I had mixed feelings about this. I loved it at first with the strong women characters & the story of yeva‘s conservation work & struggles felt true. Nastia‘s plan was more convoluted & it was hard to sustain the idea of them in the marriage agency, then the heist plot was too fanciful for me. I liked the deadpan humour & innovative switch to autofiction when real events took over. Moving but i didn‘t care about the characters so it fell flat.

I read this compulsive novel quickly and found myself wanting to get back to it. On the surface a plain story of an inarticulate man who rises & falls in London & Hungary. We see his poor choices & the tension builds as we fear the consequences. Propulsive writing with basic dialogue & spare description, but much between the lines. A good book club pick. I didn‘t like his depictions of women & wasn‘t moved by it despite some sad events.

I enjoyed this feminist novel set in a sanatorium in 1913, which veers into horror towards the end. The setting and characters - all men recovering at the guest houses- felt real as did their banter. Some beautiful meditations on nature woven into the story & Mother Earth is a subtle theme, but done in an inventive way, not preachy. Mieczy is a poignant character. Elements of folklore & tragi-comedy, it‘s an eclectic mix of styles, done lightly.

Masterful horror stories. Enriquez‘s writing is assured and lively as she veers into the supernatural (ghosts, morphing faces) whilst staying believable & grounded in modern day Buenos Aires. Her characters are strong & singular as they battle real-world problems in relationships, work & society‘s expectations. The horror lies just beneath the surface & ordinary people can be the monsters. I love the energy & wry humour of the prose.

A cosy 1930s murder mystery written with a sense of fun. I loved Randall and his witty one-liners and the diabolical aunts. The plot was less of a feature than all of the family intrigue (possibly too many characters?) but came together with a nice solution at the end. A good escapist read.

This didn‘t work for me. A disconcerting opening with a man who is not a main character holds much back. The main story is slow with details of how two couples spend their day. The bleak winter setting did not appeal to me. It‘s a subtle, interior novel and too drawn out so i lost interest. I prefer the succinctness of Claire Keegan or the wry humour of Niall Williams for a meandering ‘person goes about their day in cold weather‘ story.

I bought this for the cover with its Vienna café old school vibes & enjoyed it. A gentle novel about misfits who gather at Simon‘s café from 1966 over the years, it says much about friendship, community & acts of kindness. The small dramas ring true & the city changes over time. Simon is sympathetic & we want him to succeed. He is philosophical about what makes for a good life. We just did a comfort reads ep on the pod, I‘d add this to the list.

I really enjoyed this quiet novel set in Seoul. Jihye is a sympathetic ordinary worker who starts to gain confidence & friends when some colleagues start a small action group to disrupt the authorities. We follow the friends‘ stories & slowly discover jihye‘s history. It‘s subtle but a good sense of place, cleanly written (& translated) & nice mix of uplifting encounters with some dark undertones. #witmonth

Wonderful story-telling, characters you care about and sense of place in Virginia. I liked the flawed Carruthers siblings making poor choices as the stakes grew higher and their internal battles. This was darker than Cosby‘s previous books and I didn‘t love all of the violence but was gripped by the story.

I love Kehlmann‘s work and enjoyed this novel about director G W Pabst who made films for the Nazis during WW2. Full of moral conflict, tension & ambiguity which Kehlmann cleverly shows from different points of view (like camera angles). A tragi-comic story told with his intelligent, wry style. This felt to me more disjointed than his other books (a high bar) & lacked some momentum but still a fun, thought-provoking read and relevant today.

