Joseph Highmore, The Harlowe Family (Wikimedia)For a great introduction to this painting take a look at Lynn Shepherd's blog post here.It was a long wait inbetween letters six and seven but it was worth it. After being dragged back from Anna's house by her family, Clarissa is acquainted with their choice of husband for her:… Continue reading Reading Clarissa: Month Two
Month: February 2014
The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh
The allure of a holiday romance doesn’t end with one’s teenage years, as Shirley Valentine taught me back in 1989. Jenn and Greg are enjoying their annual trip to the heavenly Deia on Mallorca. A seemingly happily married couple in their middle-age - but what does that mean anymore? - Jenn’s definitely feeling something, but… Continue reading The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh
Someone Else’s Skin by Sarah Hilary
Some secrets keep you safe, others will destroy you.Detective Inspector Marnie Rome. Dependable; fierce; brilliant at her job; a rising star in the ranks. Everyone knows how Marnie fought to come back from the murder of her parents, but very few know what is going on below the surface. Because Marnie has secrets she won't… Continue reading Someone Else’s Skin by Sarah Hilary
A Sixpenny Song by Jennifer Johnston
A Sixpenny Song is the first story I have read by Jennifer Johnston, although I do have a copy of The Illusionist lurking about somewhere. The chances that I will search it out and read it have increased considerably. In fewer than 200 pages this slim book lays out the inner life and grief of… Continue reading A Sixpenny Song by Jennifer Johnston
Branford-Boase Prize Longlist: Week 4
This week I've chosen two very different books from the longlist.Darcy Burdock by Laura Dockrill. Ten-year-old Darcy Burdock is one of life's noticers. Curious, smart-as-a-whip, funny and fiercely loyal, she sees the extraordinary in the everyday and the wonder in the world around her. In this first book, we are introduced to her family: Mum, who… Continue reading Branford-Boase Prize Longlist: Week 4
Branford-Boase Prize Longlist: Week 3
Time for the third instalment of the Branford-Boase longlist. Both this week's books are written excellently, but only one captured my heart.Red Ink by Julie Mayhew When her mother is knocked down and killed by a London bus, fifteen-year-old Melon Fouraki is left with no family worth mentioning. Her mother, Maria, never did introduce Melon to… Continue reading Branford-Boase Prize Longlist: Week 3
The Medici Mirror by Melissa Bailey
The Medici Mirroris a claustrophobic and creepy story about obsession and desire. Primarily set in the present day, Johnny Carter, an architect, takes on more than he realises when he begins renovation plans for an abandoned shoe factory in London. Johnny’s had a tough time of it lately, his separation from his wife has affected… Continue reading The Medici Mirror by Melissa Bailey
Catching Up: 4 Mini-Reviews
A fair few books I read last year went unreviewed for a variety of reasons. Here's a catch-up post of four very different books.Crux by Ramez Naam Six months have passed since the release of Nexus 5. The world is a different, more dangerous place. In the United States, the terrorists - or freedom fighters -… Continue reading Catching Up: 4 Mini-Reviews
Branford-Boase Prize Longlist: Week 2
This week's titles include my most and least favourite of the longlisted books that I've read so far. I start with the good, nay, the brilliant, first.Wild Boy by Tom Lloyd JonesLondon, 1841. A boy covered in hair and raised as a monster, condemned to life in a travelling freak show. A boy with an… Continue reading Branford-Boase Prize Longlist: Week 2
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
After reading Benjamin Percy’s Red Moon last year I am now rather more inclined towards reading a werewolf story than before. With the final part of Glen Duncan’s Last Werewolf trilogy just about to be published, it seemed like a good time to finally catch-up by reading the first part, The Last Werewolf.Jake Marlowe is… Continue reading The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
