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.

I really enjoyed this modern reimagining of the myth of Persephone and Demeter. As Ruth Gilligan said, Ancient Greece meets Succession by way of Emma Cline. Tightly written, the 18 year old Cory, her CEO mother & their fraught relationship felt real. The sleazy Rolo is a charming & odious predator. Propulsive & thought-provoking. A great read.

This is my second attempt at Jhumpa Lahiri and again a DNF. Her prose is fluid and on point, details well observed. Authentic characters & much to read between the lines. But the tone is too cool and remote for me (no places or characters are named). So I was not invested even though I love Rome and this should be the perfect setting to immerse myself in. An outsider‘s perspective & bleak re Italy not welcoming immigrants.

I enjoyed this but I don‘t think it‘s my favourite genre. The pace was a little slow & lacked tension (the author doesn‘t plan his novels so it felt more episodic than a tightly plotted thriller). Gabriel Allen is a sympathetic, wry character, cartoonish in his abilities (as they all are). It became a WW3 story across many countries, with a not unrealistic premise. Rich with art & music, I enjoyed the more grounded scenes in Venice & Denmark.

I enjoyed this more than BWWAY. The story of 2 brothers Peter and Ivan, I love how intimate & fly-on-the-wall it is, giving us a sense of real people. They‘re complex & flawed so we sympathise with one, then the other. Their conflicts feel true, details add texture. Explores siblings, grief & changing relationships. Some plot points felt contrived but it was an immersive reading experience.

I‘m so behind on my book reviews! 🫠 stand by for a batch of them coming soon (after I‘ve had a coffee 😅) … 📚

A brilliant novel. Baxter‘s prose is fresh and visceral, raw and often funny even as she tackles dark themes. We have a real sense of Sabine so committed to her art - ‘on her knees for art‘ - trying to corral her ideas into form & at the same time dealing with a dangerous stalker, so that you feel she might implode. Satirical about the art & online worlds mixed with the menace facing Sabine, it‘s an exhilarating ride. A strong book.

Beautifully written but this didn‘t work for me. We flit between characters & timelines so it feels more like a story cycle - it lacks the satisfying narrative of a novel. We only scratch the surface of characters & their stories. The love stories are all sweet in contrast with the war scenes but felt contrived or unreal. Stunning, economical prose. It just didn‘t quite hang together for me.

I enjoyed this more than I‘d thought I would (with low expectations) - there‘s great humour, wonderful observations by Ariadne Oliver about being an author & the joy of her and Poirot‘s company. The mystery is elusive & dissatisfying in that it stays so nebulous & hard to grasp throughout. This could be deliberate as memory (a theme) can be slippery too, but it feels vague. Elephants are mentioned far too often (especially for Poirot!).

I loved this Agatha Christie classic that I hadn‘t yet read and somehow had avoided spoilers! Poirot investigates an old case involving an art monster, his wife and his muse. Great characters, mystery and gentle wit. Recommended.

I wanted to love this - a cruise ship thriller described as Agatha Christie meets Succession, it sounded like a fun, escapist holiday read. It‘s gripping, pacy and kept me turning the pages. YBut the premise felt contrived & I didn‘t believe the friendship between Emily & Belle which is central to the book. The tycoon‘s family are all rude & unlikeable, a trope that didn‘t feel fresh & can be heavy going. It‘s action, not Christie-esque.

Currently reading. Claustrophobic with rich white people behaving badly but I need to know what happens next!

I really enjoyed this crime novel about a woman searching for answers after she is suspected of killing her friend. The set-up is that Ben is doing a podcast about her case, and I loved how the author created an odd couple vibe. Lucy is a sarcastic, witty but ultimately sympathetic character & her family wonderfully dysfunctional. I half guessed it but there were plenty of twists & turns making for a satisfying read.

I loved this singular novel about an Indigenous Australian woman who is forced into marriage with a future prime minister. Wright is virtuosic with language, mixing Aboriginal words with English, local vernacular with literary & mythological references. It‘s a hard-hitting commentary of racism & colonialism in Australia but satirical & very funny re bureaucracy. Infused with Indigenous thought, it makes you see differently.

A dark novel about two newlyweds who are spurned by the rural villagers because of the caste difference. Very disturbing as a portrayal of the caste system discrimination, narrow-mindedness & violence. The city which welcomes all is a haven by contrast. But I also found the marriage controlling (he ignores her plea to go home). The effect was a horrifying book told in a fairytale style with villains, a complicit groom & a damsel in distress.

I enjoyed this novel set in Delhi about a history teacher dealing with changes in his family and country. His trouble at work reflects a wider tension between Hindus & Muslims. He is bookish & philosophical but those around him are becoming more binary & commercial. A little slow & esoteric (for someone with no knowledge of India‘s history) but I was invested in Alif & enjoyed the rich details, sense of place & gentle comedy.

Mary Beard brings to life the Roman emperors in this fascinating study of their daily lives, homes & customs. She has a rich knowledge of this period to draw from &, following SPQR, this is an attempt to look at the emperors & their subjects as real people rather than a dry history. I don‘t know enough about the era so found it confusing switching between emperors as it‘s told as a series of anecdotes. But history buffs will enjoy this fresh take.

I enjoyed this classic murder mystery with a great puzzle and fun characters (= rich neighbours behaving badly). It kept me guessing as I suspected each character in turn and I liked the repartee between the detectives. Lovely Richmond setting and gated community intrigue.

A small gem, described as a black comedy and it is that, but it packs a real punch. Short enough to read in one sitting, the tension builds relentlessly and the impact is forceful by the end. One of those books that you have to think about for a while before picking up the next one. Winona is a smart, wounded narrator & there is much unspoken between the lines. The homage to Mrs Dalliway is masterfully done. Strong, poetic writing. 5 stars.