Janet MacLeod Trotter's Blog, page 9
October 11, 2016
Book Review: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
This book seems very timely in present day America – and the review makes me want to read it!
What’s it about?
Raised as the daughter of a black maid in a privileged white household, Ruth is no stranger to prejudice.
Now, as a hospital nurse, she thinks she is a world away from the inequality that defined her mother’s life. But the patients in her care have not all moved on so far. A white supremacist couple can dictate that no person of colour treats their newborn child.
And when that baby stops breathing on Ruth’s watch, Ruth has to decide whether her vocational oath is stronger than the hospital’s edict.
That decision – one a white nurse would never have had to make – could cost her everything.
My thoughts
This was my fourth Picoult novel and is contention for the best one. She always manages to pick subjects that will provoke a reader’s emotions and this is no exeception, it’s brilliant.
Told from various points of…
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Filed under: News Tagged: book blogger, book review, Jodi Picoult, racial issues
October 10, 2016
Book Review: Slade House by David Mitchell (4/5)
This review has got me intrigued!
I was very skeptical of this book. After my bad experience with Cloud Atlas, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this (thankfully) shorter novel. But, a shorter length is encouraging this time of year with me so busy with school so I jumped in. I have a lot of thoughts so keep reading!
Cover Image via Goodreads
Slade House by David Mitchell
Other books by David Mitchell:
Cloud Atlas (and movie review)
Summary from Goodreads:
Down the road from a working-class British pub, along the brick wall of a narrow alley, if the conditions are exactly right, you’ll find the entrance to Slade House. A stranger will greet you by name and invite you inside. At first, you won’t want to leave. Later, you’ll find that you can’t. Every nine years, the house’s residents—an odd brother and sister—extend a unique invitation to someone who’s different or lonely: a…
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Filed under: News Tagged: book review, David Mitchell, Slade House
September 13, 2016
Book Review – Unknown Warriors: Kate Luard
This sounds a fascinating read.
My review, also posted on Amazon US & UK and Goodreads
Kate Luard was in her forties in 1914 with experience of nursing during the Second Boer War when she enlisted in the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve on August 6, 1914, two days after war was declared.
She served in France & Belgium until 1918, first on the ambulance trains and then in Casualty Clearing Stations. She was awarded the RRC (Royal Red Cross) and Bar (rare distinction) and was twice mentioned in Dispatches for gallant and distinguished service in the field. The book tells her remarkable story through her own war diary and the prolific amount of letters to her family at home.
One of 13 children, Kate came from a loving and close-knit family. She wasn’t a dewy eyed young girl shocked or overwhelmed by her experiences and what she was witnessing as some First…
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Filed under: News
August 3, 2016
NEW MYSTERY AUTHOR – AMY CHARLES!
Let me introduce you to my alter ego – AMY CHARLES – my new pen-name for my mystery novels.
Just republished as ISLE OF THE WOMEN (previously The Haunting of Kulah) – THIS IS ON A PROMOTIONAL PRICE OF 99p for August!
Also available is THE ENGLISH GIRL (previously The Vanishing of Ruth)
Perfect summer escapist reads!
Any book bloggers who would like a review copy, please let me know.
Filed under: News Tagged: Amy Charles, book bloggers, Isle of the Women, Mysteries, mystery novel, summer reads, The English Girl
July 20, 2016
A HOOK AND A TWIST! Ingredients for Story Telling …
HOOKED ON STORIES!
Start with a hook, make a connection and include a twist. Watch Josie Long’s guide to great storytelling on BBC Radio 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p041469r
Filed under: Opinion Tagged: advice to writers, BBC Radio 4, story telling
July 11, 2016
Book Review: Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett (4/5)
Great review of Ann Patchett’s non fiction book about friendship, TRUTH AND BEAUTY
Again, I forget how this book graced my list. I’ve got to stop this because it’s been a bad trend of reading a book I really enjoy and not having someone to thank for the recommendation after I’ve read it. If you’re out there, thank you, referrer, for gracing me with this beautiful book.
Cover image via Goodreads
Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett
Summary from Goodreads:
What happens when the person who is your family is someone you aren’t bound to by blood? What happens when the person you promise to love and to honor for the rest of your life is not your lover, but your best friend? In Truth & Beauty, her frank and startlingly intimate first work of nonfiction, Ann Patchett shines a fresh, revealing light on the world of women’s friendships and shows us what it means to stand together.
Ann Patchett and…
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Filed under: News Tagged: Ann Patchett, book blogger, memoir, non fiction
July 6, 2016
SHELF PLEASURE’S Author Q&A: Janet Macleod Trotter
Thanks very much to SHELF PLEASURE for hosting me on their delightful book blog – great questions!
Source: Author Q&A: Janet Macleod Trotter
Filed under: New Publications, News Tagged: book blogger, family history, historical fiction, India, India Tea Series, Shelf Pleasure, The tea planter's daughter
July 2, 2016
Summer Reading Suggestions ….
Looking for summer reading suggestions? Take a look at what book blogger Jill has lined up …!
Back after 2 weeks away to a lovely little book pile of review copies and competition wins. Maybe I should go away more often!
Review Copies
The Weekends of You and Me by Fiona Walker. A NetGalley arc with thanks to Nicola for creating the temptation in the first place.
Description
Can your final fling become your Happy Ever After?
When Jo Coulson finds herself single again in her late thirties, she finally resigns her membership to Last of the Hopeless Romantics, fully intending to tackle midlife and motherhood alone. First, she plans one legendary last fling…
In walks Harry Inchbold, and the connection is electric. Passionate, unpredictable and messily divorced, Harry is the perfect antidote to cosy coupledom. Known as The Sinner, drama follows him around with a clapper board.
Harry’s favourite holiday hideaway in the wilds of South Shropshire puts the mud and fun into the perfect…
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Filed under: News, Opinion Tagged: book blogger, new books, reading suggestions
June 30, 2016
Urmston Bookshop -Dream Come True
Wonderful to hear of a successful independent bookshop – good luck to Sandra in her new venture. Be sure to visit her if you are in Manchester!
Urmston Bookshop is a lovely independent bookshop situated in a suburb of Manchester. The shop sells books, gifts, cards, toys and has a small café in the back of the shop. It has been at the heart of the community for six years and is well-loved by the locals.
Six years ago Peter and Frances Hopkins started the bookshop from absolutely nothing. working with publishers, authors and schools they brought the local community onside to turn the bookshop into something special.
The shop is a previous winner of Northern Rail’s Hidden Gem award and has seen the likes of Joanna Trollope, Stuart Maconie, Jack Straw, Jessie Burton, Sharon Bolton, astronaut, Chris Hadfield, amongst many others, pass through its doors.
Today, a lifelong dream comes true. I have always wanted to have my own bookshop and after the past few months of planning, work behind the scenes and so so much…
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Filed under: News Tagged: book blogger, bookshop, Manchester
June 1, 2016
ANYONE FOR TEA THIS SUMMER …? GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!
MY INDIA TEA SERIES is being launched this summer by Lake Union Publishing –
From India to Britain, an epic journey of extraordinary women in momentous times.
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The new look editions: THE TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER and THE TEA PLANTER’S BRIDE are due for release on the 21 st June.
And to celebrate, GOODREADS are giving away 20 free copies!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/187517-tea-planter-s-daughter-the
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/187522-the-tea-planter-s-bride
So get the kettle on and enjoy!
Filed under: New Publications, News Tagged: free books, Goodreads giveaway, India Tea Series, new book, tea
