I am an author living in the depths of rural France. I currently write humorous memoirs about our wacky lives here in a rural backwater where we’re surrounded by meadows, forest, and a motley collection of mostly rescued animals. Aside from being a passionate animal lover, I have a special interest in reading accounts of others who travel and those who have relocated to a different country. After a long day’s work on our domaine, there’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa—cat on my lap, dogs in a happy heap—and getting lost in a great memoir. A glass of wine never goes amiss, either.
I adore a well-written memoir, and Victoria’s is a treasure.
The author's accounts of life in Australia are fascinating and illuminating, and the tales involving animals and her grandchildren had me in stitches. It's a delightful read; I can't wait for the next episode.
Life is good. The grandchildren are thriving despite swallowing magnets and sticking crayons up their noses. Joe and Vicky plan a road trip with their dog, Lola. However, after disturbing dingoes, entering zombie zones and breaking the law, they learn life on the road is rarely relaxing. Meanwhile, farmers anxiously watch their fields turn brown as a terrible drought grips Australia. Even worse, bushfire season arrives early, and flames rage across the land. Will love and laughter be enough to keep the Two Old Fools and their family safe from harm? Fans of James Herriott, Gerald Durrell and Bill Bryson…
Having lived in the area, this memoir, set in the Midlands, was such a lovely stroll down memory lane.
Dawn recounts her childhood with warmth, wit, and an authentic ‘Brummie’ voice that shines through the dialogue. Her heartwarming tales of a close-knit family are highlights, which sparkle with gentle humour and nostalgia.
In this evocative childhood memoir, illustrated with colour and monochrome photographs, Dawn reflects on her past after finding herself transported back to the 1960s during her evening commute following the pandemic. With humour and honesty, she relates the remarkable story of how she was almost not born and details her earliest memories of growing up on a council estate in Birmingham. She reminisces about her neighbourhood, school days, recreational activities, food, games, and cherished family memories.Dawn paints a rich tapestry of nostalgia from the 60s and 70s, capturing the special essence of the decades that shaped her future. It is…
Val Poore is one of my favourite memoir authors, and this book is another winner.
Val's journey by barge through Dutch canals is full of charm, laughter, and interest. I particularly loved the vivid storytelling and the playful, dry-humoured banter with her partner, Koos.
I’m already looking forward to her next adventures!
In 2021, with the world reviving after the COVID pandemic, Val Poore finds life in her Rotterdam harbour is becoming too noisy and stressful. With tourists tramping over her deck by day and incursions from inebriated students at night, she knows it’s time to move.The quest for a new home for her beautiful historic barge, Vereeniging, takes her to the quiet town of Oudenbosch in the Dutch province of Brabant and later, in 2023, to an even more fitting harbour in Zeeland. This book is the story of how she came to the decision to leave her 'watery nest' and…
The book is fun, fascinating, and an excellent reference for anyone travelling to Malaga.
I loved the author’s honest approach to sharing her emotions, which added great colour to her writing. It’s a terrific debut memoir by Karen O’Connor, and I look forward to reading about her future travels.
When Karen’s son, Johnny, invited her to tag along on his work trip to Malaga, she jumped at the chance. Little did she know that this cheery break from a long Washington winter would result in an adventure that would awaken her soul in ways she could not anticipate.Follow Karen in her favourite blue jacket as she explores the city, makes new friends and falls deeper in love with Spain.Fans of The Lonely Planet series, Bill Bryson and engaging travel memoirs will thoroughly enjoy this book."Karen O’Connor’s first travel book is a delight. It invites the reader to share her…
A memoir about a home near ours in France, with humorous tales about gardening? I knew I’d love this book.
I adored the author's characterisations, her reflections on a favourite artist, and the philosophers who touched her soul. These literary musings fit seamlessly with the prose, adding great richness to the book.
This inspiring memoir tells the story of a garden in southwest France, its transformation from a tangled wilderness of brambles and nettles into an idyllic Mediterranean garden, and the lessons learned along the way. The journey begins when two horticultural innocents, Laurette and her French partner Sylvain, leave the big city of Toulouse for life in the country. Carried away by the song of a nightingale and a glass of rosé, they take on a daunting garden challenge. But as they learn to work with nature rather than against it, a different challenge arises. While their wasteland begins to thrive…
Some things never change: the glorious French countryside, the rhythm of the farming cycle, traditional village fêtes, and the ability of the Haslam’s eccentric animals to find new ways of injuring themselves. Add to these Jack’s misgivings as Beth is persuaded to navigate the perils of yoga classes—in French. He did warn her it was an extreme sport. Embracing their offbeat way of life, they savour it all.
Sadly, that stability doesn’t last. When they experience a devastating loss, the Haslams are deeply touched to discover how profound their ties to the community have become. But that community—and their beloved Le Palizac—faces an unforeseen menace. Banding together, they fight to stave off a proposal that threatens to ruin lives. Suddenly, their future has become uncertain.
