Tag: Book Reviews

This month I read the following books:

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well that was quite a fascinating book – some good twists and turns. I couldn’t decide if I was disappointed in the ending or not… but I do want to watch the film!

Spirituality and Cancer: Christian Encounters by Tim Meadowcroft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book relatively fast (and it’s now full of sand, as I was on the beach) – and it’s a really interesting mix of insights building upon a conference held in New Zealand the year before. It brings together insights from patients, theologians and medics/scientists. As a person with Stage IV cancer (worried about the impact of COVID19 on my treatment/health) I found it a helpful book to 1) know that a lot of my feelings – I was not the only one 2) thoughts about the theology of where we are – how different churches/theologies help us interpret the whys and wherefores… and how faith can help get through the mental trauma that cancer brings. I’d highly recommend to those who are engaging at the intersection of Christianity and cancer … it’s an academic text, but still very readable (I may have skim-read some of the more sciency bits!).

This Is Living with Cancer: You Don’t Do Dying Very Well Do You Mum? by Marie E Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m currently at Vaughan Park in New Zealand, where I believe Marie wrote some of this book. As someone also with secondary cancer, it’s encouraging to hear how she’s survived 25 years with various tumours (although the current COVID19 is playing havoc with people’s cancer treatment options). It’s written in quite a ‘personal’ blog post style, so it’s easy to read small segments at a time (although I read it in one go), and there’s a lot of insights into the whole of life with cancer – spiritual, physical and mental all require some form of balance.

Actually read the paper edition, but anyway.

Triumph of the Shipyard Girls by Nancy Revell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like all the others, I just enjoyed reading this – maybe with an extra dimension in the current crisis which is being compared so widely to the Second World War. I’m looking forward to the next one too..

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This month I read:

Life, Lemons and Melons by Alice-May Purkiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I bought this book before my secondary diagnosis. Aside from our ages, the fact that Alice is married/younger than me, and I have triple positive cancer … oh and I didn’t bother with fertility treatment/recon … much of this book I nodded along to as she discusses the reality of treatments, the fear underlying everything, questions of body image and depression mixed in with cancer .. and seeking to write things out, joy in social media, finding humour in the mess, seeking to educate others! The book is written in a blog styled way, mixing vulnerability and humour as we try to find a way through the mess that is cancer – and how it will define us for ever (and we shouldn’t assume that that is negative), nor will it necessarily be a thing that means we’re so grateful for life that the depression disappears … and that mix of emotions as we’re told what seems to be good news but leaves us confused and still crying! Thanks Alice.

Beyond Chocolate: How to stop yo-yo dieting and lose weight for good by Sophie Boss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first came across this book in 2009, so 10 years later I decided to re-read and reground myself in the material that I’ve found life-changing 10 years later. It’s amazing how many positives have been embedded within my life … crisps go out of date in the cupboard, cake is not eaten just because ‘it’s cake’, I’ve found ‘moving’ that is enjoyable … and it’s more about adding to life (rainbows of food, life-enhancing, stuff), than restricting and taking away!

How to Say Goodbye by Katy Colins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this, thought the characterisation worked well, and as someone who’s been forced to think about death etc enjoyed the way the story was put together…. despite the theme of funerals/death etc it wasn’t a heavy read.

Body of Truth: How Science, History, and Culture Drive Our Obsession with Weight–and What We Can Do about It by Harriet Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this a really powerful read. So much research is funded by the diet industry that there’s much less research out there that challenges what seems ‘normal knowledge’ around food, weight, and obesity that finds so much place within the media. This account draws upon a huge range of academic studies to demonstrate that there are other ways of thinking, especially the notion that we could focus much more upon health than upon weight.

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This month I read:

Nobody’s Wife by Laura Pearson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Laura’s previous book, so was pleased to see the next one out. I read it in one sitting, and found it a really enjoyable read as the story evolved and we watched what we’d seen alluded to in the prologue evolve through the story – and to see the damage done to so many, including those who thought they were doing what they wanted. Recommended.

The Virtual Body of Christ in a Suffering World by Deanna A. Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book on both a personal and professional level – yes, it’s not perfect (what is?) – and I had a few quibbles with the sense that face-to-face is still the ULTIMATE to aim for, but the author works with young adults, researches faith and digital, and has Stage IV cancer – so lots of helpful overlaps. Well written and based within theology to illustrate that church has always had a ‘virtual’ dimension, from Paul’s letters to the early church, and it’s about understanding the strong and weak ties that hold us together, and how digital can be critically investigated.

