Lexi Rees's Blog

We often tell kids how important it is to read books that open up new worlds—stories that reflect different lives, voices, and experiences. My absolute top pick so far this year is We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (please read this!), and I enjoyed The Hair Dare by Faith Knight (see my interview with the author here). But I believe if we want young readers to explore beyond the familiar, we’ve got to lead the way. Plus of course reading diversely isn’t just good for children—it’s good for all of us. So although my blog usually focuses on kids books, every now and then I sneak in a grown up book. This is one of these times.

As well as being by a black author, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association by Ola Awonubi is also the first book positioned as a Christian read that I’ve picked up. I’m not particularly religious myself, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when a book has a faith-based back story but it is naturally woven into the themes about family and Nigerian culture. And the main character is older – what a treat to not be reading a romcom with a 30-year-old lead!

I remember being deeply frustrated by Tess of the d’Urbervilles which I read for one of my A-level English texts as she was so passive to “fate”, and I feel that the family pressures here are sort of similar in a way – actually I really want to debate this with my bookish buddies as I suspect it will split opinions, and it’s certainly not an obvious comparison. This need to discuss is the mark of a great book to my mind!

So what did I think? It’s interesting, well written, great characters, and thought provoking, and here is a competition (UK only) to win a copy for yourself. Good luck!

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association (Open to UK only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494619/?

Blurb

Friendships – fantastic. Family – getting better. Career – promotion on the cards.

Romance – *seriously delayed*

Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, have anything to say about it.

She might love her job, have great friends, and even own her own home, but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50. Not wanting to turn into a bitter aunty herself, Sade knows it’s time to get serious, but the options aren’t looking great – zero potential at church, work or in her social life.

What if her prayers for the perfect man have got lost? Or maybe Sade’s happy-ever-after is right on time…

Author Bio

Ola Awonubi is an award-winning author, creative writing tutor, and speaker, known for her compelling storytelling that bridges cultures and histories. Born in London to Nigerian parents, she spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK, where she pursued her passion for writing.

At the age of 40, Ola rekindled her dream of becoming a writer and earned an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East London. Her talent quickly gained recognition—her short story The Pink House won first prize in the National Words of Colour competition (2008), and The Go-Slow Journey secured first prize in the fiction category of Queen Mary Wasafiri’s New Writing Prize (2009). She was also honored with the Best Author CA Award (2019).

Ola has authored eight books, including Love’s Persuasion, Love Me Unconditionally, and the anthology Naija Love Stories. Her historical fiction novel, A Nurse’s Tale, published by One More Chapter Books (HarperCollins) in July 2023, became a bestseller in Canada, earning a spot on The Globe and Mail’s historical fiction chart. It was also recognized by the Brown Girl Collective as a favorite historical fiction book of 2024.

Her upcoming romantic comedy, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association, is set for release in Summer 2025, as part of a two-book deal. She is also working on a Jane Austen adaptation set in Lagos, currently under consideration by publishers and agents.

Beyond her writing, Ola is a creative writing tutor and speaker, sharing her expertise at prestigious events such as the Black British Book Festival, Meet-Cute Romance Festival, and London Festival of Writing. She will also be speaking at The London Writers Festival, Jericho Writers Conference, inspiring aspiring authors with her insights on storytelling, publishing, and book marketing.

Ola’s work has been featured in Afreada, Brittle Paper, Story Time, Woven Tale Press, and NaijaStories.com, with over 15 short stories published across various literary platforms.

Through her Substack newsletter, “The Resilient Writer,” she provides actionable writing guidance, digital resources, and industry insights, helping fellow creatives refine their craft and build their author brands.

True story. My dad used to work in wildlife conservation and was once called out because a man was being harassed by a pigeon. It would wait for the poor chap to come out of his house and then start attacking his head. He had to wear a hat. It would even follow him in the car and attack him again when he got out at the end of his journey. On that basis, Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knows him) being picked on by a chicken is entirely plausible. And if you have a chicken (or pigeon) on your head, you might very well fall down a hole. So Tucker’s Time Machine Telescope is practically a true story.

