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Third Year At Malory Towers by Enid Blyton

Apr2

Friendships & High Jinx

Third Year At Malory Towers by Enid Blyton is a superb girls’ book set in a boarding school. It is the third book in the Malory Towers series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order for character and timeline progression.

The girls are now fourteen as they head back to school in Cornwall. It is the spring term and there are two new girls – an American who is an aspiring actress, and a tomboy who loves her horse.

Once more we join in for lessons and pranks. There are friendships and squabbles; highs and lows; good behaviour and high jinx.

We see the kindness of a teacher when a beloved horse is in trouble.

We learn the lesson of being yourself and do not think of yourself as above others.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book as much today as when I first read the series fifty years ago.

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Something In The Air In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

Apr2

Awakenings

Something In The Air In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is a delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart. It is the eighth book in the Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces. Pelican Crossing is just up the coast from Bellbird Bay (another fabulous series by the author). It gives the reader a familiar feeling as businesses and characters from Bellbird Bay are mentioned in passing.

All the characters are delightfully drawn, and are warm and welcoming. The majority of characters are over fifty. It is refreshing to see that growing older does not necessarily mean an ever-increasing sedentary life. Life is for living whatever your age.

The two lead characters are similar but different. Both have been affected by previous life events, and now prefer to life an isolated life. “Why did the name of that boy still have the power to make her feel like this?… He can’t hurt me anymore.” As neighbours, they find their paths often cross. Previously closed lives begin to bud and blossom.

A chance meeting with an upset young woman causes a fifty plus woman to offer love and care. A trauma in both their lives bonds the women. They can help each other to heal.

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Five On Kirrin Island Again by Enid Blyton

Apr1

Derring Do & Loyalty

Five On Kirrin Island Again by Enid Blyton is a thrilling children’s adventure and just perfect for ten years and over. It is the sixth book in the Famous Five series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once more we join the children and Timmy the dog as they have another adventure on Kirrin Island, foiling the baddies plans.

We hear of derring do and loyalty from Timmy.

Though first written in 1947, there is a timeless appeal to the tale. It will entertain a new generation of children.

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I Did A Bad Thing by Louise Jensen

Apr1

A Mother’s Love

I Did A Bad Thing by Louise Jensen is a totally gripping contemporary psychological thriller that I just could not put down.

This is a book about a mother’s love. It motivates her to do what she does. Some of her choices are questionable. As a mother puts lives on social media, we see that the world is your judge. Lives thrown open to the world, are criticised by the world.

We see the importance of a mother’s instinct. “He might know medicine, but I know my child.” This maternal instinct will save a life, as it is fought for by the mother. “I’m scared she’ll die.”

Our choices are important. Choices bring consequences and we must live with them. We see a life facing the ‘what-if’ questions. Will a conscience choose to do the right thing?

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