I do enjoy the ‘Vera’ series of stories by Ann Cleeves. The TV adaptations, not so much. I think it’s because the books leave so much room for me to interpret the characters and savour the prose, while the TV series has it all laid out for me. I always like to feel I’m a […]

For some inexplicable reason, I haven’t been able to read books at my normal rate. Whether it’s distractions from the outside world, anxiety about things I can’t control, or just because I’m doing more sewing and gardening, I haven’t been able to focus on many novels in the past few months. How’s your reading progressing? […]

I don’t know how Louise Penny consistently writes fabulous stories in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series that keep on developing a core group of characters. All the Devils are Here is the latest in the series and it shows a completely different aspect of Gamache’s family dynamics than in earlier books. Set in Paris […]

I confess that I sobbed, loudly, through several chapters of this novel. Don’t let that put you off but just be aware that this is probably not a story to read if you are feeling sad or vulnerable. Perhaps wait until you feel stronger so that you can appreciate the wonderful writing and can empathise […]

 Okay, I’ll blurt this out straight away – this is the best book I’ve read this year.  You know how a story can transport you to another place or time? This does that so easily. And it’s all about WORDS! (My favourite things. 😀) As the blurb says, in part, “…The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals […]

This book’s been on my to-read list for a while and I’m so glad I finally read it. Weaving together current happenings in Australia (no, not COVID-19!) Heather Rose has created a totally plausible plot. That’s scary to me because it presented one of those sliding-doors scenarios that could happen. Visit Goodreads to find out more about Bruny.

With all the gloom and fear in the world, I needed to read a novel that was light, pure escapism. My One True North satisfied that need beautifully.  It’s a warm and optimistic romantic story – simply lovely – with a happy ending. What more could we want during these days of uncertainty? To read more about My […]

Characters from Jane Austen’s novels have inspired other writers to imagine ‘what if?’. What if there was more going on in this character’s life than Austen imagined? This is the premise of Janice Hadlow’s novel, The Other Bennet Sister. Mary was one of the least developed characters in Austen’s book, Pride and Prejudice. Hadlow has given her […]

Well, really a trilogy. The Crimson Lake trilogy by Candice Fox, to be exact. We are Candice Fox groupies in this house. We’ve been to three of her author talks over recent years and love her stories. They are dark and disturbing but the characters are so well-developed and strangely relatable, even when they are taking vile […]

Reading is like breathing to me – one of life’s essentials. I stopped reading print books at the beginning of March. I returned my last lot of library books because I didn’t like the idea of what germs might linger on them during this virus-ridden time. Now most public libraries in Australia have closed their doors […]