Stench by Trish Bennett
‘Stench’ is the debut collection from Fermanagh based Poet Trish Bennett. Very much rooted in the border hinterlands, these poems are full of humour, vigour and poignancy.
Air - John Boyne
‘Air’ is the fourth novella in John Boyne’s ‘Elements’ series, and it’s somewhat apt that we find Aaron Umber and his son Emmett 30,000 feet above the ground on a long haul flight. Emmett is unaware they are going to meet someone from his fathers past, but can they bridge the gap that exists between them first?
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Keiko is a 36 year old convenience store worker in Tokyo under pressure to conform - why isn’t she married with a career? Darkly humorous and thought provoking social critique on modern Japan.
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
‘Abroad in Japan’ is the informative and breezily entertaining account of Chris Broads life, first as a JET teacher then later as a successful youtuber.
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
‘Crying in H Mart: A memoir’ by Michelle Zauner is a an account of the Japanese Breakfast singer growing up mixed race in the US, experiencing the loss of her mother and the subsequent grief, then discovering her own identity and cultural heritage.
The Wager by David Grann
This is the engrossing story of The Wager, an a scarcely believable account of mutiny, shipwreck, murder, and survival against all the odds.
The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine
Wendy Erskine’s frenetic enthralling debut is a sharp, moving and thought provoking novel on real lives in the North of Ireland. It tackles gender and class inequality, what parents will do to protect their children, and is both dark and bloody funny.
A Freewheelin’ Time - A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties by Suze Rotolo
Finally time for me to read Suze Rotolo’s memoir of her time in Greenwich Village, especially after watching ‘A Complete Unknown’. One for the casual reader or strictly for the bob cats?
The Broken River - Chris Hammer
Another fine slice of Aussie crime noir from Chris Hammer, which begins after the body of an entrepreneur is found in a small town, the beginning of a narrative stretching over 30 years. Featuring a bank robbery, DNA discoveries and family intrigue, environmental protests and police and political corruption, this is a top notch thriller.
The Future of Geography by Tim Marshall
Tim Marshall turns his attention from geopolitics to astropolitics, in another accessible and engaging book that details how many of our earthly squabbles are being transferred to the starry firmament above.
After Dark by Haruki Murikami
A young couple, Mari and Takahashi, meet in the twilight hours in a Tokyo diner before we set out on a story that involves love hotels, Chinese gangster and literal sleeping beauties. Another beguiling and enchanting novel from Murikami.
Fire by John Boyne
In Fire, John Boyne takes the reader on a chilling, uncomfortable but utterly compelling psychological journey to the epicentre of the human condition, asking the age-old question: nurture – or nature?
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Two brothers along with some friends set out for a fresh start in california, in a road trip that goes in the opposite direction it’s meant to. Charming, funny and moving, Amor Towles intricate storytelling shines brightly again.
Metronome by Tom Watson
Twelve years in exile on an island for a crime they both committed, Aina and Whitney are awaiting parole. But is there anyone out there? Intriguing dystopian thriller.
Under the Dome by Stephen King
Stephen King has a lot of fun with this story of a town that suddenly finds itself under an invisible dome. With a huge cast and a pace that never flags, this is vintage King.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Booker prize winning ‘Orbital’ by Samantha Harvey is a meditative and moving short novel about a day in the life of six astronauts orbiting planet earth.
Book Review - James by Percival Everett
National Book Award winning and Booker nominated, ‘James’ by Percival Everett is a retelling of an American Classic.
Book Review - The Waiting by Michael Connelly
Renée is on the trail of a serial rapist, last seen twenty years ago. Meanwhile, she’s lost her badge so needs to involve Harry, whilst Maddie Bosch has uncovered details on one of LA’s most famous unsolved cases. Another strong outing from Micheal Connelly.
Book Review - When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress - Gabor Mate
Gabor Mate’s bestseller, looking at the connections between stress and autoimmune disease is over twenty years old. How is it holding up?
Book Review -Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney’s fourth novel is a moving and nuanced story of two grieving brothers and their complicated relationships.
