Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ – Charles Dickens 18143
My rating: 4 of 5 stars A cautionary tale of greed and selfishness, and their opposites in generosity and humility. Such a perfect story to read in the lead up ...
Review: ‘The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding’ – Agatha Christie 1960
3.5 stars. A fun collection of crime mysteries solved by Hercule Poirot, with a bonus one solved by Miss Marple. Sadly only one story in the collection of 6 is ...
Review: ‘The Writer’s Room’ – Charlotte Wood 2016
4.5 stars. A deep and insightful look into the craft of writing, its challenges and its bounties. A wealth of inspiration and reassurance for writers both new a...
Review: ‘Dark Places’ – Gillian Flynn 2009
3.5 stars. A twisted thriller that highlights the complicated nature of family, loyalty, greed, and regret. The novel is filled with irredeemably flawed charact...
Review: ‘Furthermore’ – Tahereh Mafi 2016
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 4 stars (adult enjoyment) 5 stars (Middle Grade rating). A sweet, colourful read, perfect for confident readers aged 9 and up, or teens ...
Review: ‘Oliver Twist’ – Charles Dickens 1838
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Set in the darkest corners of London Oliver Twist is a scathing critique of class divisions and the inhuman treatment of England’s poore...
Review: ‘The Girl who Saved the King of Sweden’ – Jonas Jonasson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars A bizarre blend of humour and historical fiction, Jonas Jonasson’s novel is laugh-out-loud funny. A girl, born in the slums of South Afr...
Review: ‘How to Talk to Girls at Parties’ – Neil Gaiman 2016
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Blurring the lines between the real and unreal, Gaiman offers up almost no advice on how to talk to girls at parties, but instead explor...
Review: ‘Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda’ – Becky Albertalli 2015
4.5 stars. A sweet story about teen issues, told in a voice that feels authentic, & that you can’t help but love. The story covers sexuality, identity...
Review: ‘#LiveFromSofia’ – Александър Шпатов
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Live From Sofia is a collection of short stories exploring the unique landscape, culture and atmosphere of Bulgaria’s capital city. The ...