
14. The Report – Jessica Francis Kane
15. A view Across the Mersey – Anne Baker
16. The Summer Maiden – Dilly Court
17. A Promise Between Friends – Carol Rivers
18. Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken – The Secret Barrister
19. No Silver Spoon – Katie Flynn
20. A Christmas Candle – Katie Flynn
21. First Man in Leading the Front – Ant Middleton

A few new authors this year and the Stories of the Law and How it’s Broken by The Secret Barrister was a very educational book into the legal system in the U.K.

A book that very educational was Flesh and Blood by Stephen McGann. A very informative book on family and medical history through the decades/centuries in Ireland and U.K. I do love to hear about people’s family history and even better if I get educated on the way. Worth a read.

As for the First Man in the Leading the Front by Ant Middleton. I think this man is misjudged by his size and chosen career. I wouldn’t make assumptions and read this book.

The most horrific book I read this year was Fear of the Collar by Patrick Touher. The cruelty to innocent children was unbelievable and was well worth the read. The eye opener.

In 2019, I will aim to read 24 books again. I will have too as my house is full of books and I need to de clutter. Let’s see how this year goes. Happy Reading.

Does anyone have any book recommendations?

 

Weekly Blog No 113 – 2017 Reading List

Last year I attempted to read 24 books again but to my disappointment I have failed. As previously mentioned, my reading was at a slower pace last year. Despite the slower pace I did reach some reading goals by attempting to read some new authors.

Here’s my reading list for 2017.

1. A Little Leaving – Anne Bennett
2. Pie n Mash & Prefabs – Norman Jacobs
3. Solider Spy – Tom Marcus
4. A Street Car Named Bob – James Bowen
5. The Mistletoe Seller – Dilly Court
6. The Christmas Card – Dilly Court
7. Forget Me Not Child – Anne Bennett
8. Eve of the Isles – Carol Rivers
9. The Button Box – Dilly Court
10. When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi
11. Queen of the Mersey – Maureen Lee
12. Lizzie of Langley St – Carol Rivers
13. The Fight for Lizzie Flowers – Carol Rivers
14. Don’t Ever Tell – Kathy O’Beirne
15. Christmas to Come – Carol Rivers
16. Fighting To The End – Jade Goody
17. The Girl From Seaforth Sands – Katie Flynn
18. Gypsy Boy – Mikes Walsh

Until I wrote the above list, I hadn’t realised how much I had read last year. You can see who my favourite authors are. I did try some alternative authors last year but I keep going back to my favourites. Let’s see what happens this year.

Weekly Blog No 89 – My Reading Challenge

In the last twelve months, I’ve attempted a challenge to read as many books in a year. My goal was 24 books and to experiment with some different authors. I have about a month to go and about 3 more books left to read.
Here is my list to date:

1. East End Jubilee – Carol Rivers
2. Pam Weaver – For Better or Worse
3. The Kelly Sisters – Maureen Lee
4. A Summer Promise – Katie Flynn
5. The New Arrival – Sarah Beeston MBE
6. War Baby – Lizzie Lane
7. Without Trace – Lesley Pearce
8. The Ophran’s – Dilly Court
9. Sins of the Mother – Irene Kelly
10. Too Close to Home – Susan Lewis
11. The Buffer Girls – Margaret Dickinson
12. Me Me Me – Charlotte Crosby
13. Ragged Rose – Dilly Count
14. Lights Out Liverpool – Maureen Lee
15. Love Me Tender – Anne Bennet
16. The Swan Maid – Dilly Court
17. The Girl With No Name _ Diney Costeloe
18. A Family Scandal – Kitty Neale
19. Our Country Nurse – Sarah Beeston  MBE & Amy Beeston
20. Finding Tipperary Mary – Phyliss Whitsell
21. Polly’s Angel – Katie Flynn (Still reading)

I did read on social media the other day that a woman had read 70 books so far in 2016. Kudos to her, however 70 books is an incredible amount of reading. I have experimented with some new authors in the last 12 months, however my genre doesn’t seem to have changed. I have read a few biographies as you will see from my list above. It’s always a learning experience when reading about someone else’s life.

