Time for my annual Christmas blog and this year I thought I’d write about one of my favourite things – books! As a local who’s lived in Tonbridge for over 25 years and Kent my whole life, I’m always interested in books and writes set in places I know. So, rather than recommending good books to you (there are so many) I’m going to show you books by local authors and books about Kent. That way you can buy a present that’s meaningful for someone who lives here.
If you’d like some more general recommendations then check out my Baby Book Club blog series
https://hushabye-photography.co.uk/?s=baby+book+club
Local Authors for Children
Nikki Young
Nikki writes books aimed at 8-12 year olds. There are three books in her Time School series.
Lucy Strange
Lucy is known for her haunting stories for 8-12 year olds, which combine folklore and friendship. Her novel “Sisters of the Lost Marsh” is set in Kent.
Ruth Doyle
Ruth’s books for 2-7 year olds, celebrate life, dreams and nature. She currently lives on Mini Motley Farm, with rescued and rare-bred animals in rural Kent.
Jessie Wilson
Jessie is a writer and mathematician and her books are aimed at over 5s and making maths fun.
Local Authors for Adults
Bridget Collins
I was so excited when I found out that Bridget Collins is a local author. I absolutely loved The Binding and The Betrayal is on my To Read list.
Sophie Kersey
Sophie was an editor for many years before publishing her thriller “Unspeakable Things” in 2018. The Year of The Ghost followed in 2021.
Laura Marshall
Laura has written 3 psychological thrillers – Friend Request, Three Little Lies and The Anniversary. Her fourth book – My Husband’s Killer – is out in November
Angus Donald
Angus writes Historical Fiction, he’s the author of the Outlaw series which loosely follows the story of Alan-a-Dale.
HG Wells
Thought of by many as the ‘Father of Science Fiction’, Herbert George Wells was born in Bromley and lived in Sandgate for many years. You can read more about him in this fascinating article
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/the-father-of-science-fictions-love-for-kent-237252/
Children’s books based in Kent
Stig of the Dump – Clive King
One of my favourite books from my childhood. It’s set near to Sevenoaks and the chalk pits and standing stones (Kits Coty?) are tick every box for me.
Five Children and It – E Nesbit
Set in the Kent countryside with chalk and gravel pits all around. E Nesbit loved Kent and holidayed in Yalding.
Oracles of Delphi Keep – Victoria Laurie
Set along the White Cliffs of Dover and is a magical romp with ancient treasures and mythical creatures.
Adult’s books based in Kent
Darling Buds of May – H E Bates
Set in rural Kent, Ma and Pop Larkin and their family are joyful and full of mischief. If you live in Kent, you’ll recognise the fruit picking, oast houses and bluebell woods. The original TV series was filmed in Pluckley. Recent filming of the newest TV version recently brought the film crew to Tonbridge Castle!
Doctor Syn – Russell Thorndike
Doctor Syn is a smuggler/vicar on the atmospheric Romney Marshes – a real anti-hero. Drawing on the true stories of the Hawkhurst Gang, it’s great fun although a little over the top. Definitely worth a read on a winter’s night.
Plague Land – S D Sykes
Medieval Kent is the setting for S D Sykes’ series of Somershill Mysteries. Somershill is a fictional manor near Tonbridge (yes, I know it sounds just like Somerhill!). Sarah Skyes is based in Goudhurst. You can read an interesting interview with her here
https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/22580444.kent-based-writer-sd-sykes-historical-novels/
Bone Clocks – David Mitchell
Set in Kent, this novel entwines 6 narratives and starts in Gravesend.
The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman
This novel famously (for local readers) begins with a glaring error which puts a Waitrose in Tunbridge Wells when there isn’t one! Mistakes aside, Osman writes a witty and observant murder mystery set in Kent. Keep your eye out for the sequels too
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