I can't remember how I stumbled across this short 1920s classic about a group of four women who rent a castle in Italy for a holiday. I also didn't realise that there is a film version, which I now want to see. Well written and an enjoyable read.
**** 4 stars
Book 32 - Oxford (Jan Morris)
After a run of reading about Jan Morris (here and here) I read one of her classic books about a beloved city. Her style is a distinctive mix of erudite and personal, and takes a wide sweep over the history and "personality" of the city. I spent seven years at school in Oxford (high school, not university) so this had added appeal to me as a description of a place I know well.
**** 4 stars
Book 33 - Everywoman (Jess Phillips) [Audible]
Jess Phillips is a UK Labour Member of Parliament, a mother, an outspoken Brummie, and formerly worked with women escaping domestic abuse. I am not a Labour supporter - politically I swither between the Liberal Democrats and the Greens - but would be very happy to have Jess as my MP. Her book is a mix of autobiography and personal take on issues facing women. I very much enjoyed listening to it, particularly as she read it herself which gave the audio book extra authenticity.
**** 4 stars
Book 34 - Never Too Late to Go Vegan: The Over-50 Guide to Adopting and Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet (Carol J Adams, Patti Breitman, Ginny Messina)
My run of four star books (all of them probably more of a four-and-a-half) came to an end with this book. After doing Veganuary (going vegan for January) I was an over-50 still experimenting with plant-based eating so picked this up on Kindle. I don't remember any details but the title is self-explanatory!
*** 3 stars
Book 35 - The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More than Anything You Can Buy in a Store (Cait Flanders)
Another book I read hoping to inspire my inner minimalist. One day my inner minimalist will finally escape and get rid of all the clutter that bogs her down; until then I keep reading books and blogs. Somehow I fail to realise that reading and doing are not the same thing! This didn't inspire me and hasn't stuck in my mind, possibly because I didn't find it particularly relatable. Barely three stars.
*** 3 stars
