Annie Lyons

'A heart-warming tale about resilience, friendships and family, and the inestimable power of the written word' RUTH HOGAN'A heart-warming depiction of strong female friendships tested by suffering - Annie Lyons really is the queen of the wartime saga' CLARE CHAMBERSCan two young women and one book change the course of war?1940. Whip-smart librarian Peggy Sparks is determined to make sure that her brother Joe returns from the frontline to their London home, which they share with their beloved mother and grandmother. So when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job at the heart of the war effort, Peggy jumps at the prospect of making a real contribution to her country. But when she finds herself working under the fanciful socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy discovers that those around her are more keen on dancing at the Café de Paris than on ending the war. Writing accounts of her daily life is the only thing keeping Peggy's hopes alive. But when she finds her inner-most thoughts accidentally published by the Ministry of Information, Peggy realises she needs Marigold's help to save her job, and to bring her brother home . . . From the author of The Air Raid Book Club comes a powerful tale of unexpected friendship, community and two remarkable women who change the course of the war. Full of heart, emotion and drama, it is the perfect uplifting story for fans of Kate Thompson and Natasha Lester.'A joyous read that I couldn't put down. I loved it' LIZ FENWICK'Annie Lyons writes with compassion and heart, leaving the reader feeling like there is always hope, even in the darkest times' KATE STOREY'This book is a delight! A warm hug of a story with gorgeous characters who felt like friends... Loved it! KERRY BARRETTWHAT EARLY READERS ARE ALREADY SAYING ABOUT A GIRLS' GUIDE TO WINNING THE WAR:'I loved every page of it... I Iove, love, loved it' ? ? ? ? ?'So many emotions, fabulous writing and a thoroughly enjoyable read!' ? ? ? ? ?'Heartfelt and real' ? ? ? ? ?'My favourite thing about her books is the way a tight community is formed throughout the story, and they always include strong female characters both young and old. Did I mention there are libraries?' ? ? ? ?'Inspirational' ? ? ? ? ?'Very moving book and very evocative of the era' ? ? ? ? ? 'A joyous read that I couldn't put down. I loved it' Liz Fenwick'A heartwarming novel about resilience and the power of female friendship' Good Housekeeping

Koskaan ei ole liian myohaista saada onnellinen lapsuusEudora Honeysett on saanut tarpeekseen - kaikesta. Han on kahdeksankymmentaviisivuotias ja nahnyt omin silmin, miten pahaa jalkea pitkaaikaissairaus saa aikaan. Han aio jaada odottamaan mita tuleman pitaa, kun voi yhdella ainoalla soitolla sveitsilaiselle klinikalle ottaa kohtalonsa omiin kasiin. Sitten raikeasti pukeutunut kymmenvuotias Rose ilmestyy hanen ovelleen.taynna elamaa. Pikkuvanha Rose vetaa Eudoran mukaan iltapaivateelle naapurin Stanleyn kanssa, shoppailemaan, uimarannalle, syntymapaiviin ja muihin juhliin. Kolmikko loytaa toisistaan tukea ja ystavyytta ja Eudora alkaa muistella omaa lapsuuttaan ja pohtia, onko han todella valmis kuole maan nyt, kun on vasta oppinut nakemaan, mita elama oikeasti on. Onko han valmis sanomaan hyvastit uusille ystavilleen? Koskettava feelgoodromaani ystavyydesta, elamasta ja sen lahestyvasta lopusta. Kirjan on suomentanut Anna-Mari Raaska. Annie Lyons on brittilainen bestsellerkirjailija ja luovan kirjoittamisen opettaja. Ennen kirjailijanuraansa han oli toissa mm. kustantamossa ja kirjakaupassa. Hanen edellinen romaaninsa Pommisuojan lukupiiri nousi suomalaisten suosioon kesalla 2023.” Herkka ja koskettava kertomus elamasta, ystavyydesta ja kuoleman kohtaamisesta... Kaikkien pitaisi lukea tama kirja.” - Ruth Hogan”Meilla kaikilla pitaisi olla sellaisia ystavia kuin Eudora, Stanley ja Rose, joiden lampo auttaa meita selviytymaan vaikeinakin aikoina.” - Celia Anderson

