Pop over to Rebecca’s Blog, The Book Babe, to read an interview with me!
(If you’re not sick of me already!)
Author Interview with Ritu Bhathal, author of ‘Marriage Unarranged’ @_thebookbabe
07 Apr 2020 Leave a comment
in My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Author Interview, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging
March 2020 Books #AmReading
01 Apr 2020 19 Comments
in Reviews, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Bookblogger, books, Goodreads, Netgalley
March ending means a quarter of 2020 is gone.
I honestly thought I would get about five books read, but what with all that is happening in the world, I have managed to plough through a few more books than that… check out what I have been reading!
Family For Beginners by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Flora works in a florist. She is there morning, noon, and would happily be there night, too, if the place didn’t close. She filled gaps in her own life, by working nonstop, choosing beautiful blooms at the markets, creating floral masterpieces and generally brightening the days of the customers.
But nothing fills the void she feels upon entering her substandard apartment. No family to call her own. No partner to share a meal with. Just a space filled with damp and discord.
Losing her mother at a young age, and having to live with an aunt who makes it pretty clear she wasn’t wanted, does nothing for her self esteem.
Then she meets Jack.
Or rather Jack enters the florist and her house.
Jack, who has voids of his own.
Despite her best efforts, Flora gets swept up into a romance that she is convinced won’t work. After all, no one else important in her life ever hangs around.
Besides, Jack already has a family. Two motherless girls. How is that going to work?
And then, he wants to take her on a long-standing family holiday to visit the dead wife’s best friend, Claire?
Sarah Morgan, you did it again!
I knew I’d enjoy this book. I’ve liked other Sarah Morgan books, so I was under no doubt of that. But, it wasn’t just good, it was fantastic!
I felt so much emotion, learning about Flora and her background, I rooted for Izzy, Jack’s eldest daughter, who didn’t want anyone taking the place of her mother. I sympathised with Claire, a woman who lost who she thought was her best friend,,,
Told from the point of view of the three women, this story really captured the feelings of different people involved in familial loss.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Published 2nd April
The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside by Jessica Ryn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, so I have to officially say, I am in love with this book.
I was lucky enough to win an advance copy from HQ Stories, and I am so grateful to them for choosing me as a winner because this book was just AMAZING
Through quite a light-hearted way, author Jessica Ryn tackles some pretty HUGE issues, such as mental health, postnatal and homelessness, and more.
It is told from the perspective of two women.
Dawn Brightside, our main character, who is homeless, and running from someone, has been for a long time, yet has the positivity of Little Miss Sunshine. All she wants to do is help others. And find her daughter, Rosie.
Then there is Grace Jennings, manager of St Judes, a hostel for the homeless that is on the brink of having funding pulled.
Both have led hard lives in their own ways.
Both want to help others.
Both would be devastated if St Judes closed.
I don’t quite know how much to say, without giving away spoilers, but I was totally immersed in the story, pretty much immediately.
I giggled at points, and honestly, felt tears pricking at others. Life, love, relationships – all covered.
A simply magnificent debut from this author, who I will definitely want to read more from!
Published in May 2020
The Book of Us by Andrea Michael
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A bittersweet tale about a friendship that soured because of an awful mistake made, and the illness and small child who brought them back together.
Lauren, or Loll, is reeling from the break up of her marriage, then she receives a letter from someone who was more important to her than anyone else, in her life, until that mistake.
Cass has never really forgiven herself for the huge mistake she made, that lost her the best friend a girl could ask for. Would she be able to rekindle that bond now, six years later, knowing she had such little time, and so much to say and explain?
Vee’s life is turning upside down. Her mum is getting sicker and suddenly her new ‘aunty’ shows up.
This book tells of a journey, both physical, and metaphorical, of two women who try to patch up a relationship that tore apart.
Can they repair it?
A sad tale, but beautifully written.
Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My Sardinian Summer by Michaël Uras
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The description of this book made me intrigued enough to request it.
Unfortunately, the story failed to capture my attention enough.
A Sardinian translator travels back home to see his grandmother who is on her deathbed while in the middle of translating a version of Moby Dick.
There were no chapters in the book, which I found a bit strange,
I finished, but at a push.
But it did make me intrigued about Sardinia… maybe one day I’ll visit the Domas de Janas…
NetGalley and Hodder and Staughton, for an ARC . in exchange for an honest review.
The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A classic rom-com, if ever there was one!
