This was so good. I picked it up because Pedro Almodóvqr blurbed it and it exceeded my expectations. The striking & poignant Madrid characters made me think of Almodóvqr‘s films (& he‘s referenced in it). The narrator is a trans woman & this is a stark, beautiful exploration of how to survive in a community where she can‘t be herself. Each scene is perfectly realised. Her mentors are heartbreaking. Stunning writing. Authentic. A must-read.

I bought this for the cover and the Steinbeck reference. It‘s about Al, a musician in his 60s living alone in a remote house, when a horse arrives needing care. We traverse Al‘s life through his memories & songs. It was too bleak for me & the tone stays quiet & sad throughout. But it‘s also a beautiful, gentle portrait of Al & I was on his side. The writing is fluid with the plainness & meaning of Steinbeck. I admired this more than enjoyed it.

This was brilliant. A girl in the 9th century becomes a monk and ascends to the high ranks of the Catholic Church. It sounds esoteric but is propulsive and Agnes is so engaging I was invested and wanted to see how she would confront each new challenge. Strong writing with some of the earthy poetry of Hannah Kent. Makes you think about sexism & privilege in a new way. A beautiful look at spirituality vs the excesses of the church. Recommended.

An excellent grown-up outback noir crime novel. This police procedural has depth, a rural Australian setting, complex characters, and mystery upon mystery. Environmental issues are touched on (but only as part of the story) and it builds yo a satisfying climax.

Super fun and ridiculous. A good escape and holds up pretty well with women empowering themselves and standing up to some dastardly husbands. A good read-alike for fans of Rivals. I enjoyed it.

Well written and researched, this spy thriller moves from Rome to Jerusalem to Paris & beyond. I quite liked Gabriel Allon although he seems a little too perfect (but maybe that‘s the point). I liked the intricate details of art & the spy world. But at times it felt bogged down in descriptions of process that I didn‘t need. Precise & comprehensive, it‘s richer than many spy thrillers. Kind of like an art history textbook in fictional form.

I enjoyed this cosy mystery in the Harbinder series. The characters Edwin, Natalka & Harbinder give it depth & keep you turning the page. A fun mystery involving several authors from the same writers retreat dying, & the investigation takes us to the retreat & book club. So a little insider-y with tongue in cheek. The many & various victims felt a little disjointed but it comes together. A comfort read with heart & humour.

I admired this novel greatly but didn‘t love it. Excellent writing, it‘s a re-telling of Huck Finn from James‘ so a boys own adventure, not my usual thing, but Everett makes it compelling. Layered with meaning & humour, he‘s drawing our attention to issues of race, slavery & who owns history, with a simple story. Episodic so lacked some narrative tension for me, but faultless writing & dialogue.

A gentle, easy read about a librarian who helps people find their purpose in life by recommending unlikely books. Each character is distinct so it reads like a collection of short stories. A nice sense of place in suburban Tokyo & a reminder of the importance of community (& libraries). Satisfying to see the characters transform their lives. I didn‘t love it, perhaps because it felt a little contrived. A sweet, soothing read.

I love Elif Shafak as a person who speaks about pressing issues & as an author. I‘ve enjoyed the diverse characters & warmth of her previous books. I didn‘t get on with this one - it felt too slow & the fable-like tone & lack of plot tension made it hard to connect with the characters or care what happened. It‘s also a little overwritten or descriptive. I‘ve heard people raving about it, but I didn‘t have the patience to keep going.

I thought I‘d try this as we‘re doing a ‘comfort reads‘ episode for the podcast. Takako goes to live with her uncle above his bookshop in Jimbocho, Tokyo, a book lover‘s paradise (where I now want to visit!). The story was a bit too gentle, quiet & sentimental for me. And her hostility towards her uncle & the store felt immature (or I suppose it could be her fragile mental state). An international best-seller, just not for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of Dickens‘ writings from Europe in the 1840s - 1850s. A mix of letters & a couple of short stories, they display his usual lively writing & compassion. Characters & towns spring to life. A letter to E M Forster describes crossing to Chamonix & seeing Mt Blanc in vivid detail. My highlight was ‘The Italian Prisoner‘, a masterful, funny & moving short story (& true tale).

