The Calamity Club

I loved being swept into the world of The Calamity Club. Kathryn Stockett (also the author of The Help) brings Depression-era Mississippi vividly to life, with characters who are funny, flawed, heartbreaking and impossible not to care about. I particularly enjoyed the alternating perspectives of Birdie and Meg, and the way their stories gradually intertwine.

If you're into audiobooks, this is the one to get. The reader is excellent.

It’s a long book, but I never found myself wishing it were shorter. There’s warmth and humour alongside the darker realities of poverty, racism and the limited choices available to women. Most of all, I loved the characters and the sense of place. A rich, immersive and thoroughly enjoyable novel.

Enormous Wings

What can I say about "Enorous Wings" by Laurie Frankel that will make you reach for it without knowing anything about it? Without reading the blurb even?

How about this: I love books by this author. The characters are always quirky, the issues meaty, and the plots unexpected.

If that's not enough, scroll down for almost-spoilers.

This is such an unusual, thought-provoking book. It takes a premise that sounds almost impossible and uses it to explore some very real questions about family, ageing, choice and who gets to make decisions about our lives.

I particularly enjoyed the mix of serious themes with humour. It never felt like a heavy-handed social issues novel; there’s plenty of warmth, eccentricity and humanity in the characters. It also made me think about some questions I’m not sure have easy answers — always a good sign for me.

A clever, unusual and surprisingly funny read, with plenty to think about after you’ve finished it.

Summerland Cove

I loved getting immersed in the atmosphere of Summerland Cove. Ellen Baker evokes the Maine setting beautifully: the rocky coast, summer cottages and that slightly timeless feeling of a family returning to the same place year after year.

At the heart of the story is a family gathering for a summer of celebrations, until Lindy's husband disappears on the day of his 50th birthday. As the family searches for him, old secrets start surfacing.

This is less a traditional thriller than a character-driven family mystery, with three generations of women and all their complicated relationships, regrets and secrets.

A beautifully atmospheric read. I really enjoyed spending time in Summerland Cove.

Can't wait for the sequel! 

An interview about "Welcome to Perfectville"

This is a long and hopefully interesting look into the questions that led me to my version of Perfecville. Read it here.