Beautiful, vivid descriptions of life on earth told from the perspective of astronauts looking back down.
Orbital - Samantha Harvey
The next installment in the Harry Hole series. It just keeps getting better.
Harry is now back home, and there's another case on his plate. A bit of politics, a lot of murders to solve and a great plot to keep the pages turning!
The Leopard (Harry Hole, #8) by Jo Nesbø
Despite all her trials and tribulations along the PCT, this low key inspired me.
The phrase true grit comes to mind. Go Cheryl 💪🏼
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
May
The books that I read in the month of May. Total: 5
Dystopian and a bit post apocalyptic - this was intense
South : Owen, Frank - Books
Twisty, unexpected, but a quick read.
The Wife's Baby eBook : Hurst, Daniel
This book was amazing. It was vivid and just felt so so real. I couldn't put it down. And what a suckerpunch of a twist.
Into the Fire - Sonia Orchard
Ooh this was unsettling; but in a good way. And a really fun read!
Three Sisters by O.J. Mullen
Normally I can guess where a thriller will go, but I had absolutely no idea with this. Felt like an original twist on the hostage, serial killer motif. So clever. And the twist!!!
The Alliance by Matt Brolly
June
The books that I read in the month of June. Total: 3
Although this wasn't the first in the series (& I haven't read the others) it didn't matter. This was a gripping read, and set very close to where I grew up in England. I raced through this in two days.
Let the Dead Speak - Jane Casey
I love me a bit of human history - and this was such a fun way to read it! Yuval is amazing!
Sapiens: A Graphic History - Yuval Noah Harari
This was a chonk and in some places, hard to follow because of the multiple perspectives. But I really enjoyed this! I loved how the myth wound its way through all of the different stories, and how they all came together at the end. Also, a fun twist...
Cloud Cuckoo Land - Anthony Doerr
July
The books that I read in the month of July. Total: 15
This was INCREDIBLE. I have had this recommended to me for a g e s and I finally gave it a go. I've just heard there's a movie coming next year too so, hyped for that!
Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
Interesting premise that was well executed - and I read it in a day so I think that says it all to be honest!
The Captive - Deborah O'Connor
This was so fun, another book that I read in a day!
The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary
This gave me Yellowface vibes, but was written years before. Ian is wonderful and I've loved his books for years - and this was literally 30 pages so super quick.
My Purple Scented Novel - Ian McEwan
I didn't really like these characters, but this was good as an audiobook, with each character being a different actor - good fun.
The Paris Apartment - Lucy Foley
Translated from French (I think), this was so visceral that I could almost taste the words.
My Husband - Maud Ventura
The cover of this was what intrigued me, and it was only after I'd finished that I realised I'd read a book by Collins before, and I loved it just as much as this one.
The Silence Factory - Bridget Collins
This was a bit of a slog, not going to lie, but kept me busy on the first trip away that we did in the van! The retro futurism in this book was pretty funny, with the hindsight of 2025 looking back at 1997. Also, this read like an action movie and jumped around a bit.
Total Control - David Baldacci
This was a fun, beach read type book. It kept me gripped from the first page to the last with a great twist.
The Yacht - Sarah Goodwin
What a page turner!! The tension Abdullah creates on literally every single page is so good. Everyone is so unlikeable in the best possible way and she just nails how anything can get twisted around for either good or bad.
Those People Next Door - Kia Abdullah
Gripping domestic thriller, packed with twists and red herrings.
The Teacher's Secret - Lauren North
This was so fun and hearing miriam read it just gave an extra level of entertainment. She's iconic. A gay icon.
This Much Is True - Miriam Margoyles
A great twist. An unreliable narrator. I inhaled this.
The House Hunt - C M Ewan
This was so fun! I'm now going to watch the TV show!
Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
A portrait of an agonising childhood, finding oneself in youth and then losing oneself simultaneously. Tumultuous, at times rambling and confusing, but visceral and real.