I loved this novel about four sisters living different lives but coming together in rural Ireland. Intimate, engrossing & beautifully observed, each character comes to life. The details of their lives, interactions & landscape make it a rich, textured book. I loved the tone, warm & compassionate but unsentimental with a dry sense of humour. Explores family dynamics, found families, and wider issues of philosophy & climate change, in a fresh way.

Provocative and much talked about, I liked the on point writing and sense of humour, but didn‘t love the far-fetched & self-indulgent elements. Then again, I‘m all for more women telling their stories in a world that still seems to be dominated by men. The menopause side doesn‘t interest me that much but is resonating with many. Frank & intelligent, a good book club pick.

A fun mystery with domestic noir elements set in Hong Kong. I loved the details of ex pat life in Hong Kong - the restaurants, shops, busy working life, brunches & excess. The book centres on an intense friendship & the mystery of Veronica‘s death. Pacy and well observed.

A beautifully written novel about Deena who has disappeared, told from the points of view of her sister & daughter. A portrait of domestic abuse that feels all too real. The scene where he takes the daughter is heart-wrenching but sadly believable. But the engaging characters make it a compulsive read. Issues around how to help victims like Deena, & a mystery. Lots of discussion at book club.

I really enjoyed this modern reimagining of the myth of Persephone and Demeter. As Ruth Gilligan said, Ancient Greece meets Succession by way of Emma Cline. Tightly written, the 18 year old Cory, her CEO mother & their fraught relationship felt real. The sleazy Rolo is a charming & odious predator. Propulsive & thought-provoking. A great read.

This is my second attempt at Jhumpa Lahiri and again a DNF. Her prose is fluid and on point, details well observed. Authentic characters & much to read between the lines. But the tone is too cool and remote for me (no places or characters are named). So I was not invested even though I love Rome and this should be the perfect setting to immerse myself in. An outsider‘s perspective & bleak re Italy not welcoming immigrants.

I enjoyed this but I don‘t think it‘s my favourite genre. The pace was a little slow & lacked tension (the author doesn‘t plan his novels so it felt more episodic than a tightly plotted thriller). Gabriel Allen is a sympathetic, wry character, cartoonish in his abilities (as they all are). It became a WW3 story across many countries, with a not unrealistic premise. Rich with art & music, I enjoyed the more grounded scenes in Venice & Denmark.

I enjoyed this more than BWWAY. The story of 2 brothers Peter and Ivan, I love how intimate & fly-on-the-wall it is, giving us a sense of real people. They‘re complex & flawed so we sympathise with one, then the other. Their conflicts feel true, details add texture. Explores siblings, grief & changing relationships. Some plot points felt contrived but it was an immersive reading experience.

I‘m so behind on my book reviews! 🫠 stand by for a batch of them coming soon (after I‘ve had a coffee 😅) … 📚

A brilliant novel. Baxter‘s prose is fresh and visceral, raw and often funny even as she tackles dark themes. We have a real sense of Sabine so committed to her art - ‘on her knees for art‘ - trying to corral her ideas into form & at the same time dealing with a dangerous stalker, so that you feel she might implode. Satirical about the art & online worlds mixed with the menace facing Sabine, it‘s an exhilarating ride. A strong book.

Beautifully written but this didn‘t work for me. We flit between characters & timelines so it feels more like a story cycle - it lacks the satisfying narrative of a novel. We only scratch the surface of characters & their stories. The love stories are all sweet in contrast with the war scenes but felt contrived or unreal. Stunning, economical prose. It just didn‘t quite hang together for me.

I enjoyed this more than I‘d thought I would (with low expectations) - there‘s great humour, wonderful observations by Ariadne Oliver about being an author & the joy of her and Poirot‘s company. The mystery is elusive & dissatisfying in that it stays so nebulous & hard to grasp throughout. This could be deliberate as memory (a theme) can be slippery too, but it feels vague. Elephants are mentioned far too often (especially for Poirot!).

I loved this Agatha Christie classic that I hadn‘t yet read and somehow had avoided spoilers! Poirot investigates an old case involving an art monster, his wife and his muse. Great characters, mystery and gentle wit. Recommended.

