Eight in May

I read eight books in May.

 

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

This was recommended to me and I loved the premise, which is based on a true story. In 1938, two giraffes are on their way to San Diego Zoo in California. There’s a hurricane, the ship is tossed about, but miraculously the giraffes survive. (A hippo wasn’t so lucky.)

The giraffes’ story is a morale boost to Americans so soon after the Depression and with the threat of another war in Europe. So the twelve-day cross-country road trip to deliver the giraffes to the zoo is one eagerly followed by a myriad cast of characters, some with the best of intentions, some not.

I loved it and so did my book group – it’s a great yarn combined with brilliant writing, not something you often get. Apparently, a film is in the pipeline.

 

 

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

Lila has her hands full. Her husband has left her; she has two daughters; her mother has died and her stepfather, Bill, gradually moves in with her. To crown it all, her unreliable biological father, an actor past his famous heyday, makes a re-appearance. Oh, and she’s trying to have a love life.

Jojo Moyes’ books are always page-turners but this wasn’t one of my favourites. While I liked some of the characters, especially her two dads, I didn’t take to Lila herself. I wouldn’t take to anybody who has written a book detailing the breakdown of their marriage, since she is identifiable and there are children involved. It was a best-seller though (so what do I know?) so now her agent has encouraged her to embark on a follow-up, about the aforementioned love life. That doesn’t go so well.

 

 

Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell

Dual timeline, set in the 1920s and the 1990s (it's not one of LJ's psychological thrillers). In the later age, Betty moves from Guernsey to London to find the mysterious woman mentioned in her grandmother’s will. Her search will uncover Arlette’s glamorous life in Soho, a whirl of cocktail parties and smoky night-clubs. In researching Arlette’s tragic love story, Betty finds her own place in the city.

(And, no, the mysterious woman is not who you might immediately think she will be.)

Fabulous, loved it.

 

 

The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves

The first Vera. Excellent. So I’ve read them all now, perversely finishing with the first.

 

 

The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths

I haven’t read any of Elly Griffiths’ (forensic archaeologist) Ruth Galloway books before. Quite enjoyed it, especially the Norfolk setting. It’s probably not typical as it’s set in 2020. It does bring that strange time to life, with its restrictions on movement (not that they prevent the characters from doing whatever they want) and uncertainty.

 

The recent Christian Aid book sale presented the opportunity to buy these three vintage books for children. How could I refuse?

Enjoyed them all.

 

The Lark in the Morn Elfrida Vipont.

 

 

The Lark on the Wing by Elfrida Vipont

 

 

Lillipilly Hill by Eleanor Spence