The Loudness of Unsaid Things - Huldegaard Hinton
August
The books that I read in the month of August Total: 7
My heart is so full. This was adorable and heart warming but also devastating. I loved this so much!
The Island of Missing Trees: A Novel - Elif Shafak
Okay but I was so sure I knew where this was going to go, but I just didnt. Woah. I have seen so many people rave about this book and now I can see why. *proceeds to download the rest of the books in the series*
The Housemaid - Frieda McFadden
I'm not even a mum yet but this was so intriguing! Also love me a spice girl!
Mama You Got This: A Little Helping Hand For New Parents - Emma Bunton
Merit was a really solid character and it was fun to read about her extremely dysfunctional family
Without Merit - Colleen Hoover
This was so good!!!
The Blue Hour - Paula Hawkins
A slow burn, but good fun, like all Ruth Kelly books! Would defo recommend
The Escape - Ruth Kelly
Dark and twisted
The Dead Ex - Jane Corry
September
The books that I read in the month of September Total: 4
I've read a LOT of Jo Nesbo but never anything that's not Harry Hole. This was a good quick read that kept me entertained for a couple hours.
Midnight Sun - Jo Nesbo
This felt like a metaphor for letting someone in, bearing every part of yourself to them and then finding that they trample all over you.
Second Place - Rachel Cusk
This was suprisingly good, not my normal genre but def a bit of fun!
Book Lovers - Emily Henry
Twisty and kinda spooky
The Woman at No.3 - Rebecca Collomosse
October
The books that I read in the month of October Total: 5
One of the main takeaways from books like this is (and real life emergency situations!) is ALWAYS stay with your vehicle.
Outback - Patricia Wolf
Wow, wow wow. Andrea is a must buy author for me. And this was so good.
All Her Fault - Andrea Mara
This started strong then ended up rushing to its conclusion - it could have been another ~70 pages and been fine. Still pretty good though!
We Both Have Secrets - Emma Robinson
I inhaled this in a day. Need I say more?
The Search Party - Hannah Richell
This was super intense and so good! Another book that I inhaled in 24 hours.
Close Your Eyes - Michael Robotham
November
The books that I read in the month of November Total:
I read this straight after the other Michael Robotham book that I read in October - it wasn't quite as good but still a quick and fun read
Lying Beside You - Michael Robotham
Psychological thriller at its best - so fun!
The Wedding Vow - Dandy Smith
If you've read Leaving Time by Jodie Picoult, this character is from there. Short and sweet.
Where There's Smoke - Jodi Picoult
This was funny and endearing - and I love a memoir
Little Me: My life from A-Z - Matt Lucas
The queen of a twisty plot, this was just as good as the first one!
The Housemaid's Secret - Freida McFadden
Slowly making my way through Freida's back catalogue. Another book that shows you why you should STAY with your vehicle!
One by One - Freida McFadden
TW on this one - wasnt my fav book of the year..
All Is Not Forgotten - Wendy Walker
This hurt my feelings, but in a good way.
The Lie Maker - Linwood Barclay
December
The books that I read in the month of December Total:
This hurt my heart in a good way.
The Girl She Wanted - K L Slater
I wish I could read this again for the first time.
The Bee Sting - Paul Murray
OK this wasnt that great, but I've read some crackers this year!
The Men - Sandra Newman
Twisty and dark
Lying in Wait - Liz Nugent
This was incredible. A portrait of Freemantle and Perth at its finest. I could taste the descriptions - so vivid.
Eyrie - Tim Winton
I'm a sucker for a memoir, what can I say?!
It's Not What You Think - Chris Evans
Twisty and kept me guessing
Dear Wife - Kimberly Belle
The end of a great series - and a great twist, ofc
The Housemaid Is Watching - Freida McFadden
Set in my home county in the UK, fun!
We Solve Murders - Richard Osman
A twisty mystery that I couldnt predict, or put down!
The Last Anniversary - Liane Moriarty
Twisty twisty, and I didnt see how it again - Frieda does it again!
