River East River West

Hold the front page, Bookaholics: we have a contender for book of the year. Whilst I’m always a bit nervous of calling it too early – after all, it is only May and there are no doubt many more amazing reads to come – I know in my gut that it will take something pretty darn special to blow me away more than River East River West by Aube Rey Lescure. Deservedly shortlisted for the Women’s Prizen for fiction, this novel is a masterclass in every element of writing a book and it has got under my skin in all the right ways. I cannot recommend it enough.

As the teenage child of a white American mother and an unknown Chinese father, Alva is struggling to understand her place in the world. Living in Shanghai, she longs to visit the USA and explore that side of her cultural roots, but her mother has no desire to return. When Sloan, her mum, marries their Chinese landlord, Alva has had enough and begins to rebel against the perceived injustice of her life. But truth is her stepdad has his own complex back story – one that the reader slowly begins to understand – and the two of them may have more in common than they both realise. Can they find common ground in their unfulfilled dreams? Or will Alva tear the family apart?

Told from 2 perspectives – Alva in the present day and Lu Fang, her step dad, in the past – the story is perfectly paced to hold your attention throughout. The author shows immense skill in the way the plot unfolds, posing questions around Alva’s dad and Lu Fang’s previous family that drove me constantly to pick up the book in my need to know more. Tackling themes such as race, identity and what it truly means to belong, there is something so raw and inherently perceptive in this exploration of what it means to be human that I felt utterly seen, without being Chinese or of mixed race descent. The universality of this writing is beyond skillful and both characters will remain with me for a long time to come.

You can probably tell by now that I will be recommending this novel to every man and his dog over the next few months – if not the next few years – so it goes without saying that I think you should read it. Heart-breaking, thought-provoking and beautifully written, this book will make you question the stories we tell both ourselves and others in the quest to belong. Buy this book. You won’t regret it.

Old Girls Behaving Badly

When I was a teenager, I was obsessed with the idea of becoming a lady’s companion. To me it sounded like the ultimate career, spending my time keeping some fascinating older woman entertained in her grandiose manor in the countryside, maybe reading to her from the classics each afternoon, then occasionally accompanying her on exotic trips to the south of France when the English weather became too much.  I would pore over the want ads in The Lady magazine (which my mum occasionally purchased) and dream lavishly of this alternative life.  So it is no surprise that I immediately loved the premise of Kate Galley’s latest novel, Old Girls Behaving Badly, and was excited to read all about a heroine taking on just such a role.  This is a funny, touching and entertaining read which I definitely recommend as something very unique.

Following her husband’s announcement that he is leaving her after 43 years of marriage, Gina is understandably at a bit of a loss. Finding herself newly single at 71 was not something she had ever planned for and suddenly the future seems thoroughly overwhelming. As a distraction from the impending sale of the family home and her need to relocate, she applies to be a companion to Dorothy, a feisty octogenarian whose family have decided needs help living on her own.  The two of them instantly click, and Dorothy invites Gina to Norfolk for a week, to accompany her to a lavish family wedding in a stunning stately home.  But when they arrive it becomes clear Dorothy has not been honest about why she wants Gina there – she actually wants help solving a mystery linked to her husband’s untimely death.  With 2 complex and chaotic families congregating for the happy occasion, our heroine must have her wits about her if she is going to discover the truth. Will she be able to help Dorothy prove what really happened? Or will her new career end as quickly as it began?

So often female characters are sidelined when they reach a certain age, and one of the things I love best about Galley’s books is the way she places older women at the centre of her stories. In comparison to Dorothy (who I couldn’t help but picture being played by Maggie Smith) Gina is a veritable spring chicken, and I really enjoyed witnessing the way she embraced new experiences outside of her comfort zone despite being nervous of what could happen. Whilst there is a strong element of mystery to the story as the truth begins to unravel, for me this almost played second fiddle to the closeness that builds between the 2 main characters, and I commend Galley for her ability to portray an unlikely friendship so well.  The balance between the ominous owner of Walstone Hall, the stunning surroundings and the warmth of their relationship creates the perfect medley for a great read.

This story has done enough to make me rethink my plans to become the companion of some glamorous pensioner and I think instead I am probably happier living that life vicariously by reading books like this.  Old Girls Behaving Badly is fun, fascinating and refreshing, just like the 2 protagonists. Galley has done it again.

The Hot Henry Effect

Full disclosure, Bookaholics, I am not a fan of romance novels. I have a tendency to roll my eyes just reading the back covers (oh look, another helpless woman saved by a handsome stranger, how terribly realistic) and find all that “happy ever after” malarky truly quite grating. But my most recent read proved to be something genuinely quite special and has absolutely captured my heart. You could say I have fallen head over heels for The Hot Henry Effect and I can’t wait to tell you why.

