Archive | January 2022

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Jan11

Wow – So Powerful

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult is a powerful contemporary novel opening in March 2020 and moving forwards as the world dealt with the COVID pandemic.

Jodi Picoult focuses in on a couple, who are a microcosm for the experiences of many. Living in New York City, a doctor finds all of his leave cancelled as he faces the COVID outbreak in the hospital. We witness his life of PPE, hard work, impossible situations and sadness.

In contrast we see his partner, an art expert, trapped in the beauty and tranquility of the Galapagos Islands. But paradise can soon become a prison when you are trapped there with no flights in or out. “When you’re stuck in heaven, it can feel like hell.” We see the kindness and compassion of a local community.

The hospital is in contrast to the islands. Here it is hell on earth as bodies pile up and COVID takes hold. The experiences traumatise both staff and the patients who do recover. Survivors search for answers, trying to make sense of experiences that cannot be explained.

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Winging It by Emma Murray

Jan11

Deliciously Fun

Winging It by Emma Murray is a light-hearted contemporary novel about life and motherhood. It has a wonderful fun tone juxta posed with some serious topics.

The majority of the novel is set in America as the reader witnesses the loneliness of high rise living in New York City. The city seems noisy, dangerous and unfriendly in complete contrast to the friendly suburban life a few miles away.

In the suburbs, friendships are formed. The friendly, welcome from the PTA in America is the complete opposite of the PTA in London which was more of an exclusive club.

Family is important as well as friends. Many are hiding secrets that need to come to light so that hearts can heal and burdens be lifted.

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Old Friends New Friends by Margaret Thornton

Jan9

A Wonderful Conclusion

Old Friends New Friends by Margaret Thornton is a wonderful conclusion to the fabulous Yorkshire Saga series.

The novel is set in 1970 mainly in Leeds but also in the small Dales town (that looks like Reeth to me on the cover).

Once more we see the value in good friends who help us through all the seasons of life. There is the loyalty of friends who stand up for each other and who rescue us from our situations.

We witness the strain that a young family can put on a life, as well as seeing the joy that children bring.

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Families And Friendships by Margaret Thornton

Jan8

For Such A Time As This

Families And Friendships by Margaret Thornton is the second book in the Yorkshire Saga series. It is wonderfully warm and welcoming as the reader travels through the 1960’s with the characters.

Once more we are delighted by the goings-on in the small Dales town (the cover still looks like Reeth to me). Community life wraps around both the characters and the reader.

As lives intersect, the reader travels northwards into Northumberland to learn about another family.

Family life is important. Where there is love, lives thrive. We witness the trials and perils of being a teenager as there is peer pressure, parties and choices to be made. Does one continue with education? Or go straight to work?

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