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 I achieved 66 books in total, therefore I superseded my target and averaged 1 book a week.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.

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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.