Remainders of the Day

Remainders of the Day: More diaries from The Bookshop, Wigtown by Shaun Bythell continues the story of the life of a bookshop owner and his day to day routine. This volume covers the year from February 2016 to the beginning of February 2017 in which the author notes the day to day activities in running a bookshop and the people he encounters in the shop and online, buying or enquiring about books. Problems with Amazon also feature throughout the book.

Much of this volume describes the work involved in reviewing collections that people want to sell to the shop - unfortunately many books in these collections are books that people no longer want to read and consequently he does not need in the bookshop.

Wigtown in Scotland has many other bookshops as well as The Bookshop owned by Shaun. Books are an important part of the town including regular book festivals and book talks during the year. How the bookshop owners work together to promote this special feature of their community is described in the book.

Remainders of the Day is an amusing account of the life of a bookshop owner and his cat plus the people who visit The Bookshop.

When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole

Set in New Zealand, Ryan Bradley returns to the town where he grew up to work as a wool presser during the summer vacation. Ryan is studying Law at university and finds it difficult to readjust to life in a town where he is now considered an outsider. He also is haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen who disappeared a year ago. Then Sanna's sister, Emilia, turns up in the town wanting answers to questions about her sister's disappearance.

Sanna is not the only woman to have disappeared in the bush surrounding the town. Emilia is not convinced that every effort was put into discovering what happened to her sister. She wants Ryan to help her in the investigation.

When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole by Geoff Parkes is set in December 1981 and January 1983. In these time periods we learn of life in the town before and after Sanna disappeared and meet the locals who are in contention for being the main suspects. The New Zealand bush also features in the story and the reader will also learn much about the sheep industry as the crime is eventually solved.

The Enchanted Hour

Reading has been an important part of our family life. I always read to our boys from when they were babies and have continued the reading with our grandchildren. When our sons and the two grandchildren that we looked after regularly started reading I listened to them read and then read to them from a book written for an older age group. Over the years we have read a great variety of books and enjoyed many adventures through books. My grandson and I still read together when he visits us after school. We share the reading - he enjoys reading the dialogue - but recently he will take over the book and read it to me if it is one that really appeals to him.

 Consequently I looked forward to reading Meghan Cox Gurdon's book about the joys of reading out loud, The Enchanted Hour: the miraculous power of reading aloud in the age of distraction.. 

In this book the author stresses the importance of reading aloud to children from a young age. Information from research projects showing the advantages of reading to children from an early age compared with children who do not have books read to them is used to back up her theories. Reading aloud is particularly important in houses where family members are immersed with media on screens. The author also discusses the advantages of reading aloud to older people, either in a group or individually.

The Enchanted Hour is an interesting study of the history and science showing the importance of reading aloud. 

This book was one of three books selected as a possible title for the Monash Alumni Book Club in May-June 2025.

The Limestone Road

This was an appropriate book to read during the week before Anzac Day.  

The Limestone Road by Nicole Alexander is the story of Canning Christie and his father Michael as they try to make a new life for themselves after returning from serving in the Australian armed forces in North Africa during the Second World War. They were both injured during the same battle and repatriated home. The Australian Government had initiated a Soldier Settlement Scheme providing land for returned soldiers to farm. Canning and his father had acquired a property near Mount Gambier in South Australia.

Part of the property had been planted with tobacco plants which were ready to harvest. Michael quickly developed plans to increase the size of the plantation but Canning wanted to focus on the vineyard which was also established on their land. Initially they tried to work on both crops. 

For the first five years the land belonged to the government and there were many regulations that had to be observed. However it was also possible to have the assistance of Italian POWs, especially during harvest. This caused additional problems as both Canning and Michael had been fighting against Italian soldiers overseas. Canning also had assistance from Bastian who was avoiding authorities as during the First World War he had been interned because he was German and wanted to avoid that happening again.

The above issues affected the lives of both Canning and Michael as they attempted to adapt to living a life without war. Both the men had incurred severe physical injuries but they were both also suffering from shell shock, now referred to as PTSD. Canning, in particular, suffered from regular nightmares and, often, what  could be considered as ordinary incidents could aggravate past memories.

In The Limestone Road Nicole Alexander has written a moving historical fiction novel describing the challenges faced by many soldiers attempting to adapt to a 'normal' life after serving in wars overseas.

Look Closer

'Expect the unexpected' should be the warning placed on Look Closer, a crime novel by David Ellis. Whenever you think you have worked out what is going on you discover that the situation is very different. Basically, most of the characters are liars, leading double or more lives. The author is having a wonderful time playing games and providing puzzles for the reader to attempt to solve.

Simon leaves Lauren's house. She is dead. Who killed her? The plot in this crime novel is gradually revealed  in the stories of several main characters including Simon, Vicky, Lauren, Christian and Jane who is investigating the case. The story is also divided into sections - Halloween, Before Halloween and After Halloween. We also learn of events that occurred many years earlier. But who can be believed? What is the truth?