As a promising scientist studying at Oxford, Clara isn’t thrilled to have to babysit an engineering student, training him to understand more about the stem cell research she is conducting. Even worse than his clumsy incompetence is his effect on every woman within a 10 mile radius, all of whom seem to swoon at a mere mention of his name. Despite her reservations they become firm friends, but lose contact when he heads back to uni in the States. Fast forward 7 years and their professional paths cross once more. Slipping back into their old verbal repartee comes surprisingly easily, but is there more bubbling under the surface? And just what secrets is Henry hiding from his past?

This book is everything I wanted in a romantic comedy. Clara is a hilariously sympathetic heroine who repeatedly finds herself in the sort of embarrassing situations I too struggle with (I am still giggling over the scene where she attempts to ask Henry if he wants a drink from the other side of a café) and I found myself snorting out loud with alarming frequency. But the absolute star of the show here is the quality of the writing. At times I felt like I was reading Emily Henry or Beth O’Leary; there are even Curtis Sittenfeld echoes in the banter between the 2 protagonists. But these comparisons do Chalice a massive disservice – this is a new and exciting narrative voice unique in its own right and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

I have clearly been infected by The Hot Henry Effect and have zero regrets about my new obsession. I have laughed, I have gasped and I have swooned at this exceptional piece of writing. Out in May, I highly recommend reading this so you too can walk around with a big silly grin on your face making people wonder just what you have been up to.

Tiananmen Square

I judge books by their covers every single day, Bookaholics, and I am not ashamed to admit it.  I am drawn to sparkly writing, bright colours and clever designs in a way comparable only to an easily distracted moth drawn to the allure of a very hot flame. But Tiananmen Square by Lai Wen enticed me from the very moment I first saw it for reasons of a more cerebral persuasion. Not only had one of my favourite authors endorsed the book right there on the front cover (if William Boyd loves something, I am on it without question) but I also found myself enchanted by the picture adorning the outside, which seemed to offer me more to consider with each detailed examination.  I am pleased to report that the gut instinct telling me I would love this book was entirely correct and I have spent the last few days lost in 1970s and 1980s China.  This is a really unique offering, a fascinating take on a period of history I know little about, and I found myself captivated by this tale of one girl’s attempt to find herself in an ever-changing world.

As a young working class girl living in Beijing with her grandmother, parents and younger brother, Lai is growing up at the mercy of complex family relationships.  Her mother is often critical, her father (a casualty of the cultural revolution) is distant, and her grandmother a larger than life force to be reckoned with.  As the boundaries of her world begin to slowly expand, she finds sanctuary in both literature and her relationship with Gen, a childhood playmate who begins to spark more than just feelings of friendship. As Lai’s womanhood starts to unfurl, we witness first-hand the way friendship, love and death all shape the young adult she becomes.  But will the growing idealism of those around her really lead to a better world?  Or are some of them about to pay the ultimate price for believing in democracy?

Fundamentally a coming of age story, I found myself swept into Lai’s life every time I picked this book up. I felt so much solidarity with the young female character as she worked hard to understand how she fit into the landscape around her, and could empathise enormously with the way she does everything she can to keep Gen happy at the cost of her own sanity. I also identified a great deal with the sense of learning and escapism she finds in reading, proving a powerful coping mechanism whenever the real world becomes impossible to face. However,  most fascinating of all is the sense that whilst this may be “loosely based” on the author’s experiences, the boundaries between truth and fiction are constantly blurred and it felt like I was reading the memoir of a young person caught up in one of the most pivotal moments in recent Chinese history. Lai Wen has achieved an excellent balance between the personal and political, allowing the latter to gradually grow as the tale progresses, and for me this was an extremely potent way of humanising events many of us are probably aware of on only a very simplistic level.

I feel a little bit lost having finally come to the conclusion of Lai’s story and find myself hoping the author has gone on to lead a happy and fulfilling life. I am touched deeply by the motifs of hope, longing and death which have such universal relevance and am certainly motivated to read more about that period of history in China.  Engrossing and deeply moving, I highly recommend this book.

Garden of her Heart

It may come as a surprise to those of you who know me that I used to be a really shy, quiet person. Not only was I terrified of strange people and situations, but I also found it hard to speak out in front of others and would spend as much energy as possible finding excuses to avoid anything outside of my comfort zone. Extensive therapy since my 20s has helped me lay to rest some of the demons that held me captive and I have been able to set free the inner me more and more as time has gone by – and it would be fair to say these days I don’t often hold back. As a result I felt a real affinity with Holly, the heroine of Garden of her Heart by Zoe Richards, a novel that celebrates the power of self-reflection as a path to personal growth. This is a gentle, warming bath of a book and I enjoyed luxuriating in its waters.

