Friday 5 June 2020

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.

26 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about your Dad, it's no wonder you're not sleeping well. I do hope things pick up for you and your family soon. Thank you for the book recommendation I shall seek it out, it sounds right up my street, especially as I'm a Birch too. x

    ReplyDelete
  2. So sorry to hear about your Dad but glad to hear Jasmine has been discharged now. What a worrying time for you all especially with the virus hanging around. I'm not surprised you're not sleeping well. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Jo, I will add this book to my reading list. I'm sorry to read your dad is still unwell, I hope he improves soon, I can't imagine how much worry you are feeling.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry to read about your dad,and Jasmine, which makes it understandable how you feel at present. I hope that things soon improve for you all.
    Good to see that you found a book you enjoyed and recommend.
    Take care. xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jo, I'm so sorry to hear your dad's not well again. It must be so scary for him and for you not being able to visit him must be awful. How scary for Jasmine as well. Goodness me, you are having a time of it. My prayers are with you all. I'm off to investigate that book. It sounds interesting. Take care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the book recommendation, I found it on Audible, it can be next weeks stitching companion.
    So sorry you dad's still not well, it must be very confusing for him in hospital and not having family come. Terrible for you too not being able to go and visit him. I hope he will be on the mend soon they get something sorted out for him. Take care xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so sorry to hear how poorly your Dad is, such a worry for you and confusing for your Dad, I hope he gets well soon.
    I can't settle to read since my chemo began this week but I can recommend the The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, the sequel to the Harold Fry book. I passed my copy to a friend but am going to reorder a copy as I would love to read it again.
    Such a worrying time for so many with this damn virus, take care x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, your poor dad!How upsetting for you. I really hope he gets better soon. I'm pleased to hear Jasmine recovered, I'm sure she would have been told if she had the virus. With all that going on I'm not surprised you are sleeping badly. Hopefully that will settle down. That sounds like a charming book.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh goodness, everything happening at once - so worrying. Hope all settles soon

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry to read your Dad's back in hospital. It's awful that we can't visit ill relatives in hospital, just when they need it most.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So sorry to hear about your Dad Jo no wonder you haven't been sleeping, I'm glad to hear Jasmine has been discharged and hope both her and your Dad make a full recovery. Thank you for the book review I will have to put it on my list. Take care, sending lots of hugs. xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love and blessings to you and the family, what a worry for you all. I will add this book to my list of recommendations, I think the book group would like this one, they all loved Harold Fry and the sequel.
    Take care x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Jo, you are having a rough times amongst all this other stuff going on, it's no wonder you can't concentrate on much. Hope you can see your Dad soon. Take care, stay safe & huggles.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sorry to hear you're having a tough time just now, especially with your dad being so unwell - I hope he improves soon. This book sounds quite intriguing - I loved the Harold Fry story so hopefully I'll like this one too. It's now on my list of books to look for :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sorry that you are going through such a worrying time. Not being able to visit your dad must be really stressful/

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am so sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time of it at the moment Jo. It must be so hard for you not to be able to visit your dad in hospital. You are in my thoughts at this really difficult time.

    I am not surprised that you are not wanting to read or craft. Thank you for the book recommendation I will definitely be looking out for that book, I have read enjoyed two if not all of the books you mention.

    ReplyDelete
  17. So sorry about your dad, it must b so hard for all of you. Sending virtual hugs and prayers. Thank you for the book recommendation, I have added it to my list on Goodreads. x

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm very sorry to hear about your continuing worry for your Dad's health and it must be so hard for him and you not to be able to visit him in hospital. It must be difficult to concentrate when his health and that of Jasmine are on your mind. I'm glad you found a book that you could take up, read and enjoy the story and characters. I've been drifting along lately and haven't been reading. Your book sounds like a good read.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a stressful time for you. Take care and rest as much as you can. Thinking of you and sending virtual hugs. x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sorry to hear about your Dad. We had a similar situation just before lockdown with my Grandad.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh , you have many prayers and wishes for your father!!!!!! ;Jasmine must indeed be very dear to you as your son't girlfriend. I'll send prayers for her too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such a stressful time, no wonder you are not sleeping well.

    So sorry to read about your dad and it can't be easy for him or you being unable to visit at the present time.
    Pleased that Jasmine has been discharged from hospital though.

    Many thanks for the book review.
    My thoughts and good wishes to you.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope things become more normal for him. Sorry to hear about Jasmine also. It's understandable that you're not crafting but thank goodness you've found that you can read and enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  24. So sorry to read your news. May these hard times pass quickly.
    I've just loaded two free volumes onto my Kindle which purport to contain 50 classics in each one. I don't know how easy it will be to navigate between so many but although there are books there I've already read, there are many I haven't, or haven't for a long time. So suddenly with a choice of a hundred I feel very well set up for a while.
    May your Dad settle well and happily in his new place and Jasmine be completely recovered soon.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I feel for you, Jo. Life can be so frustrating when caregiving our parents! At least my mother is at home. I hope that your dad improves and can go back to his home soon.💖

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm so sorry to hear your poor dad is unwell. It's heart breaking that you can't visit him; it must be awful. I'm glad Jasmine is over her illness, that must have been a very frightening worry too :( Take naps and just sleep when you can, you need to take care of yourself. Sending love and hugs, Jane x

    ReplyDelete