Today I’m delighted to welcome psychological crime writer Susanna Beard. Her ‘Porridge & Cream’ read is Winnie-the-Pooh by AA Milne.

“I first read this collection of stories in 1972 when I was an A-level English student at Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham. Our wonderful English teacher, Miss Smith – probably the only teacher in our school who inspired me — would read from it at the end of term. We would have worked hard during the term, finished our homework and our exams, and would be looking forward to the holidays. I came to see this book as the ultimate way to wind down.

Susanna’s copy of Winnie-the-Pooh

“Whenever things seem overwhelming and difficult, I pick up this book and dip into the world of Christopher Robin, Pooh et al. I’m transported into their kind, friendly, uncomplicated lives and live for a short time in the Hundred Acre Wood with them, observing nature and enjoying the company of friends. AA Milne writes with humour, compassion and simplicity, yet the stories are so insightful and the messages universal.

“I’m drawn to this book by the memory of my teacher sitting on one of our desks in front of the class, her feet on the chair, reading in her soft voice to us. We were almost adults but we were enthralled and enchanted by AA Milne’s stories. I’ve always loved the illustrations too, particularly the colour versions by EH Shepard. They’re beautiful and simple, yet so expressive.”

The current edition

Susanna’s Elevator Pitch for Winnie-the-Pooh: Winnie-The-Pooh is a bear of very little brain. He lives in the Hundred Acre Wood with his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Tigger, Kanga and Roo. This collection of short stories tells the tales of their friendship and their adventures.
BUY

Susanna’s Bio
Susanna is fascinated by human relationships. She can be found people-watching wherever she goes, finding material for her writing. Her passions include animals — particularly her dogs — walking in the countryside and tennis, which clears her brain of pretty much everything. Susanna’s debut novel, Dare to Remember, was published in February 2017, and her second, The Truth Waits, launched on 1 November 2018. Both are published by Legend Press. She aims to keep writing, and never to get old.

Susanna’s links
Website
Email 
Facebook
Twitter and her publisher Legend Press

Susanna’s latest book

The Truth Waits (published 2018)
‘Bears all the hallmarks of a great thriller’
Successful businesswoman Anna stumbles across the body of a young girl on a deserted beach in Lithuania. She is compelled to uncover the story behind the tragedy, despite concern from her partner, Will. Everything points towards sex trafficking, but as she searches, her own deepest secrets start to surface.
BUY

What is a ‘Porridge & Cream’ book? It’s the book you turn to when you need a familiar read, when you are tired, ill, or out-of-sorts, where you know the story and love it. Where reading it is like slipping on your oldest, scruffiest slippers after walking for miles. Where does the name ‘Porridge & Cream’ come from? Cat Deerborn is a character in Susan Hill’s ‘Simon Serrailler’ detective series. Cat is a hard-worked GP, a widow with two children and she struggles from day-to-day. One night, after a particularly difficult day, she needs something familiar to read. From her bookshelf she selects ‘Love in A Cold Climate’ by Nancy Mitford. Do you have a favourite read which you return to again and again? If so, please send me a message.

Discover the ‘Porridge & Cream’ books of these authors:-
Kelly Clayton’s choice is ‘Naked in Death’ by JD Robb
Linda Huber chooses ‘A Cry in the Night’ by Mary Higgins Clark
‘Camellia’ by Lesley Pearse is chosen by Helen Christmas

And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
Why does psychological crime writer @SusannaBeard25 re-read WINNIE-THE-POOH by AA Milne? #books https://wp.me/p5gEM4-45w via @SandraDanby