Translated by David Hackston For me, Antti Tuomainen is the new Antoine Laurain! When Gallic Books (now part of Pushkin Press) introduced Laurain via his novel The President’s Hat it was a big word of mouth hit, and most years, they added another of his novels to their lists building up a devoted following. I’ve Read More
Month: October 2025
Shiny Linkiness
I’m over at Shiny New Books today in a three-hander review along with Liz and Karen of some new titles from Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet Journey – Route 66 My choice was totally new guide Route 66 – which is a traditional Lonely Planet travel guide, but with upped insight content – loads of interesting Read More
My Year in Nonfiction
Nonfiction November runs for 5 weeks from today! As always, week 1 is ‘My Year in NF’, and is hosted by Heather. I’ve participated since 2017! My best ever NF year was 2019 when I read 33 books, making up 25% of my total. This year, I’ve read the fewest non-fiction books for ages, just 9 Read More
King Sorrow by Joe Hill
Even when I knew it would be a doorstop brick of a novel, I gulped and said ‘yes’ when offered a proof of Hill’s sixth novel, having really enjoyed two previously; Heart-Shaped Box and The Fireman. I can say that although the book was heavy going – to hold, needing a rest with its soft Read More
Black as Death by Lilja Sigurðardóttir – blog tour
Translated by Lorenza Garcia Black as Death is the fifth and last novel in the ‘Áróra Investigation’ series, which has a continuing arc. You could join the series here, but you would miss the back story to the characters. So please be aware there may be slight spoilers ahead. The first novel, Cold as Hell, started Read More
The 1925 Club
It’s the latest year reading Club hosted by Kaggsy & Simon. I couldn’t find any 1925 books in my TBR, but I have read and reviewed a couple of the greats published that year and a couple of others too. Links to full reviews are in the titles. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf The archetype Read More
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann – book group report
Translated by Anthea Bell This was our book group’s pick for S is for… Sheep in this case as we make our way through the tail end of our Flora & Fauna alphabet theme for picking books. First published back in 2005, in German under the title Glennkill, and translated into English that year by Read More
Rainforest by Michelle Paver – blog tour
I’ve really enjoyed all three of Michelle Paver’s previous supernatural novels for adults; Dark Matter, Thin Air and the Gothic Wakenhyrst, Thin Air – the one I read first being my favourite, so I was really looking forward to reading Rainforest, and it didn’t disappoint with its gorgeous cover, and also fits in with #RIPXX Read More
Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson – Blog Tour for the 10th anniversary edition
Snowblind, the first book in Jónasson’s ‘Dark Iceland’ series was the first of his Icelandic crime novels to be translated into English and published by Orenda Books in 2015 (translated by Quentin Bates). It’s now ten years old, and to celebrate, Orenda are republishing it in hardback, together with a prequel novella Fadeout which introduces Read More
A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap
by Rob Reiner with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer Sadly, I’ll have to wait until January when the sequel to the best mockumentary ever, Spinal Tap: The End Continues, is available for streaming, it was only on locally during one week and then at odd times. But I was able to console myself Read More
November Plans
November is the month of two huge memes – Novellas in November (#NovNov25) hosted by Rebecca and Cathy, and Nonfiction November with five hosts! Add to that German Literature Month XV hosted by Caroline and Tony this year. Naturally, I’m hoping to take part in ALL of them, so I’ve not signed up to any Read More
Shiny Linkiness – Everything Will Swallow You by Tom Cox
Just a brief note to say I’m over at Shiny New Books today with my review of the delightful Everything Will Swallow You by Tom Cox. It’s a lovely and chucklesome ‘Shaggy Dog’ story (with the quote marks, read and you’ll understand why) of male friendship. If you read his previous novel Villager, you’ll know Read More
Six Degrees of Separation: I Want Every Thing
It’s time for the super monthly tag Six Degrees of Separation, which is hosted by Kate at Booksaremyfavouriteandbest, Six Degrees of Separation #6degrees picks a starting book for participants to go wherever it takes them in six more steps. Links to my reviews are in the titles of the books chosen. The starter book this month is: I Read More
