Family Of Liars, E. Lockhart – Book Review

We Were Liars was an absolute young adult sensation back on its release in 2014. But, it’s quirky writing style and off-the-wall twist did divide readers. I was firmly in the love camp, and so when I saw the author was releasing a prequel after almost a decade, I was far too intrigued to pass this up.

In this book, we return to the Sinclair family and their private island, but we’re whisked back in time to the 1980s. We get a glimpse at a summer of the “aunts” of WWL when they were teens, through the eyes of Carrie.

Impossible, Sarah Lotz – Book Review

I don’t often read romance novels, but this latest offering from British fantasy author Sarah Lotz is something a little unique. And I adored it! Authentic, down-to-earth characters, British humour and a unique sci-fi fantasy twist which really makes this love story impossible…

Bee is a fashion designer running her own business upcycling wedding dresses from her London apartment. Nick is a failed writer living in a struggling marriage with his loyal dog Rosie in Leeds. The two never would have met if it wasn’t for an email error, but when Nick accidently sends Bee an email meant for his client, sparks fly.

The Night Shift, Alex Finlay – Book Review

I flew through this, my second read from Alex Finlay and I think it was even better than Every Last Fear. There’s something incredibly immersive about this author’s writing and the world. Starting out on New Year’s Eve 1999 at a Blockbuster and moving through to present day, Finlay immerses the reader into small-town America. A place where serial murders are rare but, when they do they can have repercussions for generations.

The Paris Apartment, Lucy Foley – Book Review

Lucy Foley has quickly carved a name for herself and gained a following with her twisty-turny locked-room mysteries. This is her third novel, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s her usual compulsively readable style this time in a glamorous new location.

Jess is in need of a break. She thinks that what she’s getting when she travels to Paris to stay at her half-brother Ben’s apartment. But when she arrives, Ben is nowhere to be seen, and she’s met instead with an eclectic cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something.

Mirrorland, Carole Johnstone – Book Review

A grand old Scottish house, estranged mirror twins, secrets and a glowing review quote from Stephen King meant this novel caught my eye straight away. My galley request actually didn’t get approved for around six months, by which point I’d almost forgotten about it and the hype had died down, but I’m so glad I got around to picking this up earlier this year.

The Maid, Nita Prose – Book Review

The Maid was a winning combination of touching and heartwarming, paired with mystery elements weaved in that kept me glued to the pages. It was a joy to read. I don’t usually go for ‘cosy crime’ which I think it what this would be classed as, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as a break from tougher subjects – and it does touch on some serious issues. And at the heart of it all is one of the most wonderful, complicated, sympathetic characters I’ve read in a while – Molly the maid.

How High We Go In The Dark, Sequoia Nagamatsu – Book Review

How High We go in the Dark is a speculative dystopian with a stunning cover that’s been compared to Station Eleven and Cloud Atlas. It caught my eye straight away, and I really wanted to like this one more than I did.

It is an original, imaginative and bold story of a terrifying pandemic spawned from an ancient virus which spans generations. You would think another pandemic tale may hit a little too close to home, but that isn’t the case here. This pandemic is much more deadly, and its consequences so bizarre and bleak that it felt almost otherworldly, and it works. This is an incredibly ambitious, explorative and wondrous piece of work.

(Belated) 2021 Wrap-Up: Top Ten Books of Last Year

So, I’m aware that this post is very late. But, I’ve done these posts annually for about five years and I didn’t want to miss one just because life got busy. In all honestly, my reading and blogging has gone out of the window in a big way recently – firstly the pandemic, then I got engaged and in January I moved house! And wow, I forgot how much hard work moving house can be. So, my reading in 2022 isn’t looking much better.

BUT in 2021 I did a reasonable (for me) 47 books. I was aiming for 50, so a little off, but I won’t be beating myself up about that. Here are my favourites.

The Couple At The Table, Sophie Hannah – Book Review

It’s been a long time since I’ve revisited Sophie Hannah’s Culver Valley series, and it was great to dive back in with this brand new release. We’re reunited with our old favourite crime-solving, bickering married couple Simon Waterhouse and Charlie Zailer and the usual gang at Culver Valley police force.

Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir – Book Review

I think it’s safe to say that I enjoy everything this author writes. Yes, that includes Artemis, his most controversial offering to date. But, if you’re familiar with the author, rest assured that this is him at his best and, if you’re not, then this is a brilliant place to start.

Project Hail Mary kind of takes all the best elements from the author’s previous novels and builds upon then to, in my opinion, create something that is even better. This book is packed with the geeky science and snarky comments we know him for, but with an added extra-terrestrial encounter and the perfect dose of nostalgia and touching moments that make the story about more than science – it’s about people too.