Tóibín, Colm (2024) Long Island. Picador.
This sequel to Brooklyn is set twenty years on. Eilis Fiorello, now in her forties, has created a happy life with her Italian-American plumber husband Tony, with two children, living in close proximity to her in-laws in Lindenhurst, Long Island. One day a stranger comes knocking at her door with a shattering revelation that turns her life upside down sending her back to Ireland. Back with her mother and the village she left behind she must make a decision on her future. Can you truly revisit the past? Is it too late to take a different path? A subtle and moving story. Wonderful.
Rating: 5/5
Clifford, Aoife (2024) It Takes a Town. Ultimo.
In the aftermath of a big storm Vanessa ‘Baby Vee’ Walton, a local celebrity, is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Initially the death was thought to be a tragic accident, but found threatening letters would suggest otherwise. New police sergeant Carole Duffy suspects there is much more to the story and as the townspeople of Welcome offer a range of theories and opinions she finds she has to deal with petty grudges, busy bodies, toxic friendships, political interference, a kidnapping and plenty of untruths. This small town mystery has heap of characters, some of them minor, and a multitude of back stories. A sequel in the offing? OK read.
Rating: 3/5
Young, Esme (2022) Behind the Seams: My Life in Creativity, Friendship and Adventure. Blink.
As a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee I snapped up judge Esme Young’s memoir. Esme takes us from the adventures of her youth, to St Martin’s School of Art, and her twenty years with iconic 70s/80s fashion brand Swanky Modes, through to her costume design, teaching and television career. It is the story of a bit of a wild child, with a passion for sewing, making her way in London to achieve her fashion ambitions and fame. A creative life and a narrative of British fashion, with plenty of sewing and pattern-making hints thrown in. Chatty.
Rating: 3/5
Miranda, Megan (2024) Daughter of Mine. Quercus.
When Hazel, the daughter of Mirror Lake’s beloved longterm police detective Perry Holt, returns home for his funeral she finds that she has inherited his lake house, much to the consternation of her two brothers. As the family grieves a waterlogged car resurfaces from the drought-ridden lake, followed shortly after by a second vehicle off the shore of Perry’s home. These events happen alongside suspicious break-ins and disappearances. Small town conspiracies and Hazel’s family history are at the heart of the narrative. There are secrets, and mysteries to be solved. Claustrophobic and twisty psychological thriller.
Rating: 3/5
Kolbert, Elizabeth (2024) H is for Hope: Climate Change from A to Z. Oneworld.
Pulitzer prize-winning science journalist Kolbert provides an illustrated journey through the history of climate change, from the nineteenth-century climate modelist Svante Arrhenius, and Greta Thunberg’s “blah blah blah” speech, to electrification, green concrete and xenophobia. A frank examination of the uncertainty of climate change. Kolbert believes we are are up against it, with no happy ending in sight. A unique look at our changing world.
Rating: 4/5
Henry, Emily (2024) Funny Story. Viking.
Daphne and Miles have been dumped by their respective partners, who have paired up. Daphne, now homeless, becomes chaotic Miles’ roommate as she plans an upcoming event as a children’s librarian. There is no-way they could fall in love – or is there? Lovely holiday read.
Rating: 3/5
Keyes, Marian (2024) My Favourite Mistake. M. Joseph.
The ever popular Keyes once again revisits the Walsh sisters. Anna Walsh has been living the good life in New York with a high-powered PR job and long term partner. But now a menopausal forty-eight she has thrown it all in to return to her family in Dublin. She needs a new challenge. When she is given the opportunity to solve a PR crisis in the tiny town of Maumtully she leaps at the chance, bringing her head to head with an old love. Fun yarn from an old fav.
Rating: 3/5
Hawkins, Danielle (2024) Take Two. Allen & Unwin.
When Laura reconnects, after seven years, with the family of her former long term boyfriend, she is asked to help out by his playboy younger brother. The family are facing a number of crises and Laura’s calm and willing demeanour makes her just the right person to manage a farm, sick parents, small children, the ex’s wife, a bookshop and a new romance. Gentle NZ rural tale.
Rating: 3/5
Shuster, Simon (2024) The Showman: The Inside Story of the Invasion that Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky. W. Collins.
An eyewitness account of the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the perspective of President Zelensky and his team. Time staff writer Shuster had exceptional access and his research involved front line coverage, interviews with Zelensky, the military, his wife, advisers, friends and dissenters. It is also a biography of Zelensky and his evolution from actor and comedian to resilient leader, rallying the world to his country’s cause and facing down Putin’s threats. Offers a front seat to history but with as yet, if ever, no happy ending. Remarkable and intimate read.
Rating: 5/5
Gregory, Philippa (2023) Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History. W. Collins.
Gregory offers a retelling of the history of English women from 1066 to modern times. She sets out to illustrate the role of ‘normal’ women in the history and culture of a nation. These women were soldiers, traders, nuns, entrepreneurs, campaigners, builders, farmers and nurturers. It is a history of women in the shadow of men. It is not a call to action, although it is acknowledged that women still have a long way to go. Women are placed centre stage. A landmark work that chronicles centuries of social and cultural change.
Rating: 4/5
7:30 Bookclub 