Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman

The beginning may prove off-putting for some but persevere with this one.

Carefully crafted, it documents the  life of a quirky, original young woman emerging from a traumatic childhood deprived of love and details how, through another’s acts of kindness and consideration she is helped to overcome the effects of her past and is enabled to move forward.

“heartwarming”  “brilliant debut novel”  ” overwhelmingly poignant”  “highlights the importance of real  friendship”  I loved this well – written book”

” a miserable book – but I can’t say I wish I hadn’t read it” ,  “couldn’t put it down”.

Lady in Waiting
by Anne Glenconnor

Maid of Honor at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, and a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret until her death in 2002, 87 year old Anne’s memoir, full of royal secrets and candid anecdotes,  depicts a priviledged life of extraordinary drama  punctuated by tragedy.

“We were brought up not to throw in the towel but to bite bullets and fold towels neatly.” fairly sums up how she survived the tragic loss of two of her sons and her difficult 54- year marriage to the mentally unstable Colin Tennant AKA Lord Glenconner , who bought the Caribbean island of Mustique which became a favourite retreat for Anne’s childhood friend, and lifelong companion, Princess Margaret.

” an easy and enjoyable read”   ” a fascinating insight into how the aristocracy behaved”

” too much name-dropping”    “compelling”    ” a very interesting read”