Icelandic culture has a great history of storytelling and there is a reverence for books and reading that seems to be lacking in other modern European countries. I think this is why there have been so many fantastic Icelandic authors coming to the fore in recent years. The Island is the second book in Ragnar…
Category: 5 Stars
Book Review: The Editor – Steven Rowley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Modern American literature isn’t always a favourite of mine. There is such a difference in tone between a European author writing on a subject and that of their American counterpart. I’m very pleased to say that Rowley has crafted a modern American novel of significance with a pathos and circumspection that is so often missing…
Book Review: Watching You – Lisa Jewell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A small community in Bristol, Melville Heights, is the very epitome of British village life. Although it is part of a larger metropolitan area it feels like a small enclave where everyone knows everyone else. It’s a well to do neighborhood with lawyers and doctors and more recently the elite head teacher who has come…
Book Review: Friends Like These – Sarah Alderson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It feels like a lifetime ago when actress Myanna Buring introduced me to a new Young Adult book written by a friend of hers. That early pre-publication copy of Finding Lila has left me with a huge appreciation of all of Sarah Alderson’s books. A dramatic opening. A transcription of a 999 call on December…
Book Review: The Binding – Bridget Collins ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Part fantasy and part historical drama The Binding is a real revelation. It is Collins’ first book for an adult audience. A twisting dark gothic tale it centres around Emmett Farmer. In the first part he is recovering from a mysterious illness and on reduced duties on the farm where he lives with his parents…
Book Review: Daisy Jones & The Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have a confession to make. When I first got sent this book late last year I hated it. I received an early digital copy without the artwork and because of the structure and format of the book I found it incredibly hard to get my head round all of the characters and keep it…
Book Review: Bloody Brilliant Women: The Pioneers, Revolutionaries and Geniuses Your History Teacher Forgot to Mention – Cathy Newman *****
UK readers may be familiar with Cathy Newman from her role as journalist and presenter on Channel Four’s nightly news programme. She has a very direct but completely amicable style that often disarms the people that she interviews. This easygoing style translates into her written prose and what could be a dull and dry subject…
Book Review: Codename Villanelle – Luke Jennings *****
When “Killing Eve” was on TV I was completely hooked by the two amazing lead characters. Perfectly played by Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, Villanelle and Eve are the most exciting women to hit the screen in a very long time. Finding out that the characters were based on a book trilogy by Luke Jennings…
Book Review: The Clockmaker’s Daughter – Kate Morton *****
When I got sent an early review copy of the new Kate Morton book I knew that I was in for a treat. You can always rely on Morton for an intelligent and interesting read. It is the summer of 1862 when a group of bohemian artists and their friends decamp to the beautiful Birchwood…
Book Reviews: One Thousand Stars And You – Isabelle Broom *****
I love a good book cover and shamelessly I will admit that it is often the difference between picking up a book in the store or not. This latest book from Isabelle Broom has the most gorgeous cover art and it captured me right from the start. Alice lives with Richard. She has a job…
Book Review: Pieces of Her – Karin Slaughter *****
Andrea knows everything about her mother Laura. They’ve lived in the idyllic seaside town of Belle Isle for most of Andy’s life. She’s seen her mum through breast cancer and divorce and watched her become a much loved speech therapist at the centre of the small community. Meeting Laura for brunch at the mall takes…
Book Review: One In a Million – Lindsey Kelk *****
Way back in the distant mists of 2009 I picked up a book by an unknown author and took it on holiday with me. “I Heart New York” was the first of many books by Lindsey Kelk and I’ve been sharing my summers with her ever since. Kelk has always had a rare ability to…
