This year has seen an excellent range of books being published and here are a few of our favourites…
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins: I loved the almost gothic vibe that this book had to it – complete with unexpected twists and turns. It follows the story of the McTavishes, who have more secrets than one family should really possess! What is so effective about this book is the way in which it blends the past with the present until both collide with a massive impact. To say much more would ruin the thrill of reading it for the first time – but if you haven’t then it is highly recommended.
Audrey Hepburn in Paris by Meghan Friedlander: just when I thought I knew as much as possible about Audrey Hepburn, along comes this book which cleverly offers a different perspective of her life through her visits to Paris. Filled with photographs that I had never seen before along with stories I had never read about, this felt like a deeply intimate read of her love of Paris and the importance of the city in her life.
Medea by Rosie Hewlett: offering a new opportunity to examine the story of Medea through a different lens, Hewlett’s book is a powerful and mesmerising take on the tale. From start to finish it feels distinctly theatrical and dramatic that enthrals thanks to the fierceness of the writing.
Hera by Jennifer Saint: telling the story of the Queen of the Gods herself, Saint’s latest interpretation of a Greek tale is strongly written and shows a different side to Hera – that her inner strength that leads to trouble in many ways but also reveals her desire for survival and independence. Always compelling to read, it might be Saint’s strongest book to date.
Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull: expertly interweaving aspects of Jane Austen’s real life into a murder mystery, Jessica Bull’s novel is a highly recommended read. It builds up to the climax beautifully and keeps the reader thoroughly engaged and guessing right until the very end. It is a confidently written book and definitely left me wanting to know more about Miss Austen’s exploits as a sleuth!
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld: some romantic novels that you can read these days can feel slightly contrived and unbelievable – however this is not the case here. Billed as a will they/won’t they premise, it follows the romantic fortunes of Sally a divorcee and writer on a New York sketch show who happens to meet Noah, a huge pop star and sees how their relationship develops over the years. Reading it all unfold, it is certainly one of my favourite contemporary romantic reads.
Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson: written with great wit and drama, this take on the story of Heracles (or Hercules), is wonderfully vivid and clever as it is told not through his perspective but rather through the eyes of those who knew him, giving the reader a fully rounded character with his flaws and strengths. Each individual character’s perspective is written with great distinctiveness and boldness that keeps the reader engaged. The humour and darkness is blended to perfection.
Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle: this cracking murder mystery has plenty to offer those who love their crime novels. Written with great expertise, it is the first book of this nature that I could have seen ending in more than one way. The way in which the story is set up and structured is very clever, while the intensity of the emotions and drama never lets up that as a reader it just whizzes by (in a good way).
Long Island by Colm Tóibín: set twenty years after the events of Brooklyn, this beautiful sequel examining the complex relationships we have with those around us is a gentle and dignified read that sweeps the reader straight back into Eilis’s world, with plenty of moments that turn her world upside down. For those who read Brooklyn in particular, it is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the characters and to see how their lives have changed.
The Blackbird Oracle by Deborah Harkness: this latest edition to the All Souls series, is filled with magic as it hones in more on what makes Diana’s magical abilities unique as she delves more into the world of higher magic and finding more about her dad’s side of the family. Throughout, it is clear just how much care and thought that Harkness has put into this book to offer a change in tone but never forgetting about the characters that Diana’s discoveries will have an impact on. It is a beautiful addition to the series.
By Emma Clarendon