books
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My favourite books of 2024
At the start of each year, I enjoy reflecting on the books I read in the previous year. In 2024, I managed to read 42 books, including 12 for my book club. I also found myself diving into more non-fiction than usual, thanks to the convenience of audiobooks! Below is a roundup of my favourite books of 2024—have you read any of these? In Memoriam by Alice Winn In Memoriam is probably my favourite 5 star read of the year. It follows the journey of two young men, Gaunt and Ellwood, from an idyllic English boarding school to the trenches of World War One and features some beautiful prose. Read my review…
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In Memoriam by Alice Winn- A Review
In Memoriam by Alice Winn is a beautifully written novel that will pull you to pieces. It provides a stark contrast between the insanity of war and the purity of love. It follows the journey of two young men, Gaunt and Ellwood, from an idyllic English boarding school to the trenches of World War One. Upon finishing reading In Memoriam, I found it lingered in my thoughts for days. This novel stood out from others, compelling me to pause reading other books to fully come to terms with its story. This is not like me. I often jump from book to book, or have several books on the go at…
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Yellowface by RF Kuang: Book Review
Yellowface has been one of those books that is all over the place lately. It was featured on Waterstones list of best books of 2023. Every time you walk into a bookshop it’s feels like it’s on display. But what’s going on in this book? Is it worth all the hype? What is it about? Yellowface is about a young white author who steals the manuscript of her dead Asian friend, Athena Liu, finishes it, and publishes it as her own. Throughout the novel, Juniper “June” Hayward, publishing as Juniper Song, works to maintain the lie that her first big hit novel The Last Front, a story about Chinese workers in the British…
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Friday Reads
I’m currently halfway through this bad boy, hence being quiet on here. Kate Morton is one of my favourite writers and this is an intriguing read. Love a good mystery! What is are you reading at the moment?
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Christmas Book Haul
Happy New Year! Proof that my family know me so well. I’m really excited to get started on some of these delights- I’m already halfway through Fourth Wing! What books are you starting 2024 with?
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Hidden book highlights of 2023
It’s been an interesting year of reading. I have managed to read 31 books (although 2023 isn’t over yet, so there is still time to squeeze a few more in!) I have mainly kept up to date on sharing what I have read on here, however I realise there has been a few book highlights that I haven’t mentioned yet. So read on for a few little gems that I enjoyed this year…. The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne “Long before we discovered that he had fathered two children by two different women, one in Drimoleague and one in Clonakilty, Father James Monroe stood on the altar of the…
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Book Review: In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
“In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” is an intriguing and enigmatic novel penned by author Ashley Winstead. With its intense storyline, intricate character development, and a suspenseful atmosphere, this book is a rollercoaster ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Winstead’s masterful storytelling and ability to delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche make “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” an absolute must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. From the very first chapter, “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” grabs hold of readers’ attention and never lets go. The story centers around a gripping central plotline that…
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What I read in July
I’ve had a lot on in July, naming moving house and attending music festivals! However, I’ve still found the time to read. Here is a round-up of the main books I read in July. The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow Based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this is the story of Mary Bennet, the plain and quiet middle sister who likes to read and play the piano. Treated unkindly by her mother, and with few friends in the world, her life becomes a precarious round of visiting her married sisters, with little to look forward to. Janice Hadlow reimagines what Mary’s life might have been like and grants her…
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April reading round-up
Welcome to my April reading round-up! This month, I read three very different books that explored complex themes and kept me engaged until the very end. From a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics to a thrilling spy novel and a captivating work of historical fiction, I covered a lot of areas in my reading. “Lone Wolf” by Jodi Picoult “Lone Wolf” by Jodi Picoult is a novel about a family grappling with difficult decisions in the aftermath of a car accident that leaves the father, Luke Warren, comatose. The Warren family must decide whether to continue life support or let Luke die, but they are divided on what the right…
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A Little Book Round-up
Such a long time since I’ve written a post. Therefore, I thought it would be a good time to talk about what I’ve been reading over the past few months and my book recommendations. The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins I loved this book! It’s a British period drama with a black woman at the core. The book is set in early 19th-century London with the plot following Collins’ heroine, Frannie, a slave-turned-servant who travels with her owner from a Jamaican plantation to 1800s London, where she finds herself accused of the brutal murder of her master and mistress. Frannie is an extremely well-written character with shades of…
