July 22nd 2024.
Helen Graham, a passionate book enthusiast, shares her love for reading and her inspirations in life. As a child, she remembers the excitement of holding a hardback copy of Alice in Wonderland, which opened up a world of imagination and sparked her lifelong passion for books. She fondly recalls being completely absorbed by the story, amazed at how words could create vivid scenes in her mind like a movie. This experience ignited her desire to get lost in a book whenever possible, a habit that sometimes landed her in trouble for neglecting other responsibilities.
One book that Helen recommends to everyone is The Physic Garden by Catherine Czerkawska. She stumbled upon this gem by chance, and was immediately drawn to its exploration of the world of plants and their healing properties. Set in Regency Edinburgh, the story follows the demise of a physic garden, which mirrors the heartbreaking loss of love experienced by the main character. Helen describes the book as deeply moving, and was touched by the delightful relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter.
When asked about her top three reads in the last year, Helen enthusiastically recommends Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. She was captivated by the mysterious and watery world of the Victorian era, which reminded her of the river in her village where she learned to swim as a child. The story weaves together like a river, with unexpected twists and turns that lead to a magical and satisfying ending.
Another book that Helen savors is The Paris Peacemakers by Flora Johnson. She praises the author for her beautiful and sensitive writing, and how she portrays the horrors of World War I in contrast to the flamboyance of the post-war era. Helen was particularly drawn to the book's circular structure and the poignant rugby theme that runs throughout.
Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry is another book that made a lasting impression on Helen. She was deeply moved by the protagonist's heavy burden of sadness, yet was also touched by moments of pure joy. The book's slow pace matched the weight the main character carried, but Helen found herself completely gripped by the story.
However, not every book makes it onto Helen's list of favorites. She admits to never finishing Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered by E.F. Schumacher, despite multiple attempts. The author's ideas about how society can change for the better were important to her, but she found them upsetting as it seemed difficult for society to implement them.
When it comes to inspiring authors, Helen looks up to Maggie O'Farrell. She has read and loved all of her novels, often being moved to tears, which is a rare occurrence for her. Helen admires O'Farrell's ability to seamlessly switch between contemporary and historical fiction, as seen in her latest novel, Hamnet. She describes the book as bold, creative, and profound, with a gripping narrative and well-developed characters. Helen was also fascinated by The Marriage Portrait, which takes a different approach but is equally captivating.
In her free time, Helen's favorite place to read is in bed, propped up on pillows at the end of a busy day. She turns off her phone and loses herself in a book until she can no longer keep her eyes open. Helen finds this to be pure bliss. Besides her love for books, she has also worked as a knitwear designer and a filmmaker, and co-founded a film festival. Currently, she spends most of her time researching and writing. Helen is also a mother of three and a grandmother of five, and resides in Edinburgh. Her debut novel, The Real Mackay, is based on the life of her ancestor who was Walter Scott's favorite comedian and can be purchased online.
If you want to keep up with the latest book news, make sure to subscribe to read the newest issue of Scottish Field. Reading is not just a hobby for Helen, it's a way of life. It inspires her, brings her joy, and allows her to escape into different worlds. And for that, she will always be grateful.
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