Somewhere Behind The Morning

Mick's auntie is a member of the Women's Institute. She often tells me of talks which have been given or visitors they've had at their meetings. It's a while ago now that she told me about Frances McNeil coming to give a talk to the ladies. An author from Leeds, Frances McNeil had written about her mother, Julia, and her mother's sister who grew up on Bread Street in Leeds. The story sounded fascinating, but I've been unable to find the book, The Sisters on Bread Street, as it's no longer availabe to buy. Some of the material is included in another book which Frances McNeil has written, Somewhere Behind the Morning.

I really enjoyed this book. It's set at the start of, and during, the First World War. Julia and Margaret Wood are struggling to rise above poverty, and the fact that their father is German-Jewish at a time when people feel angry towards foreigners just makes things harder for them.

I studied Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck for my English Literature O Level. Eleanor is currently studying it towards her GCSE, and although I very rarely read a book a second time, this is one which I though deserved to be read again.

Reading was something I always made a point of doing with both Daniel and Eleanor when they were younger. Even though Eleanor's now fifteen, it's still special to share a book, so we're reading it together. We get snuggled up in bed while I read aloud. It's good to rediscover a well loved book.

If you haven't already entered my giveaway, don't forget to do so. You have until twelve noon on Thursday the 12th of September 2013 to leave a comment on my Third Blog Anniversary Giveaway post.