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Gerry’s Year In Books

Gerry’s 2025 Year in Books

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Gerry Wolstenholme

Goodreads Author

Born

in Blackpool, The United Kingdom

Genre

Sports, Literature & Fiction, Poetry

Member Since

September 2008

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/gerryw

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Gerry Wolstenholme was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, and attended Northlands private school from the age of three to five because his Dad wanted him to have a better education than he had managed. He then attended Devonshire Road School, infants and juniors, and finally went to Baines Grammar School in nearby Poulton.

He did not know what he wanted to do while at school and, seeing an advertisement for Civil Service examinations he took them. Having passed, he chose to go to London and entered Her Majesty’s Treasury, Whitehall, where he gained promotion and eventually worked in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s office.

He married Linda ('the love of my life') in 1968 and in 1972 they decided to move to Gerry’s hometown and relocated in Black Gerry Wolstenholme was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, and attended Northlands private school from the age of three to five because his Dad wanted him to have a better education than he had managed. He then attended Devonshire Road School, infants and juniors, and finally went to Baines Grammar School in nearby Poulton.

He did not know what he wanted to do while at school and, seeing an advertisement for Civil Service examinations he took them. Having passed, he chose to go to London and entered Her Majesty’s Treasury, Whitehall, where he gained promotion and eventually worked in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s office.

He married Linda ('the love of my life') in 1968 and in 1972 they decided to move to Gerry’s hometown and relocated in Blackpool where Gerry had arranged a transfer to the Department for National Savings. He became ERNIE’s (Premium Bonds) prize draw manager before he took early retirement.

During his Civil Service career he ran a successful secondhand and antiquarian bookselling business, attending book fairs and producing catalogues with a speciality in 19th century English literature. He also wrote his first book, ‘The West Indian Tour of England, 1906’ while still continuing his professional career.

Also a fanatical cricket watcher he produced ‘The Cheltenham Spectator and Festival News’, a day-by-day summary of the Cheltenham cricket festival, for six years. He then produced his own magazine for about the same length of time and there were many disappointed readers when he decided to call it a day for ‘The Cricket Postcard Collectors’ Journal’ magazine that ran to 24 issues. In addition he did radio ball-by-ball commentary on the County Championship and one-day games at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival.

On final retirement he turned to writing more often and contributed many articles to various magazines as well as writing his own books, mainly on sporting themes ('because that was what people wanted me to write'). He was also a regular contributor to the Blackpool Football Club matchday programme, sometimes writing as many as six articles in one issue. And he did match commentary on Blackpool Football Club's Premier League and Football League games for many seasons.

When his wife sadly passed away in 2004 he was devastated and, following a breakdown, he wrote a book of poetry expressing his feelings on the two incidents. He did not expect ‘The Lost-Love Poems of a Madman’ to sell well as he was not known as a poet but the book surpassed expectations and since then he has written occasional poetry on various themes. He says of his poetry book, 'I think it was the title that helped market it for readers were curious as to what it was about!'

In addition to writing his books, he also produces a short run, 10 copies only, of essays on various subjects, ranging from cricket and football to Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini and these have proved to be very popular.

He says that he doubts whether he will ever produce a novel, ‘I don’t have the imagination to do so’ is his view, but he intends to continue writing, God willing, for some time to come.

After his wife's death he was also drawn into another sphere when he was asked to do an after-dinner talk; he says, 'A friend of mine thought I was not eating well and invited me to his Rotary Club for a meal with the proviso that I would do a talk. I asked him how he thought I could do such a talk and he simply said that he had known me long enough and knew that I could do it - so I did!' After that engagements poured in, even without any advertising - 'and certainly not any self-promoting' for he confesses to be extremely nervous prior to each engagement. Initially he did the talks without charging a fee but then decided that he would raise funds for Trinity Hospice, where his beloved wife was treated, and he has continued to do that over the years. ...more

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What books are on your summer reading list this year?

Gerry Wolstenholme Summer reading list? Any reading list? I pose these questions rhetorically for I am sorry to say I don't have any reading lists. If that sounds odd, j…moreSummer reading list? Any reading list? I pose these questions rhetorically for I am sorry to say I don't have any reading lists. If that sounds odd, just let me explain ...

Like probably most of our goodreads readers, I have a huge collection of books and even though I am rapidly running out of room, I do keep adding to it. For instance my daughter visited a couple of weeks ago and we went on buying sprees to car boot sales and various shops with the result that, during her week's stay, I added a further 86 books to my collection.

And that is the reason I do not have a reading list. Every lot of new books that come in (and believe it or not, hardly a day goes by without at least one purchase - and normally many purchases) I peruse and often decide that there is at least one that I must read next. In addition, when I look over my shelves (sadly some books are in wardrobes and are more difficult to get at) I always see something that I think 'I must read that next' - sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, it depends on what has come in. Hence no planned reading list!

I realise that perhaps this is an odd way to go about my reading but it seems to suit me and with such a random way of dealing with the problem, I never do know what I am likely to be reading next ... and again that suits me as it probably ensures more variety.

I do know that my book collecting habit is a disease; it comes from all those years of being a secondhand and antiquarian bookseller when, I must confess, when I attended book fairs and my Dad helped me, he used to say, 'I don't know why you are a bookseller for you never want to sell anything' - he was nearly right! I did sell the books, but reluctantly for I considered all the stock mine!

So, as a disease, I realise I do need counselling but I also know that it would do no good for my book buying habits help keep me sane and give me a great interest now that I have lost my beloved wife and in addition my daughter, also a collector, lives 250 miles away. I should mention that I did collect when Linda was alive and what is more, Linda also collected to acerbate the storage problem.

