Hi

I've just finished reading three books that, for me, have been a joy to read.

The first two were written by Constance Briscoe, Ugly and Beyond Ugly. The first book, Ugly, was hard going as it dealt with Constance's abusive childhood meted out by various members of her family and the second book, Beyond Ugly, dealt with her desire to become a barrister and how she fought her way to becoming one, and a very successful one. The message these two books gave me that no matter what, you can fulfil your dreams, against the odds, so long as you work hard and believe in yourself.

The third book is called Singled Out by Virginia Nicholson. What a read! I couldn't put this book down. This book deals with 'how two million women survived without men after the first world war'. Absolutely fascinating. As a long-time divorced woman and unexpectedly back on the market due to the break up of a long-term relationship, this book made me grateful for the times I live in and the opportunities I have compared to these woman. It also made me grateful to them for allowing me to have a career for, if it was not for these woman who pursued careers or just found jobs (not all good jobs, admittedly) we would not be where we are today in terms of the jobs market.

We all wax lyrical about the good old days but read this book and ask yourself, how good were the good old days?