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More Recommended Reads
Miss Read: The School at Thrush Green
Mrs Boris has always enjoyed these entertaining stories of village life. In this particular one, the “closely guarded” secret of headmistress Miss Watson and her teacher friend Miss Fogarty to retire soon leads to much rumour and speculation. Who will take over as head of the school? What will become of the school house that the two teachers have shared for so long? Soon a stray cat adds to the complications, but all is well in the end. Anyone who likes to read about country life will love these books and they will appeal to fans of Doreen Tovey and Faith Addis.
Going Dutch by Katie Fforde
Jo’ husband has swapped her for a younger model and she finds herself living on a barge near the Thames, contemplating ways to earn a living after years as a full-time mum. She is pleased to offer a refuge to her daughters best friend. Dora has fled from her fiancee, her mother and plans for a huge wedding and the criticism of her local village. The both set about finding jobs and Dora finds herself rowing to work. Jo makes tentative plans for a new life, but both have sworn to give up men. However life has other ideas and throws Marcus, arrogant and attractive and Jack of all trades Tom in their paths. Then they discover the barge must be taken out to sea and Jo hates sailing. Another sparkling romantic comedy which kept Mrs B highly entertained.
Miss Read: Village Affairs
The future of Fairacre school seems grim when closure threatens and schoolmistress Miss Read is worried about her own fortunes. Adding to the problems are the usual trials of cleaner Mrs Pringle and the matrimonial ups and downs of her niece, Minnie; temporary assistant teachers and inclement winter weather Another amusing tale of the everyday dramas of village life from Miss Read.
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
Julia Beckeyy fell in love at first sight with Greywethers, a handsome Wiltshire farmhouse, little suspecting how it would influence her future life. When she goes to live there, she finds that her life in the present is overshadowed by her previous existence as Mariana who lived at Greywethers in the 17th Ccentury. As Julia tries to enjoy her new life and form relationships, she must play out her previous experiences as Mariana, before she can find love and happiness in the present day. Susanna Kearsley has woven past and present into an engaging novel, part romance and part historical novel. Mrs Boris has enjoyed all her books, but ‘Mariana’ remains her favourite. Boris professes not to read romances, but even he has enjoyed a couple of them.
The Yorkshire Pudding Club by Milly Johnson
Helen has longed for a baby, but her husband is reluctant to face parenthood. When she and two friends picnic on an ancient fertility symbol the result is very positive. As Helen revels in her pregnancy, her marriage begins to crumble away. Janey is dedicated to her career and her situation becomes a nightmare, while her husband is overjoyed. Elizabeth with her tortured past is sure she could never love her child when a figure from her past returns to her life.
A humorous, feel-good factor story which runs along at a fast pace. And before Boris looks hopeful, it is not about his favourite Yorkshire delicacy! Mrs Boris
Boris likes Yorkshire Pudding, but unfortunately Mrs B rations how many I can have. Boris
Always and Forever by Cathy Kelly
When her only son died, Leah found solace and healing at the Clouds Hill Spa. Wishing to extend this to others, she finds the perfect place to open her own spa of healing at Carrich Well a magical town in the shadows of Mount Carraig. Ambitious Mel, trying to combine her family life and career, Daisy who longs for a child to nurture and tempestuous Cleo who wants to save her run-down family hotel all face seemingly insurmountable problems and find help and friendship when Leah and clouds Hill work their own magic. This is a warm, moving novel with a real feel-good factor, well written and very readable. Mrs Boris hadn’t tried Cathy Kelly’s books before and is looking forward to reading some more. This book will also appeal to fans of Maeve Binchy and Susan Sallis.
The Godmother by Carrie Adams
Single, sassy & solvent, lawyer Tessa King could really have it all. With no ties and her circle of close friends and four godchildren, she could go adventuring anywhere and anytime, but she doesn’t, she just enjoys life and her godchildren while waiting for Mr right to appear in her life. Then in the worst way possible, Tessa finds marriage & motherhood could be hers for the asking, but can she take the necessary steps to achieve it. Sometimes fairy tales aren’t fair at all and ‘happy ever after’ comes with its own heavy price. This is a humorous, heart-warming story with many a dark undertone, which may have readers reaching for the tissue box and laughing out loud too. Mrs B thoroughly enjoyed this one & recommends it to anyone.
