It’s that time of year! When we look back over what we did and what we didn’t do and we make the odd list or two. Here’s one of my lists: the best books of 2017. (My list covers books I read in 2017, not necessarily books that were published in 2017). The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett I reviewed this one in Book Chat, which I know I haven’t done for over 6 months. (PS – would love to know who, if anyone, misses Book Chat). It’s a book that makes you think about the lives you didn’t…
Posts Categorized: Book Reviews
I’ve read some amazing books this year and here’s my list of the best books of 2016: the books that made me laugh and cry, the books I couldn’t forget even after I’d finished them, the books I would definitely read again. I’ve put this list together based on books I’ve read in 2016, not necessarily books that were released in 2016. And here, not in any particular order, they are! A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara I know I said this list isn’t in order but I’ve put this one first because it’s one of the most powerful books…
My favourite books are historical novels with heroines who are fighting for something that matters, something that has made a difference to the opportunities women have today. Heroines who inspire us to follow our own dreams, to keep going when the hurdles seem too great to surmount, to be truly courageous. With that in mind, here are 9 historical fiction heroines, some real, some imagined, whose stories and actions can continue to inspire us today. This brings my 3 part series on writing compelling heroines to an end. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Alma Whittaker…
I’m very excited to be joining forces with my merry band of writing friends to celebrate the launch of two books from our group: Sara Foster’s All That is Lost Between Us, and A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald by yours truly! Because both books feature young women with big goals, we thought it would be fun to reflect on the book or books that most inspired us when we were young women. I’ve got to say, I found this hard. So many books to choose from! But it always comes back to one: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre:…
It’s so close to the end of the year that I can smell the turkey cooking and the plum pudding steaming! So, it’s time for a bit of a wrap-up; the 10 best books of 2015, as judged by me! This might give you some ideas for your own Christmas lists, or for somebody else’s. (Note: these are book I read in 2015, not necessarily books that were released in 2015.) Here they are, in no particular order, because that would be way too hard. 1. A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson I know I said these aren’t in…
Not so long ago, it felt like all I did was write books and have babies. There was almost no time for anything else. This year, for the first time, all three kids are at school and I occasionally feel as if I have time to do other things, but I’m still in a place where everything I do is outcome focussed—I go to yoga to stay relaxed, I swim to keep fit—and I can’t think of anything I do besides take the very rare bubble bath that is simply just wasting time on me (and just to note that…