This is a delightful story.
It begins by our protagonist, a lady of 110 years called May, introducing herself. She has a very strong desire to have her 111th birthday for reasons we discover later. She is practical and calls it how she sees it so not everyone is enamoured with her and the feeling is mutual. She has a steady routine that keeps her spritely but it has nothing to do with the port and brandy she tells everyone else. May can sense the power of memories and it is this power that fuels her verve. On the brink of running out of memories her neighbour Julia unearths a treasure trove of letters and invites May to tea. This just happens to be, as it can be with so many people, the start of a lovely friendship.
The story is written so that it flows easily, the reader is guided into the growing bond between May and Julia and the love affair between Emily as Andy. It has small-town charm, magical realism and the themes of grief, loss, guilt, love, betrayal, loneliness and friendship.
I highly recommend this lovely book for Book Clubs and lazy afternoons, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Food for thought from "Book club questions":
How important is it to hold on to our precious memories? Does the sort of memory loss that often comes with advanced age have to be a major problem?
What is your own most treasured memory? What would you do if someone tried to ‘harvest’ it?

Every so often, a book totally confounds your expectations: this always looked like a book I’d really enjoy with its promises of being “charming”, “heartwarming” and “feel good”, perhaps a little light froth to escape from life, and that might just have been enough. But it proved to be a book I fell in love with, quite head over heels – and not only because of its wonderful depiction of the older characters I love to read about but so rarely find at the centre of the books I read. There’s a strong theme of being sustained by memories, very original and so cleverly done that it became quite real as May relishes every opportunity to thrive until her 111th birthday, while becoming increasingly aware of the consequences.

But there’s so much more than that – there’s a superbly drawn cast of characters, a gentle examination of grief, loss and loneliness, the legacy of the past, the intricacies of family relationships, the richness and surprises of life where age isn’t a barrier, and a Cornish village setting so vivid you can taste the salt and smell the flowers. The supportive friendships are just wonderful – Andy’s care for his elderly neighbours while still struggling with his personal loss and trying to be a good father to young Tamsin, the fractured relationship between May and Julia slowly rebuilt, the whole concept of Adopt-a-Granny with its well-meaning organiser and the initial resistance of everyone involved.

Emily returns to the village – and she’s a character I immediately warmed to, as she looks for her grandfather’s welcoming wave – with concerns about her grandmother Julia. Their relationship is beautifully handled: Julia’s attempts to ensure that she stays are deeply touching, and I loved the way she became a catalyst for some of the story’s twists and turns, her easy relationship with May, and particularly enjoyed Andy’s initially awkward attempts to get rather closer. Both the developing romances are simply lovely, believable, and warm the cockles of your heart – and then there are the characters’ sometimes convoluted back stories, slowly revealed, with several touches of mystery, more of those memories both good and best banished, and the intriguing trail of things lost.

The writing is just wonderful – this isn’t a book you just read, it’s a story where you can happily live within its pages: when the story ends its characters are every bit as real to you as your own loved ones, and I felt a real sense of loss as I said goodbye. If this book should ever have the good fortune to be made into a film, I do have the entire cast list already worked out – and I’m sure everyone who reads it will have already spotted the perfect role for the essential Bill Nighy. Highly, highly recommended – and I’m already hoping for that possible sequel as there’s little I’d enjoy more than spending more time in Pengelly with these wonderful characters who totally captured my heart.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

I was really looking forward to this book and loved the idea of memories providing sustenance for a longer life. Unfortunately, I could not get into the story and felt it was far too slow and meandering to hold my attention. Too many differing plot lines were being explored at once, and I felt the writing style was slightly patronising to the reader. The Emily and Andy saga portrayed a couple who constantly fell out and took offence when non was intended. Hardly the start to a long lasting relationship. The old letters that Julia shared with May proved a real disappointment with no great conclusion meaning I was rushing to finish the book in order to start a better one.

Thank you netgallery for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book really grabbed me at first. I was taken in by the setting and loved the concept of this book. However as the book progressed I started to feel like some of the issues and characters were pointless and didnt really add to the story. I was a bit confused on times and did not really like the ending. There was a big build up to it but didn't really meet my expectations and I was left with questions afterwards. However I fell in love with the main characters and it was written well.

A light-hearted, easy read. Although relatively enjoyable, I didn't agree with the advert of it being the most heart-warming novel of the year sorry. I found Emily a little whiney and Andy a bit wet and the story overall was a little predictable. I found it also slightly confusing how it kept referring to bits of the past as if they were going to lead to some big reveal which never really materialised. I didn't fully understand the feud, nor who had stolen the ring - was it May or Charles? I didn't understand the relevance of Barbara in the story, nor where the sudden retreat idea at the end had come from. Overall, not bad with some likeable characters in Julia and May, but it left me feeling a bit confused.

