The President's Hat is a charming little novel that really cheered me up on a dreary afternoon, and I am glad Gallic Books sent it to me. Set in 1986, the novel tells the story of a hat that belongs to French President Francois Mitterand; Daniel is sitting in a Paris bistro when the President… Continue reading The President’s Hat by Antoine Laurain
Tag: 2013
Helena Rubinstein: The Woman Who Invented Beauty by Michele Fitoussi
This book came to me entirely by chance when I saw it was up for grabs from the publisher Gallic Books on Twitter. I had heard of Helena Rubinstein at some point, not sure where, but my first memory of hearing her name was in an episode of Sex and the City when the girls… Continue reading Helena Rubinstein: The Woman Who Invented Beauty by Michele Fitoussi
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Mad Girl’s Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson
Deadlines are generally a good thing but when it comes to this book it's a good thing that I didn't have one. I bought it of my own volition and read it, and thought about it for a long time, and attended a Q&A with the author, and only now am I about ready to… Continue reading Mad Girl’s Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson
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Women’s Prize Longlist Announced! But Who Will Be On The Shortlist?
What was once The Orange Prize for Fiction is now The Women's Prize for Fiction, which I think is a better name anyway. Today the longlist of titles for 2013 has been announced and already the internet is 'abuzz' with profiles of the authors, varying cover art, and the shock of Hilary Mantel going up… Continue reading Women’s Prize Longlist Announced! But Who Will Be On The Shortlist?
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Maggie O’Farrell Fever: The Heatwave Is Here!
This week sees the publication of the first book from Tinder Press, which is very exciting in itself; what's even more exciting (I know) is the fact that it is the new novel by the much-loved Maggie O'Farrell. Instructions for a Heatwave is her sixth novel and the first of hers that I have read,… Continue reading Maggie O’Farrell Fever: The Heatwave Is Here!
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Published Today: A Treacherous Likeness by Lynn Shepherd
A Treacherous Likeness by Lynn Shepherd is a historical novel, but it is also a mystery, a thriller, a crime novel - there is so much inside its pages. It picks up where Shepherd's previous novel Tom-All-Alone's left off, with Victorian detective Charles Maddox finding a card left for him bearing the name 'Shelley' -… Continue reading Published Today: A Treacherous Likeness by Lynn Shepherd
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This Is Paradise by Will Eaves
For the first time ever, I am writing the beginning of this review before I have finished the book. I am 169 pages into This Is Paradise by Will Eaves, and, so far, it's not working for me. But the reason I am going to write this review in two parts is because from the… Continue reading This Is Paradise by Will Eaves
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Wise Men by Stuart Nadler
Wise Men is Stuart Nadler's debut novel and I feel like I will be reading his work for years to come. This book is good enough and beautiful enough for me to say that with confidence. 1952. Race and class divide America. East coast lawyer Arthur Wise cashes in on plane crashes, suing airlines and… Continue reading Wise Men by Stuart Nadler
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How To Be A Good Wife at St John’s Wood Library
Tonight was author Emma Chapman's first official event for her brilliant debut novel, How To Be A Good Wife. I reviewed the novel back in October and it was great to finally meet Emma after corresponding on Twitter and via email, as well as to hear her speak about her work. Sitting in the children's… Continue reading How To Be A Good Wife at St John’s Wood Library
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Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (2012)
This book is utterly, utterly fascinating. It came to my attention in an email from Karen Browning at Penguin Press. Most unsolicited emails are a bit random and not always worth paying attention to, but I am so glad I read Karen's email properly. This book is worth paying attention to. I read a lot… Continue reading Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (2012)
These Little Words 