I have a hunch this novel may end up being my book of the year. Big call, yes, but I loved it that much. I have read some real beauties this year (Hallelujah, the Book Gods have shone on me in 2018) but there is just something so exquisite about An American Marriage that I […]
October
15
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
posted by Ms A
In times of war, there is a particular light given off by smouldering buildings, smoke and blacked out streets. It is called warlight. A fitting name for a shadowy book about a man trying to piece together memories of his wartime childhood. This story starts in 1945 in London. A mother is living a double […]
October
04
The Incendiaries by R.O.Kwon
posted by Ms K
How is it possible that I have read two books, back to back, about cults? I assure you I am not interested in joining one, or indeed, starting my own. The Incendiaries is a different beast to my last review Beautiful Revolutionary but it packs, in fewer pages, the same physical discomfort and disbelief. Like […]
October
01
Beautiful Revolutionary by Laura Elizabeth Woollett
posted by Ms K
If you’ve ever wondered how the saying ‘drinking the Kool-Aid‘ came about, well good news Readheads, this book answers it for you. The not-so-good news is you really won’t like the explanation. In Beautiful Revolutionary, Laura Elizabeth Woollett has penned a masterful and intriguing re-telling of the 1978 Jonestown Massacre which saw 918 men, women […]
August
30
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers
posted by Ms A
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. […]
Readhead 