This is the fourth (I think) book by Robin Bennett I’ve reviewed, and I’m always delighted when an invitation to review one pops into my inbox. Like his other books, it’s a snappy fun read. Here is a typical bit that made me smile:

‘the flapping chicken wings in his face meant he couldn’t see the small hole left by workers in the middle of the pavement.

Luckily he missed it.

Unluckily, there was a much larger hole right next to it.’

Cue an eclectic set of adventures for Tucker (and the chicken).

Perfect for independent reading but, since I promise you’ll enjoy it as much as the kids, this would be a great book to read aloud.

Blurb

Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knows him) is walking innocently down the street when he is attacked by a chicken and falls down a hole. Unlikely as it sounds, this is how he ends up finding the Time Machine Telescope.

Unfortunately, Tucker seems to attract chaos and bad luck the same way that someone standing on top of a mountain waving a metal pole will eventually attract lightning and a free Xray.

Can he survive killer robots, Tudor kings, dinosaurs … and Kylo Hens long enough to complete his Time Machine Wish List

There’s only one way to find out…

About the author

When Robin grew up he thought he wanted to be a cavalry officer until everyone else realised that putting him in charge of a tank was a very bad idea. He then became an assistant gravedigger in London. After that he had a career frantically starting businesses (everything from dog-sitting to cigars, tuition to translation)… until finally settling down to write improbable stories to keep his children from killing each other on long car journeys.

Since my dad is currently considering a cochlear implant, I was keen to chat to the author, Helen Dunlap Newton, about her new book ‘Careful What You Hear’ which is currently on tour. You can read reviews on these other blogs, or scroll down to hear what the author had to say and a competition (sorry, it’s just for US readers) …

Blurb

After a surgical mix-up gave 13-year-old Noah Baker mind reading powers, he becomes a spy tasked with stopping the bad guys. Ever since he accidentally got an experimental cochlear implant, Noah and his secret agent partner, Lena, have been going on secret missions for the government. Now, they’re in for a reward for all their hard work—Space Camp! But all is not as it seems. When Noah accidentally overhears thoughts that reveal a plot to steal top secret plans from nearby Redstone Arsenal, he must make a choice.

A quick fire chat with the author

1. If you could chose any superpower, what would it be? Flying! I used to have dreams as a kid that I could fly.

2. What would be the worst thought you could imagine overhearing? The worst thoughts would be finding out someone I thought was my friend had terrible thoughts about me.

3. Do you have any personal experience with hearing loss (adults or children) that you drew on? Yes. There was a family in my childhood church. The husband and wife were both deaf but their children could hear. They were precious people and I was fascinated with how they communicated. I also had several students who were deaf and have friends who have cochlear implants.

4. If not, how did you ensure an authentic portrayal of hearing loss? Even with the experiences I described above, I also did extensive research.

5. Did you use/ consider using a sensitivity reader? Yes, I interviewed two people who have cochlear implants. In CAREFUL WHAT YOU HEAR, I introduced a character who is from the Lenape (Delaware) tribe. My husband is part Delaware and I have a friend who is Delaware. All of these people were sensitivity readers of my manuscript.

5. Are there more in the series planned? I am working on the third and final novel in the series. It does not have a title yet.

Giveaway to Win a $15 IndieBound e-gift card (to buy books with) (Open to US Only)*Terms and Conditions –US entries welcome. 

Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494607/?

About the Author

Award-winning author Helen Dunlap Newton is a veteran middle grade language arts teacher and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Both Night of the Amber Moon and Do You Hear What I Hear? were finalists for the Oklahoma Book Award and received the Creative Women of Oklahoma Award. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, music, and helping her husband care for backyard chickens and an energetic Australian shepherd in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

There have been a lot of fairy tale retellings over the past few years, but I don’t recall seeing a fable retelling recently and I’m delighted to be invited to review this picture book of the Hare and the Tortoise revived: The Great Race.

The writing has a traditional storyteller feel to it, very similar to the Sussex Folk Takes by Michael O’Leary that I read myself a few years ago where I felt myself sitting around a campfire listening to others sharing tales. Given the volume of text and the writing style, I think this book does lend itself to being read aloud.

There are plenty of learnings woven into the narrative (hares vs rabbits, turtles vs tortoises, solitary animals etc) which is great for sparking discussions, and is done in a fun way.

I was a bit puzzled when I first opened this as there seemed to be random words in different colours and underlined, and I wondered if I’d been sent an unedited proof copy, but then I realised it was a vocab trick highlighting particular words and phrases and then echoing them back in simpler English. Never seen this done before but presumably it’s a tried and tested tool from the authors educator background. So I’m not surprised to see a little test sneak in at the end!

Note: British readers may struggle with some of the phrases – “slowpoke” is used repeatedly, which I googled to double check was the same as “slowcoach” (it is).

Giveaway to Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and e-copy of The Great Race (Open INT)

The author is running a little competition. You can enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494604/?

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Blurb

Get Ready, Set, Go!

Who will win the race? Slow and steady or fast and reckless? 

The Great Race is the first bedtime story in the delightful Return to Fable Land series – modern day fables with magical animal adventures, humorous fantasy action, and whimsical ‘talking’ characters with attitude and smarts, engage the imagination and stimulate the intellect, empowering children to go for a personal best. Ages 5 +

Author Bio

Sun Chara has collaborated with her brother, writing as Joe Happy-Light, on several children’s books for Return to Fable Land series. With the authors’ collective backgrounds in education, entertainment, medicine, and martial arts, combined with their entrepreneurial spirit, The Great Race, the first modern day fable in the series.

I stumbled across The Hair Dare as it was part of a collection also featuring one of my books, and I do like to browse the rest of the collection.

The blurb is below for more details, but in a nutshell, the twins are identical except for their hair (one straight, one Afro), so when one enters a shampoo competition for a brand that only uses straight-haired models, the other enters too but is immediately rejected, so then starts a campaign to raise awareness of the discrimination.

I loved the way it introduces big topics in an accessible way: sibling rivalry, recognising true friends, discrimination, and active campaigning. With those themes, this could easily have become a bitter and angry story, but it isn’t. It’s upbeat and positive. Quite an achievement in itself, plus the plot itself is catchy and engaging so the story is not swamped by “issues”. Oh, and I absolutely adore the cover!

Blurb

Are You Hip to Hairism? Camille and Mavis Marconi are identical twins with un-identical hair. Camille wears hers straight while Mavis prefers an Afro, and in 1973 your hairstyle can say a lot about you.

Mavis believes a shampoo company’s model search for straight-haired girls discriminates against Afros so she sets out to prove it by entering the contest. Of course, Camille thinks her sister is tripping, so when Herbal Excellence chooses her as a finalist and not Mavis, the debate of duplicates is on!

The girls disagree on just about everything, including whether Julius Barron, the love of Camille’s life, will notice that she’s alive if she wins. In an effort to prove to Camille that hairstyles can influence how people perceive you, Mavis convinces her twin to switch places in school only to discover that ‘hairism’ not only affects their classmates, but misconceptions based on appearances can have unexpected effects.

Interview with the author

I was so impressed I reached out to the author, Faith Knight, for a quick chat to find out more.

Q: Thanks for stopping by, Faith. Please could you introduce yourself as I suspect most of my readers won’t know you.

A: Hello, my name is Faith Knight and I’m the author of several young adult and middle grade novels, my most recent being The Hair Dare. I started writing as a child, inspired by my cousin and legendary children’s book author the late Virginia Hamilton. I published my first book in 2009. It was a self-help dating book! My second self-help book, The Real Book on How to Cook, won the African American Literary Award for Best Cookbook of 2013. I’m actually changing my author name to FM Knight instead of Faith Knight going forward. You’d be surprised how many Faith Knights there are in the US so my books get lost on the Internet, so I felt I needed a name that would stand out from the crowd. 

