News

Acknowledging the challenges we've each had to face in the past few months, this week I've been reminded of teachers, in all that they have had to deal with, and how they have contributed.

There was a powerful article in the 'Guardian' yesterday detailing the experiences of three 'ordinary' people at the frontline of our current crisis.

It included a moving account of a headteacher who spoke openly about his struggles leading his school and his community. You can read it here.

I've heard of headteachers who have taken time to write to parents every day giving them encouragement in home schooling but also suggesting topics for conversation at mealtimes, and books to read together at bedtime. That contact and reassurance has, I'm sure, been invaluable.

Teaching has always been more than lessons in the classroom. There was sad news this week of the death of Wendy Cooling, a former teacher who spent her life reaching out to families with books. She founded the BookStart initiative providing books for babies and toddlers, to encourage a lifelong love of reading.

So my recommended non-fiction title this week is the memoir of poet Kate Clanchy recalling her teaching career. Scroll down for more details.

While the weather doesn't really support this statement, we're now in the summer months and, due to lockdown, we are being treated to lots of great novels whose publication dates were delayed due to the crisis.

I've listed a number of new titles on my website, so I hope you'll take a look when you're seeking ideas for your next book.

Among this week's releases, you might like to consider 'Rodham', a fictionalised alternative life for Hillary Rodham Clinton by Curtis Sittenfeld. And Meg Rosoff's new book 'The Great Godden'. We'll have more news of that next time.

For a fun read, I highly recommend 'The Shelf' a debut novel by Helly Acton about a reality tv programme with a difference.

Whether you're a fan of reality tv or not, a series on Radio 4 investigating the impact of the genre is worth a listen. Called 'Watching Us', you can listen to it here. It's 20 years since 'Big Brother' was aired. It's a programme "which changed history, revolutionised TV and transformed our ideas about truth, surveillance, technology and politics". Fascinating.

One last thing to mention - I'll be joining Lesley Dolphin on BBC Radio Suffolk on Tuesday afternoon, and it would be lovely if you can listen in, or email or text if you have read this month's book 'The Hunting Party'. If you want to catch past programmes, they're all archived on my website here!

As more steps are taken to ease the lockdown, it's interesting to think about how things will look when we are eventually back to some semblance of what we once considered 'normal'.

There have been certain features of this difficult period which we have all agreed have been positive outcomes - the extraordinary and sudden reduction in pollution, the greater sense of community, a better appreciation for people who keep society in place.

But will this impact us in the long term or will we revert to our former consumerist, self-contained selves?

I've been very encouraged by a series of short essays presented on BBC Radio Four recently. They're called 'Rethink' and you can access them all on the Sounds app here.

Leading thinkers have shared their ideas on how the world should change after the coronavirus pandemic.

There is a broad spectrum of subjects covered and some interesting individuals sharing their expertise and personal perspective (and many of them have books further developing the topics they are presenting!). For me this week, I was interested in hearing Brian Eno talk about leadership, and also Katherine Grainger share her views on the Olympics (I'm a bit of a fan of hers - she visited us in Woodbridge a few years ago! Take a look here).

Looking ahead to the coming week, tomorrow we'll be having our Zoom book group discussion at 8pm to share thoughts on Michael Ondaatje's 'Warlight'. If you'd like to join in - and don't worry if you haven't finished the book - reply to this email and I'll send you all the details.

And on Saturday 4 July at 3pm, the Essex Book Festival is offering a Zoom conversation with the author Louise Hare talking about her debut novel 'This Lovely City'. Sign up to listen to the author here.

Set in London in the aftermath of the Second World War, the book tracks the life of a jazz musician who's arrived on the Empire Windrush. He's looking for a new life, but finds prejudice and hardship, as well as love and opportunity. I read the book this week, and found it compelling, moving and ultimately full of hope. See my review here.
 

Sunday 21 June. It's the longest day! I'm never entirely sure if that's something to be celebrated or not - the evenings will be drawing in from now on, after all! But as the weather forecast for the coming week looks very promising, let's enjoy the long summer days while we can.

And, with bookshops opening again, we're able to replenish our stock of reading material. Even though we all seem to be blessed with piles of books still to be read, the lure of the recently reviewed title is often irresistible, isn't it? 

