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My Porridge & Cream read… @JamesSteptowe #childrensbooks

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Today I’m delighted to welcome children’s author James Steptowe. His ‘Porridge & Cream’ read is The Two Farms by Mary E Pearce.

James Steptowe

James’ copy of ‘The Two Farms’ by Mary E Pearce

“It is a book I first read in 2018 on my honeymoon in Italy. My wife (who is Italian) and I asked our wedding guests to buy us a book that was special to them for a present. A close friend of mine from university gave us The Two Farms. He told us he had had to search hard for it as it was not in print anymore and inside, he left us a note saying, “the story in this book is very simplistic, but the sentiment behind it has a lot of meaning – love is the source of happiness”. We loved the thought he had put into it, so we packed it in our bag for our honeymoon. When I started reading it, I could not stop. It is not a long book and I think I read it in a day, on the beach, under the scorching Italian sun. The story is simple; predictable even, but so captivating and the description of the English countryside is enchanting.
“I now live in Italy and it is the book I go to when I just want to read a lovely story. It is the book I go to when I want to be reminded of the rolling English countryside (particularly poignant and powerful in these strange times we are living in). And it is the book I go to when I want to read without stopping. The review on the front of my copy from a reviewer called James Herriot says, “Sheer Country Magic” and frankly I could not agree more with Mr Herriot.”
James SteptoweBUY THE BOOK

James’s Bio
James SteptoweJames is a children’s book author and teacher originally from Essex, but now living in Italy. In May 2019 he published his debut book, Raid of the Ratskull Rodents, while living in Horsforth, Yorkshire. Chase for the Championship, a football story for girls and boys, followed in 2020. He has lived in Italy since January 2020 with his wife, daughter, cat and two chickens, and currently teaches at a bilingual school just outside Monza. When not teaching or writing, he loves hiking, reading a good book and spending time with his family.

James’s links
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James’s latest book
James SteptoweA football story for girls and boys, formatted and written for struggling or reluctant readers. Sarah Saunders, striker for Lingerfield FC, and Yonis Ganim, goalkeeper for SLS United, are locked in a tight battle for their under-eleven championship title. Only 1 point separates their teams at the midway point in the season. However, as the chase for the championship heats up, both Sarah and Yonis realise there are much more important things in life than just football…
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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:-
Alex Marchant’s choice is ‘Over Sea, Under Stone’ by Susan Cooper
Kelly Clayton chooses ‘Naked in Death’ by JD Robb
‘The Wind in the Willows’ by Kenneth Grahame is chosen by Rob V Biggs

And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
Why does @JamesSteptowe re-read THE TWO FARMS by Mary E Pearce #books https://wp.me/p5gEM4-57m via @SandraDanby

My Porridge & Cream read… @CarmenRadtke1 #books #cozymysteries

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Today I’m delighted to welcome Carmen Radtke, writer of cozy historical mysteries. Her ‘Porridge & Cream’ read is Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett.

“Picking my “Porridge & Cream” book made me realise how many writers give me endless comfort and entertainment. In the end, Terry Pratchett prevailed (sorry, Georgette Heyer, Agatha Christie, Joan Hess and Bill Bryson). At least half a dozen of his witches and night watch novels have seen me through richer and poorer, sickness and health. But the one I reread most often is Carpe Jugulum, although The Fifth Elephant, Feet of Clay and Jingo come a close second.

Carmen Radtke

‘Carpe Jugulum’ by Terry Pratchett – Carmen’s edition

“I discovered it aged twenty on my new boyfriend’s bookshelf. Two hours later he complained that I was still reading. Yeah, right … What makes this (and its companions) so irresistible is the sheer fun and inventiveness of the Discworld, its hilarious characters and madcap situations. But underneath the comedy lurks a darker side which itself contains a world of wisdom, a sense of justice and how life could be. In Carpe Jugulum, the witches of Lancre find themselves up against a new breed of vampires who’ve been invited by Lancre’s idealistic king. But once you have vampires – or vampyres – in the castle, they’re almost impossible to defeat. As with most of Terry Pratchett’s later novels, there is that sense of anger and despair underneath the funny façade. It’s the same kind of anger that propels most of my own writing, in the best possible way. I must have read this novel eight times or more and it still holds me spellbound. This isn’t just a book, it’s a treasure.”

