Another week, this one not so hot but really windy, which isn’t great for bushfires. I received one book in the mail and did a bit of book shopping: City of Vengeance by D.V. Bishop (available 9th February) was a surprise from Pan Macmillan. Set in Florence in the 1500s, this murder mystery has Cesare... Continue Reading →
Books that left an impression in 2020
2020 seems to be the year that never ends – but don’t wish it away just yet, because today is my birthday! This year, instead of choosing ‘top’ books I’m making a list of books that I read that left a lasting impression. Given that I read 20+ books more than 2019, that’s not an... Continue Reading →
REVIEW: If I Can’t Have You by Charlotte Levin
In brief: Constance had no-one in her life until she met Samuel. Now Samuel tells her their relationship was nothing serious. But he's very wrong…right? The good: Some very surprising twists! The not-so-good: Samuel is plain awful sometimes. Why I chose it: Thrillers are good for winter. Thanks to Pan Macmillan for the copy. Year:... Continue Reading →
Mailbox Monday and What I’m Reading: 6/7/20
We've been doing our spring cleaning a little early here, despite apparently being in the depths of winter! Stuff is everywhere, including books. That doesn't stop me adding to the pile though – If I Can't Have You by Charlotte Levin (available 14th July) arrived from Pan Macmillan. Constance develops an infatuation with a colleague,... Continue Reading →
REVIEW: Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
In brief: Natsuko and her sister didn't have it easy growing up. Now she's a writer in Tokyo and Makiko is a single mother who wants breast implants. Fast forward ten years and Natsuko has some equally difficult decisions to make about life… The good: More light hearted at times than other Japanese fiction I've... Continue Reading →
Mailbox Monday and What I’m Reading: 8/6/20
2020 continues to challenge the world, but this time hopefully everyone will have a better awareness and be willing to change what we've seen this week. I'm trying to educate myself more on race and the history of the US seeing as we didn't study it at school. Black lives do matter and we must... Continue Reading →
REVIEW: The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
In brief: A story of family, deception, loss and mystery – think an isolated hotel, a brother and sister, a ship and a Ponzi scheme. The good: Brilliantly written across a wide range of subjects. The not-so-good: Sat too long unread on my shelf. Why I chose it: I've heard a lot of buzz about... Continue Reading →
Mailbox Monday and What I’m Reading: 27/4/20
Well. An interesting week, as things seem to be of late. I think the overall theme is 'waiting'. What to do but read…the sun did come out just as I was taking this picture. The Hidden Beach by Karen Swan (available 28th April) arrived from Pan Macmillan. Bell is working in Stockholm as a nanny... Continue Reading →
Mailbox Monday and What I’m Reading: 23/3/20
A very different world this week. I haven't done a lot of reading because I've been out stalking toilet paper for sale for older folk but I think that will change. Everything I have planned has been cancelled, bar one event (which I'm expecting that will be cancelled today). My five-month holiday has turned out... Continue Reading →
Top Reads for 2019
I simply cannot list my best reads for 2019 until the end of the year. What if I finish a really great book on December 29? (Plus, today is my birthday so I can do anything I want). Traditionally, I try to cull my list to ten but then I remembered that this is my... Continue Reading →