What you could read next ....
Sophie Lombardi
I have been trying to give up Amazon but I have a weak spot when it comes to my kindle. The low vision option alongside convenience is extremely alluring. I have resolved to buy every second book from our lovely local bookshop and am enjoying having a real paper copy by my bedside. I have read some great books this year, these are some of my favourites so far…
The Boy from the Sea - Garrett Carr
This enchanting story is told from the perspective of the local people of Killybeggs, a fishing town in Donegal. They follow the Bonnar family over two generations through good and bad times. Life is tough for the family but there ultimately a very optimistic tone to the book and the characters are charming and relatable. I particularly enjoyed The Boy from the Sea as it captured the quiet stoic character of many Irish men further enhanced by the slow pace of the story and the gorgeous lyrical language.
Fundamentally - Nussaibah Younis
Nussaibah Younis has achieved unbelievable feat in her debut novel by successfully balancing humour with themes of radicalization and ISIS ideology. To be clear, the plot line is not very relatable ; University Academic ‘Nadia’ is so heartbroken that she takes a job in Baghdad to run a de-radicalization programme for women recruited by ISIS. Nadia is absurdly unqualified and ill equipped for the role and her many blunders include the appointment of a hippy-dippy Californian Sheikh who is mercilessly ridiculed by the women in the camp. She becomes obsessed with the plight of Sara (a fellow East London girl) and helps her to escape the camp only to find out that there is a real possibility she may return to ISIS. Nussaibah Younis has successfully created awareness of a very serious problem using dark humour.
Went to London, took the dog - Nina Stibbe
I very much enjoyed Nina Stibbe’s first dairy ‘Love Nina’ and this felt like a sequel. Nina returns to London after twenty years and this collection of diary entries record some hilarious anecdotes, wonderful characters and touching scenarios (Think Adrian Mole but with tena ladies!) Although the book is very funny , Nina shows her vulnerability as she navigates a new life post-divorce. I had a personal interest in the diary as I also live in Cornwall and often wonder if I could move back to the big smoke when my children leave home. Nina’s complaints about cafe prices, bins and rubbish on dog walks have made me think again.
This is a Love Story - Emily Soffer
The book does what it says on the cover. It is the ultimate love story that documents the imperfect relationship between Abe and Jane from courtship to death. All of the pivotal moments in their lives together are linked to experiences they have shared in Central Park which takes on a life of it’s own in the story. The depiction of Jane’s Post Natal Depression and the cycle of shame and guilt felt very true and powerful. I enjoyed the writing style, however some readers may find the repetition irritating, definitely a marmitey kind of book!
Show, Don’t Tell - Curtis Sittenfeld
A wholly formed story in one chapter is something to be celebrated as it gives such satisfaction and requires very little effort on the part of the reader. This recent collection of short stories by Curtis Sittenfeld contains some real gems. In her typical style, she dials down the drama through stories that chronicle what it is to be human. The characters are all very relatable and I was happy to find middle aged suburban women featured heavily in most chapters. My favourite included a women who gets caught on camera in full Karen mode! These short stories are the perfect snack, the writing is clever and observational.
