The Gift of Books

When I was asked to contribute to a work place advent calendar with book recommendations, my heart soared – this was the chance to encourage thousands of people to read the novels that have inspired me this year so far. Choosing just 5 was the hardest part and there were so many more that could and should have made the cut… but I thought I would share with you the ones I finally chose and the blurb I used to try to convince them!

Reputation by Lex Croucher: What happens when Bridgerton meets Price and Prejudice?  When her parents decide to move to the coast, Georgina is unceremoniously dumped on her aunt and uncle who lead a stiflingly dull life of embroidery and early nights.  Then a chance encounter with a controversial socialite sees our heroine thrust into a world of unchaperoned events, serial drinking and all sorts of inappropriate behaviour.  Balancing satire and humour with a poignant social commentary on regency England, this modern twist on an Austen-style classic is witty, entertaining and a brilliant read.

Love, Hope by Juliet Conlin: Looking for the literary equivalent of a massive soothing hug? Hope and Janey become best friends at the age of 8 and share a dream of attending music college and joining an orchestra to travel the world.  Them tragedy strikes for Hope and instantly everything changes, spinning their lives off in opposite directions.  What follows is a beautiful and touching account of the way loss shapes us and how human connection truly is the meaning of life.  Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, this will leave you feeling both love and hope in bucketloads.

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones: Fancy a book that makes you think? As a girl Lala is told the story of the one-armed sister as a warning, a moralistic fable that teaches girls that reaching beyond the boundaries of their gender role will see them punished in dreadful ways.  Fast forward 5 years and Lala is expecting a baby with her abusive husband who is entrenched in criminal activity.  When a burglary goes badly wrong, everything starts to implode.  Beautifully written, this novel highlights the way men and women are trapped by gender expectations and is a harrowing but deeply moving read.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin: Can the old and the young really be friends? When 17 year old Lenni meets 83 year old Margot in an art class at the local hospital they form an instant bond and – realising their ages collectively add up to 100 – they set out on a mission to provide a hundred paintings of their lives, telling the stories as they go.  This novel is sweet, touching and unexpectedly beautiful in a way that reminds you of all the things that truly matter in life.  This is a book you won’t forget in a hurry.

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin: Is technology always a power for good? The latest craze to sweep the world is the kentuki, the ultimate electronic pet – packaged as a toy animal, all it requires each day is charging to keep it alive, so no need for walking, feeding or vexatious vet bills. However there is a twist: when first turned on, your plaything will search for a connection online to a person who has paid to control all of your interactions with the toy. They could be anywhere in the world, of any age, gender or culture and you have no way of knowing who they are and what their motives might be. Some of the connections are touching; others leave you deeply uncomfortable; many are somewhere in-between. This is a fascinating and truly different story that is absolutely captivating.