Whenever I have some down time I grab a cup of tea, reach for a book and settle in for a few hours of escapism. And when it’s a freezing cold winter’s day, I’ll add a snuggly blanket. Pure bliss!
These are the books that I’ve read recently – a great mix that will surely entice you into your local library or bookstore.
The Library of Unfinished Business, Patricia Bell
An extraordinary debut novel by New Zealand author Patricia Bell. The story is really unusual and quirky but it’s beautifully written and will soon draw you in.
Maurice, a small-time librarian is killed in a car crash one Monday morning. He finds himself in an unexpected afterlife – a place populated with Biblical characters, angels and heavenly hosts. The story follows his adventures and observations in that afterlife. Meanwhile, back on earth, his daughter, Andy, is tasked with writing his eulogy and starts writing to him in an attempt to make sense of her relationship with him – a person she has always viewed as grumpy and weak.
As tensions escalate between the guests and hosts in heaven, Maurice finds himself a hero and as his path intersects with his daughter’s… well, no spoiler alerts, you’ll have to read the book!
At its heart, the themes revolve around forgiveness and second chances – the relationship between a father and daughter. ‘At the end of everything, there is only love left, and human hearts to feel it.’
I was amazed at how well the author, an agnostic (her words), knew the Bible, its characters and stories, and discovered that her father was a Presbyterian minister. It’s a great book to curl up with over a long, cold weekend.
Stealing Smokes: Some surprising short stories, John Hanlon
The author, John Hanlon has certainly had an interesting life and, for me, this shows through in these six engaging and often quirky short stories.
In the title story, two boyhood friends meet up later in life and one of them discovers that if you carry out deception there is usually a price to pay. In A Short Story With No End, a man who witnessed spousal abuse wonders if he had fronted up to a police station when he saw their two children consoling each other, would the boy, years later, also be abusive.
The stories have surprising twists and turns. It’s a great book to dip into for a quick read.
Mercy, David Baldacci
When I want a good action packed thriller, a Baldacci novel doesn’t disappoint. I’ve really enjoyed this series featuring Special Agent Atlee Pine and was pleased that she eventually finds out what happened to her twin sister, Mercy, when they were just six years old.
Atlee finally discovers the reason behind her parents’ abandonment of her and Mercy’s kidnapping. In true Baldacci style, there are thrilling, edge-of-your-seat adventures and a plot that takes you through mayhem, chaos, revenge, danger, violence, cruelty and murder.
What more could you want for a good weekend read? If you like Baldacci, you’ll love this last novel in the present series.
The Spirit of Cardrona, Desiree Reid-Whitaker
There’s nothing like an inspiring business story, especially when it’s about a woman who breaks all the barriers to achieve something amazing.
The Spirit of Cardrona is the story of how former Kiwi dairy-farmer Desiree Reid-Whitaker and her husband Ash took a risk to realise an unlikely dream of setting up the world-class Cardrona Distillery, which produces single-malt whisky that is comparable to the best whiskies in the world.
Early on in her life, Desiree had decided that farming wasn’t for her and started researching rose growing for a possible venture into perfumery. Her research led her to America where she did a distillers course for perfumery alcohol. It just so happened that the course was at an organic spirit producer’s establishment where they all got to taste whisky. Her fate was sealed as Desiree soon found that perfume wasn’t her passion, whisky was.
“Ever since I was really little, I have dreamed big dreams. It’s nice to imagine what could be, and leave it at that. But I’ve never been that sort of dreamer. I’ve always wanted to take one of my dreams, find just the right one-and turn it into something real.”
If stories of Kiwi persistence, sacrifice and self-made success are your genre, The Spirit of Cardrona is a book that you will love. My husband, a whisky drinker, really enjoyed the book and learning more about the process of whisky making.
The Cardrona Distillery has expanded into other spirits – vodka, gin and liqueurs – so naturally, a great way to end the book is with a whole chapter of classy cocktails.