Imagine, being in a grief-stricken stupor, adding alcohol to it, and ending up at home with a hot stranger who leaves you wanting more, but disappears the next morning,
Then, finding out the next morning that said hot stranger is actually the new employee at your own company!
That is exactly what happens here and the ups and downs that ensure make for a great, addictive story!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter fort an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kiley Dunbar is an author who I have come to love, having read her first two releases swiftly in 2019.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach most definitely didn’t disappoint my expectations.
A feel-good story, with a touch of sadness, but filled with positivity and hope.
Beatrice finds herself in a rickety old pub hotel in Port Willow, a tiny village in Scotland after the devastation of a miscarriage and separation.
A drunken decision to get away, at first, seems like a great idea, but after arriving, Beatrice has second thoughts.
A place in the back of beyond, with gruff, rude landlords, a tiny room, and to top it, the activity she’d booked, hadn’t been.
The story unfolds as Beatrice begins to get to know characters in the village, despite promising herself to leave and go back t the Midlands, and her woeful life back home.
The landlords, brothers Eugene and Atholl reveal softer sides, and yearnings of their own,
Ever the problem solver, Beatrice gets sucked into their lives, and soon finds herself having feelings for someone she hadn’t been expecting.
There’s matchmaking, romance, a broody Scotsman, laughter, celebration and acceptance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is definitely a book I think all young women of a certain age should have access to reading.
It follows the story of Marin, a high school student at her prime, gearing up for college applications. She ends up developing a kind of friendship with an English teacher, Bex, that turns sour soon enough.
He takes advantage of opportunities presented to him, and when Merin finally finds the confidence to tell someone of authority, she is the one blackened, not him.
She loses friends, and more importantly, her best friend, and her self respect, for a while.
But there are people out there for her too…
A tale about trust, mistrust, abuse of power and belief in one’s self.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Published, 16th April 2020
My Lies, Your Lies by Susan Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have long been a fan of Susan Lewis, and this book was another delve into fantastic storytelling,
Joely is reeling from a marriage that is collapsing, due to her husband embarking upon an affair with her best friend. The betrayal doesn’t end there. He. decides to move out and their daughter decides she wants to leave too.
An opportunity arises for Joely to work away for a while, as a ghostwriter for an established enigma of an author who ends up with much more than just her own story to tell.
Forbidden love, loss, revenge, lies and secrecy: it’s all there and more.
Such a compelling story, I finished it in a day!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Published April 30th 2020
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh, I really enjoyed this book, soooo much!
Initially, I wondered if it was going to be a fictional version of from 13 to 30, you know, that film where the girl wishes she was older and somehow ends up in her 30th decade.
But now, this was a book with a much more literal switch!.
Leena Cotton is suffering. She might be on the cusp of having a breakdown. In fact, she kinda does in the middle of an extremely important presentation at her high-flying job.
Being forced into a two month paid break by her boss means she decides to go back home. Leave the bustle of London for her family village in the north, to the home of her grandmother, Eileen Cotton.
Eileen has been struggling in her own way. in her golden years, with no husband any more, she wants options, and there are not many local to her.
What ends up happening is the switching of lifestyles of these two women, in a surprisingly entertaining way.
I loved both Leena and Eileen. I want a grandma like her!
There was excitement, love, conflict, and many cups of tea.
a perfect book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Published April 16th 2020
Some really great reads up there! Which one caught your eye? What have you been reading this month?
Chai And A Chat #77 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 1
30 Mar 2020 66 Comments
in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat
Wow! What a week. Things are still changing, as I type… Let me tell you how week one of the new normal has gone for me…
- I rolled up to work on Monday, having made lunches for the kids and Hubby, as. I wasn’t sure what time I was going to be back, but it’s best to be prepared, isn’t it? Their online learning wasn’t starting officially until Wednesday, but they had plenty to keep them occupied. School was a strange place. There were more adults than children, as the majority of folk had managed to get care for their kids, but there were still children of key workers in. Some staff had been assigned to be working with them. The rest of us had different duties to complete around the school and in our classrooms. A few colleagues had brought their children in. with them too. After a long discussion, it was decided by our head and the rest of the management that those with children at home, or carers for vuldernable members of family who lived with them, should stay at home, and not come in. A tough decision, but a sensible one. I was approached as I have kids at home, but to be honest, they are pretty self sufficient, and as long as I am sensible with hygeine, and shower and change when I get home, I am okay to keep coming in as necessary. I finished at normal time, and then braved the supermarket to see if I could get some chicken, as the request had been put n. They wanted my chicken soup. Obviously no dinner at my in laws as the kids weren’t there. I just about managed to get some, and. as I was cooking it up, the announcement came that we were going into more of a severe lockdown. We were still open, but I had to explain to the in laws that we were definitely not coming round there now, for the forseeable future. There are vulnerable people in that house, two diabetics, a heart patient, an asthmatic… no risks to be taken.
