The Wish List

I haven't been reading a great deal just lately, we've had, and are still having, a very worrying time. My dad is back in hospital again, he's been in since last Saturday, but for a week or two prior to being admitted he went downhill very fast. It's doubtful that he'll be allowed home any time soon. He's very unwell at present and they're now talking of him going into community rehabilitation if and when the time comes for him to be discharged. It's all about making sure that he's safe, and he wouldn't be at home at the present time. The sad part about it all is that we're unable to visit him and he's very confused, he doesn't know where he is or why he's there.

On Monday, Jasmine, Daniel's girlfriend, was admitted to hospital. She's diabetic and was unable to stop being sick, sending her insulin levels out of control. She was kept in until yesterday, but I'm pleased to say that she's finally been discharged. She had a coronavirus test while she was in hospital as the doctor told her that he'd seen similar symptoms in other diabetic patients who had the virus but they never said the test had come back positive so I suppose it was negative. She hasn't had any other symptoms.

Needless to say, with all this going on and the worry and stress I'm under at present, reading and crafting have been on the back burner, I haven't felt like doing much at all, and I'm tired out too as I'm not sleeping very well. However, prior to all this happening, running out of books during lockdown has had me reaching for my Kindle and actively seeking out books to download. There's quite a few I've read recently which, ordinarily, wouldn't have made it onto my Kindle, and that would have been such a shame as I've discovered some really wonderful books from some new to me authors. The Wish List by Ruby Hummingbird is one of them, and you can see a list of what else I've been reading in my sidebar.

I really loved this book, it's full of interesting and likeable characters, it was such a pleasant read.

"Sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you can float to the top.

Maria Birch is seventy years old and, for her, every week is the same.

On Monday, she does her weekly shop. On Tuesday, she goes for a blow-dry. On Wednesday, she visits the laundrette. But Thursday is her favourite day of all - everything hurts less on a Thursday.

Every Thursday Maria walks to her local cafe. Waiting for her at one of the red gingham-topped tables is Albie Young, a charming man with a twinkle in his eye and an impressive collection of tweed flat caps. Every week, the pair share a slice of marble cake and a pot of tea.

Except, one week, Albie doesn't turn up.

When Maria finds out what has happened, her perfectly ordered life is ripped apart at the seams. Suddenly, she is very lonely. Without her Thursday friend - her only friend - she no longer has the energy to circle the weekly TV listings, she has no reason to leave her apartment, no reason to laugh.

Then she discovers that Albie isn't who she thought he was, and she's left wondering if she knew her friend at all. But Albie has left behind a legacy - a handwritten list of wishes he never got the chance to complete.

Maria is resigned to facing the rest of her days heartbroken and alone. But fulfilling Albie's wishes could hold the key to her happiness - if only she's able to look past his secret..."

I will be honest, I found the beginning a little slow to get going, but totally worth persevering with. I think anyone who has enjoyed books such as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Other Half of Augusta Hope (I'd recommend all three) would really enjoy this book too.

This is another book I'd thoroughly recommend.