Local authors: Kirstie Pelling - "The Happiness Project"

 

Kirstie Pelling's second novel, hot off the press: "The Happiness Project" is now available on Amazon, in paperback and Kindle format. Kirstie's first novel was such a good read that we have no hesitation in recommending this one - why not add it to your Christmas present list, or treat a friend to a copy? 

Local authors: Kirstie Pelling - "Life's a Catastrophe"

 

We love reading books and finding new authors to talk about, and when it's someone we know from our village it's even better!  So can we introduce you to Kirstie Pelling's new novel, hot off the press: "Life's a Catastrophe".  It's funny, it's romantic, it has cats, and it's a will they... won't they... sort of tale (or should that be tail?!)  The story is quirky, lots of amusing moments, some "oh gosh" moments when Aly did something that didn't seem like a good idea (we can all be wise from a distance or in hindsight eh?!), and overall it was well-written and an easy comfortable read. I'm looking forward to seeing what Kirstie's next book, due in November, is.

P.S. Villagers with long memories may recall her amusing articles for Burton News too.

Buy now from Amazon

Local Authors: Alan Hubbard - "I'm Alan Hubbard, Who Are You?"

 

 

I've known Alan Hubbard for a long time, he's a near neighbour of ours, so when I heard that he has written his life story, "I'm Alan Hubbard, who are you?" I felt I had to read it. The book is a chunky tome: some 337 pages, and is peppered with an assortment of colour and black and white photographs illustrating Alan's life.

The introduction to the book says, "Growing up during the second world war in Salford, being at the same school as actor Albert Finney and artist Harold Riley, a climbing contemporary of Joe Brown, Don Whillans and Chris Bonington – none of whom knew him, Alan Hubbard tells his own story of a nobody. It spans eight decades and counting of turbulent change. Status, wealth, letters after names, reputations don’t automatically impress him – respect must be earned. Politicians and public school alumni are treated with suspicion but not written off. Authority has its place but not necessarily over him. A free spirit has his say."

That, as anyone who knows Alan will agree, sums him up nicely. He's an opinionated octogenarian who has seen much, done more, and lived a life full of challenge and adventure. From the poignancy of his childhood with a widowed mother and his siblings, to the challenge of scaling Lumpy Ridge in Colorado, via a wartime childhood in the bombsites of Salford and being offered a trial at Darwen FC as a teenager, his life was never dull. He saw from a young age the unfairness caused by wealth and privilege, along with the benefit of hard work and a determined attitude, which helped shape his political views - views which he is never shy of sharing with anyone and everyone.

It's a fascinating book - I picked it up and browsed the first page or so to get a feel for it, and before I realised it I was at the end of the first chapter - each time I had a coffee break I picked it up and read another chapter, immersing myself in a life well-lived and well-remembered. I can highly recommend it as a very good read, regardless of whether or not you agree with him politically.

You can buy direct from Alan via his website I'm Alan Hubbard, Who Are You? or online from Waterstones Books. 

Diary of a Border Collie Pup - local book

Book: Diary of a Border Collie Pup
by Elaine and Edd Hindson

If you have ever wanted to understand what a Border Collie pup thinks, this is the book for you!

The answers are all here in this enchanting diary, as this wee pup gets to know the village and meets lots of new friends on his walks with Edd.

Available now from Amazon: £3.99 in paperback