Tag: Cecelia Ahern

In A Thousand Different Ways by Cecelia Ahern

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am not sure how, but I had missed the publication of ‘In A Thousand Different Ways’ by Cecelia Ahern, and as she is one of my auto-buy authors, I knew I had to treat myself when I spotted it out in the world. It does of course also have a rather beautiful cover, so that was an additional reason it was definitely allowed to be purchased.

This is exactly what you come to expect from the pen of Cecelia Ahern: a little magical realism in the modern world, with a strong female lead who we can all admire for her strength. This is a simple but beautifully told story, as we meet Alice who can see everyone’s emotions; everyone carries colours that Alice can read. This seems like quite a gift that should make understanding people a doddle, but this could be a curse as well as a gift, as Alice has to learn how to live with it, and understand how to make it something that will not simply consume her.

This really is a journey of self-discovery for Alice as we follow her from childhood to adult life; we laugh with her and we cry with her. We see how lonely it can be for someone who does not fully understand who they are and how someone needs to be able to accept themselves and their skills before they are really able to understand others. Alice needs to understand that she cannot take on all the emotions of others, that she must learn to manage her gift and use it for good, but that she cannot fix and protect all of those around her. When she does this, can she find the happiness that seems to have been lacking for her for so long as she has tried to take care of everybody else?

This is such a beautiful book, and part of the reason I always return to Cecelia Ahern is because you know you will get a lovely story and characters that you will care about. I also really enjoy that they are almost like fairytales for adults – pure escapism, a touch of magic and fantastic characters. Cecelia Ahern writes beautifully and you are completely immersed in the world that she creates for her readers.

So, if you are looking for a lovely read this summer (or any time), then I would recommend this book. There are some slightly difficult issues about family relationships touched on in the story, but they are handled with care and they are all part of the complex tapestry of life that make us all who we are. And they make Alice who she is – and she becomes stronger for it.

I am hoping I do not miss the publication of any of Cecelia Ahern’s other books, as this has again confirmed why she has been an auto-buy author for me since the days of the beloved ‘P.S. I Love You’.

Freckles by Cecelia Ahern

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

One of my favourite authors is Cecelia Ahern. Ever since I read ‘PS I Love You’ cover to cover in one day (I have probably told you that before).

So, I was over the moon when ‘Freckles’ came out and I had another chance to have a little Irish adventure. And this was a wonderful adventure. Allegra Bird, ‘Freckles’, has moved to Dublin and meets Tristian. They may not have the most conventional meeting, but when it is suggested you are the product of the five people you spend the most time with, Allegra starts to re-evaluate her life.

Does Allegra have five people? Who really are the special people in her life? Or is this a chance for her to change her story?

This is a beautifully written page-turner. You almost want to become one of Allegra’s five. This story swept me away and, as I read the final chapter, I even shed a little tear. But you also begin to think about the five people in your life.

Simply put, this is Cecelia Ahern at her finest; creating a magical tale of fantastic characters that leaves you with that warm and fuzzy feeling. This is a perfect autumn read – and definitely an excuse to start reading the books of Cecelia Ahern.

Roar by Cecelia Ahern

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

As I started this collection of short stories, I was not too sure about it to begin with. However, as I kept going, I realised what a fascinating collection of tales this is.

There is an element of fantasy to the tales, which may put some readers off. However, the elements of fantasy in fact makes the stories what they are – and adds to the comments being made about women in society.

Each story is about a different unamed woman, because we can probably all put ourselves into the story, as these are tales of all women in all situations. They are also stories that pass comment on the society we love in and the position of women within that society. It really challenges some of the old-fashioned ideas that, sadly, can still so easily be part of our world. Gender identity is also very cleverly challenged on several occasions, and if women really do always have the support of women.

Also, I really likes the visualisation of some phrases we hear more often than we should. The first that really struck me was ‘being left on the shelf’. In the story that presents this idea, it is probably not presented quite as you expect, but does make you think about women and the path life may take – or, at least, maybe the path society pre-define it should take.

This is really quite a thought-provoking read. A collection of modern-day stories to empower women and maybe lead you to evaluate your ideas or the life you lead.

Postscript by Cecelia Ahern

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

What seems a lifetime ago, I was one of those readers that was sucked into the world of ‘P.S I Love You’. It was a book that made me a firm of the work of Ceclia Ahern.

So, when we knew that we would have the chance to meet Holly again, seven years after the story of ‘P.S I Love You’ ended, I was very excited. It has taken me a little while to pick the book up, simply because I knew that it would be an emotional read. And I was not wrong.

There is joy as you are reunited with Holly, her family and friends. But there is so much emotion as we realise that Gerry’s ghost is still playing a big part in Holly’s life and maybe she has not come as far in seven years as she thought she had. However, Holly meets some people in the ‘P.S I Love You Club’ who take her on a journey of self-discovery she may not have ever realised she needed.

Ahern tells the story in her usual beautiful style. Her books are so readable and, for me, this was like returning to an old friend. A perfect read in these strange times – a hug in a book.

So, if you have not met Holly yet, grab ‘P.S I Love You’, and – if you have – remember to read the ‘Postscript’. And, when you have done that, why not pick up a pen and send some happy mail?

Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Book 4 of a #ayearinbooks2017

The best thing about picking up a book by Cecelia Ahern is that it is like stepping into a fairy tale for adults. There is always a collection of colourful characters and a few subplots that intertwine seamlessly into the main story.

Laura ‘Lyrebird’ is a lovely character to follow on her journey of self-discovery. The story takes her from her the quiet Irish countryside to the lively city lifestyle of Dublin, and her talent for mimicry throws her into the difficult celebrity spotlight. It is quite a roller coaster, but along the way she influences the lives of the many that she meets and they too end up on a road of self-discovery…

It is a heartwarming tale and a perfect piece of escapism on these winter evenings of early 2017.

Now, what to read next?