I do hope that this answer gives you an idea of why there is no planned reading list and I should say that I will carry on adding to the collection come what may. Forget that counselling.

If I do change and create a reading list, I will let you know but I doubt that that is going to happen ... it is as likely as me stopping buying books.

Finally, what a joy to be on goodreads and share stories and reviews with other people.(less)

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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Gerry Wolstenholme What a great question but I am probably not the best person to answer it as I do not feel that I have a novel in me. However, should that not be the c…moreWhat a great question but I am probably not the best person to answer it as I do not feel that I have a novel in me. However, should that not be the case (doubtful!) I think I would have to write about spies and spying. And that is because (a) I have always been interested in the subject since Burgess and Maclean days but (b) more relevant to the question is the fact that when I was in Government service I attended an intense three-day security course run by the security services. It was so intense that every night after it ended I walked circuitously back to my office for I imagined that I was being followed by spies who wanted to get into my mind and extract secrets from me. I feel sure that I could work something around that as a beginning ... perhaps it would be like PG Wodehouse's 'Not George Washington', that is 'An Autobiographical Novel'! Ah well, I can dream!(less)

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Gerry Wolstenholme’s books

Average rating: 4.96 · 26 ratings · 3 reviews · 43 distinct works

	The West Indian Tour of England 1906 by Gerry Wolstenholme (Goodreads Author), Deborah Wolstenholme (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1992	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Lost-Love Poems of a Madman it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2008	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Blackpool FC Miscellany Seasiders Trivia, History, Facts & Stats it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Blackpool Finally Conquered ... as Manchester United triumph at Wembley, 1948 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Phoenix from the Ashes: The Rise and Rise of Blackpool Football Club 1887 - 1888 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2019	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	From Peak to Pool A Short History of Lancashire versus Derbyshire Matches at Blackpool by Gerry Wolstenholme (Goodreads Author), Deborah Wolstenholme (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1994	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Towering Success The Eighth Australians in Blackpool August 1893 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2007	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Harold Larwood Blackpool Cricket Club professional it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2003	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fleetwood Cricket Club: Northern Premier League Champions 2004 The Story of the Season it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2004	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	By Bus to Wollongong Blackpool Football Club's World Tour 1958 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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An interesting fact that I have recently become aware of is certainly one of interest to us goodreads readers!

Film star Bette Davis' first husband, musician Harmon Nelson, brought up some fascinating comments about the state of their marriage when they were going through a divorce.

The most amusing was perhaps that she 'reads books to an unnecessary degree'! I wonder, is there really an unnecessary Read more of this blog post »

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Published on September 25, 2025 09:37 • Tags: bette-davis, divorce, happy-marriages, harmon-nelson, movie-stars

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Gerry’s Recent Updates

Gerry made a comment on Rosemary Atwell’s review of Marcus Clarke (Portable Australian authors) " As I was reading your review, I thought 'I don't know Marcus Clarke' but then I came across mention of 'For the Term of His Natural Life' and realised ...more "
12 hours, 16 min ago · see review
Gerry and 8 other people liked Rosemary Atwell's review of Marcus Clarke (Portable Australian authors): "Reading this anthology of collected essays, journalism and fiction of Marcus Clarke makes one realise just how wide-ranging and astute were his perceptions of nineteenth-century Australia and its multi-layered society. Now mainly remembered for the r" Read more of this review »
12 hours, 18 min ago · see review
Gerry made a comment on Judith Johnson’s review of The Librarian: A Memoir " Hi Judith It took me a long time to get that sensible thought into my head ... and I must admit I do it rather reluctantly even now. But why throw awa ...more "
12 hours, 20 min ago · see review
Gerry and 6 other people liked Judith Johnson's review of The Librarian: A Memoir: "Abandoned at page 57 - I suddenly and happily remembered that I decided some time ago I don’t have to carry on labouring through a book I’m not enjoying. "
12 hours, 21 min ago · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Librarian by Allie Morgan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Librarian by Allie Morgan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gerry and 4 other people liked GoldGato's review of Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You: "One of the joys of not knowing about a popular series of books is to be suddenly tossed into that world by the simple task of reading an illustrated children’s publication, based solely on the artwork. Such is the way with this book, which is all abo" Read more of this review »
12 hours, 27 min ago · see review
Gerry and 11 other people liked GoldGato's review of Yokohama Burning: The Deadly 1923 Earthquake and Fire that Helped Forge the Path to World War II: "Earthquake. Fire. Tsunami. Typhoon. Mudslide. Massacre. On September 1, 1923, the world seemed to have come to an end for Yokohama and Tokyo. Hit by a massive quake, more than 140,000 people perished as firestorms and enormous waves pummeled the land." Read more of this review »
12 hours, 30 min ago · see review
Gerry made a comment on GoldGato’s review of Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Norse " I took to the Vikings at a young age after I had seen Kirk Douglas in the film!!! I can still see him now ... "
12 hours, 35 min ago · see review
Gerry made a comment on GoldGato’s review of Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World " I am glad I read this review again; I haven't come across a copy over here yet. Incidentally I love the phrase 'marinated in the vinegar of defeat' - ...more "
12 hours, 37 min ago · see review
Gerry made a comment on GoldGato’s review of A History of US: War, Terrible War 1855-1865 " I often think I am 12 years old so this would be fine for me - good subject indeed. "
12 hours, 44 min ago · see review
Gerry rated a book really liked it The Princess and the Wizard by Julia Donaldson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
"The princess may try seven times to escape By changing her colour and changing her shape." But each time Princess Eliza changes into a blue fish, a yellow chick, a red fox or a black cat the wicked wizard finds her and sets her another horrible task ...more
Feb 20, 2026 06:04AM · 1 like · like · see review