The Book Shelf

The Reading List, by Sarah Nisha Adams

Fiction: A mysterious reading list finds several people around the local library and helps them discover moving books.

Book Review: The Reading List, by Sara Nisha Adams

Trisha Ashley Books

I have read (and adored) so many Trisha Ashley books now that it would take up half the page if I listed them one by one. Please see below for links to her many books that I have adored if you are a fan of feel-good fiction.

Book Review: Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues by Trisha Ashley

Book Review; The Garden Of Forgotten Wishes, by Trisha Ashley

Book Review: The Christmas Invitation by Trisha Ashley

Book Review: The Little Tea Shop Of Lost And Found, by Trisha Ashley

Book Review: The House Of Hopes And Dreams, by Trisha Ashley

The Magicians Guild, by Trudi Canavan

Fantasy: A young woman discovers that she has magic whilst protesting against the actions of the Magicians Guild. She must try to control her powers, or the powers she has unleashed will destroy her, and the city around her.

Book Review: The Magicians Guild, by Trudi Canavan

Thirteen, by Steve Cavanagh

Thriller: following a murder trial where the true killer is on the jury, not on trial.

Book Review: Thirteen, by Steve Cavanagh

The Ladykiller, by Martina Cole

Crime Fiction/ Thriller: following the ‘Grantley Ripper’ and those who are trying to bring him to justice.

Book Review: The Ladykiller by Martina Cole

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Dystopian Fiction: Seventy-Four years after the districts unsuccessfully rebelled against the Capitol, they are still required each year to offer up a male and female tribute to The Hunger Games – a revenge entertainment for the privileged Capitol citizens, and a reminder to the districts of their place.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

The Pull Of The Stars, by Emma Donoghue

Historical Fiction: Set in 1918 Dublin during the flu pandemic on a maternity ward

Book Review: The Pull Of The Stars by Emma Donoghue

The Belgariad Series, by David Eddings

Fantasy: A swords and sorcery series of books suitable for young adults about a boy called Garion who has fallen in with some important people on a Quest that he hasn’t quite figured out yet.

Comfort Book: The Belgariad by David Eddings

Worst Idea Ever, by Jane Fallon

Fiction: telling the story of a woman who learns a secret about herself which she was never meant to hear.

Book Review: Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon

A Country Escape, by Katie Fforde

Fiction: a feel-good read set on a cattle farm in the country with an inheritence drama, a romance and lots of heart warming cooking.

Book Review: A Country Escape by Katie Fforde

Books by Lucy Foley

Thrillers: Foley writes thrillers that keep you guessing both the identity of the murderer and the victim right until the end.

Book Review: The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Book Review: The Guest List, by Lucy Foley

Nobody’s Princess, by Esther Friesner

Young Adult/ Historical Fiction set in Ancient Greece: Following the young Helen of Troy as a child, before her beauty made her famous.

Book Review: ‘Nobody’s Princess’ and ‘Nobody’s Prize’ by Esther Friesner

Lessons In Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

Fiction: Elizabeth Zott approaches cooking in the most hilarious, scientific, feminist way ever, and changes the way people think through her TV cooking programme.

Book Review: Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

The Other Boleyn Girl, by Phillipa Gregory

Historical Fiction: Set in the Tudor Court, the story follows Anne and Mary Boleyn as they fight for the attention of King Henry VIII, and the crown of England.

Book Review: The Other Boleyn Girl, by Phillipa Gregory

The Boleyn Inheritance, by Phillipa Gregory

Historical fiction: following two of Henry VIII’s queens- Anne of Cleeves and Katherine Howard as well as the infamous lady-in-waiting Jane Boleyn

Book Review: The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

The Other Bennet Sister, by Janice Hadlow

A retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of Mary the plain Bennet sister, following her past the conclusion of the classic and into her own self-made future as she takes her life into her own hands and finds out who she is and what she wants from life.

Book Review: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

Matt Haig Books

Matt Haigs books are generally deep, touching and very well written – I recommend them all. Please see below links to the ones I have reviewed so far.

Book Review: How To Stop Time by Matt Haig

Reasons To Stay Alive, by Matt Haig

Book Review: The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig

The Familiars, by Stacey Halls

Historical Fiction: set in Lancashire 1612, based around the true story of the Pendle Witch Trials

The Familiars, by Stacey Halls; Book Review

Mrs England, by Stacey Halls

Fiction: Set in West yorkshire 1904, nurse Ruby May is caring for the children of the England family, but it soon becomes clear that there’s something not quite right about the mysterious Mrs England.

