Alan is a likeable, but insecure middle-aged business man. He owes money everywhere and is trying to reconcile relationships with his father, daughter and ex-wife. He has a memory for jokes and a problem saying no. I love him. For some perfectly random reason, Alan finds himself in Saudi Arabia to pitch security and IT […]
August
11
Outline by Rachel Cusk
posted by Ms K
How is it that I have never read this book before? Or worse still, how is it that I hadn’t even heard of Rachel Cusk? Thankfully, this situation has been remedied and I am now in possession of the trilogy in which Outline is number one ( & I am happy to report I am […]
August
08
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
posted by Ms K
Anne Tyler and I started off as friends with A Spool of Blue Thread. Then, sadly, we weren’t friends any longer because of Vinegar Girl, BUT – hold the phone Joan – I am happy to report our friendship is restored courtesy of Tyler’s latest, Clock Dance. This one I loved and read it in what felt […]
July
31
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent
posted by Ms A
This book comes with multiple warnings. The first is that it deals with very distressing themes and the second is that you won’t be able to put it down. My Absolute Darling is a debut novel from American author Gabriel Tallent. It is a best seller, page turner and probably available at airports around the […]
July
25
The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott
posted by Ms K
When Alice McDermott writes, you don’t just read her words, you see and feel them. Her style is so delicate and intricate but so everyday and familiar. Somehow you simply settle into her character’s lives as though they were your own. I don’t know how she does this but if I ever choose to have […]
July
15
The Eight Mountains by Paolo Cognetti
posted by Ms A
I am sure this book has inflated property prices in the Italian Alps. When you read about the small Italian family and their holidays spent climbing mountains you will know what I mean. Set over at least 30 years, The Eight Mountains is about relationships and how different people escape and/or embrace life and fear. […]
June
24
The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton
posted by Ms A
It’s been too long since I lost myself in a Tim Winton book. If you are Australian, chances are you’ve read a few of them. It turns out lots of people overseas read Tim Winton too, although how on earth they can make sense of the heavy Australian slang and vocabulary is a mystery to […]
