Welcome to the School by the Sea: The First School by the Sea Novel | 
pickJenny Colgan is one of my self care authors: usually set in England/Scotland/Wales, lots of talk of books and tea, tromping about rugged coasts/countrysides, making new friends, getting out of comfort zones. JC wrote this series ( originally published under a pseudonym) bc she loved reading Mallory Towers growing up, so of course I‘ve bought all the books 🤷🏻♀️ it‘s a lovely quick read that makes the world feel like it‘s okay
I read outdoors last night. Casey chewed his stick. We were both content.
Except for how this really isn‘t Jenny Colgan‘s best. The bones are decent and I think the characters could develop well across the series, but there‘s a ton of fatphobia and the persistent notion that any progressive idea for schools must also be a ridiculous idea. I‘ll give the next one a try, but I‘ll only look forward to #3 if there‘s some real character growth.
so-soI have read Jenny Colgan‘s books before. This wasn‘t my favorite of her books. It was okay.
so-soThis was between a pick and a pan. It checks all boxes for a sweet English girl‘s boarding school series. However… 14 yo girls can be mean to a plus-sized classmate - I get it as a plot line in this type of story. I don‘t get the teacher thinking Simone could be pretty if she lost weight - ugh! I don‘t get the narrator often describing Simone‘s food consumption - bigger ugh. The fat-shaming just came from too many directions.
pickThe casual fatphobia wasn't my favorite, but I was otherwise fully consumed by the Downey House girls/teachers and all their hijinks. Can't wait until Stan disappears off the face of the earth! #womensfiction
pickI will read any Jenny Colgan book I can get my hands on. They may be predictable at times, but they are always enjoyable. This one is no different. The first of 3, it is set in a girls boarding school and follows Maggie, a new teacher at the school. I think the school setting makes the story even more appealing to me, and I am looking forward to books 2 & 3.
Day 20 of @Andrew65 's #Top20series #20series20days challenge
I am concluding this wonderful challenge with this wonderful series. As it states on the 3rd book it is Malory Towers for grown ups. This series is set in a boarding school the main characters are a mix of teachers and students and deals with real life head on covering all sorts of subjects. ⬇️
Jenny Colgan winning Mastermind on BBC1 tonight. 2nd May 2020
pickA really sweet book, slightly far fetched and silly but totally relatable too. I want to read the rest of the series now!
so-soBeach fodder. Good, but leaves you pining for the days of Malory Towers.
pickVery good. Liked how even though there was a clear main character you still got to see how the other charaters developed as you got to see the story from their point of view not just the main character's point of view. Story was well developed but I did see the twist coming which was a bit disappointing. Recommend. 📚📖
#Sphere
Friday train book: a modern take on boarding school stories from Jenny Colgan.
Not a particularly great day. Going to read myself to sleep and hope that tomorrow will be better.
Got home the other day from my spending spree at Local Discount Bookshop to find I'd accidentally bought book two. Oops. Went back on my lunch to pick up book one. #chicklit #jennycolgan #series
