After reading Life of Pi many years ago (before the movie
came out) I never found myself reading another Yann Martel book, which is
strange as I loved the Life of Pi so much.
Back in March of this year I
stumbled across a copy of Beatrice and Virgil in an old bookshop in Paris, and
was instantly drawn to it, not only from the author's name, but the blurb intrigued me terribly.
Yann Martel has this brilliant way of turning a story that
can often seem random and unusual, into something you simply have to know what
is going to happen next. Typically, I am a slow reader, but with this I just
couldn’t put it down.
Fate takes many forms. When Henry receives a letter from an elderly taxidermist, it poses a puzzle that he cannot resist. As he is pulled further into the world of this strange and calculating man, Henry becomes increasingly involved with the lives of a donkey and a howler monkey - named Beatrice and Virgil - and the epic journey they undertake together.
With all the spirit and originality that made Life of Pi so treasured, this brilliant new novel takes the reader on a haunting odyssey. On the way Martel asks profound questions about life and art, truth and deception,…
I
have always adored historical reads, and although mostly that’s historical
fiction, I also occasionally enjoy a non-fiction read.
Unruly
has been described by some as a “Horrible Histories” for adults, and I couldn’t
agree more. His often sweary take on the kings and queens throughout British
history bring a certain humour to what some may think an unexciting subject.
To
me history has always had some brilliantly exciting and unexpected events, and
this book certainly doesn’t disappoint in bringing just some of them to the
reader.
INSTANT #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER • A rollicking history of England’s kings and queens from Arthur to Elizabeth I, a tale of power, glory, and excessive beheadings by award-winning British actor and comedian David Mitchell
“Clever, amusing, gloriously bizarre and razor sharp. Mitchell [is] a funny man and a skilled historian.”―The Times
Think you know the kings and queens of England? Think again.
In Unruly, David Mitchell explores how early England’s monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects’ destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky bastards who were mostly as silly and weird in real life…
Betrayal of the Gods is the fifth installment
in the Relic Hunters series, by Martin Ferguson.
I could praise this series
until I am blue in the face, and would recommend it to all reads. Martin has
once again told an exciting adventure story about the Hunter brothers of the
British Museum set in the modern day, with merging chapters set in the past.
The author's ability to tell two simultaneous stories set thousands of years
apart, yet somehow they are always so well connected to the root of the entire
story. This is yet another triumphant story from a great storyteller.
In celebration of the 5th
anniversary of Chris’ debut novel, a special extended edition was released:
Joseph Michaels is 25 and an accidental time traveller. After losing his job Joe
finds himself working at the local second-hand shop. One day whilst unpacking
new stock Joe comes across an old military coat that he just can't resist trying
on. Excited by the powers of the coat, Joe quickly takes it home where he
discovers it allows him to travel between present-day Alston, Cumbria and the
same area during WWII. However, one night an unexpected air raid hits town and everybody is
thrown into disarray; and Joe is faced with standing up for the ones he loves,
even if it could cost him everything.
This is the first of the Monty the Dog series,
and is not only beautifully illustrated, but is also hilarious.
Monty the
Newfoundland dog is trying to discover what he is, as he doesn’t look anything
like the spaniels he lives with. A great read all the family can enjoy
together.
A delightful story about Monty a huge Newfoundland puppy and his journey to find out what he is. But will asking the other dogs he meets on his travels give him the answers he wants?
The Magic of Grandfather Time is a beautiful
short storybook.
Rose English has a superb talent for making the reader
believe they are connected somehow to the story. You instantly fall in love
with her characters and their pain is your pain. I love that this story is set
on Christmas Eve—I could really feel the heat from the dimming fire, the
bitterness of the snow and the sound of the Grandfather clock chiming away. I
now want my own Grandfather clock!
A book that packs just enough emotion within,
and certainly a story you will want to read again and again.
‘A grandfather clock has a face and a voice. As its name suggests, it is more than a piece of furniture; it is a member of the family’Richard C.R. Barder 1983
DECEMBER 1880. There will be no jolly Christmas cheer this year. The harsh winter had descended; snow blankets the ground and the lake is frozen solid. Within the walls of Clement Cottage, the fire is dwindling, its embers barely bright enough to cast the shadow of the broken man upon the wall. Cole is lost in his deep sadness; he has just one heartfelt wish. To be re-united with…
