I’ve read three ripper books recently that I’d like to share. I’ve also read a few so-so books but I won’t talk about those because it only means they weren’t the right reads for me. Reading is so subjective, isn’t it?
Here we go.
The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor
This story is about a writer hired to ghost-write a book about a billionaire’s family connection to Daphne du Maurier’s novel, Rebecca. The ghostwriter, Olivia Fitzgerald, soon discovers everything is not as it seems on the surface and is soon confused by marital secrets, stolen manuscripts, and missing documents.
I love books within books. They offer levels of complexity to stories and unravelling the mysteries in The Fiction Writer was intriguing.
The Fog by Brooke Hardwick
Another book about writers, this time on retreat on the remote island of Rathlin in the Irish Channel. Ostensibly a retreat to ‘unblock’ the participants, this soon results in the writers mentally unravelling.
I always enjoy a good Gothic novel. The Fog is a page turner that has all the classic elements (fear, horror, death, high emotion). Add a remote island location and a sociopath who tries unconventional psychological ‘therapies’ at a supposed writers’ retreat and you have a great read. Lots of twists and turns here!
Understory: a Life with Trees by Inga Simpson
I started to read this memoir to see how it was structured, as an aid to my own writing, but I was soon drawn in by the beautiful use of language and wanting to know how the story ended.
It’s a nature-loving memoir, talking us through the impact the author’s ten-acre forest property in the Sunshine Coast hinterland has had on her life. Each chapter shares stories about a particular species of tree and adds anecdotes and description to make us feel as if we are also there.
I’ll be taking a nature writing workshop with Inga Simpson later this month and am already anticipating what I’ll be able to learn from her.
What have you been reading? I’m always looking for recommendations.