Book Review: She Rises by Kate Worsley

She Rises is an erotic, sea-faring adventure by debut novelist Kate Worsley. Under the tutelage of mentor and maven of the historical novel Sarah Waters, Kate Worsley has created a beautifully sculpted jewel of a novel set in an Essex fishing village in 1740.

Book Review: Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

Ever wondered how spies manage to recruit double-agents? or how rifle-toting members of the NRA could find common ground with those who want to abolish guns in America? This is a practical and yet exciting guide to how to get better at communicating with friends, family and colleagues. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Genre: Non-Fiction, Psychology, Communications Publisher: Penguin Review inContinue reading “Book Review: Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg”

Book Review: Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg

This is a book about the raw majesty of St Kilda as a place, and about the spirit, community bonds and resilience of its people. But it’s also a tragic tale about the devastation of colonialism and 19th century morality.

Book Review: How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell

I didn’t expect much from this book and was delightfully surprised by its immense depth and foresight. ‘How to Do Nothing’ is a profound and glittering jewel about the big topics of politics, internet culture, consumerism, capitalism and consciousness. It takes well-worn assumptions about how you spend your time and the tyrannical monopoly of banal “stuff” on your attention – and then rearranges your brain forever!

My summer reading 📚 list for #Litha

It is approaching Litha or Midsummer in my part of the world. I’ve worked like a speed demon for the entire year and to be honest I feel absolutely exhausted. I just want to luxuriate and wallow like a blob in tantalising worlds of imagination. What is better and more full of promise in lifeContinue reading “My summer reading 📚 list for #Litha”

Book Review: The Porpoise by Mark Haddon

This is my historical fiction pick of the year. The Porpoise is an exhilarating. There are lightning quick gear changes from one time period to another and one mood to another. Yet the cohesive whole of the novel never felt confusing, forced or contrived

Book Review: Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

Egan is author of the sprawling coming-of-age novel A Visit from the Goon Squad which won the Pulitzer Prize. She has written another epic genre-bending novel this time set during WW2 in New York City, it’s immersive, sparkling and exhilarating. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Historical Fiction Publisher: Corsair Review in one word: Nostalgic * Contains no spoilersContinue reading “Book Review: Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan”

Book Review: The Wolf Border by Sarah Hall

An engaging and big novel that’s less about wolves, and more about instinct, wildness, independence and sexual connection coupled with big themes like Scottish political independence, class privilege and the UK’s national identity – 4 stars.

Book Review: Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Publisher: Text publishing. Genre: Fiction, psychological thriller. Review in one word: Perky Scottish writer Graeme Macrae Burnet is the author of one of the best Scottish crime novels ever written His Bloody Project, which I have reviewed on this blog before. Burnet’s new book is yet another step back in time and anotherContinue reading “Book Review: Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet”