The Lonely won't leave me alone. It's set in a Catholic retreat on a deserted part of coastline in the north-east of England in seventies - which (Catholic retreat apart) pretty much sums up my early years. Confusing & creepy. Loved the sense of place but overall it was a bit too long.

Just started reading #MendTheLiving and already entranced by it. It's the story of a heart - a heart that's located in the brain-dead body of a young man.

I tried to read #SwimmingLessons slowly - stopping to savour the beauty of the language, the intricacies of the plot. Until the narrative took off that is and then I couldn't help myself - I had to know the truth. The Truth, however is something the author will make you keep thinking about - long after you've put the book down.
It's a haunting book about marriage and families and books and hope. It's thrilling and breathtaking and I loved it.

Try reading the first sentence of #SwimmingLessons & not being hooked. It's a beautiful, thrilling, breathtaking book.

Despite the size of my TBR pile I was seduced by this in my local library. Started it on the bus home - couldn't put it down.
If I had to sum it up in three words they would be:-
1. Dark
2. Smart
3. Decadent
And if by decadent you think I mean rude then you'd be right. Apart from a couple of coincidences that had me like whaaaat? I would give Maestra a solid 5.
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