The books, I tend to read always have a historical and cultural element, which I find very intriguing. It certainly makes you appreciate the life you have today. I feel the only way I could beat 24 books a year, is if I stop watching television. I really don’t think that is going to happen. I shall attempt another reading challenge once this one is complete.

Weekly Blog No 69 – Reading Books

Books are a marvellous pastime of mine. I do have my own little library and assortment of books from fiction to construction.

My personal library has been back and forth to Canada with me. I believe I brought back about 300 books on my return to the UK last year and I’m sure its nothing to some peoples collections. The UK retail pricing for books is outstanding compared to Canada.  I can buy 3 paperback books for the same price as one in Canada. I’m grateful to the UK for competitive pricing. I have since added more paper hoarding to the collection and seem to have added more in the 8 months in the UK than my whole 6 years in Canada.

I have attempted this blog like a Q&A scenario for a change

Who is your favourite author and why?

I have to say Dilly Court, she also writes under the name of Lily Baxter. I have only read Dilly Courts books to date. She has me completely immersed in her work from start to finish. She is consistent, I’ve enjoyed every book so far.

What was the last book you read?

“Ragged Rose” by Dilly Court published Feb 2016, so you will find it on bookshelves now. A story of secrets, heartache, poverty, love and 20th century history. Incredible read.

Which book are you presently reading? 

“Me Me Me” by Charlotte Crosby

The book is about Charlotte’s life as a child leading into her reality tv career on Geordie Shore. I know Charlotte is like marmite, you either love her or you don’t. I do find her hilarious and her one liners always has me in giggles. I would give her parents a trophy for their dedicated love & support for their daughter.

Your reading material does seem quiet varied?

Yes that is very true, my genres are from historical romance, autobiographies to true crime only to name a few. I would say that I consider myself diverse but not diverse enough.

What other authors do you read?

Katie Flynn

Maureen Lee

Pam Weaver

Rosie Goodwin

Gemma Townley

Danielle Steel

Your choice of authors seems more about historical romance?

I do enjoy cultural history, a lot of my reading material does involve the Irish, which I can relate to coming from an Irish Catholic family.  I am extremely passionate about history so by reading this material, I do learn something new too and widen my knowledge base.

You also said you read autographies too, why?

I love to read about life experience,  good or bad. No one has a perfect life. We all tend to make a lot of assumptions about things and people, therefore reading these types of books can broaden your opinion to be more open-minded.

Is there any books that you read recently that touched you in some way ?

Yes most definitely  “Sins of the mother ” by  Irene Kelly

OMG the book had me in tears, what an incredible woman on so many levels. She deserves happiness and her family too and I hope she is achieving that.

This is one book that I would give to people who are constantly negative about their life and don’t appreciate what they have now or had previously.

Is there any books you are waiting to be published?

Yes last year I read “The New Arrival” by Sarah Beeson MBE

Again amazing insight into nursing in the 70’s and how her career developed arriving in Hackney, London from Staffordshire. A dedicated nurse who writes about her career progression. The follow up book is going to be the next stage in her career.

Do you have a favourite book?

Yes, ” The diary of a young girl” by Anne Frank. It should be on every child/adults reading list.

Do you prefer a book or e-book reader?

I like a physical book but I do like an e-book reader when I’m on holiday for convenience. I could not bring myself to read all books on a e-book reader, call me old-fashioned at heart.

Are you likely to read a book and then watch the movie or vice versa?

No not anymore. I had read the book “lovely bones” by Alice Sebold. I bought the book after seeing it on Richard & Judy’s Book List, it was a great book. I was so disappointed when I had watched the movie. I’m sure if I hadn’t read the book and had just watched the movie instead, there wouldn’t have been an issue. I kept comparing the movie to the book. Following that movie, if I have read the book I won’t go see the movie or if I have seen the movie I won’t read the book.

Is there any books that have captured the world, which you haven’t read?

Yes Harry Potter collection, which has never caught my desire.

Another one is ” Fifty shades of grey” by E L James. I think I’m the only person that hasn’t read this book.  I just don’t have the craving to read this book although I have heard mixed reviews.

I am open to new authors or books, which you would recommend. Please send me your recommendations.