Scenic reading spot 😍

I enjoyed this more than I expected (after not getting on with an earlier book by de Kretser). The protagonist is intelligent & bookish but it‘s saved from being pretentious by her dysfunctional but (sort of) relatable love life & the on point, muscular writing. A great counterpoint to Woolf‘s work, satire on academia & self-deprecating coming of age. Visceral details felt true to Melbourne & I liked the friendships. Like being with a smart friend

I adored this novel set in 1962 fictional Faha (west Ireland). Gorgeous, real characters and infused with a sense of place & feeling of being in a rainy small town. A gentle pace but drama on every page as the characters engage with each other, make choices & battle with their conscience. Most of all the writing is sublime, the sentences finely turned but unshowy, with an Irish warmth & sensibility. I loved the deadpan humour too. A beautiful book

This held no interest for me. The idea of being trapped in a spaceship with no gravity and mushy food is my worst nightmare & not something I want to read about. Then to be told the earth looks beautiful from space is stating the obvious & becomes repetitive. I bailed at p9 but tried a later page to give it another chance: Anton remembering a dream. Too slow for me & the characters are only loosely connected (by their job) so there was no tension.

I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. A dark story about a woman who becomes a writer after the death of her famous writer husband, it centres on her past life as she tries to find out who else knew the real story behind her husband‘s novel. Smartly written, she‘s a cynical but sympathetic anti-hero. It‘s over the top by the end but I loved the tone, suspense, dark humour & lively pace.

I loved this delightful novel about the life of the upper class in countryside England. It‘s deftly written, with a turn of phrase and wonderful dry sense of humour that reminded me of P. G. Wodehouse (high praise) and the Folio edition has a forward by Jilly Cooper. A woman‘s view of 1920s Britain, parenting, class snobbery & the Feminists. And laugh-out-loud funny. Thoroughly enjoyable, I recommend it!

Mixed feelings about this one. The characters were well crafted and it‘s an astute psychological study, exploring the way some people move through the world more easily than others. But it was a little contrived and overwritten for me and I struggled to care about the characters. Much was made of Cass‘s seizures. I couldn‘t work out if Reid wanted to explore brain disorders, or family dysfunction, or the unreliability of memory.

I loved this. The writing has a propulsive energy as sentences wind their way to interesting ends. It‘s strong and assured, driven by curiosity. There is a beautiful rhythm that keeps you reading. I found the hospital setting strangely comforting: time slows down and the narrator focuses on small details, observes a sparrow, reflects on Kathleen Ferrier singing Mahler. It‘s also a love story, with ups and downs that feel authentic.

Compelling, honest short stories. I found these thought-provoking & challenging in that the youngish protagonists seemed unable to grow up & continued to drift & make poor choices. They frustrated me. But it‘s sharply observed, intimate & shows how trying to work or live can be messy. Explores loneliness & ennui (& often then a resort to online life or drugs). Reminded me a little of Brandon Taylor but darker & the characters are more stuck.

This was delightful. I enjoyed vol 1 but found it a little scatty and lacking plot direction. But by vol 2 it has hit its stride and there is more story. I like the wry tone and witty banter between the characters. A good comfort read if you like a comedy of manners with beautiful homes and cakes and a hint of romance.

I enjoyed this sharp novel about a dysfunctional rich family. It‘s well observed & elegantly written. What sets it apart from other ‘rich people behaving badly‘ books I‘ve read recently is that his characters are complex & he makes them sympathetic (if briefly) at times. Both plot & characters didn‘t develop as much as I expected so it didn‘t surprise or provoke me, but it was a satisfying end. The on point writing was a joy. A compelling read.

This didn‘t work for me as a novel (as its described) because there is no plot and there are no main characters who you get to know or care about (The narrator is an observer not driving most scenes). But as a documentary it‘s interesting, with intricate detail & some vivid scenes from prison life in Siberia in the 1850s. I found it slow & dense but it‘s a valuable record for anyone researching the subject, done with an eye for human nature.

It pains me to say it but I couldn‘t finish this one. I love Murakami & have read all of his books (& loved most). This was too abstract & vague for me. It seemed directionless (more than usual), I didn‘t care about the characters as they seemed so bland & the fantasy elements of the nameless town left me cold. Often Murakami can make a scene where not much happens really gripping & the supernatural believable, but this was too floaty for me.

