Monday 9 September 2013

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.

26 comments:

  1. KL studied Jane Eyre for her AS level, and I had studied it at uni a few years ago. It was a book neither of us enjoyed, so we shared a mutual loathing of it!
    She loved 'Of Mice and Men' and so did K.

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    1. I've never read Jane Eyre, though I've seen the film. I really enjoyed Of Mice and Men when I read it at school and I'm enjoying it again this time round. I think there's some really interesting characters in it. Another book we studied was To Kill a Mockingbird and I loved that too.

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  2. Google that book title and you'll see that's available second-hand through Amazon and Abebooks.
    It's a very long time since I read any of John Steinbeck's books. Flighty xx

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    1. I'd looked on Amazon before but the second hand ones were really expensive. I've never heard of Abebooks before, I shall have a look at that. We studied The Pearl for our English Literature O Level too, but I didn't like that one at all.

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  3. I'm a big fan of John Steinbeck's novels, and I taught several of them when I was a teacher. I think Of Mice and Men is one of his best. I also love The Grapes of Wrath.

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    1. I'm really enjoying reading Of Mice and Men again. I've never read The Grapes of Wrath, I must put it on my list to read.

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  4. Did you try Amazon for the book? They might have it from a private seller. Just a thought.

    How cool that you and Eleanor are reading the book together. If I did that, I'd probably be the one falling asleep! :oD

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    1. I did try Amazon but it was really expensive second hand, somewhere in the region of £30. I see they have a more reasonably priced one on there now though. I love reading aloud, I think it's quite special enjoying a book together. We're trying to keep just a little in front of where they're up to at school.

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  5. Sounds like a lovely mother-daughter time. I am missing my girl now that she's gone back to university.

    Have to confess I've never read Jany Eyre, tho I have a PhD in literature. French literature, so hopefully that excuses me!

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    1. It's lovely still having time reading together even though she's now fifteen. Daniel heads off to university on the 29th and I know I'm going to miss him. It does indeed excuse you, I've never read it either.

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  6. Of mice and men is a very popular book here in the US and you know what Jo? I've started reading it twice and never finished... I need to have another serious word with myself! I must read this classic!
    I always get so much from your comments and I so appreciate you leaving them about my mom, I do love her so dearly... Life can be so tricky eh? But I must live my life for me, and do what's best for me and my children.
    Hugs to you and your lovely family...
    Tammy

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    1. Oh, you must finish it. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading it for a second time. Families can be tricky, but you have do do what's right for you and your children, you only get one chance at life.

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  7. We read the Grapes of Wrath at our book club the other month and that was a really moving book. Such poverty and desperation.
    Lisa x

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    1. I've never read it, I must put it on my must read list as I've heard several people say how good it is.

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  8. Hi Jo, I love reading with the kids. Its so nice when everyone is quiet and its the end of the day and we just enjoy the story as it unfolds. I had to read Of Mice and Men in high school and I still remember it, we had to read The Grapes of Wrath as well did you?

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    1. I remember my mum reading aloud to me, even when I was quite old, and now I'm doing the same with Eleanor. I remember it as a special time, I hope Eleanor will too. I've never read The Grapes of Wrath, but we also had to read The Pearl in high school, I wasn't very keen on that one at all.

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  9. I must try to find 'Somewhere Behind the Morning'. I know someone whose family came from a similar background and shared the difficulties during WW1. They will be very interested to read the story. Thanks for posting about it! Jx

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    1. My mum and Mick's auntie want to read the book, but if you're happy to wait until they do, I'll be only too happy to post it on to you afterwards, just let me have your address. Sadly, I think there were many families in similar situations.

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  10. Tell them about the rabbits, George.
    I HAVE read Jane Eyre and all the biggies of 19th century English literature but I am ashamed to say I had never read Mice and Men until last year when 15 year old son insisted I did. OMG I cried buckets. It was really good but so inevitable.

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    1. Yes, it's so sad. I'm really surprised you hadn't read the book until last year, I know what a bookworm you are. I've read very few of the biggies, I usually watch the films instead.

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  11. Just catching up on some posts as I have blog-lag at the moment because of selling the house. More like anxiety plus. Anyway, just loved your days out at both the beach and Middleton Park.
    I always read to my three and our daughter went onto Uni and did a librarian degree.

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    1. I think it's really important to read to children when they're young, but it's really special to spend time reading aloud when they're older too. It's lovely to spend that time together sharing a book.

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  12. It's so nice to think that you are still reading with Eleanor even though she's 15. How wonderful. It must feel great to rediscover a favourite book and share it with her. x

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    1. It's nice to have this special time together. It doesn't seem two minutes since they were both little and were having stories every night at bedtime, it's special to continue it even though Eleanor's older now.

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  13. Of Mice and Men is a favourite of mine too. It's a long time since I read it though!

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    1. It's thirty years since I last read it, definitely time for another read.

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