Do take a look at my website for details of the titles I've been reading lately. The lockdown meant that the publication of many books was delayed and the summer months will see the release of some great reads, so watch this space!

One title coming out soon is 'The Great Godden' by Meg Rosoff. It's a fabulous summer, coming of age novel, aimed at a young adult readership, and I loved it! On Thursday 25 June, at 7pm, Meg will be in conversation with broadcaster Nina Nannah in an online event in aid of Aldeburgh's Jubilee Hall and the details are here. While it's a free event, donations are invited to support ongoing events at the hall, and books can be ordered from any of our local independent bookshops.

Next weekend, on 27-28 June, Felixstowe Book Festival will have elements of its 2020 programme live online. Among the speakers will be Esther Rutter who wrote a travel history about wool and knitting, called 'This Golden Fleece' which I mentioned a few weeks ago as one of my recommended reads. You can find out more about Esther in my interview in 'Suffolk' magazine here. She is an engaging and enthusiastic speaker and you'll be diving for your knitting needles after hearing her.

So we're looking at the end of the month already, and that means that we'll be meeting again for a Zoom book group discussion at 8pm on Monday 29 June. If you'd like to join in and share your thoughts on Michael Ondaatje's 'Warlight', reply to this email and I'll send you all the details. And in the meantime, you might like to read more about the author in my interview with him here.

It's good news this week if you like shopping, even if the high street is likely to feel quite different. As we learn the new ways of carrying out our simple tasks, I wonder if there are elements we might embrace for the better?

Standing alongside each other in a queue, 2m apart, brings an opportunity to exchange a word or a smile with our neighbour, and to appreciate the architecture, the plants, and the birdsong in our local environment. As we're unable to rush, perhaps we can take stock and enjoy being in the moment.

Of course, if you're queuing to go into a bookshop, it's understandable if you're struggling to rein in the excitement and anticipation as you wait to collect or choose a new title!

Reviews and recommendations have been particularly useful over these past few months, when we haven't been able to browse bookshelves for ourselves.

Thank you to everyone who has replied to my weekly recommended titles. I'm working my way through the lists I've been given in return!

I've also found that the many online author talks and festivals have been hugely stimulating - I've discovered new writers and dipped into subjects that I might not have considered, had I attended the events in the flesh. Do remember to support your local high street by buying the promoted titles from your local bookshops - they all offer post or delivery services as well as opening their doors this week.

Looking forward, on Thursday 25 June, at 7pm, the first online event at Aldeburgh's Jubilee Hall will be a conversation between writer Meg Rosoff and broadcaster Nina Nannah. They will be talking about Meg's new book for a young adult readership, called 'The Great Godden'. Advance copies can be purchased from Aldeburgh Bookshop or reserved from Browsers in Woodbridge, Dial Lane in Ipswich, or any high street bookshop. This is a free event, but donations are invited to support ongoing events at Jubilee Hall.

Later this month, Felixstowe Book Festival will have elements of its 2020 programme live online on 27-28 June. Novelist Carol Drinkwater will be among the speakers and you can see my interview with Carol in this month's 'Suffolk' magazine here.

I won't be at Browsers for a couple more weeks, but you can find out details of the procedures now in place by signing up to the shop newsletter here.

It's difficult to process the news these days. As well as the underlying fear, confusion and uncertainty of the global pandemic, the horrific death of George Floyd has brought an outpouring of grief, anger and disgust.

What has happened to our world, to our society?

If you need, like me, to have hope for a better future, then please do read a new book by the Dutch writer Rutger Bregman. It's called 'Humankind' and I found it a very upbeat and engaging read. It was stimulating, challenging and hugely uplifting and optimistic.

The author stresses that the argument we've been fed for generations, that humans are motivated by an accumulation of money, property and status, isn't correct. He gives one example after another about how it is, instead, in our nature to show and receive kindness, collaborate and build community, listen and understand each other, and appreciate differences and celebrate likenesses.

It is a powerful message, not least because he shows how a better society may be attainable, even giving ten points of action in his concluding chapter.

And, if I may, I'll leave you with one of the points he raises regarding how we feed our minds and hearts. Turn off the news, he says. Think as carefully about the information you feed your mind as you do about the food you feed your body. Turn away from the television and social media, and find a source of more nuanced and in-depth writing.