Q: That makes sense. So, what inspired you to write The Hair Dare?

A: The reason I wrote The Hair Dare is addressed in a post I did a while ago on my TikTok, The Real Knight Author. Growing up in New Castle, Pennsylvania USA, there were a set of twins who lived up the street and though they were not identical, as in my book, they fussed a lot. So I thought it might be fun to write a book set in that time period (the 1970s) featuring twins who argued all the time. And over the years people have always laughed at my snarky attitude so I wanted to try my hand at a humorous book.

Q: The end of the book seems to indicate this is not the end of Camille and Mavis’ story. Is a sequel coming?

A: Yes! I am plotting book two now but not sure when it will be completed; I hope to get it out next year.

Q: Have you done any school visits? This book would be great for school discussions.

A: No, not yet. The book released this past March so it’s not been out a long time and I have been focused on promotions as well as working on other books, but it’s on my to-do list. I am going to New Castle in August to participate in a discussion of the book at the local library, so I am excited about that.

Q: Thanks! Good luck with the sequel and the library visit. I have to say, personally, I would love to see this used in classrooms as it has scope to spark so many conversations.

About the Author

Faith (FM) Knight is the author of several middle grade and young adult books. Her debut YA,  As Gray As Black & White, was well-received by both readers and industry reviewers. She lives in North Carolina USA with her husband, and when she is not writing she enjoys cooking, sewing and Bible education. You can find her @therealknightauthor on Instagram.

I recently did a list of my fav travel adventure books, including my review of “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats. If you read that blog, you’ll recall I accidentally started to read “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” first. Well with such ridiculously long titles, it’s easy to get confused.

Anyway, back over to Bavaria (and other places). As I said, there is absolutely no need to read the books in order as they are completely standalone. And as it turns out, there is no need to even read them in chapter order as I hopped back and forth happily!

This is a bit like reviewing a second Bill Bryson book. You know exactly what you’re getting: short snappy scenes, funny encounters, and a faintly self-depreciating sense of humour. It worked for “Rio” and it works for “Bavaria” (if you think I’m typing those titles in full again, think again.)

Oh and I think I have a new motto for life: what do I want to be able to say if asked if I would rather a) sit on a bar stool, or b) dance (badly) with the mafia? Show me the dance floor every time.

Enjoy the adventure. I did.

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

If I could only read one genre for the rest of my life, it would be travel-adventure. I just devour these. It doesn’t matter where or how, I’ll read it. My favourite recent reads have been “Coffee first, then the world” by Jenny Graham – a record breaking solo lap of the planet by bike (and I don’t even cycle), “Ignore the Fear: one woman’s paddle boarding adventure” by Fiona Quinn – a LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) paddle, “Retirement Rebel” by Siobhan Daniels – moving to van life, “From East to West by saddle is best” by Claire Aldritt – a journey across the Scottish Highlands by Horseback, and “Coasting” by Elise Downing. In fact the only one I did not enjoy was the best-selling “Salt Path” by Gaynor Winn – I cannot approve of anyone who thinks it is acceptable to steal from small campsites and small shops, or who thinks living in a council estate would kill her. That makes my blood boil.

Anyway, back to the travel books. In my book group, someone recently asked about funny travel-adventure, and I could only think of “Around Ireland with a Fridge” by Tony Hawkes, so when I was invited to join the book tour for “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” and “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats, I was keen.

I started with “Rio” (seriously I am not typing that long title again!) and the entire first chapter was admonishing me for not reading book 1 first. Ahaha I thought, setting it aside and picking up “Bavarian nightclub” (ditto). This did not lecture me on reading the books in order so I plunged in. Turns out this is Book 3 in the series. I think. I’m still confused. Perhaps the author doesn’t like typing the titles in full which is why he calls then just Book 1 and Book 2 and Book 3.

So I’ve been asked to review “Rio” first. Which might be Book 2. Thankfully, it turns out there is absolutely no need to read them in order, they are perfectly standalone. And funny. I think travel humour can tread a fine line between being rude/ stereotyping, and this stays on the right side. There’s a super balance of people stories and location insights, perfect for lazy travelling, and after reading so many challenge based travel books recently, I’m definitely in the mood for something a bit lazy!

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

A final thought from me

Oh, and I just remembered laughing at “Twitchhiker” by Paul Smith – a challenge to travel to the other side of the world for free using only the power of Twitter. That makes ten.

I’d originally invited the author, Genna Rowbotham, onto my blog to chat about the inspiration behind her new book, Neptune’s Secret Code, but her circumstances changed. In the meantime, I thought I’d share a quick review since I’m currently on holiday sailing and a nautical themed book seems appropriate!

From the start of the adventure, I loved The Magician’s Nephew (CS Lewis, Narnia prequel) reference with the rock pool being the portal. I often talk about the use of portals during school visits and discuss the change from the very complex rings/ pools in The Magician’s Nephew to the simpler (and way more famous) wardrobe.

Anyway, once through into Neptune’s world, there is a LOT going on: mermaids, monsters, secret codes, and the book fairly races through the events so if your young reader is action-focused this will absolutely tick the box.

As an author, I find myself wondering how I would use book during school visits, and for me, I’d probably pick one of the many themes and explore that. There is obviously a strong underling theme of overcoming fears, in this case of the sea following a scary incident which is revealed as the book progresses. This is such a useful discussion topic for any child, whether it is the sea, the dark, spiders, or in my case being locked in a cupboard (thanks to the daughter of one of my mum’s friends who shall remain nameless!).

Blurb

An Undersea Adventure filled with Magic, Friendship, and Bravery!

When Hannah is sucked into a vicious whirlpool in her effort to rescue kitten Leo, she finds herself entering Neptune’s Undersea Kingdom where she reawakens terrifying sea monsters from the depths of the sea. 

The trouble is… Hannah is unable to return home until she’s overcome her fear of the water, defeated the sea monsters, and solved the code that she broke upon entering Neptune’s Kingdom.

With the help of her new friend, Marcie the Mermaid, will Hannah succeed?

COMPETITION TIME: Giveaway to Win One signed copy of Neptune’s Secret Code  and One signed copy of Lottie the Ladybird’s Adventure  (Open to UK Only)

Enter here, good luck! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494592/

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

About the author

Genna Rowbotham started her career as a secretary and has since founded GR Typing Services, an online secretarial business. Inspired by her children, in 2017, she wrote her first story and is now the author of ten books as well as a short story published in the magazine, Brilliant Brainz. Genna has a passion for writing stories that entertain, educate and inspire young ones so they can escape the seriousness of life and enter a world of magic.

She lives with her husband and lively, imaginative daughters in Derbyshire in a house full of books, magazines and all sorts of artwork from her children (empty cereal boxes are often taken from the recycle bin to reinvent something wonderful like a spy camera or a telescope). When Genna’s not writing, she loves reading, star gazing, movie nights, and exploring the great outdoors with her family. You can find 

I’m always asked by students what my favourite book is, and I always stress I read voraciously and widely, so the answer takes a bit of time, and varies. Having just been asked this question 18 million times in World Book Week, I thought I’d share my last holiday reading pile.

The Man who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2) by Richard Osman. I just love this series. Am reading them all out of order as I was given a copy of book 3 first. I passed this on to an elderly relative called Joyce (coincidence – how many book characters are there called Joyce?) who lives in a retirement village (double coincidence). I’m pretty sure that copy will do the rounds until it falls apart!

Night Music by JoJo Moyes. This is on audio and the narration is great, but I haven’t finished it yet so no plot spoilers. Listening to it at 1.2x speed. Does anyone else always listen to a slightly faster narration?

Barefoot Britain by Anna McNuff. I’ve heard Anna speak at an Adventure Queens book club event and she’s a bit bonkers which makes for a fun, slightly chaotic trip. I’m officially adopting the phrase “adventure pace” to describe my own sloooow running – it sounds so much more fun than just being ridiculously slow.

