As a retired person you can quite easily, if you’re not careful, drift into a way of life where each day looks and feels the same. When mealtimes become a central part of each day and I imagine, for some people, life becomes somewhat monotonous and possibly even boring.
Hubby and I have always shared a more refreshing view of retirement and have vehemently swerved away from a life where we are ” sat in God’s waiting room” so to speak.
Life, whatever your age, is definitely for living and admitting we have entered the last quartile of our life means we need to make the most of whatever time we have left.
Between us we have many hobbies but a shared hobby is definitely reading. He can read at will whilst I still, sometimes, get that guilty feeling if I’m sat reading for too long particularly when I have a list of tasks that need my time and other hobbies that should get equal if not some standing.
Even taking into account “my guilt” I have just hit my target of 74 books this year!
It’s worth saying that books have always played an integral role in my life. I’ve been reading since I picked up Enid Blyton as a child and have gone on to share “The Magic Faraway Tree’ for example with my own children.
Reading provided an escape for me in my teenage years when, at times, I just didn’t feel like I fitted in with my peer group. Hiding in the library during lunch break was’t unusual.
Progressing to O’Level English Literature and the magnificent “To Kill a Mocking Bird” which led into “The Colour Purple” and then tomes like “Lord of the Rings” and Jane Austen I soon realised that reading could transport me into “other worlds”. My absolute favourite book and always will be is “The Hobbit”. Tolkien was a fantastic mythical adventure writer!
Romance:
I read a diverse range of books. I have always enjoyed “chick lit” as it used to be termed, now known quite rightly as “Women’s Fiction” or “Contemporary Romance” and have followed Jill Mansell, Carole Matthews, Katie Ffforde, Lucy Diamond, Jenny Colgan etc since they began to write. It’s a form of escapism where you leave your own life behind temporarily and step into someone else’s.
Over the years I’ve found it to be a great stress reliever and never go to sleep at night without reading at least a couple of pages of whatever book I have on the go.
Over the years other authors of this genre have joined my library, which used to be in the form of newly printed hardback books, moved to paperbacks and then eventually to a Kindle. Purely because lugging six books in your suitcase on a two week holiday became too much, particularly when weight limits were introduced.
Paige Toon is my absolute favourite and one of very few writers who I actually make the effort to go and see at signings. I actually discovered her when I picked up a fairly battered paperback called “One Perfect Summer” which was sitting on a shelf in a cottage I hired for me and the children in Mousehole, Cornwall in 2016. Her “Johnny Be Good” series just totally hooked me and I love the fact that she intertwines her main characters into bit parts in future novels. I’ve read everything she has written and always eagerly await her next novel.
This photo was taken at a book signing at Waterstones in Bristol prior to the release of her book “Seven Summer”
I’ve also enjoyed some of the overseas authors within this genre such as Cecilia Ahern. To think she wrote “PS I Love You” at the tender age of 21 is slightly mind boggling. It sold to over 40 countries!
Cathy Kelly also features in this section of my library along with Sheila O’Flanagan and American writer Jane Green who I also love to follow on Instagram. She left the USA and now lives between London and Marrakech bravely but confidently “rewilding” her life following divorce and reaching midlife. This article explains more:
Sexy Romance:
I’m not sure if that’s the actual genre but I’m sure you get what I mean.
Jackie Collins obviously leads the field here and I was an avid reader of her books in my twenties. Since her death in 2015 I’ve actually gone back and started to reread them and only have the last three to go.
Lucky Santangelo is one of my all time favourite characters.
Tasmina Perry and Adele Parkes also fall into this category although both have diversified over the years.
Adele moved into historical romance and then into psychological thrillers, which in itself is a huge achievement for an author.
The three part “Lara Stone” mysteries from Tasmina are really good thrillers based around a newspaper reporter.
I have also read all the Jilly Cooper books, again finding these in my twenties and following her throughout. However I have to speak as I find here and say that writing this type of fiction needs to remain up to date.
Her final book “Tackle” which was loosely based upon our brilliant local football team “Forest Green Rovers” really grated on me. The “sexy” scenes were so antiquated, very stereotypical of an age where the whole premis was for the woman to “please her man” . Life these days is far more equally balanced sexually and to be honest women just don’t behave like that anymore they quite rightly, in my opinion, expect to receive pleasure not just to give it!
Christmas Books:
Once December is upon us, the Christmas tree is up in the living room and my home is sprinkled, rather liberally, with decorations, then I’m on to Christmas literature. This is how I originally found the Welsh writer Jo Thomas. I’ve read all her books now which are always based somewhere specific but different each time and have an element of food and recipes interlaced with them.
I also discovered Jenny Bayliss, Sarah Morgan and Sue Moorcroft through browsing this genre.
This is Jenny’s latest release.
Crime and Thrillers:
I love both Harlan Coben and John Grisham and avidly devour their books.
The films of Grisham’s books are, in my opinion, just amazing. A Time to Kill with Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey is probably my favourite.
Conversely I cannot watch any series made of Harlan Coben’s books.
I’ve tried. but moving them from the USA where they are literally based to the UK just doesn’t work for me and actually deflects from the brilliance of the original writing.
