Sponsored by Dartmouth Community Bookshop Book Review LET’S CELEBRATE! I
f ever there was a need for some festive charm, now is the time. So how about following the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod (otherwise known as the
Christmas Book Flood) when friends and relatives gift books to each other on Christmas Eve and then spend the evening reading them. Perfect - time to get cozy and cuddle up with a good book.
library between life and death. Amongst the endless bookcases of her life she is given the opportunity to revisit regrets, make different choices and explore the best and worst her life could have been. In her eternal search for happiness she tries to work out her perfect life before time runs out. This “uplifting, poignant novel about regret, hope and second chances” (David Nicholls)
by Emma Jones
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The Exe Men written by Robert Kitson (published
by Polaris) is my choice for any sporting types. Sports biographies always do well at this time of year but this impressive and local good news story about the meteoric rise of the Exeter Chiefs from obscurity to Premiership and European champions deserves to intrigue a wider audience. This is a compelling tale of regional pride, fierce rural identity, larger-than-life local heroes, remarkable characters, epic resilience and personal sacrifice which will strike a chord with anyone who enjoys a classic underdog story. The author, Robert Kitson, is not only The Guardian’s
rugby correspondent, but also a long-term Devon resident so he understands and knows his subject well. He’s also a good storyteller “forensic, funny, captivating, a story told with relish as well as insight.” Mick Cleary, The Telegraph. The queen of the bonkbuster is back! We all remember
Riders and Rivals but this time Jilly Cooper has published Between the Covers (Bantam Press) – a new collection of her columns written between 1968 and 1971. Many of us forget that Jilly started as a popular columnist and this collection of entertaining and witty musings on sex, socialising and survival as well as family, love and life are a perfect foil to our Covid weary country. Some of her comments might appear dated to the younger generation, with some references lost on the younger readers but “her modesty is genuine and …. these pieces still slip down as easily as a nice cold glass of something crisp and white.” Rachel Cooke, The Guardian If you’re struggling to look on the proverbial “bright side of life” keep an eye out for The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (published by Canongate). This enchanting story is about Nora, an unhappy thirtysomething who swallows a handful of pills and discovers herself in the
will be sure to warm your cockles during these dark times. Next up is a regal choice for fans of The Crown and the
Queen of the Crime. The Windsor Knot by S J Bennett is the first in “Her Majesty The Queen Investigates” series. The scene is set when one of the Windsor Castle dinner guests is found murdered in his bedroom. The police suspect the loyal servants but the Queen and her secretary, Rozie, resolve to secretly solve the crime and trap the killer. Move over Murder She Wrote - this is a “charming, cosy and respectful read” (Guardian) and a perfect fireside treat. For the under 5’s, magical creations by Giles Andreae
and Guy Parker Rees are always a good choice. The latest - Elephant Me (Orchard Books) - is an enchanting tale about little elephant Num-num who discovers the importance of simply being YOU. Celebrating all sorts of achievements, this is an empowering and fun-to-read picture book with colourful pictures and a positive, life- affirming message.
Support Local Bookshops.
Shop online with
Bookshop.org Following its success in the USA,
Bookshop.org has arrived in the UK. This is a platform for buying books, offering an alternative to Amazon whilst supporting independent bookshops like the Dartmouth Community Bookshop and Dartmouth Bookseller. Each outlet has their own ‘shop front’ on the website, with their own curated reading lists and suggestions. Order the book online. It comes straight to the door and the bookshop gets at least 10% of the purchase. Simple!
www.uk.bookshop.org/shop/dartmouthcommunitybookshop
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