I'm on a diet! Botheration - there I've said it - it's out there publicly. Grrr! I love food and hate diets. So why? Well, the obvious reason is there is more of me than there used to be hence I can't fit most of my wardrobe plusI know there are health issues in the... Continue Reading →
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon – a Book Review
Well this was an absolute joy of a book. Set in the heatwave of 1976 on a claustrophic middle class housing estate, we meet the neighbours who live in The Avenue through the eyes of two young girls who decide their summer holiday project will be 'looking for God'. Firstly the era was captured perfectly:... Continue Reading →
‘Where the light fell’ by Philip Yancey – a review
Philip Yancey is possibly one of the most well know Christian writers in my life time. With a huge back catalogue of best-selling books such as 'Disappointment with God', 'The Jesus I never knew' and 'What's so amazing about Grace?' he has done more than many to drag the hardest questions of life and faith... Continue Reading →
‘Finding the Still Point’ and ‘Streams in a Dry Land’ – Two book recommendations
This book is brilliant! It was brilliant in 2010 when it was already old and possibly out of print but I've just re-read it and want to point to it again. Just to say it is one of the most helpful, practical and yet also deeply spiritual books I've ever read. Here is the review... Continue Reading →
The Gifts – Book Review
It's a really scary thing to write a book, especially a fictional book. It's like opening a door in your mind and letting everyone see inside! So I am full of admiration for my friend Cathy Hemsley who has published this story, which you can buy here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gifts-Cathy-Hemsley/dp/B0962N5GRJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T3CL2SJ0Q01B&dchild=1&keywords=the+gifts+cathy+hemsley&qid=1628244016&sprefix=The+Gifts+Cathy%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1 It's a fantasy type story in that... Continue Reading →
Inward Change
Part book review (The Midnight Library by Matt Haig) part reflection on finding yourself in a new location. When it comes to moving, I do have fair amount of experience: I think I moved 5 times before the age of 10, most of which were over thousands of miles and since we've been married we... Continue Reading →
10 Reasons why the world is better than you think
This is a review of the book Factfulness by Hans Rosling which was published in 2018. But if ever there was a time to read this book it is NOW! Yes, okay, it was written pre-pandemic, but it addresses 10 of our most basic human instincts and why, if we trust our instincts rather than... Continue Reading →
Dang! It got me on the last page
I have just finished reading this book. It's a Lent book so I am a bit ahead of myself but having recently re read all the Gospels I have realised afresh the centrality of the cross in the Christian faith. That sounds a bit ridiculous, you'd think it would be obvious that the cross is... Continue Reading →
Giving up fear for Lent?
This week we have entered Lent, the 40 day period leading up to Easter when we remember that Jesus went into the wilderness. Traditionally Christians are called to give up stuff that’s bad for us and we tend to think of abstinence from indulgences such as sugar, chocolate, alcohol or even coffee. But what if... Continue Reading →
A Manual for Heartache – Book Review
This is an extraordinarily good book. Practical and direct but overflowing with compassion Cathy Rentzebrink will gently talk you through how you can be kind to yourself when overwhelmed by grief. And she should know. Her 'back story' is of surviving a devastating and protracted loss which began in her teens when her brother, to... Continue Reading →