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
Following an enforced move to safe suburbia from New York, Kate Klein is relegated to being ‘just a housewife’ and mother to her three toddlers. Away from the buzz of city life, Kate finds it hard to make friends with the other local mums, who all seem to lead perfect lives with their perfect families in their perfect houses. Then one of the mothers is murdered and Kate finds the body. Drawing on her past experiences of helping a detective friend, Kate decides to turn gumshoe. While her children are safely at nursery school, aided and abetted by her old friend Janie. Written in a quirky, suspenseful style, there follows a highly original, funny, can’t wait to find out who did it tale.
Well there’s one thing for sure, Mrs B sure ain’t a Stepford wife, no way!!! Boris
Lirael by Garth Nix
Lirael was born to a daughter of the Clayr, but never knew her father’s name and has never felt herself to truly belong to the clan. She doesn’t even have the sight and the ability to see the future which is the birthright of the Clayr. Finally consigned to working in the library Lirael makes some surprising discoveries about the past and explores secret places, making some terrifying encounters along the way which require all her skills in magic to survive. An ancient evil casts its shadow over the Old Kingdom, which opposes the Royal family, blocks the Clayr’s sight and threatens to break the boundary between life & death. Lirael is forced to set out on a desperate journey to save the Old Kingdom, with only her faithful companion the Disreputable Dog to help her. Finall she comes face to face with her own fate.
A genuinely scary story that continues on from ‘Sabriel’. Mrs B really couldn’t put this one down. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys tales steeped in magic & danger.
Mrs Boris
Mrs Boris
The Host by Stepanie Meyer
Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the “soul” who was given Melanie Stryder’s body thought she knew about the problems and challenges posed by living inside an alien host, after all she’s done it several times before in different species. But humans pose their own problems and Melanie refuses to relinquish her mind. Wanderer is filled with Melanie’s memories and thoughts of Jared, the man she loves, still entirely human and in hiding. Melanie’s desperate attempts to escape before she was captured may have placed him in greater danger. Intrigued by human relationships and unable to separate herself from her host body’s longing for Jared, Wanderer is soon yearning for a man she has never met. Forced into an alliance by a persistent Seeker who is intent on finding the truth about Melanie’s submission, Wanderer and Melanie set off on a desperate bid to find the man they both love.
Mrs B loved the Twilight series and The Host is an incredible novel but definitely one for the grown-ups. An enthralling fantasy novel that is entirely credible. Many more of them, please, Stephanie. This one is both Mrs B’s book of the month and her book of the year for 2009. Mrs Boris
Stately Pursuits by Katie Fforde
Mrs Boris has always liked Katie Fforde’s sparkling social comedies and this is her particular favourite. Hetty is nursing a broken heart when her mother a believer in being usefully occupied arranges for her to house-sit for Great Uncle Samuel. Before long, Hetty is involved in a fight to keep the ancient, beautiful, but dilapidated mansion in her care from being pulled down, or turned into a theme park by the apparently uncaring heir. With help from the village including the chivalrous Peter, Hetty relishes her new challenge and finds her heart wasn’t so broken after all.
Abhorsen by Graham Nix
The ancient evil encountered in the previous books ( Lirael & Sabriel) continues to gain power, now freed from its prison and keen to escape the magic silver hemispheres which prevent it unleashing its dreadful powers. Lirael has recently come into her inheritance as Abhorsen-in-waiting and knows she must defeat this threat. With only a vision from Clayr to guide her and the help of her companions, Sam, the Disreputable Dog and Mogget, she sets out to do battle. The answer lies somewhere in Life or Death, but can Lirael discover the means to defeat The Destroyer in time to save the Old Kingdom and its people.
The exciting conclusion in this trilogy fairly races along with danger, threats and humour. An enthralling read.
Mrs Boris
Mrs Boris