Watching both “The Lincoln Lawyer” on Netflix and “Bosch” on Prime brought me to Michael Connelly and whilst I’ve finished all the Lincoln Lawyer books I’m gradually working my way through his complete Bosch collection plus those associated with it such has the Jack McEvoy and Terry McCaleb books.
I truly have to commend Connelly for the translation from book to TV series. Whilst the series doesn’t totally reflect the books, the essence of Bosch is never lost. I was quite sad when hubby and I finally finished all ten series including Bosch Legacy
Then I came across “Tracker” on Disney+ mainly because I loved all six series of “This Is Us” and Justin Hartley who played Kevin in this programme plays the lead character -Colter Shaw in Tracker. I think his good looks probably had something to do with it too but this led me to the Jeffrey Deaver books which I’m also making my way through.
However I was disappointed that Tracker, the series (there are now three) is only very loosely based upon Deaver’s Colter Shaw books. It is definitely a “made for tv” series but easy watching nonetheless!
I can’t finish this category without a mention of “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. Wow! It’s gritty, hard to read at times but no doubt based on someone’s reality as a young woman and her child flee their life in Mexico, for genuine reasons, and head for America.
Other Films and TV Series:
Then of course there are other TV series that caught my attention “Sweet Magnolias” and “Chesapeake Shores” based upon the books by Sherryl Woods. I eagerly await Season Five of the former although the latter finished after six series. They are not completely accurate to the fictional books but I’ve still enjoyed them.
I’ve also now read everything she has written that is still in print!
Virgin River is another firm favourite so I’ve also been working my way through the Robyn Carr books. I devoured all three series of “Sullivans Crossing” recently released here in the UK and will no doubt read those as well once I’ve completed all 22 books in the Virgin River series.
I also love the films made from Nicholas Sparkes’ books such as “The Notebook”, “Message in a Bottle” “Dear John” etc. My favourite being “The Longest Ride” so they have also been added to my reading list and I’m gradually working through his books in chronological order.
Reality:
I also intersperse my reading with reality. What do I mean by this? Firstly I definitely don’t mean anything based upon reality tv!
I enjoy reading about actual lives from books that are still somewhat fictional but based upon real life experience such as the books by Deborah Rodriquez.
Her first book “The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul” was based upon her experiences of living and working in Afghanistan. I’ve read all of her books since.
This then leads onto autobiographies. Not the manufactured books that roll off the press when some superstar pop idol makes it and a book of their life to date is just an additional financial benefit with little or often no input from the person themself. I like actual real life truth.
A few of my favourites being Candice Brathwaite “I Am Not Your Baby Mother” where she writes frankly about her life as a black woman and then mother in the UK.
Rylan Clark’s two books which are really surprising. I am not a fan of the TV programme “Big Brother” in the UK although I did watch Rylan, back in the day, when he came to prominence as a contestant on the ninth series of the talent show The X Factor in 2012.
He explains in his books how he basically manufactured the character that is “Rylan” and how outside of this he still lives his life authentically as “Ross”, the name he was given at birth.
I was quite shocked how intelligent he is. His relationship with his Mum also feature quite highly and the books really give you a glimpse as to what goes on behind the scenes of these reality tv shows and how hard it is to then live your life away from the spotlight once you finish work each day.
Gareth Thomas’s book “Proud” is a great real life introduction to how being gay in the sporting world can be beyond difficult and sheds light on why so many male sportsmen never “come out” or do so in later life when their careers have ended and they now have new often journalistic or commentary roles.
Finally in this section I can’t fail to mention Michelle Obama’s “Becoming”. What an amazing woman! I’m currently reading it for a second time in preparation for “The Light We Carry”. Both books are happily on my book shelf!
I have other books in this category lined up to read like Ben Fogle’s “Inspire” and “Woman in the Wilderness” by Miriam Lancewood who featured on one of Ben’s series of “New Life in the Wild” -one of my all time favourite programmes.
Alongside these there is the Journals of Lewis and Clark and a few books I’ve picked up on our travels based around the slave trade and the Gullah people.
I do try and educate myself sometimes as well as taking time for genuine literary escapism!
Hubby and I turned our small bedroom into a “den” and it provides a great place to curl up on a comfy sofa to read or listen to vinyl music on a stand-a-lone stereo. There are a few knick knacks decorating the shelves etc including this lovely reading pillow that I picked up on our travels. We were driving the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and stopped off to explore the Outer Banks whilst in North Carolina and dropped into the Native American Museum there:
https://nativeamericanmuseum.org
My Literary Conclusion:
Reading has brought me so much joy and pleasure. It has been there throughout all the ups and downs of my life.
Whilst I have never joined a “book club” my literary hobby has sparked many a conversation across the years. I cannot imagine a time when there won’t be a book by my side even when I’m old and can no longer travel.
I’d love you to share with me not only your comments but also recommendations of books to read……..
A Midlife Adventure 
the pleasures of reading if you can find a copy of anything by Oliver Anderson with with something like “Random at large” written in the late 50s they feature guy random a professional negotiator and a host of other old characters maybe the library as copies change hands are quite serious money
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