Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior

Book covers grab my attention all the time and if they’ve got a bit of foil and sprayed edges as well then I just can’t resist. But the reason for me breaking my book buying ban (yet again) was not the cover this time, it was the title; Away with the Penguins.

I love penguins so I was already interested but when I read the synopsis I had a really good feeling that this would be one that I’d love.

Synopsis:

Veronica McCreedy lives in a mansion by the sea. She loves a nice cup of Darjeeling tea whilst watching a good wildlife documentary. And she's never seen without her ruby-red lipstick.

Although these days Veronica is rarely seen by anyone because, at 85, her days are spent mostly at home, alone.

She can be found either collecting litter from the beach ('people who litter the countryside should be shot'), trying to locate her glasses ('someone must have moved them') or shouting instructions to her assistant, Eileen ('Eileen, door!').

Veronica doesn't have family or friends nearby. Not that she knows about, anyway . . . And she has no idea where she's going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies.

I love a granny with gumption and Veronica McReedy is just brilliant. When we first meet her she’s a little prickly but as you start to learn more about her life; you just can’t help but love her.

I picked this book up when I was feeling a little down and it cheered me up enormously. It’s just a really lovely, uplifting fun read that I loved escaping into it.

What’s been your favourite uplifting read recently?