Three Great Novels: A Sense of Belonging / Act of Faith / The Holiday by Erica James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like most of Erica James’ books so knowing today was likely to be one of very little energy (and poor weather), I picked this off the shelves. Really enjoyed it – v interesting psychological insights into the characters and found myself wanting to know what was next – not necessarily action packed storyline, but lots about why, etc!

Not sure why this has picked up 3 novels – I’m talking about The Holiday!

Searching For Tilly by Susan Sallis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this in the style of a historical saga mixed with a contemporary tale. The characters were well written (and the vicar had some good lines), and there were a few good twists to keep the narrative going. Enjoyable evening read.

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A Research Handbook for Patient and Public Involvement Researchers by Penny Bee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve had this book sat on my shelf since last summer, when someone lovely from WIASN was offering copies to those who may find it useful. I’m developing a funding bid which is hoping to draw on PPI (and in fact this was part of the reason a previous version of this bid was eventually turned down), and so I was looking for a clear understanding of what this really looks like. This book is written in a really straightforward style, but clearly drawn on in depth research (aka it’s not talking down) – designed to be read by patients/participants as well as researchers who are seeking to engage ‘meaningfully’ with those who will get the most benefit from the research (ensuring that they are involved from the start). Really helpful, very readable, and I suspect some terms/phrases to entirely make their way into the bid!

The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was still in the mood for a bit more, and realised that I’d started at Book 3 in the trilogy. I realised I’d downloaded this at some point last year, so decided to carry on reading. Some familiar aspects to the storyline, but otherwise quite nice putting a back story to things that make part of the story of Book.

The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, I still enjoyed this – probably the least credible out of the trilogy, but wanted to finish all 3. Some repetitive themes from other books, but enjoyed just losing myself in some Regency country living …

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of 99p downloads I look out for – I love Georgette Heyer and always looking for other novels that might get anywhere close. I actually really enjoyed this, characterful with a decent storyline, and realised at the end Christian novelist which accounts for it not being ‘racy Regency’ which so many of them are – and Harriett is not a ‘useless woman’!

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This month I read the following books:

The Ravaged Land Series Books 1-3 by Kellee L. Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this as a cheap/free download from Kindle, but it was perfect reading for first few days around chemo whilst awake on steroids. I’m a bit of a fan of moral-teenage-dystopian reads when I’m having a few down days … and there’s a strong female character (she doesn’t feel strong), and the text doesn’t shy away from some difficult situations, questions, and frequent death scenes – leading to questioning about our overall existence. And yes, I’ve downloaded the second trilogy (what does one call that?) that completes the set!

From Now On: A Lent Course on Hope and Redemption in The Greatest Showman by Rachel Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been reading this alongside a small group on Facebook throughout Lent, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being able to think about a film that I had NO expectations of when I went to the cinema to see it, and ended up really enjoying (and tempted to have This is Me as my funeral exit song, though I hope that’ll be a long way day the line!). This is a very small book, with a whole lot of content in it … I don’t know how it would be to have read it entirely individually, as I found that the online conversations added new thoughts triggered by Rachel’s original questions. Really enjoyed a little theological thinking around what can seem quite a fluffy film!

The Ravaged Land Series – Books 4-6: Running Away, Escaping Fear, & Fighting Back by Kellee L. Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t quite decide if this is a 3 or a 4! I enjoyed it much the same as the previous trilogy (and it appears there’s a third trilogy coming) – much as I do most dystopian survival books – it’s doesn’t flee away from the hard stuff, but the story felt a bit rushed towards the finish!

Scar by Alice Broadway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This trilogy brings together much of the previous books (as you would expect) with somewhat of a moral and hopeful finish. Lies are exposed, but the end is still not every end neatly tied up (I like that)… I got a little confused sometimes about who’s supposed to be good/bad – but maybe that’s the point!!

The Resilient Disciple: A Lenten Journey from Adversity to Maturity by Justine Allain-Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Manageable and encouraging

I saw a number of people had picked up this daily reading book for lent, so, as I’m mostly at home and with the concentration of a pea (cancer treatment) I decided to give it a go. Reading (on Kindle) was v manageable – I highlighted a few areas – and gave something to think about bigger picture/smaller thoughts and actions – each day. Very helpful.

Shopaholic to the Stars: by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I haven’t read much chicklit recently, but used to enjoy Shopaholic series. In one way, still did – it’s v easy reading and characters are well drawn – although Becky never seems to learn – the whole buy/fashion thing is a bit out of my life experience but I do actually like that it ends with a rejection of much of that … oh — and the story is set to continue!!

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