Tag Archives: Book review

Diana’s September Review ~ The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri

I read Songbirds some time ago and was impressed by Christy Lefteri’s power to conjure an unfamiliar world in my mind, and yet with similar themes as my own current writing of race, migration and heart rendering human emotions.

The Book of Fire is no less heart rendering but with pertinent issues for today ~ the devastation of forest fires and the loss of homes and loved ones. From what appears to be a paradise to grow up in and live we move to a living hell. But, what happens to the human emotions when the fire is started deliberately? It doesn’t bear thinking about does it?

I highly recommend this book, but it is not an easy read and challenges a belief that people’s values are unwavering. What an evocative title too. Extremely Old Testament!

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Diana’s August Book Review ~ The Paper Cup by Karen Campbell

I stumbled upon this delightful novel in Waterstones and have added it to my ‘signed books’ collection, to treasure or share with others. In fact, I enjoyed it so much when I first read it a year ago that I picked it up again the other day ~ savouring its detail this time and moments I had long forgotten.

Kelly is homeless and living on the streets of Glasgow. The harsh realities of her life of drink and drug abuse does not hide her beautiful soul. At times she pushed away family, friends and even strangers, who saw glimpses of the real Kelly and wanted desperately to help.

I loved the way she stumbled on a Pilgrimage. I loved her honesty, but also her generosity in times of sheer poverty, seeing the needs of others beyond her own. Above all I loved her inherent goodness, not saying Kelly was a saint. By all means no! Beyond the cold, the wet, the hunger and fear of her addictions, it was her connection with humanity which was so heart warming.

A magical book which I’m sure I shall read again.

Here’s a review in The Scotsman

At Waterstones

On Amazon

If you’d like to read a book with similarities to The Paper Cup then why don’t you try mine:

MISSING Past and Present ~ Is Life Just a Roll of a Dice

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Diana’s May Review ~ The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan

This is the second of Karen Swan’s novels set on St Kilda at the time of the evacuation, each from the point of view of one of the island girls. This time it is Mhairi Mac Kinnon who is in need of a husband and she is whisked of to the nearby island of Harris to look.

As you can imagine there are twists and turns as the islanders prepare for evacuation and life doesn’t quite turn out as expected for Mhairi. Add potential murder to the plot and it is quite a read, all the more special by its location on the remote island in the outer Hebrides.

I’ve really enjoyed immersing myself in both of these books, where the island has a character of its own.

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Filed under Book reading, Book reviews, Scotland, Scottish authors