Holly has not had the easiest of lives. Her sister tragically died as a teenager, her mum and dad all but abandoned her to the care of her grandparents, and she is now dealing with the loss of them to Covid. If that wasn’t enough, a violent incident at work has left her suffering panic attacks and feeling completely out of control, emotionally unable to cope with returning to her job.  When her boss fires her for her sickness absence, she finds herself at a true crossroads and unsure what the future will hold.  Stumbling across an advert for the local Pinewoods Retreat, Holly decides to push her own boundaries and checks in for a 3 week stay. Will the potential to build friendships and nurture her own health be the making of our protagonist?  Or will the impending threat of her past catching up with her bring all her good intentions to nothing?

I will openly admit that for the first few chapters I was not a fan of Holly, who seemed to be wallowing in her own victim complex far more than was healthy.  But truth is I felt that aversion because I remember being much that way myself for far too long, and once I recognised the similarities in our journeys, I soon found myself championing her progress. The theme of nourishment as a means to heal is reflected not only in the retreat’s garden, which our heroine happily brings back to life through immense toil and sweat, but also in the friendships she builds with San and Bex, 2 other residents staying on-site for very different reasons.  Throw in the mysterious Hunter, personal trainer and odd job man with a real penchant for punishing physical activity, and you have the perfect balance of fun, friendship and flirtation, off-set masterfully by Holly’s growing fear of her past being exposed. It reminded me how lucky I am to have had similar opportunities to grow despite not the easiest of starts to life.

Garden of her Heart is a heart-warming reminder that sometimes we need to step away from the lives we are lost in to re-evaluate what truly feeds our souls. I became invested in Holly’s journey and am sure you will too.  This is definitely a book to look out for.

Water Baby

As a teenager, I was obsessed with having pen friends all over the world. From comparing stories about school with Vera in St. Petersburg to sharing videos of house parties with Angie in Minnesota, I had a real thirst for finding out more about the way people my age were growing up in different places. I can’t remember how I was first introduced to Ade in Nigeria, but I do know I was instantly fascinated by just how different our every day lives seemed to be.  Whilst we sent letters back and forth for a number of years, we sadly lost touch in our late teens as our lives diverged in different directions, but it was the fond memories of our connection that sprang to mind as soon as I started reading Water Baby by Chioma Okereke.  Set primarily in Makoko, a floating slum close to Lagos, this is a captivating and evocative tale that had me utterly engrossed.  I know I will be thinking about these characters for a long time to come.

Baby has grown up in Makoko, a vast and vibrant floating city that has grown extensively across the lake as time has progressed. Brutally ignored by the Nigerian government, the residents face significant challenges, from basic sanitation to the fundamental needs of clean water and electricity. At 19 our heroine is working various jobs to be able to bring money home, including running a boat taxi service across the water, but she longs to be a “dream girl”, part of a new project using drones to map the vast slum settlement.  Battling her father, who fears government conspiracy and plans to marry her off as soon as possible, and looking out for her younger brother Charlie Boy, Baby has her hands full. When 2 chance encounters suddenly open up the potential for a very different future -away from the only home she has ever known – Baby has some tough decisions to make.  Is she ready to spread her wings and reach far outside her comfort zone? Or is Makoko where she is destined to spend her future?

I have no words to express just how evocatively Okereke portrays the community of Makoko. The descriptions of the slum created such a crystal clear picture in my head that I genuinely felt like I was there, pungent smells, drifting sewage and all. But her real skill lies in being able to simultaneously depict the extreme levels of deprivation of this environment whilst never once detracting from the vibrancy and warmth of the people who live there. Baby and her friends are focused on boys, clothes and make-up just like any other teenager across the world, acting as a powerful reminder that humans are driven by similar longings no matter what circumstances they are born in. Water Baby tackles some really complex themes with immense humanity, from poverty and climate change to the challenges experienced growing up as a young woman in an often patriarchal society, and all I can hope is that one day we can return to find out more about these characters and their lives. I would absolutely love to read more of this exceptional author’s writing.

This novel is a poignant reflection on the ways in which freedom and privilege can mean so many different things to different people, and it has encouraged me to contemplate the opportunities I have been given in my life in a whole new way.  With memorable characters, credible dialogue and a thoroughly absorbing plot, Water Baby captured my heart and mind in a way that few books ever truly achieve.  I highly recommend reading this.

