This is my own personal list of the books which I read in the first half of 2003. I usually read several books every month, fiction and non-fiction.  Most of the non-fiction ones fall under one of the categories of the other pages on this site, so these pages are devoted solely to fiction. 

January 2003

Jan Karon - Those High Green Hills

The first year o fTim and Cynthia's marriage, as they learn to live with each other amidst the ever-busy life in Mitford. Sadness and joy in various ways lead to a delightful and relaxing book - including a few hours lost in a cave where Tim finally discovers why he was so reluctant to consider the future and his retirement.

Jan Karon - Out to Canaan

Another charming year in Mitford, seeing Dooley grow up, one of his siblings discovered, more involvement with folk from the Creek, and a battle for the position of Mayor. Tim and Cynthia make some new and important decisions as they look forward to their future together.

Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins - The Remnant

Tenth in the 'Left Behind' series; fast-moving but once again too many characters with little personality. This book does move further forward in time than the previous few, covering around two years of the Tribulation. Christians now are divinely protected much of the time, underground gatherings are discovered, and the world becomes more and more divided. The only emotion for the reader is mild fear. While it's interesting to read this possible interpretation of the events in Revelation, it's hard to be interested in the characters concerned.

Marcia Willetts - A Week in Winter

This was a wonderful book! Maudie wants to sell a farmhouse she owns, and it's being renovated by Rob, whom she employs for the purpose. Maudie's step-granddaughter Posy is very close to her, despite her mother's resentment of their relationship. Posy meets, in passing, a girl called Melissa who visits the farmhouse and meets Rob. The whole cast are then woven together skillfully and realistically. Sadness strikes, and there are some highly emotional tear-jerking sections, beautifully written, as well as a great deal of hope for the future as the book ends. An excellent family saga, one to re-read every few years.

 

February 2003

Alexandra Raife - The Wedding Gift

Cass and Guy get married after several yars living together, and buy 'The Corrie', a holiday cottage in Scotland. Cass loves it; Guy sees it as useful. Cass gets to know and like their neighbours, Guy prefers to stay in London most of the time. As their relationship grows further and further apart, Cass relates more to her new friends and surroundings. Believable people and situations; a good read with a hopeful ending.

March 2003

Alexandra Raife - Among Friends

After tragically losing her family, Louise has been caring for an elderly relative, who eventually dies. She applies to a job agency run by Cass from the book 'Wedding Gift'. Although very unsure of herself at first, and unwilling to work with children, she soon proves to be reliable and a valuable worker. Despite herself she becomes drawn to the dour Hugh and his rebellious daughter Emily. An open but encouraging conclusion to a very readable book.

Georgette Heyer - Envious Casca

An ill-assorted family meets for Christmas festivities, only to find their host murdered shortly after they arrive. A Christie-like plot, but with far more realistic and well-rounded characters. There are touches of humour, and a cleverly written ending which, although somewhat predictable, had a few extra twists to make it more interesting.

RF Delderfield - Late Spring (To Serve them all my Days book 1)

David Powlett-Jones, injured in World War I, takes up a teaching post at a boys' boarding school. He settles in, falls in love, and suffers tragedy while recovering from the trauma of the war. Amusing incidents and fascinating educational philosophy for its taime. Well-written if not exciting, with some very moving moments.

RF Delderfield - The Headmaster (To Serve them all my Days book 2)

Algy, the charming and eccentric Headmaster, is due to retire; in his place Alcock,a rigid and unfriendly man is appointed. Several staff leave, and David clashes withhim more than once before the problem is unexpectedly solved and David himself becomes 'acting head' of the school. Set in the backdrop of World War II unfolding, with political overtones, this book is less moving than the first, but nonetheless an enjoyable read.

Titia Sutherland - A Friend of the Family

Kate and Mark are temporarily separated, although Kate would like Mark back, and their young son Jake longs for their reconciliation. Into Kate's life comes the cheerful, bumbling Roly, and the devious, attractive Niall. Roly seems a wonderful, reliable platonic friend, but his feelings for Kate are stronger, and turn to paranoia when she lets him know that she sees him only as a friend. There are some dramatic moments in this book, if a little melodramatic in places, and an excellent portrayal of Jake. An encouraging happy ending, albeit rather too tidy solutions to everyone's problems.

April 2003

Barbara Taylor Bradford - Act of Will

The story opens in crisis: Christie and her daughter Kyle are at loggerheads over Kyle's future and Christie's mother Audra is called in to mediate. Then there is a lengthy flashback to Audra's unhappy childhood, and her struggles to give Christie a future. This is followed by an account of Christie's decision to become a fashion designer and make a lot of money. In the conclusion to the book, all is resolved and we see that life has come full circle, with Kyle fulfilling what Audra had wanted of Christie. Fast-moving and very readable, although difficult situations get resolved rather too quickly and the conclusion is rather obvious.

Kathleen Rowntree - Mr Brightly's Evening Off

Richard Brightly, church reader and accountant, is much loved by the elderly Mrs Parminster, whom he visits regularly. He is also popular with Cressida, a young mother with a disabled son whom he initially helps, and later becomes friendly with. He even seems to cope well with a demanding, materialistic wife. Unfortunately, one of his financial schemes gets him into trouble - and in paying the penalty, he rediscovers the joy of living and finds out who his real friends are. Unusual and interesting.

Alexandra Raife - The Way Home

A wonderful book, featuring three very different sisters who jointly inherit their family home after the death of their stepmother. Elizabeth, the eldest, is a caring mother, cook, organiser and tidier - responsible and anxious. Jamie, the middle sister, has worked as an entrepreneur in the USA for some years. Philida, the youngest, is slightly caricatured as overeight, clumsy and not at all academic - always going along with everyone else's wishes. Yet Philida turns out to have a wisdom which her sisters did not realise. Each sister harbours a surprising secret, each of which is gradually revealed, and then begins to be solved. A believable, realistic and warm book with a predictable but pleasant ending.

May 2003

Erica James - Precious Time

This is a lovely book! Clara, a single mother, decides to take her son Ned travelling in a camper van to spend time together before he starts school. After a few weeks they arrive in Deaconsbridge, and reluctantly get caught up in the lives of crusty old Gabriel Liberty, and the second-hand dealer Archie Merryman. Great characters and believable situations ensure an excellent read, with the plots and sub-plots moving together until they arrive at the enjoyable - though not unexpected! - ending. After the disappointment of 'The Holiday', Erica James' previous novel, I was charmed by this book. I wrote a much longer review of it at the Ciao site, see 'A beautiful book'.

Libby Purves - Home Leave

Cat, Toby, Mark and Caroline grew up as children of diplomats, moving country every few yaers, educated in many schools. Cat has settled down with an upright organic farmer, who helps young criminals gain a sense of self-worth. Toby lives a bohemian lifestyle; Mark is a soid financier; Caroline seems happy in her marriage. Problems arise for them all - the book sees these resolved. There is joy along with heartbreak, strong emotions besides well-woven plots. The people are slightly caricatured but almost believable, and the ending is excellent.

Joanna Trollope - Marrying the Mistress

Guy, a respectable judge in his sixties, decide to divorce his wife and marry Merrian, the young barrister with whom he has been having an affair for the past seven years. But neither of them realises what effects this will have on Guy's sons Simon and Alan, and his much-loved grandchildren. Fast-moving subplots combine, often movingly, to give a well-thought-out novel looking deep into the heart of modern life and assumptions. Once some of the problems have been resolved, there is a hopeful ending.

Jean Stubbs - Kelly Park

The book opens with Flavia's last evening in 'Bon Appétit', the restaurant she has built up with the unfaithful Jack. She goes to recuperate at Kelly Park, the run-down country home belonging to her friend Humphrey. There she develops plans, eventually persuading Humphrey to let her renovate Kelly Park, and open it as a hotel. As she struggles to achieve her dreams, she becomes slowly accepted by the local Cornish people, fights unexpected setbacks, and finds herself falling in love. Great characters and romantic tension, with a satisfactory (if over-dramatic) ending.

Mary Stewart - Touch not the Cat

When Bryony's father dies, she returns from her work abroad, knowing her cousin Emory would now own the family estate. Sicne childhood, Bryony has had a psychic communication with one of her cousins, but does not know for sure which one it is. Strange things happen, and she tries to unravel her father's last words which were written down. She finds herself in some danger before the dramatic and reassuring conclusion.

Barbara Taylor Bradford - A Woman of Substance

Emma Harte is a penniless servant-girl who is full of ambition. She befriends Blackie, a travelling odd-job man, and is captivated by his talk of the city. Nonetheless she would not have run away, had she not found herself pregnant at the age of sixteen. Her rise to riches after she reaches the city seems a little far-fetched at times, but makes for a readable book. The prologue and epilogue show Emma in her seventies, betrayed by two of her sons, and then re-writing her will to take account of this.

