Hi!
I find the Richard & Judy book club great for book club suggestions or books that will suit all kinds of readers. They usually have a good mix of genres, and this year is no different. There are 24 books chosen every year - the Spring picks were:
I read five of them. You can click on the covers to go to my Goodreads review.
A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart
A story about relationships - a couple are having difficulties, mainly due to the father's inability to connect with his son who is on the Autism Spectrum. Through the game of Minecraft, they begin to bond and understand each other. I didn't love this, I felt it verged into twee territory towards the end, but I think fans of US by David Nicholls might love it (I didn't really like that either, and the writing styles were quite similar).
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon
A heatwave in England in 1976 makes for a heady, sweltering atmosphere in this novel about two childhood friends investigating the disappearance of a neighbour. Their journey takes them around an estate filled with secrets, cover-ups and lies - I really liked this, it was an easy read and would be a good book club pick.
Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent
I was part of the blog tour when this book was released in paperback earlier this year - so you can read my thoughts in this post. It's a sharp thriller with a great cast of characters - including Lydia, the matriarch obsessed with self preservation. Liz has written a short prequel featuring Lydia - you can read that here.
Baby Doll by Hollie Overton
A woman has been held captive for eight years, but one day her captor leaves the bolt unlocked...this, naturally, has drawn comparisons with Emma Donohue's (magnificent) book Room. It's only mildly similar - this story begins with the escape, and focuses on the family members affected. I have to say that this one wasn't for me, I didn't enjoy it - but others have given it more positive reviews.
Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant
Paul's life is a shambles. In order to save face, he tells a lie one day that spirals, culminating in a group holiday to Greece with some old acquaintances, where something sinister is happening. Paul isn't quite sure who can he trust - and can we, as readers, trust Paul? I really enjoyed this, I read it in one sitting, very addictive and the perfect flight or holiday book.
The ones I didn't get to are:
I'm Travelling Alone by Samuel Bjork
A Scandinavian thriller about a murder investigation, the victim a six year old girl.
Mad Girl by Bryony Gordon
A non-fictional account of living with OCD.
The Muse by Jessie Burton
A historical thriller about two women, centuries apart, connected by a painting.
The Summer Picks are:
The Hunger Games with Cardinals. The Pope is dead - and over 72 hours, 118 Cardinals will battle it out to choose a new one.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
I read an advance copy of this a few months ago and really enjoyed it - it's a psychological thriller about a couple who attend a dinner party next door, only to return and find their baby missing.
I See You by Claire Mackintosh
A psychological thriller about a woman who sees her own photo in the classified section of a paper. This author's first book I Let You Go was one of my favourite reads last year, so I'm looking forward to this one.
Miss You by Kate Eberlen
We meet Tess and Gus in 1997, when they're teenagers. We follow them over the next 16 years, when it becomes apparent that they're destined to be together - the only problem is, they haven't really met each other yet...
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Described as "To Kill a Mockingbird for the 21st Century", this novel explores prejudice and racism when a nurse is held responsible for the death of a baby.
The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry
Historical fiction, set in Essex and Victorian London. While a mythical serpent is mentioned, the story is about relationships, people, and love.
The Trespasser by Tana French (Dublin Murder Squad #6)
Detective Antoinette Conway deals with another difficult case while trying to remain calm in the face of a campaign to force her off the squad. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series so I won't be reading this one just yet.
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell
A man finds something out about a woman he lost contact with 20 years ago and sets off on a journey of discovery.
You can join in with the Richard & Judy Book Club discussions on their Facebook page.
Several of the book club picks are included in the current Amazon 3 for £10 promotion - Three paperbacks for £10. You can select free delivery to Ireland if you spend more than £25. Which means I always pick three sets of £10s to take it over the limit...
Nice review and its great to read what was your summer picks as well.
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