Meeting The English, Kate Clanchy

This was a really good read, engaging and enjoyble. It follows Struan Robertson, 18 and just out of school as he moves from his hometown in Scotland to London to be a carer for a famous author, who has recently suffered from a stroke. Struan is responsible and old for his age, and takes very good care of Phillip whilst getting used to and finding his place within Phillip's dysfunctional and mostly selfish and uncaring family.

I read this a few weeks ago (been on holiday so no blogging!) whilst it was very hot, and the novel is based in the scorching summer of 1989 (also the summer I was born) so it was pretty apt. Its a relatively easy read but not mindless, it asks questions, is funny and just manages to shy away from cliche at the end! Certainly worth a look.  

Next was The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle - bought for my brother by his girlfriend, probably because of the same last name (quite rare and we're always local to West Yorkshire). It was brilliant and very original.