Barbara Taylor Bradford - Hold the Dream (sequel to 'A Woman of Substance')

Emma Harte is now eighty, and has been training her grandchildren to continue her vast empire of businesses. She particularly favours Paula, the one who is most like her. As Emma decides to take a break from her work, Paula must make some difficult decisions, while also struggling with personal problems. Another readable book, although with rather too much 'flashback' to the previous book, pulling in unecessary details which do not meld into the plot but make the book considerably longer than it would otherwise have been.

June 2003

Barbara Taylor Bradford - To be the Best (sequel to 'Hold the Dream')

Third in the 'Woman of Substance' trilogy, no doubt urged on by the publishers, but with little to say and even more flashbacks to previous books than 'Hold the Dream'. Paula is now threatened with treachery and must fight to hold onto her inheritance, as well as dealing with her difficult family life. Fast-paced (if one skips the flashbacks), but the characters seem flat and emotionless; even Paula comes across as hard-hearted and ambitious with little to commend her. There is a gentle and reassuring ending, after an unlikely number of disasters and tragedies.

Libby Purves - A Free Woman

Sarah is a home-loving mother; her sister Maggie is a free spirit who travels the world doing odd jobs, only returning home for a few weeks every few years. This time, however, she wants to learn Chinese, so arrives for a longer stay - only to get caught in in being an aunt, particularly helping her teenage neice Samantha deal with some difficult problems. Maggie has a shock herself, which makes her throw a metaphorical bombshell at the family, which has long-lasting repercussions. Lovely characters and a hopeful ending.

Jean Stubbs - The Vivian Inheritance

Set in the early 19th century, alongside the first steam trains, this book deals with the Howarth family: William the Ironmaster and his many children, neices and nephews. Hal Vivian is a consultant engineer, and also a visionary; he soon becomes deeply involved in all their lives. The people shine through as individuals and a potentially dull setting becomes interesting with clever writing, well-interwoven subplots, and enough surprises to keep the book moving along well.

Pamela Evans - Yesterday's Friends

A gentle London saga revolving around Ruth, who had dreams of university as a teenager, but became pregnant after one night of passion with a boy who moved to Australia. Ruth's family look after her, and she lands a good job in a pharmacy. When the owner retires, she fall sin love with the new owner and is happy and successful for a while - until his true flighty character is revealed. Old friends rally round, and Ruth survives a series of difficult problems, to emerge at last with her heart's desire. A pleasant read: believable for the most part, although Ruth's two thug-like brothers are rather caricatured!

Elizabeth Goudge - City of Bells

Jocelyn, who has a bad leg and is weary after the Boer War, comes to Torminster to live with his grandparents. He is quickly caught up in the peace of the town, and finds himself opening a bookshop. He meets his young cousin Hugh Anthony and his grandfather's ward Henrietta (who later stars in the children's book 'Henrietta's House') and the delightful actress Felicity. He also becomes intrigued by Ferranti, the man who previously lived in his house. Delightful, believable people (albeit behaving a little unexpectedly at times) and gently interwoven subplots leading to a charming ending.

Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart - Vote of Intolerance

Teenage Shawna is involved with some bad influences, following the death of her older brother and the divorce of her parents. Stevie, her mother, decides to move to North California where a conservative Christian is trying to become Governor, hoping to introduce strict Judaeo-Christian laws. Stevie becomes invlved in his campaign, and gets to know the Governor-elect's son Wes, a shy and unhappy young man. Meanwhile, Shawna makes some new friends who seem harmless and pleasant at first, but are involved in dangerous New Age practices. An exciting climax is followed by rather a predictable ending, with too many problems neatly solved. However the book is believable, and the message is positive and realistic.

Jane Aiken Hodge - The Adventurers

The story opens with Sonia seeing her home and family massacred by some of Napoleon's army. She rides away dressed as a boy, and meets Charles Vincent, an adventurer, who shares her skill at cards. As they and her old governess decide to travel together, hoping to get to the UK, it becomes clear that Charles is also involved in political intrigue. There is rather a lot of war-talk, but plenty of balance, and an exciting climax with everything resolved happily.

Mary Stewart - The Ivy Tree

Mary Grey agrees to impersonate her 'double' Annabel, to help Annabel's cousin inherit from hsi elderly great-uncle. But things become complicated, and violence is attempted. There are many surprising twists to the plot, and the book is exciting and well-written with a good ending.

Various authors - A Regency Quartet

Four novellas, each about an eighteen-year-old girl newly emerged from seminary. Different backgrounds, different characters, all set in Regency England. Well-written; in some places amusing and/or emotional. Predictable but satisfying endings to all. A pleasant read.

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