- On Tuesday, I knew I had a couple of computer-based school tasks to do. Most of my class team were not going to be in, so I knew I could focus. First, I thought I’d try and pop in to Asda, and get a few key things that were running low in the house, including bread. There was a queue when I got there at 7.45am and they were opening at 8am. But It wasn’t too long. By the time doors opened, it stretched way beyond my eyeline. The store was letting in around six people at a time, in order that they kept people as far apart from each other as possible. By about 8.15am I was in, and grabbed the things I needed, before heading home to drop them off then I ventured to school. My classroom has been tidied up as much as it can be. Reports, Performance Mamagement reviews have been done, Progress Grids completed. Assessments done. Rather than start a new task, I went home. But not before a detour to the in-laws. Mum had called me to say she had made food and would pack it and leave it outside for me to grab. Bless her! It was good to see the kids still focussed with their work, and a habit I started on the Monday was that regardless of anything, we would get outside for around an hour, if possible, every day. We are lucky to have the temple just walking distance from our house. the temple is closed for worshippers at the moment but their sports ground is still open for exercise purposes. Lil Man played with his football, Lil Princess walked with me, then used some of the outdoor equipment. I did several rounds of the ground, and I have been taking that time to post a daily video story on Instagram, a kind of virtual diary, if you will. Whilst walking on Tuesday, I saw two magpies… hope in what feels like a hopeless situation…
- On Wednesday I stayed at home. And as it was the kids first day using Google Classrooms, I was glad. There will always be some teething problems, but we got there in the end, even though work from a 50 minute lesson took Lil Princess and I nearly 2 hours to complete – not because it was hard, but because the way it was meant to be submitted was ridiculous! I took the chance to finish some online training that my Head had sent to us all, then I accessed an online writing course that I had signed. up to a long time ago. I completed module four of a fourteen module course, so w as quite impressed with myself!
- I have to share with you my own little bit of humour, with regards to making yourself a mask at home…
- Thursday saw me back at school for the morning, where I had to email a few bits to my Head and then I set about the task of trying to sort out a resource cupboard that is part of my responsibility, and a HUGE MESS at the moment. It was quite cathartic, to. be honest! But something that will take more than a couple of hours to complete. After taking a good crack at it, I left after 12.30pm, with the intention of dropping the containers back to my in-laws, and picking up prescriptions for our hay fever medication, because not only do we have a virus to deal with, but that allergy season is also upon is now! But, I got there a bit late and they were clsoed for lunch. Got home and sorted lunch out for the family, and then I managed another module of the course too! Go, me!
- Friday – another school morning. It was even quieter than normal with only two children in for care. I got another huge amount done on my cupboard sorting, but not before I was called upon to join the children with their daily PE slot, the live half an hour session with Joe Wicks on YouTube. I was definitely out of puff by the end, and I tell you what, I knew I was going to suffer the next day! I left by 12pm and got home, fed the crew, then curled up in bed with my son, so we could watch a film together, after he had finished his work.
- On Saturday, I was woken up at 7.30am by a video call from my brother and nephews, which was lovely. Since I was awake, I decided to just get up. Grabbing my MacBook, and Kindle, I set myself up in the living room, with intentions of getting more of the course done. But when I went to log in, the website wouldn’t load! I got worried. Had I lost all my progress? Has this virus affected the company. providing the course? After slight hyperventilation, I thought I would jsut try something else, and started viewing vidoes from a Productivity course I had also signed up to. Lunchtime came and after making food for the masses. who had finally woken up, I grabbed my Kindle for a little light reading, only to find it wouldn’t switch on, even after being plugged into the charger! After a conversation with Amazon support who basically said I would have to buy a new one, I frustratedly just put it back on charge and thought I’d look at it later. Then I turned back to my course…but the MacBook had decided to make a funny noise. Jeez! What was happening with my technology today? I switched it off, and decided to bake cupcakes with Lil Princess instead.
