Author: Sylvie Simmons

It took me forever to read this biography; I was travelling a lot and it is a big book (533 pages not including the Notes) so too heavy to pack. It was the movie Marianne and Leonard that prompted me to pull the book off the shelf.

At one point early in the book I commented that I kind of wished I hadn’t started it because I didn’t think Leonard was the nicest of men. He led a very interesting life and he wrote and recorded so many books and albums that I’ve never heard of. I admit that when the author got to some of the newer albums (ones that I have) I enjoyed the book more.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Alice Hoffman

Eleven-year old Amanda has been diagnosed with AIDS which she contracted through a blood transfusion. The story tells a bit about her journey to death but it focuses more on her family and friends and how the diagnosis affects them. I would have liked to have more background on the other characters as they were all very interesting – the astronomer father, the photographer mother, young brother, estranged grandparents, her doctor and a local medium.

I had some difficulty with this book but a bit of research has helped make more sense of it. I read it on my Kindle (the book went to Kindle in 2014) and I didn’t understand why the timeline from diagnosis to death was so short. Surely by 2014 there was more knowledge about paediatric AIDS. But the original book (hard cover) was published in 1998 so the research and treatments weren’t so well known and the difficulties and discrimination Amanda faced were understandable.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Lisa Jewell

The story is told from two points of view – a woman who lived in London during the 1920’s and her step-granddaughter who has been tasked with finding the person mentioned in her grandmother’s will so an inheritance can be passed along.

I enjoyed the story but the switching back and forth in time got a bit annoying, even though there was no doubt from the title of each chapter who was telling the story.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: D. J. Palmer

Meghan is a teenager who has been in very poor health for a couple of years. Her mother is desperate to get a diagnosis so she can then begin treatment.

After a particularly scary episode several doctors begin to suspect Meghan might be a victim of Munchausen by Proxy. Her mother and Meghan deny this but as the story unfolds they begin to doubt themselves. As the story unfolds you’ll be surprise at what is really going on.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *