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.