I am soooooo late to the party regarding this book as it was first published in 2007 but hey, maybe I wasn't in the right stage of my life to appreciate its beauty. From about mid-summer 2025, I seemed to spot this book cover or hear a snippet mentioned by various people, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'd read 'The Kite Runner', which was a fabulous read, many years ago but I hadn't ventured towards Hosseini's second book.

I mentioned it at college and a colleague swiftly delivered a copy the next morning. On starting 'A Thousand Splendid Suns', I was enchanted from the first page by the narrator's tone, p.o.v. and her naivety. Hosseini's writing is exquisite. I rarely borrow books, as I know how precious they are to each of us. Within a few chapters, I knew I needed my own copy, so duly ordered it, as I will happily read this book again! It has leaped into my list of favourite books of all time.

I'm not going to say anything else, other than I rarely say 'you must read blar, blar, blar' as I've been tricked and let down sooooo many times when others have uttered that line but seriously, 'you must read!' 

After a two and a half hour drive, I parked at the designated car park and trawled my first suitcase toward the apartment. I was so focussed on following my own notes/directions and turning left at the traffic lights that I was blind to the skyline. Suddenly, my eye was snagged by Liverbird Bertie greeting me - I hadn't realised my accommodation was so close to The Royal Liver building. I stopped and took this photo.

Once I'd check-in, it took me a while to unpack the two suitcases of equipment and research notes that I'd hauled from home, before I was ready to settle to writing. Another reason was that I was shocked at how beautiful the apartment that I'd selected was. I was taken back to find everything from a washing machine, sauce pans and even casserole dishes! Seriously, a fully-equipped accommodation!

Once I'd rearranged the furniture, I settled to create my 'To-do' list for the following few days. And so, it begins ...

Tuesday, 28th October: Up bright and early, and able to follow my morning routine as I'd packed my yoga mat! A quick cuppa before heading out towards the Metropolitan Cathedral for morning mass - a slight change to my daily habit. Before grabbing a breakfast and returning to the apartment for a writing session. I sent the day knitting scene together, moving sections of scenes and frantically saving my manuscript hoping that I wasn't creating a 'plot knot' with each amendment. Your heart is in your mouth with each cut and paste knowing one scene, detail or dialogue always effects another scene, detail or dialogue. By the end of the day, my brain felt like mush and I was glad I'd noted each amendment; incase I need to reverse and replace the scene in tomorrow's session. 

Note: In between work sessions, I've been out and about buying coffee, cake and nosying through the streets of Liverpool. It dawned on me yesterday, that I've made several people smile broadly due to my accent! Yep, it's true. I'll own it. I'm happy to have delivered them a moment of humour.

Wednesday, 29th October: Morning routine, as per my norm, followed by an 8am session joining London Writers' Salon and 278 other writers from around the globe. I haven't attended for a few days, so it felt comforting to see their smiling faces as we each logged into Zoom. My intention is to venture out for some breakfast and maybe, if the weather remains dry, go in search of the location of Clarence docks. I've 'Googled' so know in which direction to head. It'll give me chance to rethink a few niggling plot points, in preparation for my afternoon work session.  

The aged plaque, sited at the old Clarence Dock gate, reads: "Through these dock gates passed most of the 1,300,000 Irish migrants who fled the Great Famine and 'took the ship' to Liverpool in the years 1845-52." I'm grateful that Liverpool continued to welcome the Irish long after 1852!

​I discovered two statues during my wanderings. Firstly, Eleanor Rigby in Stanley street is a beautiful depiction of the Beatles song. I was lucky enough to see some small children chattering to her. The second statue was in the gardens of our Lady and St Nicholas church where a 'Homeless Jesus' lying on a bench is a stark reminder of humanity. I didn't take a photo as my phone battery had died by then but I will. 

Thursday, 30th October: I can't believe where the week has gone - I'm at Thursday already. I could do with another week! Morning routine. Breakfast routine. Writing routine. That's the start to my day! I need to do some study work for my volunteering role, the deadline being Saturday, then I'll venture out for a wander and see what I spy today.

I returned to the church of Our Lady and St Nicholas for a photograph of the 'Homeless Jesus' statue. Such a poignant piece that I've since learnt has been reproduced and sited in 50 locations around the world!

You know I always head towards every library within my vicinity, when at home or away. I took my faithful laptop in search of a new desk for a writing session. Before settling to write, I did my usual scout around the shelves on their ground floor and found two of my books. I snapped a quick photo and thanked the library via social media. It means so much to an author when we find ourselves on library shelves. Afterwards, I settled for a writing session in the beautiful 'Picton Reading room' which was utterly gorgeous. I wrote a thousand words in literally a heartbeat - it was a delight to share the space with so many students. 

Friday, 31st October 2025: I continued my morning routines, busied myself until I needed to pack my belongings and vacate the apartment. I have had a wonderful writer's retreat - one that I will repeat in the near future. My goal was to complete my current project ... I'm a little shy of 'The end' but I'm sure a few more hours whilst at home will see this project put to bed.

I left Liverpool with a happy heart and an inner peace ... I feel I've answered some questions about my birth relatives and reawakened a curiosity within me. I drove home to the Midlands and decided to end my week where my grandfather's journey ended too, so made a brief visit to the family grave at New Oscott before heading back home.