April book reviews #50books2014

"The latest title from the internationally bestselling author and foster carer Cathy Glass.

Beth is a sweet-natured child who appears to have been well looked after. But it isn’t long before Cathy begins to have concerns that the relationship between Beth and her father is not as it should be.
Little Beth, aged 7, has been brought up by her father Derek after her mother left when she was a toddler. When Derek is suddenly admitted to hospital with psychiatric problems Beth is taken into care and arrives at Cathy’s.
Beth and her father clearly love each other very much and Derek spoils his daughter, treating her like a princess, but there is something bothering Cathy, something she can’t quite put her finger on.
Meanwhile Cathy’s husband is working away a lot and coming home less at weekends. Then, suddenly, everything changes. Events take a dramatic turn for both Beth and Cathy and her family; as Cathy strives to pick up the pieces all their lives are changed forever"

 I have read just about every book y Cathy Glass. Cathy Glass is a foster parent in UK who has fostered more than 100 children. She is truly very inspirational and the world needs more people like Cathy! 

This story goes back to when Cathy's own children were little. She tells the story of how Beth came to be fostered by her and tells Beths story just perfectly. Although it is sad, (not as sad as some of Cathy's other books, it is still sad though) and my heart goes out to little Beth and her father. I really, really want to write so much about this story but it;s newly released and there are a few people reading this post, that have this on there books lists, so I don't want to ruin it for them. It does have a happy ending for Beth. I learned a lot about Cathy and her how her and her husband broke up in this book, which I have often wondered about whilst reading Cathy's previous books. 
This book is beautifully written, the story is very well told. FIVE stars from me! 



'The harrowing true story of a travelling Irish family bonded by love, broken apart by life, and then betrayed by their carers in a cruel convent in Ireland.
“For those who we lost along the way, I tell this story. For all the children who suffered in this terrible place. For all those I consider my brothers and sisters; the ones who died, the ones who lost their minds, the ones who drown their memories everyday in a bottle of whisky, I tell this for you.
Because in the end we are all brothers and sisters – and if we don’t feel that bond of love between each other, just as human beings, then we are nothing. We are no better than the monsters that ran the convents.”
Based in Ireland in the 1960s and 70s, Kathleen’s story is a story of extreme hardship, suffering and abuse. It is the story of 11 siblings, abandoned by their mother and torn from their father, incarcerated in convents and then driven apart in the cruellest ways imaginable; it is the story of their ruined childhoods and their fight for recompense. But more than that, it is a story of courage, survival and the incredible strength of sibling bonds against overwhelming adversities.
Out of terrible darkness comes a remarkable story. In the tradition of Irish storytelling, Kathleen offers a mesmerising account of her family’s experience.'

Kathleen tells her story of how she was brought up in Ireland during the 1960's & 1970's. It's such a harrowing story, very sad indeed. It is also very inspiring, I hope that makes sense! If you read it, you'll see exactly what I mean! Kathleens story is shocking and very heartbreaking. Kathleen is very brave, she and her siblings had a horrific, abusive childhood.  We learn a lot about her brothers and sisters and her parents, too! I learned a lot about the institutions/convents durring that time. Thankfully they were all shut down in the end.

This book is beautifully written and I could not put it down!I wish Kathleen and her family best of luck for the future. I am really glad I read this book, it opened my eyes to A LOT.


FIVE stars from me.




      
'Since Bob has appeared, I've made huge strides in my life. For more than a decade I was a homeless drug addict. I was lost to the world and had forgotten what was important in life. Now I've got myself back on my two feet, but as I put the past behind me, I'm still stepping unsteadily into the future. I still need help in the right direction. Bob is always there to offer guidance and friendship.' James and his street cat Bob have been on a remarkable journey together. In the years since their story ended in the bestselling A STREET CAT NAMED BOB James, with Bob's help, has begun to find his way back to the real world. Almost every day, Bob provides moments of intelligence, bravery and humour, at the same time opening his human friend's eyes to important truths about friendship, loyalty, trust - and the meaning of happiness. In the continuing tale of their life together James shows the many ways in which Bob has been his protector and guardian angel through times of illness, hardship, even life-threatening danger. As they high five together for their crowds of admirers, James knows that the tricks he's taught Bob are nothing compared to the lessons he's learnt from his street-wise cat'

Last year I read A street cat named Bob. I am a HUGE bob fan, hehe. 'The World According To Bob' is another book about the street cat 'Bob' and his owner 'James'. James was a drug addict who lived on the streets. This book reflects on his life on the streets but it also reflects on his life now. James and the ginger cat 'Bob' are inseperable and I can tell they have an extrmely strong bond by reading this book!  He has a flat and sells 'The Big Issue'. He is also now free of drugs & is completely clean. This story tells little tales of bob and what he gets up, how mischievous bob can be but also what a clever cat he is! It's set in London during the mid 00's (recent!). It's a lovely read, wonderfully written and again I couldn't put it down! 
Is it wrong that I want to go to London just to meet Bob the street cat?! Lol. 
Five stars from me!!  

More book reviews coming soon.