Carmen Radtke

‘Carpe Jugulum’ by Terry Pratchett – current Corgi edition

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Carmen’s Bio
Carmen Radtke is a published novelist and short story writer. She writes mostly cozy historical mysteries, although she’s also working on a contemporary cozy.

Carmen’s links
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Carmen’s latest book
Carmen Radtke1931. A sea voyage from Australia to England is a dream come true for Jack, Frances, and Uncle Sal – until murder most foul stirs up a storm.
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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:-
Lizzie Chantree’s choice is ‘The Hobbit’ by JRR Tolkien
Rhoda Baxter chooses ‘Night Watch’ by Terry Pratchett
‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams is chosen by Lexi Rees

And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
Why does #cozymysteries author @CarmenRadtke1 re-read CARPE JUGULUM by Terry Pratchett? #books https://wp.me/p5gEM4-529 via @SandraDanby

#Books Laura Wilkinson @ScorpioScribble chooses her Porridge & Cream book #amreading

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Contemporary novelist Laura Wilkinson chooses her ‘Porridge & Cream’ read… The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Frances Hodgson Burnett“It’s so long ago I cannot recall with any degree of accuracy when I first read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The crumbling copy, pictured with my newer edition, was always around; it was my grandmother’s, then my mother’s. I was fascinated by the colour plates scattered throughout and would stare at them long before I could read the words. My hunch is that I was eight or nine – certainly during a period when I devoured Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series! Whilst I forgot Blyton’s characters and plots almost instantly, Mary Lennox, Colin and Dickon have stayed close.

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Laura’s copy of ‘The Secret Garden’

An angry, lonely orphan is sent to live in a remote manor with a walled, prohibited, garden. The garden is the catalyst for her transformation, and in cahoots with a local boy she uncovers the secret not only of the garden but of the crying which wakes her every night. The story resonated then and still does. Each time I find something new to admire. I turn to it when I need to be reminded that the world is a beautiful place where love and nature can cure our ills. I’ve re-read it after I’ve recommended it and I’ve picked it up when I simply cannot decide what to read next.
It’s the character of sour, sickly Mary Lennox and her journey that draws me time and again. She’s portrayed as a horrid little minx initially but I always feel so sorry for her – abandoned and forgotten in that house in India full of death. And the story reminds me of how much time I spent roaming around outdoors as a child – no adults in sight – and how much I learnt that way. It saddens me that my children don’t have that experience; the world has changed. But stories don’t: a great story is always a great story.”

Laura Wilkinson’s Bio
Laura WilkinsonAfter time as a journalist and copywriter now Laura writes stories. She has published five novels for adults (two under a pseudonym), with a sixth out in June and numerous short stories. Public Battles, Private Wars, was a Welsh Books Council Book of the month; Redemption Song was a Kindle top twenty. The Family Line is a family drama set in the near future, looking at identity and parenting. ‘It will haunt your dreams’ Books at Broadway. Her latest is Skin Deep. Alongside writing, she works as an editor & mentor for literary consultancies and runs workshops. She’s spoken at festivals and events nationwide, including London Metropolitan University, GladLit, University of Kingston, The Women’s Library and Museum in Docklands.

Laura Wilkinson’s links
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Laura Wilkinson’s books
In Skin Deep, former model and art student Diana has always been admired for her beauty but what use are good looks when you want to shine for your talent? Insecure and desperate for inspiration, Diana needs a muse. Facially disfigured four-year-old Cal lives a life largely hidden from the world. But he was born to be looked at and he needs love too. A chance encounter changes everything; Cal becomes Diana’s muse. But as Diana’s reputation develops and Cal grows up, their relationship implodes. Both struggle to be accepted for what lies within. Is it possible to find acceptance in a society where what’s on the outside counts for so much?
Here’s my review of SKIN DEEP.

What is a ‘Porridge & Cream’ book? Sandra DanbyIt’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. 

Discover the ‘Porridge & Cream’ books of these authors:-
Kate Frost
Jane Lambert
Rosie Dean

And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
#Books #amreading Why does @ScorpioScribble love THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett? http://wp.me/p5gEM4-2uuvia @SandraDanby