Book review and drinks recipes

THE READING LIST

Sara Nisha Adams HarperCollins Publishers Paperback (21 July 2022)

Review by librarian, Deborah Elliott

Set in a London suburb, ‘The Reading List’ tells the story of how a chance encounter helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people.

Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.

Aleisha is a bright, anxious teenager who finds her job working at the local library somewhat boring. That is, until she discovers a scrappy piece of paper hidden in the back of a book listing nine stories. Impulsively she decides to read every book, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, Aleisha is transported away from her everyday troubles.

When Mukesh ventures into the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes on the reading list… hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too.

Slowly, the shared books create a connection between Mukesh and Aleisha as they explore the new worlds discovered in their unlikely book club of two.

‘The Reading List’ highlights the magic of community, finding friendship in unlikely places and supporting those around you.

A good book to cosy up with this winter and the perfect escape for anyone who wants to be reminded of the power of stories.

You can borrow a copy of ‘The Keeper of Stories’ for free from the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ collection available at the library.

Knowledge and Information Service Ground Floor, South Wing University Hospital of North Tees 01642 624789 nth-tr.knowledge@nhs.net

CHRISTMAS non-alcoholic cocktails

By hospital chaplain, Revd. Jane Easterby

Full of warming spices and comforting ingredients, these Christmas pick-me-ups will put a smile on your face and are perfect for sharing with friends. Wishing you every blessing this Christmas. Enjoy!

Spiced apple (or pear) syrup with clementine and cloves

Mix this syrup into hot apple (or pear) juice for a sweet, fiery burst of Christmas flavour, or add to lemonade for an aromatic festive fizz!

Ingredients

200ml apple or pear juice

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon all spice

2 whole cloves

Small strip of fresh ginger

1 clementine – zest finely peeled (with a vegetable peeler)

100g golden caster sugar

Step one

Heat the apple juice with the whole spices, ginger, zest and sugar. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins.

Step two

Remove from the heat and leave to cool, then strain the syrup into small bottles.

Cranberry Spritz (serves 2)

Mix cranberry juice, orange juice and sparkling white grape juice to make this easy non-alcoholic spritz. It’s perfect for a booze-free Christmas drink!

Ingredients

100ml cranberry juice

Half orange, juiced

Six sage leaves

Around four ice cubes

80ml sparkling white grape juice

Step one

Pour 50ml cranberry juice into two champagne or wine glasses. Divide the orange between them and stir.

Step two

Add three sage leaves and an ice cube or two to each glass, then top up with the sparkling grape juice.