May started with a long weekend in Cornwall where husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. We stayed at the lovely Talland Bay Hotel, on the coast between Polperro and Looe, and enjoyed scenic walks in sunny weather. As well as the hotel review, I posted about this holiday through the lens of my teddy bear, Edward.
While in Cornwall we ran our usual parkrun. We have been enjoying a good deal of parkrun tourism recently. I posted run reports from: Lanhydrock and Andover. The other locations were return visits.
Another return was to take part in the Corsham 10k, a fabulous local race. Daughter and I ran this a couple of years ago. This time husband and elder son joined us – no records were set but we all enjoyed taking part.
Elder son celebrated his birthday this month and we had a lovely family oriented weekend including cake baking and dinner out at a local Italian restaurant.
The weather has mostly been fine so I have been out on my bike as well as on runs. I’m also trying hard to get to the gym a couple of times a week for strength training. With my daily walks it sometimes feels a bit much – perhaps I need to set priorities in what I wish to achieve and seek better balance. I exercise to help my mental health as much as physical so do not wish it to become a source of anxiety.
I posted reviews for 6 books in May, a mix of new publications and titles from my TBR shelves. These proved a mixed bag but I heartily recommend Water in the Desert, Fire in the Night and Heart Lamp.
To read my thoughts on each book you may click the title below.
Fiction
A Stranger City by Linda Grant, published by Virago
Water in the Desert, Fire in the Night by Gethan Dick, published by Tramp Press
The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett, published by Orion
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta, published by 4th Estate
Translated fiction
Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (translated by Deepa Basthi), published by And Other Stories
Non fiction
All of Us Atoms by Holly Dawson, published by Canongate
Sourcing the books
As well as a book I was eager to read, I received a couple of surprises in the post that I will try to get to in a more timely manner than I sometimes manage.
As ever I wish to thank all who send me their books to review – the arrival of book post remains a cheering event in my day.
My thanks also to those who share my words across their social media platforms – whichever ones you are now using – your support is always appreciated. I am no longer on Twitter but you may find me on Instagram and Threads.
And to everyone reading this, I wish you and yours good health and fine days. May the coming month be kind to you, and may you find many good books to read.
