The Marmalade Diaries

I don't write too many reviews these days. I might post something in my Instagram/Facebook stories  but I couldn't not review this book. 

I saw it on display at the library I work in about a month ago. I may have got over jubilant while talking to a workmate about it.  I loved this author's last book The Gran Tour and was hopeful this book would be just as good. It's better! 

Ben writes this book in diary format and it covers the period of October 2020 to August 2021. Ben, 35, needs a place to live and Winnie, 85, needs someone to help her around the house, lighting the fire each morning, cooking some meals, running general day to day errands.

There are a few brief observations about the Covid 19 pandemic but that is not the focus of the book. I love the conversations between Ben and Winnie and the observations Ben makes of everyday life. At the start of each month Ben writes about an event in Winnie's past. 

I laughed a lot and I cried.

There's a lovely part in the book where Winnie tells her granddaughter who's holidaying in Italy how important it is that she "take it all in. Anything beautiful. Anything at all''. 

I've been on a roll this year finding some great books to read but this would easily be the best I've read this year. I did not want it to end. Look forward to Ben's next book.

 

One Ordinary Day At A Time

 

The cover of this book first caught my attention while on display at the library I work at. I turned to the synopsis/blurb on the back of the book and saw the name "Gail Honeyman". That was enough for me to pick it up and start reading.

Honeyman is the author of one of my favourite books Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and any other book that mentions this title or the author's name usually makes me want to read said book. I reckon Gail Honeyman should start charging royalties for the number of times a book is compared to hers... but I digress.

To be honest as much I enjoyed One Ordinary Day at a Time by Sarah J. Harris I was in two minds about whether to review it. It does have some strong themes which are difficult to read about but they are not the sole focus of this book.

The two main characters are Simon Sparks aka One Star Simon and Jodie (whose surname is never mentioned). They've both had difficult upbringings which have shaped who they are as adults. Jodie has a young son Zak and is trying to find work. She gets a job at Prince Burger where she meets Simon. The chapters alternate between Simon and Jodie and there are several other characters in the book who have 

had influences on the pair - some good, some not so much.

I couldn't stop reading this book and may have spent several hours in one sitting reading it. There are a few twists and turns in this book and one that took me quite by surprise. I had absolutely no idea it was coming. 

There are a lot of good messages in this book. Here's a few.

• Never judge someone on first appearance/meeting   
• You can move on despite your past
• Friendships are important
• Don't take people for granted

Well written and easy to read, this book has some funny moments and also some heartbreaking moments. It's a story about the development of a beautiful friendship. I loved both of the main characters and I reckon Simon and Jodie will stick with me for some time! 

Annie Stanley All At Sea

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My first book for 2022. Here I go with my Eleanor Oliphant references again but if you loved Eleanor you will love Annie Stanley too. 

It has been a while since I've written a review. Last year I struggled to find any good books. To the surprise of one of my workmates I only read (finished) eight books in 2021. So much for completing my Goodreads 25 books challenge for that year.  I did start many more but just couldn't get into them. In December I found this book while shelving some books in the library I work in and thought I'd give it a try. I loved it!

Annie Stanley's father dies and she decides to take off on a trip with his ashes around shipping areas in Britain. Why? Her father loved listening to the shipping forecast. She meets different people along the way - some from her past, some from her present and some strangers. It explores relationships whether it be friendships, family or those of the romantic kind.

There are some great lines in the book including one from Annie - "Sometimes unfinished business has to stay... unfinished. You can't write "The End" on every chapter of your life''.

 A light and oftentimes funny read. I loved Annie and I reckon you will too.