As the summer takes its final breaths, I’m taking a moment to explain that I’ll be in hiding for the next few weeks (hopefully not months). This summer has been an adventure, full, active and heaps of fun. I’ve read at least a book a week, enjoyed spending time with my children and, if I’m totally honest, I’ve not written as much as I should have written.

So, refreshed, focused and armed with new ink for my fountain pen, I am bowing out of all things social media (and all things reading) until the first draft of Lime Street is complete. This could be weeks, or months, or even years, although as I’ve promised I’ll deliver it to my agent in October I’d best get a move on and stop being so dramatic.

So, if I don’t reply in social media, it’s because I’m no longer strapped to the Internet. If you’d like to contact me, please do, but by contact form on this website or by email.

And, so, I leave you with a selection from the many books I’ve been devouring of late and whisper a tiny farewell. I will be back…

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Set in Burnley, My Beautiful England is the story of three female immigrants. Su, a Thai bride who came to England after the tsunami, Samina, who came from Pakistan and feels trapped in an arranged marriage, and Lenka, who is hiding from her Polish husband and living in a women’s refuge with her daughter.

All three women have different problems, yet their lives thread together when they meet at the Language Centre, each with resolve to overcome their language difficulties and become ‘English’. What is wonderful within this novel is the attention to detail in the development of the women. They do not blend into one, the language choices differ with each voice, the sparseness of language and the control of the slow unravel speak of confidence

Flatley’s writing is elegant, it is full of heart, as she tackles ignorance, prejudice, viciousness and isolation. She makes us look at society, at our beautiful England. The characterisation is beautifully drawn, the growth and strength of the women is shown through a sense of sisterhood. This is a stunning story of hope, friendship and personal growth.

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The Illusion of Separateness revolves around a simple act during World War Two, the implications of which echo through the future generations of two very different men. Inspired by true events, selflessness acts lead to mercy, the characters link in a web to each other and the illusion of separateness is taken away in this stunning novel.

Award-winning author, Simon Van Booy’s writing is exquisite. The narrative moves back and forth in time from World War Two, to the present day and stopping at key points along the way. Martin is a Jewish orphan, Sebastien a young French boy, Mr Hugo is a former Nazi soldier, John Bray an American pilot, Amelia is John’s granddaughter and Danny lived next door to Mr Hugo back in the 1980s. The characterisation is slight, the description sparse. This writing is controlled and very wonderful.

This slim novel is rich in its lyrical content. Some will not like the slow pace, others may moan at the lack of beats and action, but I savoured each and every word in this intricately written, in this delicate narrative.

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Having read all of Isabel Ashdown’s novels, I was keen to read in Summer of ’76. Set in one of the hottest summers, Luke Wolff is ready to enjoy his last summer at home on the Isle of Wight before leaving for college. His job at a holiday camp promises new friendships and romance. But as the narrative unravels, his parents’ outwardly perfect relationship becomes unstuck and Luke’s very foundations are rocked.

A perfect read for a lazy summer day, full of wonderful description and nostalgia. Summer of ’76 is coming-of age exploration, a gentle read that will take a reader back in time with ease and skill. Evocative and well-researched, this is yet another engaging read from Isabel Ashdown.

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I had the absolute honour of sitting on a bench with Brian Aldiss at a recent party. He offered me pork pie and gave me writing advice that I will cherish. He is a wise man.

I took Finches of Mars, his final science fiction novel, on holiday.

Set on the Red Planet, it follows a group of colonists and the problems they have in setting up a new society. It is told with all the craft and quirks that readers have come to expect from the grandmaster of his genre. I don’t feel qualified to write a review, I’m far from being a scientist, but the narrative offers an exploration of evolution, it addresses the problem of settlers’ babies being stillborn.

I found this novel stimulating and thought-provoking. I devoured it in a few hours, but am still thinking about it weeks later. I won’t lie, some aspects felt a little far-fetched from my grasp, but this is definitely a novel I will visit again.