May started with a long weekend in Cornwall where husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. We stayed at the lovely Talland Bay Hotel<\/a>, <\/em>on the coast between Polperro and Looe, and enjoyed scenic walks in sunny weather. As well as the hotel review, I posted about this holiday through the lens of my teddy bear, Edward<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n While in Cornwall we ran our usual parkrun. We have been enjoying a good deal of parkrun tourism recently. I posted run reports from: Lanhydrock<\/a><\/em> and Andover<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>The other locations were return visits.<\/p>\n Another return was to take part in the Corsham 10k<\/a>, <\/em>a fabulous local race. Daughter and I ran this a couple of years ago. This time husband and elder son joined us \u2013 no records were set but we all enjoyed taking part.<\/p>\n Elder son celebrated his birthday this month and we had a lovely family oriented weekend including cake baking and dinner out at a local Italian restaurant.<\/p>\n The weather has mostly been fine so I have been out on my bike as well as on runs. I\u2019m also trying hard to get to the gym a couple of times a week for strength training. With my daily walks it sometimes feels a bit much \u2013 perhaps I need to set priorities in what I wish to achieve and seek better balance. I exercise to help my mental health as much as physical so do not wish it to become a source of anxiety.<\/p>\n I posted reviews for 6 books in May, a mix of new publications and titles from my TBR shelves. These proved a mixed bag but I heartily recommend Water in the Desert, Fire in the Night<\/strong> and Heart Lamp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n To read my thoughts on each book you may click the title below.<\/p>\n Fiction<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Translated fiction<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Non fiction<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Sourcing the books<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n As well as a book I was eager to read, I received a couple of surprises in the post that I will try to get to in a more timely manner than I sometimes manage.<\/p>\n As ever I wish to thank all who send me their books to review \u2013 the arrival of book post remains a cheering event in my day.<\/p>\n My thanks also to those who share my words across their social media platforms \u2013 whichever ones you are now using \u2013 your support is always appreciated. I am no longer on Twitter but you may find me on\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Threads<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n And to everyone reading this, I wish you and yours good health and fine days. May the coming month be kind to you, and may you find many good books to read.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/neverimitate.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/may.gif?w=300\")
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A Stranger City<\/a><\/em> by Linda Grant, published by Virago
Water in the Desert, Fire in the Night<\/a><\/em> by Gethan Dick, published by Tramp Press<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/neverimitate.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/versions-of-us.jpg\")
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The Versions of Us<\/a><\/em> by Laura Barnett, published by Orion
The Leftovers<\/a><\/em> by Tom Perrotta, published by 4th Estate<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/neverimitate.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/heart-lamp.jpg\")
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Heart Lamp<\/a><\/em> by Banu Mushtaq (translated by Deepa Basthi), published by And Other Stories<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/neverimitate.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/all-of-us.jpg?w=196\")
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All of Us Atoms<\/a><\/em> by Holly Dawson, published by Canongate<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/neverimitate.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/books-received-may-2025.jpg?w=300\")
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