It is always a joy to find a book with an Isle of Wight subject or written by an Isle of Wight author.
Here are five publications, recently released, that would be excellent additions to your bookshelves.
Rose, Castle and Crown: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s Citizen Soldiers, by Colonel (Retired) Patrick Crowley
This title documents and celebrates the sterling work undertaken by the men and women of the Isle of Wight and Hampshire army reserves, revealing surprising and profound facts about the history of our local army reserves.
For example, in Gallipoli, in 1915, the Isle of Wight Rifles lost three brothers from the same family on the same day; Frederick, William and Edward Urry.
The brothers' tragic story has been claimed to be one of the inspirations for the premise of Oscar-winning film Saving Private Ryan.
Local militia destroyed a French invasion on the Isle of Wight in 1545.
Four thousand Isle of Wight men volunteered to join the Home Guard at the start of the Second World War.
The local mayor, with the support of local militia and some sailors, captured Carisbrooke Castle in the English Civil War.
One of the first tasks of Isle of Wight Territorials in the Second World War was to arrest any German waiters working in local hotels.
The book tells the fascinating story of citizen soldiers woven through times of war and peace and framed in the context of British Army history.
Patrick Crowley has written seven previous books on military history. The latest was released by Cowes based Medina Publishing.
The Waves of Change, by Heaton Wilson
New seaside novel, The Waves of Change, was published in August.
It is about the fictional seaside town of Whistle Bay. The novel follows the story of Sam Taverner, a young man desperate to fulfil the promise he made to his dying father, but his encounters with Lindsay, a larger-than-life artist from London, dramatically changes his course.
Find out if Lindsay, and art, will change him forever, or will his past life keep dragging him back?
"I'm excited to share my new novel with the people of the Isle of Wight,” Kevin said.
“I hope The Waves of Change will transport readers to the beautiful shores of Whistle Bay and leave them feeling inspired and hopeful.”
The Waves of Change is available to buy at Waterstones, Amazon, Goodreads, and Heaton Wilson Books website.
They Gave Me A Seafire, by Commander R. M. 'Mike' Crosley
Late author, Commander 'Mike' Crosley, was born in Liverpool in 1920, but later lived on the Isle of Wight, where his widow still lives.
His operational history with the Fleet Air Arm saw him complete up to three sorties a day in the period 1942 to 1945.
His capacity for survival and sheer skill as a pilot were remarked upon at the time, and he secured a number of decorations, including DSC and Bar.
Upon his retirement from the Royal Navy in 1970, he became a physics teacher in Devon and on the Isle of Wight.
He died in 2010, aged 90. He received a posthumous Arctic Star in 2013.
They Gave Me A Seafire was published in 1986, and its re-issue looks set to bring the endeavours of Crosley to a whole new generation of enthusiasts, and it should appeal across the board to fans of aviation, naval history and families and friends of Armed Forces, past and present.
The book is published by Pen and Sword Books.
Lady Hartley's Husbands, by Andrea Emblin
Being published has been a lifetime’s ambition fulfilled for former Isle of Wight teacher Andrea Emblin.
Fantastic Books has published her debut novel, Lady Hartley’s Husbands.
Although she has now moved from the Isle of Wight, the author lived on the Island for 25 years and was a primary school teacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Oakfield CE Primary School.
She remains a long-standing member of Wight Writers, which has helped her with her writing.
She said: "I have always wanted to write but it was only when I retired that I found the time to dedicate to it. I started my novel whilst still living on the Island.
"The inspiration for my book was sparked when travelling on a train from Truro to Exeter.
"Someone behind me spoke on their mobile phone, ‘You need to be careful, Elizabeth, people are beginning to talk.’
"I started to ask ‘What if …?’ questions and gradually my story emerged. This book is about initially unfulfilled ambitions, unsuccessful romance and manipulation, which then takes a sinister shape.
The book is available on Amazon.
The Darker Side of Wight by Peter J. Murray
“I’m quite convinced that the Isle of Wight is the most haunted place in the world” said author Peter J. Murray.
The Isle of Wight has long been considered one of the most haunted regions in the UK and Murray uses it as the perfect backdrop for his 12 spine-chilling tales.
The Darker Side of Wight weaves the Island’s rich history with terrifying local myths and legends, to create a thrilling collection of stories that will keep readers gripped and not daring to turn out the light.
The stories feature a classic array of characters from horror fiction including vampires, ghosts, miscreant pirates and even aliens - all lurking in well known locations across the Island.
The stories are set in locations that will be familiar to Island readers including Carisbrooke Castle, the Garlic Farm, Ryde, Ventnor, Arreton and even Knighton Shute - believed to be the Island's most haunted spot.
The Darker Side of the Wight is aimed at children but is sure to have adults enthralled, engrossed and petrified too.
Soon to be relocating to the Isle of Wight, the author was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and was previously a teacher.
Since 2003 he has published 15 books, with more to come!
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