Spirit Level

Somewhat ironically for an experienced book blogger, I often find myself describing something I’ve loved reading and failing to do it any justice whatsoever. For example, I adored Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, yet somehow repeatedly struggle to provide an adequate synopsis when asked what it’s actually about (“There’s an octopus! And an older woman whose son died! And it’s brilliant!”). The more I have enjoyed reading a book, the worse this problem seems to get. So I am a little nervous about sharing with you the story of Spirit Level by Richy Craven, because whilst on paper there is no doubting the whole concept sounds slightly insane, I thought it was brilliant. This is an eminently readable, very funny and clever novel that I very much enjoyed, so let me try and do it the justice it deserves. Hold my beer.

Danny is a 20-something Irish lad at a bit of a dead end – both his career and his love life have stagnated and he has only recently come out of therapy. Then, as if things couldn’t get worse, he is involved in a horrific car accident with his best mate Nudge, and only one of them survives. Along with multiple injuries, Danny discovers one other lasting side effect from the  crash – a new found ability to see ghosts, specifically his very much newly dead best mate. Will the 2 of them be able to figure out why Nudge cannot cross over to the other side? Or will Danny be stuck with a spectral shadow for the rest of his living days?

Spirit Level is genuinely one of the funniest books I’ve read in a while, and I recognise how weird that sounds after explaining the morbidly macabre plot. Craven has created 2 protagonists who have exceptional levels of banter and it is that relationship that carries the narrative perfectly through to its climax. There are certain scenes that I could absolutely visual in a film or sitcom (the christening for Danny’s nephew is a superbly crafted and hilarious chapter) and I was thoroughly entertained by the mix of physical and verbal humour. None of us can really be sure what happens once we pass away and this books does raise questions about the after life, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is some existential exploration of what death really means – the themes are there of course, but the black comedy takes precedence. Even in the darker moments, a belly laugh is never far away.

Whilst this is hardly the best sales pitch for a novel I’ve loved, I’m hoping it has at least intrigued you enough to give it a go, as I promise you won’t be disappointed. Out in April, I highly recommend getting a copy ASAP.

Cul-de-Sac

Call me narcissistic, but whenever I write a book review I link it in some way to my own life, usually because the very best writing will always speak to some part of my own experience. But today I find myself stumped, Bookaholics, reviewing a novel about a group of swingers (or wife-swappers, if you prefer), which is an activity I can honestly say I have never partaken of. I’ve had some strange neighbours, certainly, and occasionally some very attractive ones, but I’ve never been tempted to initiate the kind of activities the residents of Liz Crowe’s Cul-de-Sac are enjoying. This is a steamy tale of sexual craving, betrayal and lies that had me racing to the end as it reached its climax. I would recommend it to anyone seeking something a little bit different with a salacious undertone of fornication and deception.

When young parents Amelia and Michael find their dream home on Connelly Court, they are surprised to find it so easily within budget, and cannot wait to move in. Turns out the previous owner took an overdose in the bath tub, but the place has been remodelled and they soon forget the dark history behind their new house. The neighbours seem very keen to greet them, particularly Janice and Allen who are at the centre of every social event, and it isn’t long before they are invited to participate in activities of a more intimate nature. But all is not rosy in this carnally captivated cul-de-sac and things are spiralling out of control. Will the new residents be able to extricate themselves from the darkness and death that underpins the fun sexual overtones? Or will they succumb to the lure of eroticism all around them no matter the consequences that come with it?

You do need to suspend your disbelief somewhat to truly enjoy this novel, mainly because the residents of Connelly Court are so ridiculously horny that I swear there must be something in the water. The first half is more of a slow burn, building up the ground work for the increased pace of the second, which I genuinely found very engaging. Crowe writes incredibly well and develops characters which are well rounded and credible in their motivations. I did think the clues to what had happened could have been laid down sooner, but in fairness, there are a number of back stories to explore before that can be done and I enjoyed getting to know the residents of the cul-de-sac, at arm’s length at least. The book is sensual and suggestive without ever being brash or crude in content, and that is definitely an achievement given the topics at hand.

I chose this as a holiday read and certainly didn’t regret my decision – it kept me entertained whilst sipping cocktails in the sun. If you enjoy a steamy story that slow cooks into a web of deceit and lies, then this is the book for you.

However I may never look at my neighbours the same way again.

