Category: literature
+ audio book, fiction, gothic, grief, Historical fiction, literature, mental illness, review, secrets, sisters, twins, whimsical, writer
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield narrated by Jenny Agutter
All children mythologize their birth…So begins the prologue of reclusive author Vida Winter’s collection of stories, which are as famous for the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale as they are for the delight and enchantment of the twelve that do exist. The enigmatic Winter has spent six decades creating various outlandish life histories for herself — all of them inventions that have brought … Read More The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield narrated by Jenny Agutter
+ Dogs, fiction, friends, friendship, grief, literature, loss, love
Exiles by LJ Ambrosio (Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 3)
In this final chapter, Ron’s story concludes from Reflections on the Boulevard (2023). Michael’s wish was for Ron to exile himself in the heart of Paris with its beautiful culture and citizens as they protest and fight for the soul of the city. Ron’s journey is met with life-affirming friendships and lessons along the way. The final book in the Reflections of Michael Trilogy, … Read More Exiles by LJ Ambrosio (Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 3)
+ adventure, child abuse, devil worship, family, fiction, gothic, Historical fiction, literature, London, loss, love, obsession, sisters, twins
The Fascination by Essie Fox Paperback Out Now
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical in every way, except that Tilly hasn’t grown a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting their father’s quack elixir as they tour the country fairgrounds, at the age of fifteen the girls are sold to a mysterious Italian known as ‘Captain’. #TheFascination @essiefox @OrendaBooks #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours #blogtour #paperback Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, … Read More The Fascination by Essie Fox Paperback Out Now
+ alcoholism, crime fiction, Danish Noir, dark humour, Denmark, fiction, grief, Iceland noir, literature, murder, revenge, review, Scandi noir, secrets, writer
Thirty Days of Darkness by Jenny Lund Masden – translated by Megan Turney Paperback Out Now
A snobbish Danish literary author is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days, travelling to a small village in Iceland for inspiration, and then the first body appears… Copenhagen author Hannah is the darling of the literary community and her novels have achieved massive critical acclaim. But nobody actually reads them, and frustrated by writer’s block, Hannah has the feeling that she’s … Read More Thirty Days of Darkness by Jenny Lund Masden – translated by Megan Turney Paperback Out Now
+ friendship, grief, history, Italy, jews, literature, nazi germany, review, World War Two, WW2
My Father’s House Rome Escape Line Trilogy #1 by Joseph O’Connor
From the best-selling author of Star of the Sea, a WWII-era “great escape” novel set in the Vatican. September 1943: German forces occupy Rome. Gestapo boss Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptmann rules with terror. Hunger is widespread. Rumors fester. The war’s outcome is far from certain. Diplomats, refugees, and escaped Allied prisoners flee for protection into Vatican City, at one fifth of a square mile the … Read More My Father’s House Rome Escape Line Trilogy #1 by Joseph O’Connor
What We Thought We Knew by Claire Dyer Cover Reveal
Four children, three marriages, two secrets, and one unfathomable tragedy: the families at numbers two, four and six Penwood Heights are connected by work, friendship, the loss of a child and a secret truth which has sat in the bedrock of their lives for years. Genre: Contemporary | Literary Pages: 280 In the centre of this tight-knit group is Faith, who believes her job is to act as … Read More What We Thought We Knew by Claire Dyer Cover Reveal
+ fiction, List, literature, review
My Year in Books 2023
It’s been a successful year for reading. I’ve read some brilliant books. My reading challenge was 130 and I read 153. A few more than last year.
+ anthology, audio book, List, literature, podcast, review
My 8 Most Read Reviews of 2023
This was a new one for me last year, but I do love a good list. These books were not necessarily published in 2023 – in fact Miss Benson’s Beetle has been top for the last three years. Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel JoyceThere’s hardly a day goes by when someone doesn’t visit this review and I am not sure how or why. It … Read More My 8 Most Read Reviews of 2023
+ art, childhood, family, female friendship, fiction, folklore, friendship, Greece, Historical fiction, lies, literature, London, loss, love, museum, revenge, review, superstition
The Figurine by Victoria Hislop
In her irresistible new novel, Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author Victoria Hislop shines a light on the questionable acquisition of cultural treasures and the price people – and countries – will pay to cling on to them. Of all the ancient art that captures the imagination, none is more appealing than the Cycladic figurine. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from … Read More The Figurine by Victoria Hislop
+ family, feminism, fiction, grief, Historical fiction, lies, literature, London, loss, love, marriage, mental health, mental illness, motherhood, music, obsession, psychiatrist, relationships, review, secrets, sisters, therapy, twins
The Crooked Little Pieces: Volume 3 by Sophia Lambton
Dreams are a red flag for the danger-prone. Postwar van der Holts. Sophistication sticks to Head of Music Isabel – and so does new headmaster, the mysterious and semi-dictatorial Richard Schneider. Dissent from doctorly conventionality leads Anneliese into digressions deviant even for her as she squares off not just against Susanna but a serial offender of the law. Sparks fly between old flames; new … Read More The Crooked Little Pieces: Volume 3 by Sophia Lambton
+ coming-of-age, Dogs, family, fiction, friendship, grief, literature, loss, love
Reflections On The Boulevard by LJ Ambrosio (Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 2)
Michael’s story continues from A Reservoir Man (2022) where we find him teaching at a university ready to retire. He unexpectedly meets a young man named Ron who becomes his protégé and journeys with him in a haphazard adventure throughout America and Europe. In Michael’s final journey in life, each twist and turn of the road brings unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one … Read More Reflections On The Boulevard by LJ Ambrosio (Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 2)
+ adventure, Carcassone, Catholic Church, female friendship, feminism, fiction, Historical fiction, history, journal, literature, love, religion, review, secrets, slavery
The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
Piracy. Romance. Revenge. Across the seas of the seventeenth century, two seafarers are forced to fight for their lives. The sequel to The City of Tears, The Ghost Ship is the third novel in The Joubert Family Chronicles from bestselling author Kate Mosse. The Barbary Coast, 1621. A mysterious vessel floats silently on the water. It is known only as the Ghost Ship. For months it has hunted pirates … Read More The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
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