All Forty Books

All 40 books

Book 40: The Little Shop of Happy Ever After

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan

Book 40 – The Little Shop of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan – was earmarked for me weeks ago, when my boss said she had found the perfect book to end my challenge. One of the best things about this is how seriously everyone else has taken it, given I essentially made up the rules as I’ve gone along.

This is a book about books – absolutely the right thing to finish on. And a good example – by myself I would not have picked this up in a shop – the frankly dreadful title – and even that much pink is usually too much for me! But, as is pointed out in the book, you should judge by appearances (books and covers….). 

Book 39: Lady Molly of Scotland Yard

Lady Molly of Scotland Yard by Baroness Orczy

Lady Molly of Scotland Yard by Emmuska Orczy was by way of a treat for myself after reading lots of books suggested by other people. I have been an enduring fan of her Scarlet Pimpernel books for decades (actual decades!). I also like Sherlock Holmes stories  and thought this might be an intriguing mixture.

Book 38: Quarter Past Two on a Wednesday Afternoon

Quarter Past Two on a Wednesday Afternoon by Linda Newbery

This book – Quarter Past Two on a Wednesday Afternoon by Linda Newbery -was recommended by my lovely boss, who is also very enthusiastic about reading. My main trouble reading it was that it came in hardback, which is harder to tote about. Once I got started though it was a great read – it’s about family, and loss, and friendship, and life. 

Book 37: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

 

This was lent to me by a friend when I started panicking that I didn’t have time to read all the books I needed to before the end of the year/challenge. Novellas are the answer! Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote.

Book 36: A Wicked Old Woman

Wicked Old Woman by Ravinder Randhawa

A Wicked Old Woman by Ravinder Randhawa was another charity shop find. I knew nothing about the author at all. I liked the title and and the blurb on the back about disguising oneself.

Book 35: The Seafront Tearooms

The Seafront Tearooms by Vanessa Greene

This contains two of my favourite things – tea shops and cake – and so was already a good pick from that point of view. The Seafront Tearooms by Vanessa Greene is about more than that though as it follows several characters creating new friendships and rebuilding old relationships.

Book 34: Tamburlaine Must Die

Tamburlaine Must Die by Louise Welsh

Tamburlaine Must Die by Louise Welsh was another find foraged from the Oxfam shop. Mostly, because I have been watching Upstart Crow and wondered about the real Kit Marlowe. This is set in the mysterious surroundings of Elizabethan London.

Book 33: We Should All Be Feminists

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

 

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie seemed to be a seminal point of reference to have read, I got it earlier in the year from Five Leaves bookshop in Nottingham.

Book 32: The Shock of the Fall

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

This is another brilliant find from the Oxfam bookshop, as recommended by my sister. She’s pretty good at this stuff. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer is told first person by Matt over several years of his life.