Tag Archives: Book review

April 24, 2024 · 9:11 am

Diana’s April Book Review ~’Never Hit a Jellyfish with a Spade’ by Guy Browning

I just needed to have a laugh and two books recently have listed my spirits and taken me beyond the state of the world, the suffering of those I know and love and the difficulties of life in general. Personally, we had such a good 2023, which kind of counter-balanced the shocking state of the world, but 2024! Well! We don’t know whether we’re coming or going.

This is why, when I picked up Guy Browning’s little book of my bookshelf, with its amusing chapters reflecting on the absurdities of the situations we get ourselves in in life, how we think is such odd ways and our subsequent actions, have made me laugh out loud at times and smile most of the time.

It is written in chapters of How to … but not in anyway the conventional suggestions for Life’s smaller challenges.

A perfect ‘pick up’ or mood enhancer, especially to pause my mind from racing just before going to sleep.

I highly recommend it!

Never Hit a Jellyfish with a Spade

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March 26, 2024 · 12:06 pm

Diana’s March Book Review ~ Appointment in Jerusalem by Derek and Lydia Prince

This books is extremely special to me. I have read it at least three times over the years, and decided to pick it up again recently.

It is the mind-blowing account of Lydia Prince, and her calling to Jerusalem, giving up her good job, income, home and family to follow her ‘calling.’ It is full of miracles; the life of a remarkable woman who lived totally by prayer. Derek and Lydia adopted nine children over the years, and followed their ministry around the world.

It is gripping, encouraging, unbelievable book at times, as well as challenging, which is why I keep revisiting it. In fact, over lock down, when I tried to find it I couldn’t, and must have lent it to someone.

It is also an account of the early years at the birth of Israel, by someone who lived there, and is from the perspective of a lady who loved Arabs, Jews and Christians alike. She had a huge love for her fellow man, especially innocent children

The new book version is not so warm and inviting as my battered paperback used to be, but I can highly recommend it, nevertheless. (the photo above is of the original)

It can be bought on Amazon

Or the original on Abe Books

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February 27, 2024 · 11:02 am

Diana’s February Review ~The Private Life of Spies by Alexander McCall Smith

Following on from my last blog post, when a friend claimed on Facebook that I told him that I had been a spy over a few glasses of wine once upon a time (in fact he is a member if my husband’s rock n roll band), I was amused to see The Private Life of Spies by Alexander McCall Smith on my bedside cabinet ready to read.

About the book

I have read several of McCall Smiths novels over the years, in fact I’ve dipped into three of his series, 44 Scotland Street, No 1 Detective Agency, and the Isabel Dalhousie novels, all of which were light, enjoyable reads. This one is a bit different, being a collection of short stories about quite diverse characters, located in different parts of the world, from the UK during WW2, to Italy and France and with backgrounds an eclectic mix including German, Russian and even the Ottomans!

I’m sure each tale required much research to give the reader a sense of authenticity. The book is quirky and tongue-in-cheek, but its humour and clever twists work surprisingly well; each tale giving just enough to get your head around in a most satisfying way, just before bed time!

I’m not usually a short stories fan, but I can certainly recommend this one.

available at Waterstones

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