Although Jane believes she knows what happened will she ever be able to prove it? Is this the perfect crime? 

Look Closer was the book chosen for the Monash University Alumni Book Club in June 2025.

Reviews

Look Closer by David Ellis - Crime Fiction Critic

Look Closer by David Ellis - Criminal Element

Look Closer by David Ellis - D K Flynn 

Look Closer by David Ellis - Reading Reality

The Proof of My Innocence

Having completed her university studies Phyl decides to try her hand at writing a novel. The death of the friend of the family gives her a starting point however she is not sure what style she should use when writing the book. 

When writing The Proof of my Innocence, Jonathan Coe uses different forms of fiction writing to tell the story. Part One is written as a cosy crime mystery, part two is a dark academia story while part three is an essay in auto-fiction.

This novel is part crime novel and part satirical commentary on conservative politics in Britain and America. Much of the story centres around a far right conference that occurs during Liz Truss' short term as prime minister. A parallel story occurs during the 1980s at Cambridge University when some far right conservatives attempt to influence political decisions. 

At times it can be confusing following the many threads in the book especially when the last section twists the plot in another direction. There is definitely humour in sections and it is interesting being reminded of the tumult in British politics not long ago. The Proof of my Innocence explores attempts to work out what is happening in the present by also exploring events in the past.

Dark is the Grave

Duncan Bone is on sick leave recovering from his last case when a suspect detonated a bomb killing himself and injuring the detective. Although becoming physically fit again, Duncan Bone is still suffering from the effects of PTSD. His wife has left him and he is trying to gain permission to spend extra time with his son.

One morning he receives a recording showing the death of a young policewoman. The film brings back the trauma of his previous case locating the perpetrator of a series of police murders. He immediately takes the film to the police and is put back in charge of the case to find this copy cat murderer before more police are killed. There are a number of obvious suspects. It is obvious that the new killer knew the 'peek-a-boo' killer well but who is responsible? Duncan Bone and his team must quickly find who is responsible for the new murders and why the killings have recommenced.

Dark is the Grave by Scottish author T G Reid is the first book in the DCI Duncan Bone series. It is a fast paced murder mystery and I look forward to reading further books in the series.

Nesting

Ciara Fay, a young mother with two daughters, decides that she must leave her family home to escape from her abusive husband. Since her marriage she has been under her husband's control, has had no access to money except to purchase specific items, is not allowed contact with friends or family and has been prevented from returning to work. Her  husband does not help with the children's care or housework. Ryan has never hit Ciara or the children but he is verbally abusive, controlling and intimidates her psychologically and sexually. She also later discovers that he has placed an app on her phone so he always knows where she is.

Ciara has left home with the children before but was forced by Ryan to return. She is determined not to allow this to happen again. Finding suitable accommodation that she can afford is not easy and she spends nine months in housing accommodation where she needs to sign in each night to keep her room. However she does begin to make friends who help her and she finds temporary employment. However Ryan will not leave her alone and is determined to regain control.

In Nesting Irish author, Roisin O'Donnell has written a moving account of the difficulties faced by women if their marriage breaks down. She also writes about the difficulties of the homeless in finding accommodation and employment in Ireland.

Here one moment

It is an ordinary plane trip from Hobart to Sydney. The flight was delayed but once in the air all appears normal until a woman stands up and begins to walk slowly down the aisle giving each passenger a pronouncement as to how and when they will die. Most of the passengers are too surprised to take her predictions seriously and when the airline staff convince her to return to her seat she falls asleep. However, for many of the passengers the predictions cause anguish and fear, especially when three of the predictions appear to be true.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty provides chapters on how some of the passengers react to the predictions of their future. For some life continues as usual while for others it is an opportunity to change their lifestyle. The novel also provides background regarding the life of lady on the plane and how she came to be on that flight.

The novel examines the notion of free will and destiny as well as love and grief. Allusion is made to the concept that a small change such as a butterfly flapping its wings can cause catastrophe elsewhere - part of chaos theory. In this novel Liane Moriarty explores how some characters react to hearing of an unexpected event that may, or may not, affect their future.

 Dervla McTiernan Book club that isn't a book club book selection for November 2024.

No More Secrets

Carter Pierce runs the family property at Blue Moon. He reluctantly agrees to the visit of a journalist who wants to write a story about the property for a magazine as his mother feels that this is a great opportunity to promote the property. However he is not prepared for the changes that will occur in his life when Summer Lentz arrives to write her story. 

There is an instant attraction between Carter and Summer, however both Carter and Summer have secrets they are reluctant to reveal. As their relationship develops they realise they must be honest with each other if the relationship is to become permanent. They also discover that their attempts to keep their relationship secret are futile, especially when they are living in a community that thrives on gossip.

No More Secrets by Lucy Score is a cozy, romantic comedy with emphasis on romance. The reader is introduced to a range of sometimes eccentric characters (animals as well as people) living at Blue Moon who will feature in future books in the Blue Moon Series.