'Touching and heartwarming . . . get those tissues ready' JILL MANSELL 'A warm and tender tale about the power of books' RUTH HOGAN' As the bombs began to fall, the book club kept their hopes alive... London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham is facing difficult times, having just lost her beloved husband, Harry, and with a lingering sadness at never having been able to have a child of her own. Struggling to face running the bookshop she and Harry opened together, Gertie is preparing to sell up and move away when she is asked if she would be willing to take in a young Jewish refugee from Germany. Gertie is unsure and when sullen teenager Hedy Fischer arrives, Gertie fears she has nothing left to give the troubled girl. But when the German bombers come and the lights go out over London, Gertie and Hedy realise that joining forces will make them stronger, and that books have the power to bring young and old together and unite a community in need in its darkest hour...'A charming, uplifting story of resourceful women and the healing power of books' CLARE CHAMBERS'A heartwarming and tender ode to the power of storytelling and friendship' EMILIA HART'I loved this. A sweet and nourishing ode to books that historical fiction fans will love' KATE THOMPSON 'Tender, touching and utterly heartwarming' SARAH STEELE 'A wonderful story of strong female friendship and found family . . . I absolutely adored it' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review 'Beautiful and moving in a way that we need right now' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review 'A beautiful depiction of a community striving to survive together' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review 'A gentle, heartwarming read' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review

Su amor por los libros ser el mejor refugio contra el horror de la guerra Alemania, 1938. A medida que el fascismo se afianza en Europa, las familias jud as tienen que tomar la desgarradora decisi n de poner a sus hijos a salvo fuera del pa s, como parte de la operaci n de rescate Kindertransport. Mientras, en Londres, Gertie est cansada de regentar la Librer a Bingham y est pensando en retirarse y traspasar el negocio. Sin embargo, el mundo tiene otros planes para ella. Su vida se transforma por completo cuando acoge a una refugiada jud a, Hedy, una adolescente de quince a os a la que han separado de su familia. Al principio su relaci n es tensa, pero pronto estrechan lazos gracias a su amor por la lectura. Cuando los bombarderos alemanes se ciernen sobre el cielo de Londres y todos los ciudadanos deben refugiarse en b nkeres, Gertie y Hedy crean el Club de Lectura del Refugio Antia reo. Juntas comprobar n que los libros tienen el poder de unir a la comunidad en los momentos m s oscuros de la historia.

'Touching and heartwarming . . . get those tissues ready' - Jill Mansell'A warm and tender tale about the power of books' - Ruth HoganAs the bombs began to fall, the book club kept their hopes alive... London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham is facing difficult times, having just lost her beloved husband, Harry, and with a lingering sadness at never having been able to have a child of her own. Struggling to face running the bookshop she and Harry opened together, Gertie is preparing to sell up and move away when she is asked if she would be willing to take in a young Jewish refugee from Germany. Gertie is unsure and when sullen teenager Hedy Fischer arrives, Gertie fears she has nothing left to give the troubled girl. But when the German bombers come and the lights go out over London, Gertie and Hedy realise that joining forces will make them stronger, and that books have the power to bring young and old together and unite a community in need in its darkest hour... Readers adore The Air Raid Book Club:'I loved this . . . a sweet and nourishing ode to books that historical fiction fans will love' - Kate Thompson 'A charming, uplifting story of resourceful women and the healing power of books' - Clare Chambers'Tender, touching and utterly heart-warming' - Sarah Steele'A wonderful story of strong female friendship and found family . . . I absolutely adored it' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review'Beautiful and moving in a way that we need right now' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review'A beautiful depiction of a community striving to survive together' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review'A gentle, heartwarming read' - ? ? ? ? ? Real reader review

Lontoo 1938. Vanhaa kirjakauppaa pitävä Gertie Bingham on surun murtama: rakas aviomies Harry on kuollut, ja seuraa Gertielle pitää enää vanha labradorinnoutaja Hemingway. Samaan aikaan Euroopassa tuhannet juutalaiset pakenevat Hitlerin Saksasta turvallisempiin maihin. Yksi heistä, teini-ikäinen Hedy, päätyy Gertien hoteisiin. Sitten Saksa aloittaa sodan, ja pian Hitlerin pommikoneet levittävät varjonsa myös Lontoon ylle. Ilmahälytyksistä ja pommisuojaan juoksemisesta tulee arkipäivää, mutta Gertie ja Hedy saavat idean pommisuojan uumenissa kokoontuvasta lukupiiristä. Nalle Puh ja Humiseva harju tulevat tutuiksi lukupiiriläisille samalla kun maailma ympärillä palaa. Yksi pommi muuttaa kuitenkin kaiken, eivätkä lukupiiriläiset pysty enää sulkemaan muuta maailmaa ulkopuolelleen. Surun ja menetysten keskellä ystävyyden ja tarinoiden voima osoittautuu kuitenkin sotaakin väkevämmäksi. Annie Lyons on brittiläinen bestseller-kirjailija ja luovan kirjoittamisen opettaja. Ennen kirjailijanuraansa hän on toiminut muun muassa kirjakauppiaana. Pommisuojan lukupiiri on hänen ensimmäinen suomennettu kirjansa.

"A wonderful, heartwarming read." -- Ruth Hogan, author of Keeper of Lost ThingsFrom the USA Today bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett comes a heartwarming story of found family, love, and making connections through books set against the bombing of London during WWII. London, 1938: The bookstore just doesn't feel the same to Gertie Bingham ever since the death of her beloved husband Harry. Bingham Books was a dream they shared together, and without Harry, Gertie wonders if it's time to take her faithful old lab, Hemingway, and retire to the seaside. But fate has other plans for Gertie. In Germany, Hitler is on the rise, and Jewish families are making the heart-wrenching decision to send their children away from the growing turmoil. After a nudge from her dear friend Charles, Gertie decides to take in one of these refugees, a headstrong teenage girl named Hedy. Willful and fearless, Hedy reminds Gertie of herself at the same age, and shows her that she can't give up just yet. With the terrible threat of war on the horizon, the world needs people like Gertie Bingham and her bookshop. When the Blitz begins and bombs whistle overhead, Gertie and Hedy come up with the idea to start an air raid book club. Together with neighbors and bookstore customers, they hold lively discussions of everything from Winnie the Pooh to Wuthering Heights. After all, a good book can do wonders to bolster people's spirits, even in the most trying times. But even the best book can only provide a temporary escape, and as the tragic reality of the war hits home, the book club faces unimaginable losses. They will need all the strength of their stories and the bonds they've formed to see them through to brighter days.

"A wonderful, heartwarming read." -- Ruth Hogan, author of Keeper of Lost ThingsFrom the USA Today bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett comes a heartwarming story of found family, love, and making connections through books set against the bombing of London during WWII. London, 1938: The bookstore just doesn't feel the same to Gertie Bingham ever since the death of her beloved husband Harry. Bingham Books was a dream they shared together, and without Harry, Gertie wonders if it's time to take her faithful old lab, Hemingway, and retire to the seaside. But fate has other plans for Gertie. In Germany, Hitler is on the rise, and Jewish families are making the heart-wrenching decision to send their children away from the growing turmoil. After a nudge from her dear friend Charles, Gertie decides to take in one of these refugees, a headstrong teenage girl named Hedy. Willful and fearless, Hedy reminds Gertie of herself at the same age, and shows her that she can't give up just yet. With the terrible threat of war on the horizon, the world needs people like Gertie Bingham and her bookshop. When the Blitz begins and bombs whistle overhead, Gertie and Hedy come up with the idea to start an air raid book club. Together with neighbors and bookstore customers, they hold lively discussions of everything from Winnie the Pooh to Wuthering Heights. After all, a good book can do wonders to bolster people's spirits, even in the most trying times. But even the best book can only provide a temporary escape, and as the tragic reality of the war hits home, the book club faces unimaginable losses. They will need all the strength of their stories and the bonds they've formed to see them through to brighter days.

‘An exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death… Everyone should read this book’Ruth Hogan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things USA TODAY BESTSELLER *Shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award* ‘Eudora's beautifully-told story shows us how we can live and support others at all stages of life, value what matters most and suck the juice out of every day’Kathryn Mannix, Sunday Times bestselling author of With the End in Mind ‘Wow – definitely my book of the year… in my all time top ten!’ Reader review ‘This is undoubtedly one of the best books that I have read this year’ Reader review Eudora Honeysett is done – with all of it. Having seen first-hand what a prolonged illness can create, the eighty-five-year-old has no intention of leaving things to chance. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland she takes her life into her own hands. But then ten-year-old Rose arrives in a riot of colour on her doorstep. Now, as precocious Rose takes Eudora on adventures she’d never imagined she reflects on the trying times of her past and soon finds herself wondering – is she ready for death when she’s only just experienced what it’s like to truly live? A heartfelt story of life, death, friendship and family perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Away with the Penguins. Readers love Eudora! ‘One heroine I will never forget…We all need friends like Eudora, Stanley and Rose in our lives. Their kindness is a shining light in these stormy times’ Celia Anderson, bestselling author of 59 Memory Lane ‘Strikes a winning balance, reaching deep feelings while avoiding the traps of sentimentality’ Publishers Weekly ‘Unique and wonderful…a sensitive examination of human connections’ Kirkus Reviews I have to say this is the best book that I have ever read! Being in my 40s I've read a lot of books!’ Lyn ‘One of those that I will always remember…it really has touched me like no other book has’ Sylvia *Shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award*

USA TODAY BESTSELLER "One adorably British odd couple . . . Charming." -- People"An exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death . . . heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting . . Everyone should read this book." -- Ruth Hogan, author of Queenie Malone's Paradise HotelInfused with the emotional power of Me Before You and the irresistible charm of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Be Frank with Me, a moving and joyous novel about an elderly woman ready to embrace death and the little girl who reminds her what it means to live. It's never too late to start living. Eudora Honeysett is done with this noisy, moronic world--all of it. She has witnessed the indignities and suffering of old age and has lived a full life. At eighty-five, she isn't going to leave things to chance. Her end will be on her terms. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland, a plan is set in motion. Then she meets ten-year-old Rose Trewidney, a whirling, pint-sized rainbow of sparkling cheer. All Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she finds herself embarking on a series of adventures with the irrepressible Rose and their affable neighbor, the recently widowed Stanley--afternoon tea, shopping sprees, trips to the beach, birthday celebrations, pizza parties. While the trio of unlikely BFFs grow closer and anxiously await the arrival of Rose's new baby sister, Eudora is reminded of her own childhood--of losing her father during World War II and the devastating impact it had on her entire family. In reflecting on her past, Eudora realizes she must come to terms with what lies ahead. But now that her joy for life has been rekindled, how can she possibly say goodbye?

‘A must-read of the summer!’ Jenny Oliver, bestselling author of The Summer House by the Sea 'Happy, hopeful and joyously life-affirming. Exactly the book we need right now.' Cathy Bramley Life is about to change forever… Heather is finally back on Hope Street after running from the memories for so long. She hasn’t bumped into many neighbours yet but with her upcoming wedding to plan there’s plenty to keep her busy! Fran is still trying to get used to a life without her husband by her side. It’s hard enough raising two children on her own – she doesn’t have time to even think about dating… Pamela is fed up of being taken for granted by her grown-up children and grumbling husband. She’s ready to shake things up a little, but will her family even notice? So when the three women hear about a ‘happiness course’ starting on Hope Street, surely it’s the perfect opportunity to let their hair down, laugh with new friends and maybe even change their lives in ways they never expected… Don’t miss The Happiness List, a delightfully uplifting story from bestselling author Annie Lyons, coming soon! Praise for The Happiness List: 'Annie Lyons captures the true complexities of our lives with warmth, emotion and heaps of laughter. The Happiness List is a must-read of the summer!’ Jenny Oliver 'Happy, hopeful and joyously life-affirming. Exactly the book we need right now.' Cathy Bramley ‘Go on then, I was thinking, win me over. Well it did – it’s Oprah Winfrey meets Victoria Wood and I loved it!’ Felicity Everett 'This book will fill you with feel-good! A heart-warming read that will leave you with the biggest smile!'Mandy Baggot

ââ?¬Ë? It was an ABSOLUTE gem of a book and I LOVED every minute of this fantastic story! ââ?¬â?¢- Christie Barlow, author of ââ?¬Ë? Evieââ?¬â?¢s Year of Taking Chancesââ?¬â?¢ The best things in life happen when you least expect them

Sometimes having it all isn’t enough… Emma has everything she’s ever wanted. Her boyfriend’s just proposed and her career has finally taken off. And so what if her latest client just happens to be downright gorgeous? She’s getting married. Isn’t she? Rachel’s married with 2.4 children (well, actually, 3) and life is all about trying to leave the house in a non-stained top. Once it was about skinny cappuccinos, cocktails and dynamic ad agency meetings. She wants her old life back, but can it ever be the same? A sparkling, funny tale of two sisters and how often you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. What readers are saying about Not Quite Perfect 'a humorous, lighthearted read' – Fiona's Book Reviews 'A great holiday read!' – Jill Steeples, author of Let's Call the Whole Thing Off 'Not Quite Perfect is such a page turner… I couldn’t put this book down and found myself crying with both laughter and sadness at this touching and thought-provoking story.' – Bookaholic Confessions 'Not Quite Perfect is a mixture of heart warming situations and light comedy. I found myself having a giggle and thinking ‘that’s so like my family’, on several occasions and that was nice and refreshing. Also, I will admit that I even cried in a few places because it pulled on my heart strings so much.' – A Book and a Tea 'Not Quite Perfect is a great title for this book. The writing is bubbly and vivid and very entertaining. It’s a story about trying to find out what is important in life and also that live can’t be perfect all the time.' – Sky's Book Corner