remarkable story

I have given this book a lot of thought, I read this in one sitting in a spa. surrounded by luxury reading in total contrast.

I have been interested in the Holocaust since vising Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam 40 years ago (when you did not have to queue to get in)

This book is based on a true story - of Lale Sokolov and a woman he falls in love with in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Lale given the job of tattooing the infamous camp numbers onto prisoners. He falls in love with Gita a fellow prisoner in the camp.

I nursed a polish patient in the 90s in West Yorkshire and was shocked when I saw the tattooed numbers- only finding out later that not all concentration camps did this so this gentleman was possibly tattooed by the main character.

This story is filled with courage, being there at the right time, similarities to Simon Wiesenthal story. I knew of corruption in the camps but this book told me something new, the readers are introduced to the camp monsters such a Josef Mengle (I will not call him doctor as he was a monster) the readers can draw on past information on this monster the author gives a few examples but thankfully did not go into more details than were necessary.

it is truly an astonishing read of ingenuity, courage being in the right place at the right time, human kindness and sheer luck for some and injustices for other - I want to find out more about the person Cilka - that hopefully will be another story.

Well researched, well written and the additional information and photos brings this story even further to life.

There could be more to this story, but the gentleman was getting old when he approached the author and it was his permission that the book was written.

This must never be forgotten, and this book would be good on the school curriculum which would spark up a great deal of discussion and why.

This story will remain in my heart for a long time - well done Heather Morris for helping Lale to bring this to the pages of this remarkable book.

Totally inspiring

I was thrilled to be asked to review this book by Nudge.

Something extraordinary happened on the "Tour" last summer which cycling fans will never forget and that was Geraint Thomas -yellow jersey and winning the 2018 Tour De France with Team Sky. We expected this would be another year for Froome , but as the Tour progressed it was will he wont he- it was feat alone to win a stage and yellow jersey but from then on we were on the edge of our seats.

Just who is this great rider, I knew a little of his Olympic accomplishments and being what you would call the Team leader of the Tour's right hand man (or domestique), but that for me was basically it.

This book is all about luck, tremendous talent and how Geraint came to win the 2018 Tour De France. It has elements of humour, shows that nice guys can win, tells the story of the tour from a different angle- from his wife, team Sky Dave Brailsford his Principle of Team Sky and of course the four times Tour De France champion. Tells the reader about this rider that we all thought last year we could not believe what was happening especially with the controversy with Wiggins and Froome a few years ago and should Wiggins have "let" Froome win.
This is written in a easy style of writing this will inspire anyone who thinks they may have cycling talent to go for it.

A really great read and thank you to Nudge and Quercus books for letting me review.

Fascinating

I have always been fascinated by the East End of London and Pie/eel and mash shops that a particular to that area.

When I was asked by Nudge books to review this I was really pleased to learn about the close knit community, stories and of course world war 2- the Queen mother after  Buckingham palace was bombed famously said "now I can look the East End in the eye" sorry but  this was nothing compared to what the east end faced.

the author has taken the pie and mash shop a road in the East End and woven in history, times that have long since gone, culture and some colourful characters.

The history is interesting, through the poverty and Charles Booth, through the first world war and second world war and effects of being bombed night after night, buildings and streets long gone with people too it is about love and loss, hop picking, the Krays and social changes in the 1950s and 1960s. Putting people in high rise flats took the very soul out of people and a way of life.

the Pie and Mash shop thank fully is still there although has gone through changes it is wonderful that although temporarily closed it is undergoing restorations to its formal glory and get rid of the 1980s fittings. Thankfully we recognise that restoration is important and to keep some of history for future generations.My bucket list contains wanting to visit a pie and mash shop in Bethnal Green so maybe next time I am in London I will pay a visit, and re live this interesting place.

Beautiful

I was asked to read the 20th anniversary edition by Lovereading.

I have to confess never to have read this beautiful book, this has a new an interesting introduction by the author who is overwhelmed with the success of novel, film and interest in a painting- people instantly refer to this as the girl with a pearl earring but possibly will never know the painter.

Having read the Miniaturist by Jessie Burton I wanted to read this novel and how wonderful to receive the 20th anniversary copy.

it is beautiful that the author takes such a famous paining by Vermeer and brings it to life with a wonderful story set in the 1600s.

The story is a girl who works as a maid in the Vermeer house. There is an air of mystery with Vermeer himself, jealousy his wife is jealous of the maids beauty and the maid who is mesmerised by the paintings.

Vermeer's patron to order the maid to sit for one of his paintings. She is mesmerised even with the mixing of the paints and being able to assist to being around art material she has never seen before. Slowly she feels affection for Vermeer and he too for her.

Sadly the wife comes upon the painting and even more racked with jealously orders the maid out of the household to marry a butchers son - back to what was right for that time- one wonders if this had happened today would Vermeer have left his jealous wife or was this the artist falling in love with art and the painting? leave the reader to their thoughts.

The maid is a likable and beautiful character the author brings to life this time in history.

I will now watch the film, as glad to have read the book first, the painting well I will need to travel to the Hague to see it.

Recommended and congratulations to the author for 20 years.

Marty the fab

I was asked to review for Librarything

What a beautiful book - message is for kids to use their time more profitably and learn.

Beautifully illustrated with Australian animals and a cute story- Marty is unable to sleep so he is entertaining with his friends. Good for kids to know about what happens at night too.

although fun and entertaining there is the scary part that kolas are becoming less due to habitat - but kids need to be aware of that - needed some night scenes - this is draft so hopefully the author will take this on board.

Lovely story and kids will love Marty and friends,

Bizarre but loved it

I was asked to review by Lovereading Ambassadors. This is the third tale in the Whitborough novels.

Total madness and a feel of Harry potter, but for adults this time. Huge cast, a map, street index and comedy I have never come across in a "horror" story before. Set in Yorkshire which I love having lived in West Yorkshire some 20 years ago. So know where the author is coming from.

Weird but good characters and well written this author has a great imagination.

This is such a romp and oh my goodness this is the third- I urge readers to read all three of these novels and the seaside thrown in as well for good measure.

Bizarre but strangely I enjoyed this - hope there is a chance of book 4. I am certainly seeking this author out.

three different people and an interesting historical tale

As a Lovereading Ambassador I was asked to read and review this.

This book present the a fictional view of  Thomas De Quincey, who wrote the first book about drug addiction. Based on his time in London where he is found living on the streets- a middle class person and spend time with whore Anne and partaking in drugs. the time is around the beginning of the 19th centaury. The author creates from historical research how London would have been at that time, what the person would see, smell and experience. The third main character is called Tuan, a captured slave living in London and  he is eventually freed by his owner. it is interesting and shocking how society was at that time.

This is such a great historical novel, well researched with three stories intertwined, written with thought and a little comical at times too. the reader is pulled in by the author to this story.

Surprisingly I had never hear of Thomas De Quincey yet coming from Edinburgh had no idea he is buried in St Cuthbert's church yard at the West end of Princes Street. I will make a point of visiting his grave the next time I fly up for a visit. So how he ended up in Edinburgh well that is probably another story.