The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital

Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette Australia
ISBN: 0733642918
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 353

Book Description
The heartwarming and hilarious bestseller by the author of treasured novels, The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village and The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria has been serving refreshments and raising money at the hospital for over fifty years, long after anybody can remember who Marjorie Marshall actually was. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, the beloved cafeteria is known as much for offering a kind word and sympathetic ear (and often unsolicited life advice) as for its tea and buns. Stalwart Hilary has worked her way up through the ranks to Manageress; Joy has been late every day since she started as the cafeteria's newest recruit. She doesn't take her role as 'the intern' quite as seriously as Hilary would like but there's no doubt she brings a welcome pop of personality. Seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering during the school holidays because her mother thinks it will look good on her CV. Chloe is at first bewildered by the two older women but soon realises they have a lot in common, not least that each bears a secret pain. When they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, this unlikely trio must band together to save it. 'Takes readers on a sweet journey. A warm-hearted read from Nell, who tells engaging stories with older protagonists' The Australian 'The Tea Ladies is a delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace' AMANDA HAMPSON 'Another funny, warm-hearted read' Herald Sun **Contains BONUS EXTRACT from Joanna Nell's novel Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year** Praise for the novels of Joanna Nell: 'Tender and funny' Woman's Weekly 'Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm ... highly addictive' Sun Herald 'Lively and whimsical' Sydney Morning Herald

The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital

Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette Australia
ISBN: 0733642918
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 353

The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village

Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 0733640362
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 237

Book Description
Joanna Nell's life-affirming debut is a moving, funny, heartwarming tale of love and community in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Grace and Frankie The life of 79-year-old pensioner PEGGY SMART is as beige as the décor in her retirement village. Her week revolves around aqua aerobics and appointments with her doctor. Following a very minor traffic accident, things have turned frosty with her grown-up children and she is afraid they are trying to take away her independence. The highlight of Peggy's day is watching her neighbour Brian head out for his morning swim. She dreams of inviting the handsome widower - treasurer of the Residents' Committee and one of the few eligible men in the village - to an intimate dinner. But why would an educated man like Brian, a chartered accountant no less, look twice at Peggy? As a woman of a certain age, she fears she has become invisible, even to men in their eighties. But a chance encounter with an old school friend she hasn't seen in five decades - the glamorous fashionista ANGIE VALENTINE - sets Peggy on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. 'Lively and whimsical ... with some serious points to make about ageing, love, community and friendship' Sydney Morning Herald 'This heartwarming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully ... is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages' Daily Telegraph 'I haven't been this entranced by a character since Eleanor (Oliphant, of course). This book is a joy - it's a celebration of age instead of an apology for it, and a reminder that life is always an adventure if you let it be. I loved this uniquely endearing book' KELLY RIMMER 'I loved it! I want to be Peggy when I'm older. With many laugh-out-loud moments, this book is sure to make you see "getting old" in a different light. A refreshing, funny, realistic and warm read' FIONA PALMER 'The perfect blend of funny and moving: had me laughing and crying in this ultimately uplifting story' NATASHA LESTER **Contains bonus extract from new novel THE GREAT ESCAPE FROM WOODLANDS NURSING HOME**

The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital

Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 1399702726
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 409

Book Description
'Heartwarming and full of loveliness. A great read' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved it!... One to tug at the heart strings, could not put it down. Wonderful' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Delightful! Absolutely delightful!... A story about friendship, family, new beginnings, and love, this book left me with such a warm, fuzzy feeling, and was a joy to read' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Three unlikely friends. One chance to save the community. It might just be the perfect blend.... The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria is at the heart of St Jude's Hospital. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, for over fifty years the beloved cafeteria has been serving up a kind word and sympathetic ear along with tea and scones. Hilary, the stalwart Manageress, has worked her way up through the ranks; Joy, the latest recruit, is driving Hilary mad by arriving late every day; and seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering in the holidays and bemused by the older women. But when they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, the unlikely trio must put aside their differences. As they realise the secrets and sorrows they have in common, the women grow closer - but can they bring the community together and save the day? Full of wisdom and warmth, this is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about unlikely friendships, growing old disgracefully, and coming together to save the things we love. Fans of Judy Leigh, Jill Mansell and Sally Page will be hooked from the very first page. Readers love The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital: 'Heartwarming, witty, touching and just all-round lovely to read, I thoroughly recommend this, and all other Joanna Nell books for anyone who loves a cosy, people-centred story about strength, hope, and found family' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A mix of quirky characters volunteer at the old cafeteria at St Jude's Hospital... Great characters, nice depth, and some great twists and turns, leaves you full and satisfied at the end. I just want one of Joy's scones to make it complete!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Uplifting book full of heart... An easy and fabulous read and one I got through in no time, how I loved them all and enjoyed their adventure immensely' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This was a lovely heart-warming story. At times really funny but with moments that have you reaching for the tissues this was a lovely cosy read' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Praise for Joanna Nell: 'Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming' Woman & Home 'Warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud' Libby Page, author of The Lido 'Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times' Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You 'A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends' Katie Marsh, author of How Not to Murder Your Ex 'A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully' Culturefly