At the age of 110 May Rosevere lives her life of simplicity on the Cornish coast in the village of Pengelly. She wants to reach 111 but her mind is only stimulated by the memories of others, transmitted through their possessions. When her neighbour Julia discovers a hoard of letters May knows that she will have lots of memories to keep her going. however the memories also open up issues from May's past. When Julia's granddaughter Emily arrives for a visit then May knows that she can create a positive change in the lives of others.
This is both a simple and a complex story, the simple dealt with very well, the complex not really developed. At it's heart this is a gently story about a life not lived and lives yet to be lived, Anderson creates a lively set of characters whose interactions are busy but logical. However less successful are the areas not developed fully and only hinted at - those relating to May's husband and daughter. In the mood for an unchallenging and rather pleasant summer read, I really enjoyed this at a superficial level.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Some wonderful twists and I enjoyed every one of them.
Imagine claiming someone else's memories just be holding one of their possessions. How does that change your life? How does that change the other person's life? How does it change the lives of those around them?

A delightful small town in Cornwall. I'm ready to move there and meet all those characters.

Utterly charming, this is a perfect summer read. Lovely characters, a gorgeous setting and just a hint of something different.
There's some important subjects dealt with here, and it's a really enjoyable reading experience.

The summary for this book is very cryptic, but it got my interest nevertheless. And although this is a book with not so much really happening, I'm glad that I read it.

For me it was mostly a book about loneliness in old age, and solidarity in a community. Here it is a little seaside village in Cornwall that house a lot of older people, most of them living alone. A dedicated women organises an "Adopt a Granny" scheme, and thus Julia (85 years old) is thrown together with her vis-à-vis neighbour May (110!), whom she actually does not particularly like. But they manage a civilised visit for tea nevertheless, even arrange a second meeting and eventually start a project together during which they become friends.

The "secret" of May's old age, that the blurb mentions, is part of the book all the way until the very end. But as I said, in my opinion the focus of the story lies elsewhere. It is a rather quiet book at a leisurly pace, but with important messages! I especially liked the "Adopt a Granny" idea! Should be done in many communities!! It can bring so many positive effects for the older residents.

Reading 59 Memory Lane is one memory I don't want to forget. By the end of the book I felt that I knew all the main characters really well and would happily go for a drink with anyone of them. You feel like you want to move to Pengelly, walk on the beach, and have breakfast at The Shack.
In 59 Memory Lane Celia Anderson has successfully managed to combine into one tale romance, the supernatural, mystery, intrigue and friendship. Through the story we are reminded about how the elderly can sometimes feel very alone and lonely, If you take anything from reading this book it should be that friendships are important to our welfare at any age, and to seek out new friendships all the time.
If you're a fan of The Keeper of Lost Things, then this may just be your next favourite read. So give ti a go,

Coming from Cornwall, I have a soft spot for books set in Cornwall, and this didn't disappoint.

May is 110, and wants to make it to her 111th birthday, she's doing pretty well for her age - indeed she seems younger than many of her younger neighbours. However, the way May stays fit and healthy comes at a detriment to others as she finds out after she forms new friendships with her neighbours.

I liked all the characters, though did get frustrated with their behaviour at times. Andrew and Emily needed their heads knocking together a few times, and May acted selfishly on a few occasions, but all is right in the end.

A charming delightful easy read. Friendships, secrets, loss and love are all covered in this engaging tale

Take a Cornish Village. Mix in a 110 year old lady with a very special gift of longevity, add a young girl coming back from the USA to look after her grandmother, throw in a newly widowed man bringing up a young girl on his own, and add a liberal sprinkling of the type of characters who live in such a setting and you have a good book. Throw in a liberal dose of secrets, lies, and assorted mysteries and you have a great summer read.

This book explores the fascinating idea of memory harvesting. The character of May is wonderful, rounded, full of secrets. The Cornish setting is gorgeous. Unfortunately the narrative needs work. The various mysteries and secrets surrounding different characters can be spotted miles off; various characters meander in and out of the narrative and then disappear. There are also inconsistencies in the writing which should have been spotted by the editor- for example the character of Charles is described as wealthy and generous towards May but later as cash-strapped and trying to borrow from May's savings. All in all a book with potential but which reads like an unfinished draft.

A charming read and lovely storyline. Not my usual type of book at all but it intruiged me. I'm glad it did because I really enjoyed it. A fab summer read.

A lovely light hearted book with more than a touch of magic. With a variety of characters and a picturesque seaside setting, this will be an ideal holiday read.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

This is a very enjoyable, light read with interesting characters, set in a beautiful Cornish village. May is 110 years old and has an unusual gift. Emily has come back to the village from the States to visit her grandmother Julia, who never used to get on well with May. And then there’s young widower Andy next door with his daughter Tamsin. There are so many delightful characters in this story and the dialogue sparkles with their opinions, hopes and secrets. It’s a refreshing look at lives well-lived and has funny, sad and surprising moments. It’s also well-written and a bit different. I recommend it!

This isn't my usual genre of choice but I thoroughly enjoyed this relaxing and heartwarming read with good characters.

Although I found it a bit slow in parts I think this was because of the type of book it is and being so different from my usual choice.

I can recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I wasn't sure about this book when I started it because the central character May has an unusual gift, that of 'harvesting' other peoples' memories, which strengthens her and weakens them. I found it a bit spooky but persevered and I'm glad I did as the story lines that emerged were well crafted and satisfying although I'm still unsure about the narrative device chosen by the author. The setting in Pengelly convincingly evokes a small Cornish community and will delight any reader who enjoys a Cornish setting.

A very easy read with lovely characters and a beautiful setting. A relaxing way to spend a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.