I am still going through my April reads backlog, but this was one that I wanted to share. I was reading this when I was feeling quite vulnerable in the…
The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
I started reading this book because I knew that the Lucy Barton series would soon intersect with the character of Olive Kitteridge and I was curious to see what she…
Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo
I wasn’t immediately aware that this was actually my second book by Xiaolu Guo until I began reading it, but from the moment I started, I was captivated by its…
La Femme de Gilles by Madeleine Bourdhouxe
This Belgian modern classic from 1937 was referenced by famous French feminist, Simone de Beauvoir, and has been more recently rediscovered and made into a film. It’s a book about…
Great Contemporary Short Story Collections From Great Writers
Short stories are an underappreciated literary art form: we should all read more short stories! They often get neglected as they are not seen as marketable as novels, but these…
Bitter by Francesca Jakobi
You know a book has left its mark when you rush to find more books by the same author… only to feel that pang of disappointment when you discover it’s…
August is a Wicked Month by Edna O’Brien
I really wanted to love this book more than I did. I knew this book had been controversial/banned when it first came out in 1965 so I was expecting a…
The Nickel Boys by Colston Whitehead
A devastating read that’s even more terrifying when you realise it’s based on a real Floridian “reform school” – Dozier. What horrors and secrets lie in the archives and burial…
Best Hercule Poirot Books: Agatha Christie’s Belgian Icon
Hercule Poirot is a beloved detective, a true icon of classic crime whose fastidious nature and over-the-top character have won him fans around the world. Poirot is meticulous, brilliant, and…
Best Miss Marple Books: Agatha Christie’s Sly Sleuth
I have a soft spot for Miss Marple. Her unthreatening and endearing “dear old lady spinster” demeanour hides a steely determination: she subverts the notion of how old ladies should…
Gritty Childhood Memoirs: Survival & Hope In Equal Measure
Why are we so drawn to difficult childhoods in literature? Do difficult childhoods make for great writers? There is something cathartic and compelling about reading stories of childhood survival and…
How to Read More: Read Everywhere?
My ability to read literally anywhere and everywhere is something I’ve always treasured (my mother tells a childhood story of running out to stop me from walking down the road…
Reading Romance: The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
I remember a bookseller being super judgemental when I asked whether he stocked this title! It was honestly a pretty funny moment as I am very confident in my literary…
7 Non-Fiction Biographies About Fascinating Historic Women
There are so many great non-fiction books out there about history’s unsung heroines: these are just a few of my favourites. These seven books bring together women who need to…
A Lost Lady by Willa Cather
This is my third Cather novel, and it stands out from the others in that it follows a more traditionally structured narrative. However, the praise of the American West/pioneering spirit…
Deborah Levy’s Living Autobiography Series: Feminism, Writing & Space
Deborah Levy’s Living Autobiography series is a fascinating blend of memoir, essay, and narrative reflection. Comprising three books—Things I Don’t Want to Know, The Cost of Living, and Real Estate—the…
Four Japanese Novella Recommendations – Easy Reads
Japanese literature is known for its ability to capture deep emotions, unique perspectives, and delicate storytelling within short, impactful novellas. If you’re looking for a few brief but immersive reads,…