Adult Fiction
The Sleeping and the Dead – Ann Cleeves
This book was published in 2001 and one of Ann Cleeves earlier books. During a hot summer, Cranwell Lake is at its lowest depth and as a local canoeist paddles in the lake she discovers a body. The body is of a teenager, Michael Grey, who was reported missing by his foster parents in 1972. DI Peter Porteous and his gruff sidekick are called in to investigate. After trailing through the missing persons list, they discover that Michael Grey has a very mysterious past. Alongside the investigation we meet Hannah Morton. Hannah is a local prison officer with a truculent teenage daughter and when she sees the news about Michael Grey’s body being found it brings up long buried memories from her past. Michael was her boyfriend and she appears to be the last person who saw him alive. Then another teenager disappears.
As with all Ann Cleeves’s books – there are many twists and turns. It kept me guessing till the end.
The Tarot Reader of Versailles – Anya Bergman
The cover of this book was the first thing that attracted me to the story and it is a very enthralling full of magic and history! Set in the early days of the French revolution, we meet Lenormand. She has an extraordinary power, she can commune with the dead but more importantly a well renowned tarot reader. Revolutionaries and the aristocracy alike come to her shop, late at night, to gain a tarot reading. She evens conducts a reading with Marie Antionatte, but Lenormand is plagued by bad dreams where she can see that fate of the Queen and her family. She meets Cat, from Ireland who has come to Paris for love – Thomas who has dreams of revolution. Cat herself has powers – she can read people’s past. The meeting of these two women makes for an electrifying connection.
This is a good historical novel – with a real feeling of the febrile atmosphere that Paris must have been like during the revolution.
Adult Non-Fiction
How to Make anything in a slow cooker – Hayley Dean
I love my slow cooker, especially for handy mid-week meals. This recipe book offers shortcut recipes for your slow cooker. There are over 100 brand new, very scrummy recipes. All laid out in a simple style with great pictures. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and by teatime, great meals await. From Steak Fajita pasta, my particular favourite mushroom stroga-gnocchi and of course white chocolate fudge.
One small step – Paul Sinton-Hewitt, as reviewed by Emilie Bioud, Keynsham Library Assistant
We have this book in the sport section but could have it in biography section as well. Paul Sinton-Hewitt is well-known, in 23 countries and by 400 000 runners who take part every Saturday morning to his event. First created in 2004, in Bushy Park, London (also called the Pilgrimage), Parkrun is a free weekly 5k you could run or walk, it takes place in local parks and run by volunteers.
In this book Paul looks back on his life, giving us an insight on his tough upbringing in South Africa, before he moved out to London. The book helps us understand the man he is, before it explains how, when he found himself unemployed, he decided to create a free weekly event for runners.
Parkrun is a very kind, friendly community that brings people together for a bit of fitness or help with their mental health.
There is one in Somerdale Pavilion, in Keynsham at 9 am every Saturday, they always welcome new runners and volunteers. Why not giving it a try?
The Perimenopause Survival Guide – Dr Heather Hirsch, as reviewed by Emilie Bioud, Keynsham Library Assistant
It is about time to address the elephant in the room. Half of the population is female, half will go through it, so why not try to understand better what it means to go through the menopause?
Feeling your mood is changing? your hair is thinning? You are having brain fog? You probably reached this phase of your life. Dr Heather Hirsch is the specialist on the subject, she guides you through the different stages, gives you the list of symptoms and explains how to live with it. I appreciated it simplicity and is approachable. The help she gives are always listed as: how to do it yourself, how to receive the help of supplements, and what are the heavier surgery procedures.
Children’s Fiction Picture Book
When Tad kicked Vlad – Julian Gough, as reviewed by Emile Bioud, Keynsham Library Assistant
On Tad’s birthday, Vlad, his best friend, eats the first piece of cake which makes Tad very angry.
He can’t control his anger and it will result in a worldwide chain of angry people kicking one another…
But what will happen next year at Tad’s birthday? To find out, read this picture book, laugh out loud to its craziness and discover how to overcome anger in the end. Ross Collins’s illustrations are delightful and will keep you busy for a while.
Library News
2026 is the national Year of Reading. Look out in all the local Libraries for some exciting displays and great book suggestions. As always there is so much going on in all our libraries, and it’s all free. Tuesday 9.30-10am & 10.30-11.00am term time only 0-5 years, for families with children, sing along at Baby Bounce and Rhyme, or get comfy whilst listening to stories at our ever-popular Storytime. Thursday at 10.30am at Keynsham Library – term time only and for 0-4 years.
Come along, with a cushion and listen to some fantastic new stories. For adults, we’ve got book clubs, writing classes, and much more throughout the year. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org.uk to also access thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, Audiobooks, and a wealth of other resources!
Our ‘Virtual Library’ has loads going on, including the latest library news, competitions, book reviews and, all our digital offers. Search ‘Bath and North East Somerset Libraries’ on social media or visit bathneslibraries.wordpress.com