BEST BOOKS
Zoe West picks the best reads for you
A Postcard from Paris
by Alex Brown
(£8.99, PB, Harpercollins) Annie Lovell is feeling a little lost in her life, so when her friend, Joanie, is left a surprise inheritance in the form of a Parisian apartment, she jumps at the chance to find out why. Cue the discovery of a bundle of secret diaries hidden in the wall of the property and we are transported back to World War One, the roaring 20s and Nazioccupied Paris, courtesy of a nurse, Beatrice Crawford. This dual-timeline novel delivers a delightful cast of characters, gorgeous imagery and, of course, a generous serving of romance. This is Paris, after all…
Isaac and the Egg
by Bobby Palmer (£14.99, HB, Headline Review)
Isaac Addy has reached breaking point. Standing on the edge of a bridge, he is distracted by the sound of a scream in the woods echoing his own. On investigation, he discovers an egg – but it’s no ordinary egg. It’s unsightly yet endearing and otherworldly. References made to the film ET are completely relatable. This isn’t a sci-fi story, or is it? In a moving narrative about loss, grief, friendship and life, we feel the heaviness of Isaac’s sadness, but there are lighter moments that make this imaginative treatment both entertaining and charming. A clever, sad, barmy and beautiful book you’ll love – as we did.
Hello Stranger
by Rachel Marks (£16.99, HB, Michael Joseph)
Poignant, profound and yet written with a light touch
– Marks has done it again with her third novel. The story engages from the off, starting with an ending. Jamie and
Lucy know they’ve met ‘the one’ from their very first date. It doesn’t matter that they’re complete opposites, they’re happy. So, why are they saying goodbye to one another? As events unfold, we delve into the complexities of their relationship. Honestly relayed from both characters, this is a heartbreaking and heart-warming story that deals sensitively with difficult issues.