The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home

Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 0733642888
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 384

Book Description
The joyous, charming and utterly irresistible new novel from the author of mega-bestseller The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village At nearly ninety, retired nature writer Hattie Bloom prefers the company of birds to people, but when a fall lands her in a nursing home she struggles to cope with the loss of independence and privacy. From the confines of her 'room with a view' of the carpark, she dreams of escape. Fellow 'inmate', the gregarious, would-be comedian Walter Clements also plans on returning home as soon as he is fit and able to take charge of his mobility scooter. When Hattie and Walter officially meet at The Night Owls, a clandestine club run by Sister Bronwyn and her dog, Queenie, they seem at odds. But when Sister Bronwyn is dismissed over her unconventional approach to aged care, they must join forces -- and very slowly an unlikely, unexpected friendship begins to grow. Full of wisdom and warmth, The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story showing that it is never too late to laugh -- or to love. 'Tender and funny' Woman's Weekly 'Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm. A heart-warming story, extremely well written and highly addictive' Sun Herald 'Lively and whimsical ... with some serious points to make about ageing, love, community and friendship' Sydney Morning Herald 'This heartwarming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully ... is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages' Daily Telegraph

The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker

Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 0733640389
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 238

Book Description
As the wife of retired ship's doctor Dr Henry Parker, Evelyn is living out her twilight years aboard the Golden Sunset. Every night she dresses for dinner - gown, tiara, runners - and regales her fellow passengers with stories of a glamorous life travelling the world in luxury. But now Henry is missing, and it is up to Evelyn to find him. The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker is a love letter to the memories we make over the course of a lifetime, and how the heart remembers what matters, even when the mind has long forgotten. 'Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm add a whole new dimension to Mrs Henry Parker and her last voyage. A heart-warming story, extremely well written and highly addictive' Sun Herald **Contains BONUS chapters from Joanna's latest heartwarming and hilarious novel, The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital**

Chess Queens

Author: Jennifer Shahade
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 1399701401
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 392

Book Description
'Like The Queen's Gambit, this isn't really about chess, but power' Sunday Times What does it take to make it to the top of your game? As a chess champion, Jennifer Shahade has travelled the world playing major tournaments. At the top, she finds rivalry and friendship; sexism and feminism; ecstatic highs and excruciating losses. Chess Queens invites us behind the scenes of this ultra male-dominated sport. We meet today's elite, as well as the pioneering female players in history who fought against the odds to get to the top. An essential guide for all aspiring chess queens, Jennifer's story reveals what it takes to break through the glass ceiling. 'Jennifer Shahade is a brilliant, insightful thinker who never fails to entertain and engage' Maria Konnikova 'An astoundingly intimate, thoughtful and inspirational book by a person who has seen it all from the inside' Angela Saini

Lagoon

Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1481440888
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Book Description
"In Lagos, three total strangers are drawn to Bar Beach. A marine biologist, a rapper famous through-out Africa, and a troubled soldier are brought together when an alien ship lands in the ocean, causing a tidal wave that will transform them -- and change the world."-- Back cover of book.

The Afternoon Tea Club

Author: Jane Gilley
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
ISBN: 0008308640
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 368

Book Description
Everyone’s welcome at The Afternoon Tea Club...

Over My Dead Body

Author: June Opie
Publisher: Raupo
ISBN: 9780790004884
Category : Authors, New Zealand
Languages : en
Pages : 303

Book Description
The author's battle to overcome polio - her time in St Mary's Hospital, where she recuperated for two years - her return to New Zealand and how her disability affected her life.