Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series is a palate cleanser when I need something gentle and ultimately uplifting after reading a book with dark themes.

Delightful!!! I cannot recommend this series enough.
Bertie is finally 7 years old!!!!! Yay!

Another great book about the goings on at 44 Scotland Street. It's funny as the first few chapters felt like they were written by a different author as they seems to be in a different style but things soon got back to normal. I was laughing out loud at Domenica's analysis or Antonia's letter.

Has McCall Smith stopped dreaming up good new adventures for his favourite characters? The repetition in this book is really tedious; so much so that I bailed on the last few chapters. A synopsis for the benefit of readers who didn't follow the full series (or who need the previous day's installment) is different from ongoing repetition of silly long names, places, and indulgent musings. No. Time for a break from 44 Scotland Street.

One storyline, at least, was totally unexpected. No spoilers, but what an absolute bonkers thing to do with Irene, the worst mother in the world...I love it.

You always know what to expect with the 44 Scotland St series. It is fun to peek in on the lives of "old acquaintances."

This is the ninth book in the 44 Scotland Street series. As with the earlier volumes, it interweaves the stories of a diverse set of characters: the highly likable 6-year-old Bertie; his far less likable mother; Big Lou, a kind-hearted owner of a coffee shop, and a dozen others. I note that in this volume I especially liked the thread with Big Lou and, as ever, Bertie. The book is easy reading, lightened by humor. The author's generosity of heart helps me feel some sympathy even for characters--such as Bertie's mother--whom I would normally purely dislike. While it doesn't give me the same joy as McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, it is nonetheless very agreeable company. Recommended.

Bertie finally reaches the age of 7 and his awful mother unintentionally gives him the best birthday present ever.