Current Reads
Hannah
The Wedding People – Alison Espach
Blurb: Phoebe Stone arrives at a luxurious Rhode Island hotel dressed for a wedding – but she isn’t part of one. As the bride’s carefully planned celebration begins to unravel, Phoebe unexpectedly becomes entangled in the chaos. Hilarious, heartfelt and deeply human, The Wedding People explores love, friendship, family dysfunction and the surprising ways life can lead us towards happiness.
This was a DNF for Hannah. We discuss the idea of finding the right book at the right time, and vice versa, and how that influences our experience and enjoyment of stories. How do we successfully order and curate our TBR piles?
Our Noble Selves – Kate Atkinson
Blurb: Summer, 1951. As Britain seeks to move beyond the war, Harry Flynn joins the eccentric team preparing for the Festival of Britain, hoping to rebuild his career and find redemption. But when a woman he dates disappears, Flynn becomes the last person to see her alive. With suspicion mounting, an outspoken thirteen-year-old and a scruffy terrier may hold the answers.
We discuss turn of phrase and the language of post-war Britain, and Kate Atkinson’s talent for recreating time and place through dialogue. We also talk about how comedy can work alongside deeper and darker themes, and the power that creates. We look at the relevance of national identity, both currently and back in 1951.
Nikki
Big Magic: How to Live a Creative and Let Go of Your Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert explores the mysteries of creativity, revealing how anyone can unlock their imagination and pursue what inspires them. Drawing on her own experiences and those of people around her, she encourages readers to embrace curiosity, overcome fear and follow their passions. Whether writing, making art, tackling challenges or pursuing a dream, Big Magic offers inspiration, wonder and unexpected joy.
A revisit for Nikki, who, interestingly, had a completely different response this time around from when she first read it. We discuss the tone of the book and its length, as well as the ideas of authenticity and privilege. We talk about the act of creativity: who it is for, the intention behind it and the process of editing.
My Sister, The Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
Blurb: When Korede’s sister Ayoola calls in distress, Korede knows exactly what to do: clean up another dead boyfriend. Ayoola insists it was self-defence, and family loyalty keeps Korede silent. But when Ayoola begins dating the doctor Korede secretly loves, everything changes. Faced with protecting her sister or the man she loves, Korede must decide how far loyalty can go.
Nikki considers the believability of the characters and the exploration of relationships, as well as the themes of complicity and jealousy. A fantastic premise… but did the execution meet expectations? How does a writer handle very dark themes such as murder?
Upcoming Buddy Read: You Did Nothing Wrong – CG Drews
