Archive | August 2022

An Ocean Apart by Sarah Lee

Aug11

A Brave New World

An Ocean Apart by Sarah Lee is a marvellous historical novel that I just could not put down.

The novel is set in 1954 as we follow three young women from the Caribbean to England to train as nurses in the fairly new NHS. We witness the bravery needed to cross the ocean.

Nursing is a profession requiring high standards. We follow the new recruits through exams and ward rotations. Everyone has different gifts – some are good with children or in maternity or on the psych ward. Whichever their area of expertise, we witness the dedication, hard work and care needed.

Britain at the time was emerging into a new world. The Windrush generation were here. They were greeted with warmth and love on the whole but there were pockets of ugly racism and ignorance. The girls all have varying personalities and support each other. The reader witnesses, with horror, the lengths some will go to with their prejudice.

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Living Water To Refresh Your Soul by Tracy Smoak

Aug8

So Beautiful

Living Water To Refresh Your Soul by Tracy Smoak is a simply beautiful book containing thirty devotionals that will help you in your faith walk.

Jesus is THE living water. Just as we need water to hydrate our physical bodies, we need Jesus’ words to hydrate our souls.

The devotional has thirty photographs taken in Florida. Each is serenely beautiful. The photos alone spoke to my soul.

Each of the thirty devotionals open with a photo and a description underneath. A Bible verse follows and then a prayer and a faith step. The faith step poses a question or a suggestion. It requires action on our part as we respond. As we move into action with our response, we will be drawing closer to God. As we draw closer to Him, so He moves towards us.

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Such A Good Mother by Helen Monks Takhar

Aug4

Wow! Gripping!

Such A Good Mother by Helen Monks Takhar is a gripping psychological suspense that I just could not put down. I was totally consumed.

The novel is divided into several sections. Each section begins with a different voice to the main body. It is up to the reader to see if we know who is talking. We are left questioning – something has happened but to whom? When? And why? With these questions in my head, I read greedily on.

All the characters are well drawn but not all are likable (they are not meant to be). There is an air of menace as a character exerts control over all. A spider’s web is spun, entrapping all who come near.

We are all a product of our upbringing. Our childhood, especially any trauma, shapes the adults we become.

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Gotta Go Back For The Dog by Sara Wheeley

Aug3

Really Fun Fact Finding

Gotta Go Back For The Dog by Sara Wheeley is a marvellous historical children’s novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Sara Wheeley has presented historical facts in a really fun way as we follow three children and their dog time hopping to key events.

This book was a real treat for me as a historian – my insatiable quest for knowledge was satisfied, and it was also a real trip down memory lane.

Readers are treated to the suffragette movement, the Wall Street crash, evacuation and much more. For me, it was a step back in time to my childhood as I remembered the Blue Peter time capsule being planted and Brian Cant was my favourite children’s presenter. Live Aid is another significant event I remembered.

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