My favourite book of 2013…so far!

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

Recently retired, Harold Fry receives a letter from Queenie Hennessy, an old friend, who he hasn't heard from in twenty years. Queenie is in a hospice and has written to Harold to say goodbye. He leaves his bitter wife, Maureen, to her chores, for an intended quick jaunt to the mailbox to post a letter in reply. With nothing but the clothes on his back, no cell phone or rain gear, Harold begins his unlikely pilgrimage across the English countryside. As each day dawns Harold convinces himself that the only way Queenie will live is if he delivers the letter in person. Along the way strangers stir up memories--of his marriage, which was once full of promise and now is tense and uncomfortable, and of his shortcomings as a husband and father.

Ironically, his wife, shocked by her husband's sudden absence, begins to long for his presence. Will Harold and Maureen be able to find a way to come together again? What will happen when Harold reaches Queenie?

I really enjoyed this book for its sweet, sometimes sad, quirky characters. It was very reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and A Spot of Bother both by Mark Haddon.

Try it—I think you’ll like it!

Submitted by Maureen

I have always loved the story of King Arthur so when I discovered Jack Whyte’s books in his series the Arthurian Saga I knew I had to read them. Jack Whyte is an excellent story teller, when I read his books I can visualize the surroundings that the story transports us. I have read many of his books and always finish with much anticipation of reading another one.

This is a tale of Uther Pendragon, future father of King Arthur, son of King Uric, and cousin of Merlyn. As a boy Uther had two homes, the civilized town of his mother’s people Camulod where he often spent time visiting his grandparents, and Tir Manha the harsh home of his father’s. His mother thought that her people and their ways would be a good influence of her hotheaded son. Uther favoured his time at Camulod, because of the cleanliness of it, the disciplined soldiers especially the cavalry, and the cheerfulness of the people. These feelings often made him feel disloyal to his own people of whom he will one day lead. Follow the tale of Uther from boy to man, a rather different version in which Jack Whyte tells beautifully.

You must check out Jack Whyte’s website, www.jackwhyte.com, if you like historical fiction.

Written by Linda

The books I have read recently are:

The Panther by Nelson DeMille was a very fast moving story featuring federal agent John Corey. It takes place in Yemen and Aden, and covers a lot of the culture of the middle east. John Corey and his wife, Kate Mayfield who is an FBI agent, are sent to Yemen with a promise of job promotions and security when they return. They are tracking a killer known as the Panther. The Panther is ruthless. This killer was born and raised in the United States, but totally committed to attacks on the U.S. It is fast moving and a good read.

I thought Merry Christmas Alex Cross is one of James Patterson's better books in quite a while. Alex Cross get called out on Christmas Eve to catch a thief who is robbing his church's poor box. He returns home to celebrate with his family and is called out to a dangerous hostage situation. The Alex Cross novels contain a lot of good family values and revolve around a very close family (including Alex's 90 year old grandmother - Nana Mama). I think it will be a classic Christmas read for fans of James Patterson.

Please put your comments below and let me know what you think.

I took home – to my husband – a couple of books that I had arrived for him – after I had put them on hold. A few days later, another one arrived. So, I reluctantly took it home as well. I say reluctantly because he would have to be considered a “slow” reader – at best. I consider myself a fairly fast reader – I probably read 15 books to his 1, so when I had these three titles I knew there was going to be a quandary. I showed him the 3^rd book and he said “I’m so excited; I don’t know what to read first!” I told him that he had to make a decision because there were waiting lists on all three books and at that point I had to chuckle at what he said because when we first started dating – do people even say that anymore? – some 26/27 years ago, I asked him what he wanted me to bring him home to read and he responded with – “I don’t read”. I stared at him with a look of sheer horror and said, “You don’t read – how is that even possible?” So, I just started bring home sports books and magazines that I thought he would be interested in and I must say it took quite a while – but I persevered and finally he started picking the odd one up and looking at it – and eventually he actually read one! He will never be a voracious reader but now he even asks me for titles to be put on hold for him that he has heard about or he has seen in magazines! Long gone are the days when he said “I don’t read” and Thank Goodness for that. I can’t imagine going through life with someone who did not read. Patience is truly a virtue!

-Linda