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

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.