Book Review: Mrs England, by Stacey Halls

One Child, by Torey Hayden

Autobiography: A teacher tells the story of the damaged child she met, and the bond they grew together.

Book Review: One Child, by Torey Hayden

All Creatures Great And Small, by James Herriott

Autobiography: a heart-warming account of being a vet on the Yorkshire Dales in the 1940’s

Book Review: All Creatures Great And Small by James Herriott

The Governess, by Wendy Holden

Historical Fiction. A retelling of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret’s childhood, from the perspective of their governess, Marion Crawford.

Book Review: The Governess, Wendy Holden

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman

Fiction: Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetables existence. Except, sometimes, everything…

Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini

Fiction, about two women living in Kabul during the first Taliban rule of Afganistan. It is a powerful story about love and freedom.

Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini

Books By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Fiction: I have universally loved her books and found them to be punchy, insightful and delightful.

Book Review: Maybe In Another Life, by Taylor Jenkins-Reid

When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi

Autobiography, written by a neurosurgeon who discovers that he has cancer right as he is on the tip of achieving his dreams, talking about what makes life worth living.

Book Review: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This Is Going To Hurt, by Adam Kay

Memoirs of a Junior Doctor working in Obs and Gynae, working up to Senior Registrar. It is hilarious, heart-warming and one hell of a ride.

Book Review: This Is Going To Hurt, by Adam Kay

The Couple Next Door, by Shari Lapena

Thriller: about a couple whose baby is stolen from her bed while they are next door.

Book Review: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

The Downstairs Girl, by Stacey Lee

Historical Fiction: from the perspective of a chinese domestic in late 1890’s Atlanta who begins to speak her mind as an annonymous agony aunt.

Book Review: The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Amy’s Honeymoon, by Julia Llewllyn

Fiction: woman goes on her honeymoon for her cancelled wedding, in Rome by herself and gets mixed up in actors drama.

Book Review: Amy’s Honeymoon, by Julia Llewellyn

Wrong Place, Wrong Time, by Gillian McAllister

Crime thriller: How do you stop a crime that has already happened?

Book Review: Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Working Stiff, by Judy Melinek MD and TJ Mitchell

Autobiography: tales from 2 years as a New York Medical Examiner, including the aftermath of 9/11

Book Review: Working Stiff by Judy Melinek MD and TJ Mitchell

The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller

Historical Fiction, set in Ancient Greece: This story follows the great hero Achilles and his companion Patroclus through their childhood, their studies and finally to the beaches of Troy.

Book Review: The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes

Historical Fiction: Set in the Kentucky Mountains in approx 1935, following the Packhorse Librarians, introducing a love of books to those previously didn’t have access to the written word.

Book Review: The Giver Of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Queen’s Rival, by Anne O’Brien

Historical Fiction: set in England during the war of the Roses (1455-1487) following Cecily Neville

Book Review: The Queen’s Rival by Anne O’Brian

Animal Farm, by George Orwell

Fiction, Set on a Farm in England in a time unspecified, this tale of animals taking their freedom and running their own lives is a re-telling of the russian revolution, but much easier to follow.

Book Review: Animal Farm, by George Orwell

The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

Crime Fiction: A group of geriatrics hilariously investigate local murders much to the amusement and frustration of the local police.

Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

Where Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens

Fiction: Set in 1960s North Carolina, local townfolk suspect the mysterious ‘Marsh Girl’ when an unexplaiend murder occurs out in the marshes.

Book Review: Where The Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens

To Marry A Prince, by Sophie Page

Fiction: a tale about a girl who falls in love with the Prince of England, and he with her.

Book Review: To Marry A Prince, by Sophie Page

The Sanatorium, by Sarah Pearse

Crime Thriller: People start to go missing in a remote hotel high in the Swiss Alps, just as a storm is coming in.

Book Review: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner

Fiction: A tourist finds an apothecary vial in the Thames, and it leads her to investigate the ‘Apothecary Killer’, who only allows her poisons to be used on men.

Book Review: The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner

The Maid, by Nita Prose

Murder Mystery: Molly the Maid finds an infamous guest dead in his bed when she arrives to clean the room. She becomes embroiled in the investigation into his death.

Book Review: The Maid, by Nita Prose