I wanted to love this - a cruise ship thriller described as Agatha Christie meets Succession, it sounded like a fun, escapist holiday read. It‘s gripping, pacy and kept me turning the pages. YBut the premise felt contrived & I didn‘t believe the friendship between Emily & Belle which is central to the book. The tycoon‘s family are all rude & unlikeable, a trope that didn‘t feel fresh & can be heavy going. It‘s action, not Christie-esque.

Currently reading. Claustrophobic with rich white people behaving badly but I need to know what happens next!

I really enjoyed this crime novel about a woman searching for answers after she is suspected of killing her friend. The set-up is that Ben is doing a podcast about her case, and I loved how the author created an odd couple vibe. Lucy is a sarcastic, witty but ultimately sympathetic character & her family wonderfully dysfunctional. I half guessed it but there were plenty of twists & turns making for a satisfying read.

I loved this singular novel about an Indigenous Australian woman who is forced into marriage with a future prime minister. Wright is virtuosic with language, mixing Aboriginal words with English, local vernacular with literary & mythological references. It‘s a hard-hitting commentary of racism & colonialism in Australia but satirical & very funny re bureaucracy. Infused with Indigenous thought, it makes you see differently.

A dark novel about two newlyweds who are spurned by the rural villagers because of the caste difference. Very disturbing as a portrayal of the caste system discrimination, narrow-mindedness & violence. The city which welcomes all is a haven by contrast. But I also found the marriage controlling (he ignores her plea to go home). The effect was a horrifying book told in a fairytale style with villains, a complicit groom & a damsel in distress.

I enjoyed this novel set in Delhi about a history teacher dealing with changes in his family and country. His trouble at work reflects a wider tension between Hindus & Muslims. He is bookish & philosophical but those around him are becoming more binary & commercial. A little slow & esoteric (for someone with no knowledge of India‘s history) but I was invested in Alif & enjoyed the rich details, sense of place & gentle comedy.

Mary Beard brings to life the Roman emperors in this fascinating study of their daily lives, homes & customs. She has a rich knowledge of this period to draw from &, following SPQR, this is an attempt to look at the emperors & their subjects as real people rather than a dry history. I don‘t know enough about the era so found it confusing switching between emperors as it‘s told as a series of anecdotes. But history buffs will enjoy this fresh take.

I enjoyed this classic murder mystery with a great puzzle and fun characters (= rich neighbours behaving badly). It kept me guessing as I suspected each character in turn and I liked the repartee between the detectives. Lovely Richmond setting and gated community intrigue.

A small gem, described as a black comedy and it is that, but it packs a real punch. Short enough to read in one sitting, the tension builds relentlessly and the impact is forceful by the end. One of those books that you have to think about for a while before picking up the next one. Winona is a smart, wounded narrator & there is much unspoken between the lines. The homage to Mrs Dalliway is masterfully done. Strong, poetic writing. 5 stars.

I loved this sweeping tale set in Georgian England. Red is a great character, resourceful & engaging, with skills in fortune-telling. She is involved with a wealthy family but realises they‘re lying to her & her life is in danger. Dickens vibes in the immersive historical world, pacy story-telling & dastardly deeds with an orphan hero. Beautifully written, a book to be swept away in.

An idiosyncratic memoir with much about Flanagan‘s father, WW2, the atomic bomb & invented vignettes about H. G. Wells & the physicists who developed the bomb. It‘s artfully woven together in his usual muscular style. His writing is jaw-droppingly good & he‘s distilled this tapestry of a life history to its essence. Humble, Australian & acutely aware of injustice in Tasmania 1780s through to the war, & how precarious life is, including his own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this classic murder mystery set in the theatre. A slow but engaging build-up as we meet the characters & intrigue is created with valuable relics & eccentric collectors. Alleyn is an elegant detective, the writing is beautiful, dialogue on point & the theatre world lovingly depicted. The murder comes late for modern reading tastes but I enjoyed being immersed in the world. The director‘s passion & actors‘ tantrums ring true.

I liked this but didn‘t love it as much as I wanted to. It was sold as a novel of food & murder but it‘s really about journalist Rika navigating work, friendships and society‘s expectations of women in Japan. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of food & her life in Tokyo & the unexpected turns the characters take. But it became repetitive & was more a coming of age than a suspenseful mystery. Authentic & thought-provoking but too long.

Perfect evening on the deck. Enjoying this beautifully written, well-observed murder mystery set in the theatre world.

A really fun murder mystery, with a knowing wink to Agatha Christie and the genre. I loved the tone, sense of humour and contemporary references, not least Dorothy who is a failed presidential candidate, leaving the reader to guess who inspired her character. I found it hard to believe she would investigate the murders & I‘m still curious about the bodyguard but otherwise a light, engaging read with setting, twists & elements of classic crime.

Recommended by Sophie Hannah as her favourite Christie and did not disappoint. A classic set-up with a dysfunctional family in a huge manor house returning from a funeral, another death & Poirot investigating. And a clever solution. As always I love the light touch, characters who are sketched so deftly you can see & hear them & the gentle poking fun at the wealthy family and their quirks. And clues that keep me guessing. A perfect mystery.

An eye-opening read that encompassed more than I expected. The supply chain to (US) supermarkets includes the trucking industry, farming and slave labour. The marketing tactics & the way suppliers are beholden to major chains is also tough. I really enjoyed the writing style, prose & humour reminiscent of Michael Lewis. A deep investigation & example of Cal Newport‘s Slow Productivity. Makes me want to buy all my food at the farmers market.

A brilliant history of Ancient Rome. Mary Beard has a mastery of her subject and an engaging writing style that makes this a pleasure to read. I came to this knowing very little so it‘s a lot to absorb and probably more comprehensive that I need (as a casual lay reader). But it‘s accessible as an introduction & would be super rewarding for those who have a particular interest. New material is still coming to light. Essential if you like history.

I enjoyed this novel set in Venice. A delightful love story with 2 enigmatic characters and a wonderful, rich sense of place. Lots of textures of the art, streets and history of Venice. It‘s gently paced & lacks the suspense of conventional mysteries but makes up for it with the erudite tone & wit. The dinner party scenes are wonderfully satirical & the characters well drawn. The solution was risky & well handled. A great read for Venice travel.

Excellent, sharp thriller about a publicist in Hollywood who ends up in a murder investigation. A strong sense of place evokes the smells, textures & diversity of LA while the knowing tone gives an insight into the tough, ruthless culture. Mae is a great character. Lots of details & references drawn from Jordan Harper‘s time in Hollywood. Fast-paced & the scenes spring to life.

A great, suspenseful crime novel. I was glued to the page and invested in the characters. I love the genre of ‘smart, put-together woman slowly unravels‘ and this was structured well, with dual timelines & fraught sessions with her therapist adding backstory as she grapples with a tragic death from her past. The depiction of wealthy New Yorkers & journalism is on point. The student friendships feel real as does Charlie‘s trauma.

I like the wry humour & art references. There‘s a fun dynamic between Jonathan Argyll and detective Flavia. But the action is slow, it lacks suspense and the tone & dialogue feel English, even though the characters & setting are supposedly (in part) Italian & Spanish. The mismatch between the English sensibility & European story was jarring. I didn‘t mind it as a nice, escapist read but not compelled to finish.

An interesting study of creativity. Albert Read looks at our imagination from different angles: observation; how existing art inspires new ideas; time to let our brain free associate; walking and nature & the importance of clusters for sparking ideas. These are things we can all practise: the ‘muscle‘ is a good analogy. I would have liked even more practical tips. Surprising he doesn‘t include meditation as this ties in with some if his themes.

I really this novel about a man sentenced to read aloud to the elderly & disabled. Wonderful, eccentric characters & a great sense of place in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The narrator‘s love & frustration with his home town infuse the story & add texture. His struggles feel real, including the backdrop of violence. His growth & relationships with other characters create tension & propel us forward with delightful poetic references woven in. Masterful.

A comprehensive history of modern Greece, well-written. I learnt much about where Greece sits in the wider context, including that it hasn‘t existed as a country until relatively recently - whereas there is a strong conceit of the Hellenic (or Greek) ancient history & culture. For a country that invented democracy, it seems to have been a hot mess for the last 200+ years. So many coups, periods of no government and reliance on imperial countries.