Book Review – THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF THE POETS by Jess Walter
Jess Walter’s novel The Financial Lives of the Poets is a refreshingly real and humourous look at the financial crisis and the trouble we thinking beings can get ourselves into.
4.5+ Stars
AN IMAGINARY LIFE by David Malouf, Book Review: Haunting
In An Imaginary Life author David Malouf tells a very big story in very few words.
The story is set in the time of the Roman Empire with the protagonist and narrating character the Roman poet Ovid. Ovid had lived a life of mischief and excess prior to his exile in a backwater called Tomis. He does not understand their language, nor do they understand his – he considers the people he lives with ‘natives’ and the tribes that attack the town of Tomis ‘savages’.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, Review: Quirky
In The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Alan Bradley has conjured up an enchanting little world with charismatic characters that readers will love. Read on for our full review. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Synopsis…
THE RETURN by Victoria Hislop, Book Review: Engrossing
The Return (2008) is Victoria Hislop’s second novel. Her debut novel, The Island (2005) was included in The Times ‘100 Books That Defined the Noughties’. The Return Synopsis A captivating new novel of family, love, and betrayal set against a…
SIREN by Tara Moss, Book Review: A sassy, sexy thriller
Siren is a sassy, sexy thriller. Tara Moss’s much anticipated fifth novel in her Vanderwall thriller series lives up to expectations and as always leaves her fans gasping for more. Although I do not know the author personally, her public persona appears…
La’s Orchestra Saves The World by Alexander McCall Smith, Review
Charming. Can any of us make a difference to the great events which determine our fate? That is the question Alexander McCall Smith explores in La’s Orchestra Saves the World. The story is set in Britain and told through the eyes of a young woman named Lavender (all her friends call her La).
THE HOUSEKEEPER + THE PROFESSOR by Yoko Ogawa, Review
BOOK REVIEW: Exquisite minimalism. I’ve always been a believer that good things come in small packages and this novel by Ogawa is a perfect example. The characters, a mathematics professor with special needs, his housekeeper and her son, are developed in an understated manner, through their actions. The mathematical concepts are explained with artful simplicity and woven into the telling of the story to great effect. I found Ogawa’s writing style refreshing – words are not squandered but chosen carefully to extract maximum value
Book Review – REFLECTING THE SKY by S J Rozan
Action-packed. This is the first novel by S J Rozan that I have read and it definitely won’t be the last. Rozan’s main characters private investigators Lydia Chin and Bill Smith are your classic odd couple, whose strengths and weakness fit together like a glove. They are a formidable team that readers barrack for. Lydia is feisty and outspoken and Bill is her rock, strong and loyal.
THE SWAN THIEVES by Elizabeth Kostova, Review: Engrossing
Elizabeth Kostova’s The Swan Thieves is an engrossing novel with deep, intertwining storylines and thought-provoking and elegant prose.
THE #1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY Book 5 by Alexander McCall Smith
BOOK RATING: Story 4 / 5 ; Writing/Narration 5 / 5 BOOK REVIEW: This was my first experience with both an audiobook and Alexander McCall Smith’s writing, and I was very impressed on both accounts. What a great story framework, setting and group…
Book Review – THE COURILOF AFFAIR by Irene Nemirovsky
BOOK RATING: The Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 5 / 5 BOOK REVIEW: Powerful. Don’t let the lack of words used (only 168 pages) fool you – Nemirovsky delivers a powerful message through the telling of this story….
Joanna Hines’ novels, Surface Tension & Improvising Carla
The Joanna Hines’ novels, Surface Tension and Improving Carla, are highly compelling reads that are worth looking out for at second-hand bookstores. Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller Surface Tension Synopsis In the scorching summer of 1976, six friends enjoy a blissful time…