I had such high hopes for this one. That cover! Rich people behaving badly! Set in Rome! But it didn‘t work for me. I think it was trying too much to tell me she was naughty and a liar, but all I saw in the story was her marrying a dud man for no particular reason & being submissive. And the structure of her re-telling the story made it remote & lacking in tension or suspense.

I enjoyed this crime novel about a serial killer in Florence. The police aspects feel authentic (the author draws from his own experience) and I liked the Florence setting & some of the characters. The theme of homophobia troubled me although I read it as a reflection of society rather than the author‘s own views. His wife was one-dimensional. So it lacked the interest & banter that enrich Donna Leon‘s or Louise Penny‘s books for example.

A remarkable book. Brilliantly written and with great humour and insight into Putin‘s Russia & the arbitrary legal system & capricious targeting of his opponents. Heartbreaking because we see what a great leader has been lost, but inspiring & uplifting as he shows what is possible. It sounds bleak but it was so engaging I couldn‘t put it down. Also a beautiful portrait of his marriage to Yulia. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book about the materials that make up the modern world and the history and economies around them. It‘s highly readable and accessible. Rigorous on facts & science but he tells it in a conversational voice with narrative drive. Fascinating to learn about the importance of sand & glass for example, & the modern need for copper & lithium. It shows how interdependent we are as supply chains are so complex. Recommended.

A memoir about Helen Garner following her grandson‘s local footy club for a year. As always I appreciated Garner‘s sharp eye, honesty and her clean writing. She uses a mix of precise language & colloquialisms that brings scenes to life & make you turn the page. Still, the practices & matches become repetitive & having lived it myself, not novel. It highlights community & the fact boys can be sensitive as well as violent. Not all men, etc.

I loved this funny, original novel. Lauren finds that her attics is producing an endless supply of husbands. I don‘t always love supernatural elements but this works because it‘s integrated so well & Lauren keeps us grounded in the real world (contemporary London). She‘s an engaging character with a dry sense of humour & we‘re on her side. Raises questions of sliding doors, how to choose a partner & what makes a good life. Coming up on the pod 🎧

I loved this. My first of Kracht‘s books so I can‘t compare & had no expectations. It helped that I read it in Gstaad where it‘s partly set. It reads as autofiction as the author names himself & his books - I assume some events are invented. His mother is wonderfully sharp & eccentric. The writing is crisp & erudite, making for a satisfying read. Idiosyncratic, it won‘t be to everyone‘s taste - he‘s privileged & cynical - but deceptively profound.

A frank and funny novel that veers into the bonkers. I really enjoyed the on point writing and humour. July manages to walk a line between ‘artiste‘ on a complete flight of fancy and enough self-awareness to keep it grounded. Still, her narrator is self-absorbed which stopped me from loving the book (that & her obsession with sex & menopause - but many have loved this part). A provocative, interesting read and great fodder for a book club.

I loved this fun murder mystery set on a cruise ship (travelling mysteries = a favourite genre). The ghost-writer Belle is on a literary cruise hosted by Payton, a Liz Gilbert type of figure, whose ex husband, nemesis & new wife (celebrity poet) are on board. It‘s juicy & twisty and Belle is engaging company, a running commentary on the guests, wry asides & thoughts on friendship. Fans of Death on the Nile (who isn‘t!) will love the references.

I love Matar‘s warm, erudite tone & rich subject matter so no surprise that I was engrossed by this novel. Khaled & his friends yare in London, unable to return to Libya. The heartbreak & uncertainty of this exile is beautifully rendered & feels true to life. It‘s poignant but told in a warm, inviting voice. Matar‘s writing flows & there‘s something exact in his prose that feels thoughtful & not showy. He wears his knowledge lightly. Moving.

I loved this novel featuring Olive Kitteridge & Lucy Barton. Strout has a way of writing that is gentle but compelling - the dramatic moments are subtle & intimate but I couldn‘t put it down. I think it‘s her simple prose and her characters - real and unadorned, they‘re great company. I love the Maine setting - crisp air & natural beauty. Strout evokes this in her characters.

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.