Coffee First, Then The World by Jenny Tough. Tough by name, tough by nature. Crikey this woman is impressive! Also an audio book – narrated by Jenny herself which I always find adds an extra connection to the story for me, particularly for non fiction.

Kevin the Vampire by Matt Brown. I’m writing a funny vampire story for kids so this was sort of for research purposes – I wanted to see how “vampiry” chapter books got. I’m not talking blood-sucking monsters, but I wondered if other authors incorporated just a touch of scare. The answer, in this case, is no.

And finally, A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope. I’m reading this as part of a book tour. I know I normally review kids books, but this is perfect light holiday reading, plus it has dogs, and rescue dogs at that. What more could I want? There is a bit of drama putting the future of the centre in jeopardy and, of course, a romance with a touch of conflict, but for me the absolute stars of the show were the dogs: they were all such big characters, and I felt they were based on real dogs. Then I got to the end of the book and discovered the author’s connection to a rescue centre, so now I’m sure all their back stories are true. Which makes it all the more heartwarming. Then I realised this is Book 3 in a series (it totally stands on its own) so now I’m off to read books 1 and 2. And now I realise I seem to be making a habit out of starting with book 3!

Since this is a tour, I’m going to include a bit more info than the other books above, also, the author is less well known and deserves a bit more recognition!

Blurb

There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends. But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here. Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs’ home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried. Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?

About the author

Sarah has been dreaming up stories ever since she was a child. She remembers many a family stroll when she’d daydream up her next story adventure.

As an adult, she prefers to write romance novels and novellas with a Happy Ever After ending. She has two main romance series, the Escape To… series that focuses on single mums taking a chance and fulfilling their career dreams as well as finding love, and The Cornish Bakery series, that follows a busy bakery in a beautiful fictional bay in Cornwall.

Sarah Hope lives in Central England with her two children and an array of pets and enjoys escaping to the seaside at any opportunity.

I have a special bookcase for my ‘permanent collection’ – the books I go back to over and over again – and it’s impossible to narrow then down to my absolute favourite (a question I’m asked at every single school visit I do), but for a fun comfort read, I’m going to go with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I’m sure you know it: “So long, and thanks for all the fish” and the answer is 42 etc; but just incase, in a nutshell, Arthur Dent, in his dressing gown, gets whisked onto a spaceship when Earth is demolished for a hyperspace bypass. Luckily, he has his towel with him.

I vividly recall stumbling across the radio series on my way home from school one day in the 1980s. My dad and I sat in the car outside the house laughing our heads off so it has happy family memories, and it still makes me laugh. I listened to the rest of the series on the radio, then got a copy from the library. My own well-read copy is from 1992.

By the way, I also love the 2005 movie version – no book vs. movie arguments from me. It probably won’t surprise anyone, but Red Dwarf is my comfort comedy TV series. I can quote huge chunks from memory. Given this, why I haven’t written a sci-fi comedy is a complete mystery.

Luckily, I don’t have to write one, because Claire Fayers has done it for me. I’m a huge fan of hers and over the past few years have recommended Storm Hound to many young readers. So I was very excited to hear about Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine.

And I was even more honoured to be asked to provide a quote for the cover, and receive a shiny proof copy. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a proof copy and a final published book is, this is it. Actually I love the proof cover, but the colour on the final cover really makes it zing.

Anyway, here is what I wrote for the publisher to pick an extract from to use on the cover.

Pack your towel, we’re off on a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy style adventure! As always, Fayers has created a totally unique world, and populated it with a fabulous collection of weird and wacky characters from lobster mobsters to talking plants. It’s fast and funny, with a message on our responsibility for the environment, plus I reckon it’s a great way to start conversations with any young readers trying to understand the devastating impact of dementia.

Lexi Rees review of Tapper Watson

So what did they use? Here it is on the cover!

What do you get when you cross Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy with The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman? Tapper Watson. I’m going to put this down for my 2023 book of the year. Enjoy!