Scuffed Granny's blog - travel, books, ruminations

Wonderful storytelling about an orphaned girl, a trip to Paris and a secret world of rooftops and their inhabitants

A modern fairy tale where a potential destroyer becomes a hero through understanding and communication

An international thriller, pacy and well-plotted with twists to keep you guessing and characters to root for

A book full of women, bringing them into focus, not just as mistresses of a king but as people

A new fictional police detective is here - smart, determined, a great team leader but is DCI Ben Fitzpatrick battling more than just crime?

Quiet goodness and guidance is passed on in these stories of people, in many different situations, told with thoughtfulness and meaning

A reflection on a life, looking at the influence of family and how coming to terms with experience in the past provide peace in the present

A night at an exhibition left this viewer thoughtful and sobered.

A wonderful collection of short stories, giving glimpses into the varied lives that make up human existence

The story of Orsola Rosso, a glassmaker's daughter from Murano, spanning many ages - another great historical read from Tracy Chevalier

A vicar becomes drawn into murder mysteries where his knowledge of human nature serves him well

There's a substantive canon of work for 20th century wars - but what is life like for the modern soldier? Hennessey's book gives a first-hand insight

Tension mounts as the Catholic Church comes under attack in this ecumenical thriller but where is the threat coming from? Is it from within?

Book review: This is a bloody psychological wild ride of a book, set in 70s' Chicago, and centred on crime, families and power plays

The origin story of an unlikely superhero called Cockroach aka Kyle Alexander, an ordinary schoolboy who finds a magic ring...

If there were such a book as a manual for life and how to approach it, then this should be it: straight-talking sense, sharply delivered.

Love, passion, acceptance - all of these themes permeate through this English/Italian collection with intensity, humour and honesty