overthehildablog@gmail.com

Over The Hilda

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Style & Beauty
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Best Books to Read from Autobiographies to Thrillers

Reading books
7
Hilda
Monday, 18 January 2021 / Published in Home, Lifestyle & Leisure, News

Best Books to Read from Autobiographies to Thrillers

‘Reading gives us some place to go when we stay where we are.’

Reading has been an escape from the pandemic, where I can lose myself in other worlds. I have not read as much since I was at college. When I was teaching and raising a family, I was mostly too tired to read at night. Now I can read when the mood takes me. And boy am I loving it. I also discovered audible books and listen as I walk or prepare dinner. And I am addicted.

 

The author Matt Haig is new to me and I can not speak highly enough of his work. I had heard of him but thought he wrote self-help books. I did him a disservice. Haig, who suffers from depression, is the author of the book ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’. And though I have not read it, I believe it is inspiring, illuminating and full of humour and hope.

And so are the two fiction books of his that I have read. If you are feeling down and depressed, and I think many of us are battling to stay positive during our present pandemic, read the books below:

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library

Do you believe that it is possible that we can live in parallel universes? The concept is popular enough in fiction and films but dealt with in an entirely different way here. I have always been fascinated with the idea that one simple decision can affect the direction your life will take.  Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ presents the dilemma in poetic form. And it is a question, I have often asked myself. If I had not started to play hockey again, I would never have met Graham. What would my life be like now? Ok, Not going there!

How to Stop Time

How To Stop Time by Matt Haig

‘I am old. That is the first thing to tell you. The thing you are least likely to believe. If you saw me you would probably think I was about forty, but you would be very wrong.’

Tom has been alive for centuries. Though he looks to be about forty. Here Haig explores the concept of time in relation to how we live life.  Another book to savour and enjoy. Intriguing, it will also give you a lot to think about.

The Thursday Murder Club

This is the debut novel of Richard Osman, TV presenter and comedian known among other things for the BBC quiz show Pointless, and it quickly made it to the top of the Best Sellers’ List.

What delicious characters. This is a mystery novel that makes you laugh out loud. The characters are elderly, pushing eighty. But do not let that put you off, if you are young. An excellent plot and likeable characters means you will be enthralled from the opening pages.  It is not often that a crime thriller is so entertaining. Cannot wait for the second in the series to be published later this year. And I just read that it will be made into a film soon.

I listened to this on Audible and the voices of actress Lesley Manville really brings it to life.

Becoming

Becoming by Michelle Obama

This memoir of the former USA First Lady is a very long but riveting read. It is a big book and in it she recounts her early years, her relationship with her husband, how she found her voice and, of course, her years in the White House. There are lovely personal anecdotes and stories about her family which make you feel you are getting a real insight into her life. She is really likeable by the way.

From Be-Coming to Over-Coming…

Overcoming

Overcoming by Vicky Phelan

‘If there is any message I want people to take from this book, it is that, even in the hardest of times, life is worth living, one precious moment at a time.’ Vicky Phelan

In Ireland, Vicky Phelan’s fight to expose the biggest medical scandal of our times made her a household name. I thought I knew everything about her from newspaper articles and television appearances. And I thought it might be a tough read and not what I wanted in these pandemic times. But Vicky’s story is inspiring. Her strength and tenacity, her dogged fight for justice, as well as  sharing her personal story makes this an engaging read.

Naomi Linehan, who ghost wrote the book, is a past pupil of mine, so I had an extra reason for reading. Naomi is a gifted writer, even at school, and also wrote ‘Nowhere’s Child’, the story of Kari Rosvall who survived Hitler’s breeding camps and moved to Ireland. That book is also worth reading.

 

The prolific Canadian writer Joy Fielding is a master of the psychological thriller.

The Bad Daughter

The Bad Daughter

Why does Robin Davis want nothing to do with her family? Why has she not been in touch for six years? You can take nothing at face value in this novel and Robin’s paranoia is shown to be justified by the end. Though it does take her a while to get to the truth.

All The Wrong Places

All The Wrong Places

Online dating and the risks it poses are central to this thriller. I was on tenterhooks from the beginning and that feeling of apprehension stayed with me right to the end. Not for the fainthearted. Words like addictive and unputdownable come to mind.

 

Many of the books I read are recommended by friends. So I am rarely disappointed. But I could not stick with ‘The President is Missing’ by  James Patterson and Bill Clinton, although GG enjoyed it.  If you missed my last book review check it out HERE. And there will be more recommended good reads soon. As I said I have been doing lots of reading.

‘That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged under: All the Wrong Places, Becoming by Michelle Obama, bookclub books, Books, How To Stop Time, Inspiring books, Joy Fielding, Matt Haig, Overcoming by Vicky Phelan, Richard Osman, The Bad Daughter, The Midnight Library, The Thursday Murder Club

What you can read next

Wrinkles, wrinkles everywhere and not a cure in sight!
The Coffee Fix
Drink Lemon, Water and Ginger to stay Healthy

10 Comments to “ Best Books to Read from Autobiographies to Thrillers”

  1. LA CONTESSA says :Reply
    January 18, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    VERY GOOD POINT!
    TRAVELING WITHOUT LEAVING THE CASA!
    I READ MICHELLES BOOK……..she is very down to earth ,smart and LOVABLE.What a contrast to the ONE WHO IS EXITING NOW!
    I’m reading a book now about YSL in the early years……………A BIT SHOCKING but I’m staying with it!
    Have you been to MOROCCO?That is on my bucket list as well……………..maybe I’ll come see you first then WE can swoop down to MOROCCO for a bit of BAZAAR SHOPPING!
    Sound like a plan?
    XX

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 19, 2021 at 3:44 pm

      Yes loved Morocco and was there in 2019. And Michelle Obama’s book was fascinating. I will be glued to the inauguration on CNN today. Would be brilliant to meet you some dy. xxx

  2. Mary Katherine says :Reply
    January 19, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    Thanks so much for these, Hilda – just put two on my Audible wish list. I adored Becoming. Am listening to Barak’s A Promised Land right now. His soothing voice is just what I need in the sh*tshow that is America these days…

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 19, 2021 at 6:21 pm

      Thanks Mary Katherine. I hope you enjoy them. xx

  3. 1010ParkPlace says :Reply
    January 19, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    I love that you’re doing book reviews, Hilda. I’m in the opposite position: The pandemic has created time for me to write a book, so I haven’t been reading. Instead I will read vicariously through you. xoxox, Brenda

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 19, 2021 at 6:28 pm

      I cannot wait to read it. You have led such an exciting life and I love your writing style. XX

  4. Gwen Gottlieb says :Reply
    January 20, 2021 at 2:43 am

    What a fab selection of novels! The Bad Daughter sounds intriguing- even though I’m a great daughter- according to my mol, lol!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 24, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      Ha ha..hope you enjoy it. xxx

  5. Libbie@alifeunfolding says :Reply
    January 21, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    I am reading so much more these days. Thanks for the recommendations I will pick up All the Wrong places next. 🙂

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 21, 2021 at 6:32 pm

      Hope you enjoy it. xx

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign up here to receive updates straight to your mailbox
Loading

DELIGHTED TO BE IN THE TOP 15!

Fashion Over 50
Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Style & Beauty
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Recent Posts

  • Summer Whites

    Summer Whites with ‘Style Not Age’

    Anna chose Summer Whites as this month’s ...
  • COS DRESS

    Say Yes to the Dress with ‘Style Not Age’

    If you have been following me for a while you w...
  • Moxi BBL Lasers Recommended for Radiant Skin

      I love testing out treatments for you an...

OVER THE HILDA

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Style & Beauty
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Copyright © 2021 overthehilda.ie | web by cloud nine

TOP
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT