Astray by Emma Donoghue

From the author of Room, this is a collection of fourteen short stories, some of which have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4.  The theme is travel to, within and from the United States and Canada.  The stories are inspired by historical facts and I liked reading the notes at the end of each story to see what lay behind it and what inspired the story and the characters.  My favourite was Counting The Days, a story told from the points of view of both a husband and wife.  Many of the stories are moving and thought provoking, some gave me an insight on a particular incident in history and others I found hard to believe, even though they are based on historical fact.  Without exception, each narrator tells the story in their own individual voice and style.     Reading the Afterword gave me an insight into life as an immigrant.   

Starter for Ten by David Nicholls

This was laugh out loud funny.  Set in 1985, it is the story of Brian as he leaves his home in Essex, his Mum and childhood friends to embark on his first year reading English at university.  Ever since he was a child he has dreamed of appearing on University Challenge and, it seems, his wish is about to be fulfilled or is it?  It is a coming of age novel.  I enjoyed it as much, if not more, as One Day.