As the end of the year approaches, I thought it would be good to look back at some of the books I have read this year.  Here are 5 books that might particularly appeal to women.

To go to my review of the book, click on the picture:

Acts of Kindness by Heather Barnett

This is an uplifting mystery thriller which I gave 5*s.  It has characters that make you suspicious, action, humour and positivity.  It is all set in a sleepy village in Wiltshire, England, but what is going on will definitely keep you awake

Call of the Penguins by Hazel Prior

This is the 2nd book in this series, the first being Away with the Penguins.   Veronica (now aged 87) is off on her travels to meet more penguins, this time to Australia and the Falklands. This wonderful novel can be read as “stand alone”, but I recommend starting at the beginning of Veronica’s adventures, so that you know the backgrounds of the main characters.

Everything Happens for a Reason by Katie Allen

This is loosely biographical fiction that will make you laugh, maybe cry and certainly stop and think.  12 months in the life of Rachel, and how she manages following the birth of her son Luke who arrived “asleep”. Rachel writes Luke emails telling him everything she would have if he had been in her arms, and it is through these that we follow the ups and downs of Rachel’s year .

Heartwrenching but also brave and uplifting.

The Bird that Sang in Color by Grace Mattioli

A beautiful story of a family in New Jersey, as seen through the eyes of one member, Donna.  As the years pass so dreams come true or fade and change. It is about what is important in life, and what really matters.

This is the third book in a series, though the first that I have read.

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams  

This is the story of how the Oxford English Dictionary came into being, mixed in with great fiction about the time of the suffrage movement and the approach of World War I.  I listened to it as an audiobook, and loved it. 

******

All the best, Emma