Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas

I loved Adam Kay's first book This is Going to Hurt and found it literally laugh out loud funny so I couldn't wait to get my hands on his second book.

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas is also full of funny stories. There were lots of delightful accounts of the eye-watering things people do to themselves before ending up in A&E; guaranteed to make you wince.

Adam Kay explains medical terms as he goes along so that neither the jargon nor the explanation get in the way of the story.

I absolutely loved his first book but in this book it felt like he'd really found his feet and was comfortable to be a little more vulnerable. As though he was sharing more of himself. I liked that. There is one particular, quite harrowing, reminder that doctors are very human and often have to face horrendous things in order to save their patients.

For me, there is a certain amount of nostalgia in reading Adam Kay's books. I worked as an NHS medical secretary for more than a decade and enjoyed being part of the team. It felt an honour when junior doctors took a few minutes to relax in my office and share their triumphs and woes and stresses.

The NHS is extremely demanding and it was usual for many medical secretaries, like the junior doctors and nurses, to put in a tonne of extra hours every week in order to keep things ticking over. We ENT secretaries frequently worked bank holidays and Saturdays, and 10-12 hour days were the norm. While I wouldn't want to go back to such a heavy workload, I have very fond memories of my time in the NHS and am thankful to Adam Kay for reminding me of the 'good old days'.

I've given this book 5*.

A Mind to Murder

This is the first PD James novel I've read, and I really enjoyed it. The style of this particular book reminded me of Agatha Christie - who is one of my favourite authors.

There has been a murder in the medical records room of the Steen Clinic in London. It seems clear to the police that the culprit must be someone who works at the clinic or possibly a patient.

The murder victim is Miss Bolam, the clinic's abrasive and unpopular admin officer. In some ways, it seems unsurprising that she is the victim although people are not usually murdered simply for being unpleasant....

I was happy with the twists and turns, learning more about the different characters and possible motives for murder. I never have much of a clue whodunnit and this case was no different, but I enjoyed following the plot and was (as per usual for me) surprised at the end by both the murderer and the motive.

I'm looking forward to reading more PD James from the library and am happy to award this book 4*

The L-Shaped Room

I loved The Indian in the Cupboard series by Lynne Reid Banks when I was young so was pleased when I spotted her debut novel The L-Shaped Room at the library.

It follows the story of Jane Graham, a pregnant single woman in her late twenties when there was a lot of stigma around single mums in Britain. When her dad kicks her out, she moves into a bug-ridden bedsit at the top of a house in a poor part of London.

Initially, Jane is determined to keep herself to herself but fellow lodgers Toby and John have other ideas. They offer genuine friendship to Jane and, in time, she learns to value their support.

The book pursues Jane throughout her nine months of pregnancy and beyond: ups and downs in her personal and work life, battling stigma and loss, while also finding life can be okay, even sometimes good, regardless of circumstances.

I found Jane herself quite a fascinating character. She is strong-willed and determined but also vulnerable. At times she berates herself for not being enough or feels guilty and has doubts; she is very human and, therefore, relatable.

There is quite a darkish feel of reality to the book but I enjoyed reading it and can happily recommend it. I have awarded it 4*.

A Time of Green

I love Eleanor Watkins' books and this was no exception. It's the fascinating story of twelve-year-old Juniper and her great-grandma June.

June has recently been diagnosed with dementia and Juniper is determined to learn her great-grandma's childhood stories before it's too late.

As a young child, June was one of many evacuees sent out of London during the bombing in WWII. She found herself on a farm in Wales. At first, she hated it: the mud, the cold, the animals, an outside privy, and a family who were all strangers to her.

A Time of Green is the delightful account of how June settles down and finds her feet on the farm. She especially enjoys the cold mud of winter being exchanged for the vibrant greens of spring. June has some exciting adventures. She and the family work alongside German POWs and Land Girls, and there is all excitement when the American GIs arrive in the village, not to mention an escaped POW....

I really enjoyed this Young Adult book and am happy to award it 4*.

A Secret Garden

This is the first Katie Fforde book I've read. It was light, easy, chick-lit reading. I liked that it wasn't sexed up.

The main characters are Lorna, a middle-aged single woman who works as a gardener, and Philly, who is in her early twenties who runs a plant nursery. Neither are particularly looking for love; Philly is busy with her plants and Lorna has a secret crush on her childhood friend Peter. But Peter is head over heels with new-love Kirstie who he met online and is much younger than him.

As the title suggests, the book is set around a particular garden though it does not appear until well over halfway through the story.

I found it a very gentle read and I generally prefer a bit more substance. I'd like to try another Katie Fforde book before making up my mind about this new-to-me author.

I've given this book 3*.

It's Always the Husband

I don't think I've ever read a girlie whodunnit/psychological thriller before but, having discovered It's Always the Husband I'm keen to find more in this genre. Particularly if they are written by Michele Campbell.

The book follows the lives of three university/college students: Aubrey, Jenny and Kate.

Aubrey comes from a poor family and feels she always has to work extra-hard to succeed. She is thrilled to be accepted by Jenny and Kate, both of whom have a higher social standing than her. Aubrey idolises Kate, who introduces her to partying with alcohol and drugs.

Jenny is well-off, sensible and ambitious. She is jealous of Aubrey's relationship with Kate; Jenny is always the one to come to Aubrey's rescue when the partying goes awry. Yet Aubrey clings to Kate being her very best friend and seems to take Jenny for granted.

Kate is the spoiled, rich, party girl who feels unloved and unwanted by her father and stepmother(s). She appears fun-loving and reckless but has a deeper, darker side to her.

The storyline kept me gripped. I tried to guess the victim and the murderer from the first page but completely failed on both counts. There are lots of twists and turns. I found it hard to put this book down.

I'm very happy to award it 5*.