Someone Like You

I was quite the thespian back in my school days, Bookaholics, and loved being a part of dramatic productions.  From the heady heights of playing Margaret Thatcher at the age of 11 (complete with my mum’s navy blue skirt and matching handbag) to being cast as Henry VIII at the age of 15 (it was an all girls’ school, before anyone judges me), my ability to adopt fiery political personalities was clearly my forte. My interest in acting sadly waned once I reached university, but I remain a passionate appreciator of all things theatrical, not least when it comes to my love of stories set around the stage. The brilliant new psychological thriller from Becky Alexander, Someone Like You, is the perfect example of this. It was one of those reads that utterly engrossed me and I genuinely couldn’t stop thinking about it during the moments I had to put it down and do other things.  This is an impressive debut and Alexander is absolutely an author to look out for in the future.

Jemima is struggling.  Having graduated from RADA some time ago, work has not been forthcoming, and she is barely making ends meet by working part-time selling coffee. Other alumni from her year are hitting the headlines with media-grabbing performances and she cannot help feeling jealous. When an audition comes along for a two person play being staged by a very prestigious production company, she is thrilled to be cast opposite famous tv star Olivia Goldsmith.  But nothing about the play feels quite right – first there is an unexpected death, then Olivia’s struggles with the script, and the enigmatic producer, Rebecca, is acting very strangely, leaving Jemima wondering who she can truly trust. Will this play be the start of her journey to the fame and fortune she knows she deserves? Or is she being drawn into a world darker and more dangerous than she can ever imagine?

Above anything else I can say about this novel, Alexander’s writing is brilliant.  The pace of the narrative is perfectly set; the sense of intrigue enough to makes your senses tingle without being cliché or overdone; and the characters so well portrayed through Jemima’s eyes that I felt like I was there.  As the story goes back to the protagonist’s formative years, her lack of belonging and isolation really begin to fall into place and I found myself at times both empathetic with her struggle and dismayed by her selfishness in putting her needs ahead of all others. The author creates a growing sense of creepiness as the story progresses and I was engrossed far more than I have been by many “mainstream” thrillers. It is impossible to say more without ruining the climax, but safe to say I did not predict all of what unfolded in the final few chapters. It had me hooked to the very last page.

I can’t say this story has encouraged me to get back to being on stage, but it will make me study those before me more closely next time I go to the theatre – who knows what back story they may be hiding?  If you give one new author a go this month, I recommend Becky Alexander whole-heartedly.  Total escapism at its best.

Goodbye Birdie Greenwing

It’s pretty rare for me to meet an author before I have a chance to read their book, but that’s what happened with Ericka Waller, the creative genius behind my latest read. We were both at an event in London recently and – her reputation having preceded her in all the right ways – I was brave enough to say hello and have a chat about all things bookish.  I can report she is the friendliest of beings with the kindest of souls, and she made me feel like I had known her for years. But nothing prepared me for just how exceptional a writer she is and how utterly blown away I would be by her latest offering.  Goodbye Birdie Greenwing is one of those novels that completely takes you by surprise – a seemingly simple tale that takes you on an emotional journey so complex and heart-rending that I could not put it down.  This is one of the must-reads of 2024.

On a quiet road in Brighton, 3 sets of neighbours live very separate lives. Ada is an oncologist, living alone in the city since moving from Poland where treating family friends had become too close for comfort. Jane has recently moved from Bristol with her daughter Frankie, desperate to break away from a controlling mother and longing to find her own identity.  And then there is Birdie, who has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and is watching the last moments of life tick away, missing her dead husband and twin sister more than ever before.  When Birdie has a fall, and the neighbours rally to help her recover, little do they recognise the ways their lives are about to intertwine.  Will any of them ever find the sense of peace they are looking for?  Or will they remain lost for the rest of their lives?

I recognise that this description makes the novel sound very sad and in fairness there were sections which broke my heart.  A recurring theme is the relationship between mothers and daughters and I certainly felt great empathy for Jane’s guilt at putting her own needs ahead of her mum’s.  But there is also humour in this book, providing much needed light relief to the motifs of aging and death.  Aleksey runs the local Polish supermarket with his father and had me laughing out loud at some of his attempts to encourage Ada to date him; Jane’s mother Min is a force to be reckoned with in a way that I couldn’t help but love.  It is the balance of sweet and sour, sadness and joy that make this book so addictive and I was completely lost in the world Waller creates. Life and death sit side by side on these pages as they do in all of our lives, and this story reminds us that the two are not always as distinctly polarised as we may think.

Paradoxical as it may sound, this is a book about death that is genuinely uplifting, and I didn’t want to leave that road in Brighton where these neighbours reside. I am horrified that I hadn’t discovered Waller’s writing before now and am rushing off to get a copy of her previous novel to devour, no doubt in record time. In the meanwhile, Goodbye Birdie Greenwing will be published in April and I highly recommend getting a copy as soon as you possibly can.