Book Review: ‘The Marmalade Diaries’ by Ben Aitken

Given that Aitken’s previous books have been mainly focused on travel, it would seem that a Covid lockdown might put a crimp in his style.

Not so.

This book covers the period of national lockdown when Aitken, in his thirties, ended up living with 84-year old widow, Winnie Carter. She needed a helping hand round the house, he needed a cheapish room to rent – but neither of them then needed a period of national shutdown to be announced that threw these unlikely housemates together even more intensely!

Continue reading Book Review: ‘The Marmalade Diaries’ by Ben Aitken

My Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2020

I read a lot of non-fiction books this year – regular visitors to the blog will know that I love history, popular culture, books about books, feminism and biography in particular.

So while I cannot possibly say I’ve read a huge variety of the fabulous non-fiction books published this year, I have found some real gems. In true ‘Top of the Pops’ style (yes, I am of that vintage!), here’s my countdown of the best in 2020’s non-fiction books from number 10 to 1…

Affiliate links are included – thank you for supporting my blog with any purchases (at no extra cost to you).

10 – ‘The Gran Tour: Travels with my Elders’ by Ben Aitken

If someone had told me that one of my favourite books of the year would be about a young man going on Shearings coach tours, I’m not sure I’d have believed you! Still, this is a witty, warm and wise story about Aitken’s travels with the older generation and is more focused on interesting people-watching than any real travel narrative. You can read my full review here.

I also read Aitken’s ‘A Chip Shop in Poznan’, an engaging tale of his year in Poland just as Brexit-fever took hold of Britain.

9 – ‘Practically Perfect: Life Lessons from Mary Poppins’ by Katy Brand

Having been raised on the glorious 1964 film of ‘Mary Poppins’, this book was a fabulously comfortable and engaging read. Brand is clearly a Poppins-obsessive and it is something I both recognise and respect! This book is packed with nostalgia, interesting facts and witty analysis. You can read my review here.

If this one floats your boat, Brand’s book about Dirty Dancing is also well worth a read (‘I Carried a Watermelon’).

8 – ‘Essex Girls: For Profane and Opinionated Women Everywhere’ by Sarah Perry

This is a brilliant re-evaluation of the stereotype of the Essex girl and a celebration of ‘profane and opinionated women’ through history. As a Southend-born and long-term Chelmsford resident, this one struck a chord with me. You can read my full review here.

7 – ‘This is Shakespeare’ by Emma Smith

I love a book about Shakespeare and I’ve read a lot! What I loved about this one was the fact that it contained so many new things that I hadn’t really thought about before, even for the plays that I consider that I know really well. You can read my review here.

If this is your thing, I can also recommend Kathryn Harkup’s ‘Death by Shakespeare’, a fascinating look at the deaths in Shakespeare from a scientific perspective. Dark but absolutely engrossing! (review here)

6 – ‘How Love Actually Ruined Christmas (or Colourful Narcotics)’ by Gary Raymond

A late entry into my favourites list but this one is hilarious! I am really not a fan of the film ‘Love Actually’ at all and I really enjoyed Raymond’s scene-by-scene evisceration of it. Thoughtfully-written and genuinely enlightening…and did I mention very, very funny?! You can read my full review here.

5 – ‘Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity from Bronze Age to Silver Screen’ by Greg Jenner

This is a thoroughly enjoyable jaunt through the culture of celebrity. Jenner, who was historian for the BBC’s excellent ‘Horrible Histories’ TV series, is an engaging guide and brings together stories that are funny, interesting and also occasionally tragic. You can read my review here.

If you like the look of this, I can also recommend Jenner’s first book, ‘A Million Years in A Day’, a book focusing on the history of the things we do every day.

4 – ‘Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights’ by Helen Lewis

This is a history of feminism, but with a difference – it focused on the lesser-known figures and events so that it really feels fresh and engaging. You can read my full review here.

3 – ‘A Curious History of Sex’ by Kate Lister

I supported this book on the crowd-funded publishing site, Unbound, after following Dr Kate Lister on Twitter for a while. Her take on social (sexual) history is funny, feminist and always interesting. The book itself is eye-opening and fascinating, plus Lister donated a proportion of her profits to a sex worker charity. You can read my full review here.

2 – ‘More Than A Woman’ by Caitlin Moran

Moran’s books are always worth a read, but this take on what it means to be a middle-aged woman is brilliant. She is funny and confessional, relatable and quick with her razor-sharp observations. My review can be read here.

Moran’s earlier book, ‘How to be a Woman’, about being a younger woman, is also eminently readable:

1 – ‘A Tomb With a View’ by Peter Ross

OK, so a book ostensibly about graveyards and death might be a bit of an odd choice for my non-fiction book of the year, but hear me out! This is the book that I have talked about to people more than any other this year and it is an absolute treasure.

More than anything, it celebrates life and the people associated with graveyards and burial grounds and ossuaries: the historians, the mourners and the grave-tenders and those who carry out burial rites, as well as the departed. It is strangely comforting and absolutely compelling. Although sometimes sad, it isn’t depressing at all.

This is a brilliant book and one I strongly recommend. You can read my full review here.

Header photo by Rahul Pandit from Burst.

‘The Gran Tour’ by Ben Aitken

Another 3rd September release and another one of my recommendations!

I love a funny travel book so I picked this up hoping for a Bill Bryson-style book that would make me laugh and look at things from a new perspective. I wasn’t disappointed with this story of a 30-something man on a series of Shearings coach tours with his elders (but only actually once with his Gran!)

Ben Aitken is an incisive and engaging narrator as he writes about the six coach holidays he took in the UK and abroad. He observes keenly and gives the reader some interesting insights into the generation gap. His writing is sometimes poignant, but also often very funny as he presents the people he shared the coach trips with – some brilliant, eccentric characters and those who really have experienced life’s ups and downs. What these older people have gone through is often sad – bereavement, illness, life’s disappointments – but they are also survivors and making the most of the time they have. Whether that is bingo, booze or bra-flinging, they know how to have fun! Indeed, it’s much more about people than places, which is good but wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

This is an enjoyable read that does make you think about life’s lessons and what we can learn from the older generation. It made me laugh, briefly consider a coach holiday (my husband said no) and order another book by this writer.

I can also recommend ‘A Chip Shop in Poznan: My Unlikely Year in Poland’ by Ben Aitken – an engaging, eye-opening and witty account of the writer’s year trying to live a Polish life.

I received a free copy of ‘The Gran Tour’ from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Links for both books are below – I may earn commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Header photo with thanks to Annie Spratt for sharing their work on Unsplash.

3rd September: My Picks

Everyone in the book world knows that 3rd September is going to be absolutely massive for new releases. Over 600 books are published that day and – it is far to say – some great books are going to fall by the wayside because of the overwhelming supply.

I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing a number of these titles and will be featuring them on my blog in the coming few weeks. Now would be a great time to follow me here or on Twitter if you’re interested in any of my top picks:

‘Longhand’ by Andy Hamilton

This hand-written novel by comedian Andy Hamilton is published by the excellent crowdfunded publisher Unbound. It is a funny, quirky and ultimately very moving letter from a man to a woman that he is being forced to leave. I cannot praise this one highly enough and will be joining a blog tour for it through Random Things Through My Letterbox.

‘The Watcher’ by Kate Medina

Another blog tour for Random Things Through My Letterbox – this book is a very tense and graphic police procedural. It is part of a series featuring psychologist Dr Jessie Flynn and DI ‘Marilyn’ Simmons (a man – don’t be confused by the nickname!) However, it can also be read as a stand alone novel and is just great – though terrifying and stomach-churning in places!

‘The Gran Tour’ by Ben Aitken

A warm and surprising book that I just loved – this is about Aitken’s travels on various coach tours with (mainly) the older generation. In the vein of Bill Bryson’s travel writing, this is an affectionate look at the lessons learnt from the various coach trips and the lively fellow travellers. It’s gentle and funny and sweet and highly recommended.

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman

There has been a lot of hype around Osman’s debut novel, set in a retirement community. It is a clever and funny novel and will easily hit the bestseller lists.

‘A Girl Made of Air’ by Nydia Hetherington

This one is still on my TBR, but it looks to be a gorgeous story of circus life with all the contrasting highs and seediness that entails. It was publicised as being ideal for fans of Angela Carter, so I can’t wait to read this one.

‘Shakespearean: On Life and Language in Times of Disruption’ by Robert McCrum

A personal account of what Shakespeare has meant to this writer and journalist, plus musings on what ‘Shakespearean’ has come to mean as a concept.


All of the above were provided to me either by NetGalley or Random Things Tours in exchange for an honest review.

However, I have also spent my own hard-earned pennies pre-ordering the following which I have heard great things about:

‘More than a Woman’ by Caitlin Moran

I would literally read a shopping list written by this woman – she is hilarious while tackling some really big issues for women. I love her and cannot wait to read this.

‘A Tomb with a View’ by Peter Ross

I’ve heard really good things about this book which tells the stories behind graveyards and considers the ways in which we remember the dead. I love history and this promises some really interesting tales from our past.


On Twitter, the lovely @EHawkes13 has a thread of many of 3rd September books – worth keeping an eye on!

Header photo with thanks to Jaredd Craig for sharing their work on Unsplash.