- The evening brought news of a big jump in deaths as a result of COVID-19. Things are getting really scary now. My aunt has been taken to hospital with suspected COVID-19. She is on oxygen now, and still awaiting confirmed diagnosis. We tried to be light-hearted. Watched films together, had a take away, but my mind is elsewhere…
- On Sunday, I literally stayed in bed ALL DAY. Mother Nature was showering us with all sorts of weather, from beautiful blue skies, to rain to a hailstorm! I read all day, which was just lovely, then we decided to venture out for around twenty minutes for a walk. It was too cold to stay out any longer!
So there it is. My week. It’s been strange. And as of Sunday, the lockdown is to get much more serious. Apparently, there will be police or even army at checkpoints, making sure no one is out unless they have to be.
It’s my assigned day with the children today, Monday. Then I won’t be in school unless there is an emergency. Then we just wait and see what the government says about what happens after the Easter holidays.
It’s a strange world we are living in at the moment…
How has your week been?
Teacher/Key Worker Dilemma #CoronaVirus
28 Mar 2020 88 Comments
in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #Coronavirus, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Teacher
Hi!
Teacher from the UK here, reporting for comment.
It is a truly tough situation for everyone involved. A couple of days ago this Tweet went out… and there has been some interesting debates about it. Are we, as teachers, being FORCED to go into schools, with a higher chance of getting ill? How dare we be made to put our lives at risk?
I thought I’d respond in my own Ritu-style.
Yes, we are being asked to come into school to help with the care of key worker children. Key workers have been asked to try and arrange care at home, if they can, but the option is there for them to bring their child into school so they can go about the essential jobs, such as the medical profession, grocery and provision shop workers, delivery drivers, the emergency services, postal workers, pharmacists etc, all of whom have to keep going to try and keep this country running on a skeleton level at least.
Yes, it is childcare, rather than teaching – some may say glorified babysitting. But I’d rather do that and know that there are enough nurses and doctors out there to help with the huge influxes. I’d rather do that, than see people fighting for even less food because the delivery driver called in to say he or she couldn’t drive today because no one could look after their kids. I’d rather do my bit to allow these other key workers to do these things, so we still function, at some level, as normal (the new normal).
We have been told that the curriculum should not be being taught, at primary at least, as where is the fairness in a handful of children getting that education, when their peers are at home, not getting it? We have been asked to send home age appropriate learning, so the children can reinforce what they should already know and challenge them. We have been told to give parents ideas for other ways they can help their children still learn, while at home. The older ones are getting Google Classroom treatments, with regular lessons and activities posted online.
In school we are embracing the creative curriculum. Lots of arts, crafts, PE, music, reading, story time. (I’m still aching from joining in with t he kids. to. do the daily Joe Wicks work outs!)
No, we haven’t been forced into germ-ridden conditions, or at least, I know my school hasn’t ‘forced’ us to come in.
On the day of lockdown, it was requested that everyone come in on the Monday as no one knew exactly what would be happening. How many children would we be dealing with? Did we need to provide meals for those on the Free School Meal schemes?
During the course of that day, my head, and her Senior Leadership Team, who are doing amazing things in such a tough time, approached any members of staff with either old, vulnerable or young dependents. They were told they could go home and not come back until schools officially reopened. I could have been classed in this bracket but my kids are a little older, and more self-sufficient, and they have their dad at home as well.
The rest of us were put on a rota to be with the children that have been coming in.
No one is being forced to come in. Those of us who do, all want to do our bit to keep things going for all. My Head is in every day, regardless.
On Monday, I will be on duty with the kids who are coming in. This is probably the riskiest thing to be asked to do, as a teacher, as young children do not understand social distancing, as we have been told we need to maintain. How do you stop a four-year-old from wanting to hug you? How do you keep children two metres apart? The other days I have been in. I have been accessing and completing paperwork that I can’t do at home because of GDPR.
I am a mum too.
This is a tough decision for anyone to make.
The fear that you might just bring that virus back into your own home because you might be mixing with the child of a key worker who has been exposed to the virus.
My family know that when I come home, after a day at school at the moment, I will have been washing my hands constantly, and anti-baccing myself before coming into the house. I will shout a “Hello!” then head to the shower, wash and change into fresh clothes before seeing them.
I am a Key Worker, as a teacher, and as much as I can, I want to do what I can to help out, in this crisis, too.
Thank you, and good night.
Gutted – Interview Has Been Postponed
21 Mar 2020 28 Comments
in Thoughts Opinions & Memories
So #coronavirus has delayed my interview to another day.
The plan was for me to be the upbeat part of the show… But the callers with questions and stories about CoronaVirus was unprecedented.
It’ll be postponed to another day where I can be given more quality time.
😥😥😥
But I Smile Anyway... 