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After much thought, and persuasion from others, I’ll be incorporating book reviews into my blog. Exciting right! So, welcome to my book club.
Maybe you want to get back into the habit of reading like me or maybe you are stuck in a rut with what to pick up next? Hopefully this will inspire you.
This month I read 4 very different genres, one of which is fantasy! Not my usual go to, so scroll on to see what I thought!
1. The Last Dog on Earth
Genre: Dystopian, humour
Author: Adrian J. Walker
Warnings: Violence. Extreme swearing
It’s 2021 and there’s been a dramatic and deadly power shift. Wars are erupting all over the UK. People are living in fear. Concentration camps jail the young and old. Many are killed for voting against a political party. Society has collapsed.
But one recluse man and his incredibly potty mouthed dog continue to live in the epicentre of danger and try to survive in solitary. Until a young girl appears at his door and takes him on a violent, eye opening and soul searching journey to save her.
How do I know the dog, Lineker, is prone to swearing? Because we also get his, sometimes very profound, perspective on the whole situation. That’s right. Lineker is also a narrator and it’s totally believable that a canine has his exact thoughts. I fell in love with the loyal hound.
There’s real heart and humour to this novel, which depicts a terrifying future that sadly doesn’t feel too alien.
Rating: 4/5
2. The Murder at the Vicarage
Genre: Murder mystery, whodunnit
Author: Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie is a legend in the murder mystery world and The Murder at the Vicarage is her very first Miss Marple novel.
A small, quiet and boring village, where everyone knows everyone else’s business, is thrust into the midst of a crime. The colonel is found dead, in the Vicars home of all places, and in true whodunnit style, there are multiple suspects with the motive and means to kill.
It is an odd introduction to such a famous detective. This book is written from the point of view of the Vicar, so Miss Marple sits on the fringes of the action, which I wasn’t expecting. Although she does of course reach the right conclusion before the police – nothing gets past that lady.
In her very particular style, Agatha is straight to point. No messing about. She writes only what is needed to function in the story, which I sometimes found difficult to follow. I enjoy authors painting a picture of their settings and characters but you will not get that from A. Christie.
This book is a quick, cosy read, with lots of dialogue, which feels almost like a script. And I must admit, I did not guess the murderer as Agatha’s sneaky tricks took me right off the scent.
Rating: 3/5
3. The Never Have I Ever Club
Genre: Comedy romance, chick lit
Author: Mary Jayne Baker
I adore light hearted rom-coms and The Never Have I Ever Club definitely sits in that category!
Robyn is a head strong, dead pan and loving 30 odd year old Yorkshire lass, who is left heart broken after her boyfriend does a runner to the other side of the world. Literally. But forgetting him is kinda hard since his identical twin, town Doctor and very good friend, still lives next door.
As a distraction to her relationship troubles, and the hottie next door, her and her besties start a club that will encourage the whole community to try something new.
From disaster seaside trips to pensioner burlesque, it’s a funny series of mishaps that will make a difference to the residents of this Northern town. Throw in the fact that her ex returns to earn back her love, even though her heart is set on someone else, and you’ve got yourself a solid piece of chick lit.
The book felt so relatable! I know these people, I have been to these places and I have felt their feelings. The plot touches on the harder parts of life, but ultimately it’s an uplifting story. I just wanted more sexy time…
If you’re looking for a breezy read to cheer you up, where true love conquers, then pick this book up.
Rating: 4/5
4. The Binding
Genre: Fantasy
Author: Bridget Collins
This book is not my usual read – at all – but I was totally drawn in by the plot.
Imagine a world where books are people’s memories. Things you want to forget can be bound and erased from your memory forever. An innocent concept that also, as it becomes clear in this book, has its seedy reality. What kind of terrible things will people hide so they can do whatever they want? What life will you choose to lose to gain financially?
The gothic style story is split into three parts, depicting a middle, beginning then end. It follows a man called Emmett who becomes a binder’s apprentice where he has much to learn, not only about the craft, but his own past.
A slow read to begin with but eventually picked up. And I fell in love with the writing, which is so vivid it’s almost like you can feel every sense. I only wish it had more pace and drama throughout.
Rating: 4/5
Join me next month for another chapter of recommended reads!
I hope you join along with my book club. Have you read any of these novels? What do you think I should pick next? Let me know in the comments.