Books: May and June 2019

Yes, incredibly I read eight books in the past couple of months! Nothing better than getting lost in a good book.

Milkman by Anna Burns

Aah, I really wanted to like this book, indeed I did like this book at the beginning but the novelty of no-one having a real name (thanks to Middle Sister (narrator)) soon wore thin. It's set in Belfast during "the troubles" 1970s and gossip abounds when Middle Sister is seen with Milkman, though not the "real Milkman". Just didn't quite do it for me.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

Well this was a surprise. Harry August is reborn, again and again, and with each life determines his purpose. Someone on Goodreads described it as a kind of Choose Your Own Adventure novel. Does he ultimately decide to concentrate on being with the love of his life, perfecting his skills or changing the future of the next time?

81 Days Below Zero by Brian Murphy

A fascinating true story of a crew member of a flight which comes down in the Alaskan wilderness during a World War II training mission and how he survives. The story is somewhat padded out by other similar misadventures, however, it is a really interesting read.

Facing Up by Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls is quite young when he is part of an expedition to climb Everest. Again, it is a really interesting tale of adventure, how it is not just grit and determination, but also a dose of sheer blind luck in whether you become one of the chosen few (due to the narrow window of opportunity) to conquer Everest.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

A good read about an adult who is not fine but doesn't really understand why, due to the actions of Mummy in the past. She isn't used to friendships so when she falls into an unlikely one with Raymond from IT, her world begins to change. A really heartwarming novel.

The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd

Even though I am a lover of crime documentaries such as Making a Murderer, I would not have picked this up in a bookshop (it was leant to me). However it was a good read. Samantha forms a relationship with a convicted killer, but when his conviction is overturned, does she still love him? If you have trust issues, this is not the book for you.

The Hunger by Alma Katsu

The well known story of the Donner party travelling across the Wild West, but with a sci-fi twist. 

The Red House Mystery by AA Milne

Yes, an adult book by the Winnie the Pooh author! To be honest, although I enjoyed it, it was in a similar vein to Agatha Christie and whilst there were parts that were actually hilarious, I couldn't decide if this was intentional or not. An old fashioned mystery set in a country house, with a croquet lawn...naturally.

Love Mrs Jones x