This month’s 10 books to read right now!
RESIDENT BOOKWORM JOANNE FINNEY PICKS HER FAVOURITE FICTION AND NON-FICTION, FROM LITERARY GEMS TO GRIPPING FAMILY DRAMAS
Book of the month THE BLACK DRESS by Deborah Moggach
No one writes about the preoccupations of 60-pluses as humorously as Moggach. Her new novel follows Pru as she navigates life after her husband unexpectedly leaves her. Following a chance encounter at a funeral, she finds a novel way to meet men… A darkly funny comedy about betrayal, loneliness and the surprising pleasures of being single again.
Secrets and lies
THE PAPER PALACE by Miranda Cowley Heller
Taking place during a single day, this follows 50-year-old Elle as she reflects on the pivotal moments in her life, while deciding whether to stay with her husband or pursue a relationship with her childhood sweetheart. The descriptions of Cape Cod’s beaches and backwaters are mesmerising. A promising debut from a talent to watch.
Dark and compelling THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING by Nancy Tucker
This gut-punch of a thriller follows damaged Julia, who killed a young neighbour when she was eight. Now an adult with a daughter, she starts to receive calls from someone from her past who knows what she did. The author cleverly plays with our sympathies as the reader is dragged along by the captivating plot.
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Insightful and witty EVERYONE IS STILL ALIVE by Cathy Rentzenbrink
Rentzenbrink is best known for her two moving memoirs, The Last Act Of Love and A Manual For Heartache. Her fiction debut is a tender story of several families living on one affluent London street, all seemingly thriving but with secret struggles, recorded by novelist Liam, who plans to use them as material for his next novel.
Thoughtful thriller BEFORE YOU KNEW MY NAME by Jacqueline Bublitz
This stood out among the many thrillers published this month because it focuses on the victim and her life rather than her killer. With echoes of The Lovely Bones, it’s narrated by Alice, a teenage girl found dead in the Hudson, and Ruby, the woman who discovered her body.
Life-affirming comedy ANNIE STANLEY, ALL AT SEA by Sue Teddern
When Annie’s beloved dad dies unexpectedly, she’s left rudderless. In a moment of madness, she steals his ashes and takes them on a road trip to the places he’d always wanted to visit. This bittersweet story about grief has just the right balance of poignancy and humour.
Wise words CONVERSATIONS ON LOVE by Natasha Lunn
A non-fiction paean to love in all its forms, this is thought-provoking, wise and reassuring. As well as the author’s own stories of love, loss and longing, there are interviews with everyone from Alain de Botton to Philippa Perry. See our feature on page 44.
Nail-biting read THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED by Lisa Jewell
Jewell’s books are always a must-read for me. When teenage Tallulah and her boyfriend Zach go missing after a night out, there’s no evidence of wrong-doing and the trail goes cold. A year later, novelist Sophie moves to the village and finds a sign in her garden with the words ‘Dig here’…
Feelgood fiction THE READING LIST by Sara Nisha Adams
I’m a sucker for books about reading and this one is a real heart-lifter. Widower Mukesh wants to connect with his granddaughter Priya and thinks books might be the answer, so he heads to the local library. There he meets librarian Aleisha, and the two form a friendship through a shared reading list. A joyful, uplifting read.
Gritty family drama OLYMPUS, TEXAS by Stacey Swann
March Briscoe is coming home two years after he was caught having an affair with his brother’s wife. Some members of the family are happy to see him, but his return brings thunder with it for others. The novel is based on Greek myths but you don’t need to know your Zeus from your Apollo to enjoy this saga full of deceit and drama.