26a by Diana Evans *** Found in Honiton station .

26a

Trigger warning: This book contains child abuse and death.

This book starts at the end...that is the end that comes from the beginning.

Set in Neasden in the 1980s, it had a sentimental feel for me as a child of the '80s. The references resonated with me and my childhood/teens. 

26a is many stories in one, from the struggles of 15 year old Ida in Nigeria to the intense-yet-precious relationship between twins Bessi and Georgia Hunter.

This book was a 'creeper' - it was a sluggish start, but once into the complex world woven by Diana Evans it gripped me and I really couldn't put it down. And then I found it a hard world to come away from. The Hunter family became part of my life for some time after. I often find myself thinking of them to this day.

It is safe to say that the characters created by Diana entered my heart in a deep way, they mattered to me!

Without giving too much away, I would like to add that the perception and description of depression in this book is insightful, and possibly curious. But certainly heartfelt. 

I would recommend this to anyone. (though please check the trigger warning).

If you are reading this on a train, beware of part 2 - There were tears (mine), more than once.

Be prepared, bring a hanky. 

Well that's it for now, as always please leave your comments below. Tell me what you think about 26a, leave it in a station, and let us know where. 

Don't forget to join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FreeBooksToshare/

Shanghai Baby found in Axminster Train Station.

Shanghai Baby by Wei Hui

I picked this book up at Axminster Train Station (surprisingly!)
I had heard of this book, mainly because it was banned in China when it was first written. But I was busy being 'young free and single' when it came out, and somehow it never made it onto my read list.

This is a love story...or many love stories perhaps.

The main character is Coco, a young writer in Shanghai. Coco left journalism to work as a waitress, this is where she met Tian Tian.
Tian Tian is an artist, and rather a lost soul, like an abandoned child, he is intriguing, fragile and yet brave. He loves deeply and completely, but he is impotent, they overcome this, and find that they have a love like no other.

But for Coco, is it enough?

Coco is outgoing and ambitious, she likes to dance, and talk. She wants to write, but is afraid.

When you go on this emotional journey with Coco, you will meet the eclectic range of vibrant characters that are her friends and acquaintances, some will make you laugh, others will make you cringe and some you will just want to get to know.

This story builds a pretty hedonistic view of Shanghai life, the characters have a likable depth, and unless you are as cold as ice, it will pull your heartstrings at least once.

This was definitely one of those books that I was disappointed when it ended.

Definitely a recommended read. :) :) :)

I will Update when I know what station I have dropped it into.

UPDATE :  This book has been left at Basingstoke Station. It was left in the box in the waiting room between Platforms 2 and 3 in a box marked 'Basingstoke book share'.  

Annie May's Black Book. Salisbury Train Station.

So, I picked this book up in the middle of a long journey with my family.
The bookcase in Salisbury Train Station is in the Waiting Room. If you have a big gap in your journey, it is well worth dropping in.

Sadly when I went pickings were slim, but I had just finished the book that I had brought with me and it is rare that I get a chance to read, so I picked up two books as I wasn't sure that either would catch my attention.

 Annie May's Black Book by Debby Holt.

I picked this book up for one main reason, and that is that the author (Debby Holt) is from Bath, and having lived in Bath for 14 years I felt that the local connection may keep my attention.

Annie is an acting coach, in Bath. She has a Black Book in which she records the name an offence of anyone who has ever done her any wrong...anyone! I found this little insight into the character witty and intriguing, and in a way I was expecting a far more quirky character because of this.
Her biggest offender, of course is the man who jilted her seventeen years ago, and that has kind of led onto her being a commitment-phobe. But in a twist of fate, 'that man' ends up moving just around the corner. Can Annie learn to forgive? Or is the Black Book just too important?

The first interaction in this book is between Annie and her sister Lily, who happens to be getting married. I love the relationships between all three sisters in this book, and indeed the family as a whole. They were a very believable family, but due to Annie being 'happily single', her sister getting married,  and her parents quizzing her about anyone 'special' in her life, I just couldn't help feeling a little sorry for Annie during that first part of the book.

Without giving too much away, I found the twists fairly predictable, but I think that it satisfied something in my, it was how it should have been.
I did enjoy the book as a quick and easy read. I guess what I really engaged with was  the locations around Bath, which were all there at a time when I was going out, which I like to dub as TimeBC (before Children).

My main criticism is that when a female character is written as 'happily single', more often they turn out not to be so happy. I feel that this isn't a fair representation.

Overall, it is a great read to put down, so you can read it when you have short bursts of reading time.

I will Update when I have dropped at a station.

UPDATE:  This book has been left on the bookshelf at Axminster Station. It is in the ticket office, which is only open until 6pm.

Bye for now!!!

The Unmumsy Mum Diary

I admit, this isn't a train station book. It was in fact a gift.
Not a book that I would have brought myself either (because I judge books by their covers - shallow, I know... but as a biblophile covers do matter to me).

So I was given this as a gift on my last tutorial.
(I can't tell you how many times this book would have been a saviour in those years).

The book was easy to read (in between refereeing the kids- which is just as well, as I almost certain that the author wrote whilst often in that same dilema).

If you have ever felt like a crummy mummy or less than perfect, if you observe the Facebook posts of your friends and feel that your half term has been as soggy as a digestive in weak squash.
Then this book is for you. A delightful glimpse into Blogger Sarah Turner's (aka The Unmumsy Mum) life as a Mum and wife.

I didn't find her unmumsy at all, she was possibly...normal. And I guess this is what makes the book such a great read, (for me as a mum at least). Not just the parts about parenting toddlers (which sadly feels too long ago for my liking), but also the parts about having a relationship (yeh right), whilst being a busy mum.

 I snuck away and read the odd bit here and there, only the kids would find me, because I was crying with laughter. Thanks Gill. ;)

Anyway, I have currently loaned the book to a MINOAL (a mum in need of a laugh), so when she returns it, I will update with which station I left it.

Bye for now.