Fruit Fly by Josh Silver
Fruit Fly by Josh Silver was surely the book of the summer? And quite right, too! Josh Silver’s debut adult novel has everything: two complex, off-the-wall, darkly funny protagonists, a clever, meta plot that takes mighty twists and turns, and a premise that will keep you gripped from page one. Revolving around a troubled author with writer’s block, she decides to ingratiate herself in the life of a young, gay man as a means of inspiration for her next book, but things quickly start to spin out of control. Sharp, satirical and surprisingly moving, I recommend this to anyone who appreciates good, zeitgeisty contemporary fiction!
- Olivia
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
I have loved spending a long time reading this book little bit by bit.
Ella Rubenstein lives a comfortable life, married, with three children. When she reads an intriguing manuscript about thirteenth century poet and sufi mystic Rumi and his mentor Shams of Tabriz it enables her to feel the emptiness in her own life. The book slips between dialogue between the reader and the author of the manuscript, and the lives of Shams of Tabriz as he meets his disciple Rumi and their lives change irrevocably.
Elif Shafak is a hypnotic storyteller and this is a really transporting read.
- Marianne
The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This slender book from the author of braiding Sweetgrass is an engrossing meditation on generosity, reciprocity and abundance. To be wealthy is to have enough to share, and this book is a lovely reminder of our interdependency and the lessons we can learn from the natural world if we choose to look.
This would serve as the perfect introduction to Robin Wall Kimmerer's ideas if you've not read braiding Sweetgrass.
- Marianne
Penance by Eliza Clarke
I'm very much on a mystery kick at the moment. Perhaps it's the shortening of the days and the colder nights, but I am being consistently drawn to books that have me staying up late, rapidly turning the pages in order to find the answers to all the twists and turns! Penance by Eliza Clark was exactly the kind of book I enjoy....
- Olivia
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
Reading’s great of course, but sometimes it can get a little bit intense. I like to have a second book on the go and Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother was just the beautiful and engrossing escape I needed. Aimed at a younger audience, it is still gripping and full of the trials of stone age living. Nature, adventure, a touch of magic and great characters. I loved it.
The rest of this Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series is waiting for me, and I will try out some of Michelle Paver’s grown-up books too.
- Marie
