What We've Been Reading

The Echoes by Evie Wyld

What a book! I've read two of Evie Wyld's books (All the Birds, Singing and The Bass Rock) previously and she immediately became a firm favourite of mine. Wyld's writing is fresh, poetic and evocative, while also incredibly gripping. Told from multiple perspectives and time periods (namely 'before' and 'after'), the book opens with the narration of Max, who has recently died, watching over his partner in their shared home. We go back and forth in time, exploring Max and Hannah's relationship, as well as Hannah's childhood in Australia, which provides the central mystery of the book. It's a book about secrets, love, family and memory.  It was so moving, I paused several times over the course of reading it to write down some of her perfect sentences. If something could be  described as both a pageturner and literary, this is the perfect example.

Olivia

Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura

I originally picked this up because I’ve recently read ‘Lonely Castle in The Mirror’ by the same author and I really enjoyed that, but also because it has a nice cover and I do have soft spot for a pretty book. The book is told over five different chapters, you get to know the characters in each little story, explaining their grief and need for closure, but also the teenage ‘go-between’ whose background and heartbreaking story is slowly revealed to you. 
This book is all about grief, how to live with it and what you’d say to that one person if you had a chance to see them one last time. An unforgettable magical realist page turner that balances the emotional impact well with mystery and whimsy.
And, I’d recommend this book to anyone who loved and enjoyed the ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ series!

Alisha

Frieren : Beyond Journeys End by Kanehito Yamada

This manga shows all the great things we can do with fantasy' how you can use the genre as a tool for your narrative rather than a set of bullet points to tick off. I also think it a great example of an author trusting their audience and not having to hold their hand every step of the way. Rather than endlessly explaining the world building and fantasy elements, it immerses you into the narrative straightaway. It begins with the party returning home after a ten-year journey to defeat the demon king and thereby preventing the end of the world. The first chapter ends with the funeral of the human hero Himmel. Subsequently we follow Frieren, a 1000-year-old elven mage. This story isn’t about some big quest, but is a story of empathy and understanding. I love how the manga reframes our concepts of time and purpose.  It also has a really cool magic system that changes and evolves, which is not really something I’ve seen in other fantasy titles.

Aishah

The Comfort of Monsters by Willa C. Richards

I've been wanting to catalyse my reading this summer with some propulsive mystery titles. The Comfort of Monsters is definitely a mystery, but if you're looking for satisfying answers and wrap-ups, this isn't the title for you! Set against the backdrop of the horrific and very real Dahmer case in early 90s Milwaukee, this a rich and fascinating character study of a woman, Peg, who is still searching for clues as to the whereabouts of her sister, Dee, who went missing in 1991. Going back and forth from 2019 to 1991, the circumstances surrounding Dee's disappearance are gradually uncovered. Is Frank, Dee's strange, older boyfriend involved? And why are the police so slow to investigate. If you like your characters morally murky and a strong sense of place, it would definitely be worth your reading time. 

Olivia