Audiobooks ARE reading

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been thinking about this ongoing debate I see out there about audiobooks, and if they count as reading. As a dedicated bookworm, I 100% consider them reading. Especially, as a child, I had a number of books on cassette tape that you listened to as you read the physical copy. And I think that was one of the most wonderful way to read – and, now that I know that so many of you ‘hybrid read’, listening to the audiobook and reading the physical book, I think it is fabulous that this still happens, even as we grow older.

I think it can also be argued that audiobooks are probably the most portable form of reading we have. We can have a very small device that allows us to listen to a story wherever we may be. And, if we go back to that childhood memory, listening to stories in the car was one of my favourite things when we were on long journeys. It created shared memories as a family, and led to some of those inside jokes that you continue to share for years – and we have a few of those.

Although, I admit that my audiobook appreciation is not as consistent as it could be, as I love a podcast (usually about books) and I enjoy listening to the radio. However, on that note, I have finished my first audiobook of 2026, and it was a real treat. ‘Christmas at Flora’s House’ by Freya North was an absolute delight to listen to. This novella was beautifully written and so engaging with some of the most wonderful characters who were brought to life so well through Amanda Abbington’s fantastic narration.

It was a real story of hope after loss, about community and making new friends – it is full of emotion and I may have walked from the train station on my commute shedding a little tear. Maggie is a great lead character, a strong woman who just needs to navigate a new normal, and even though she may be a little scared to do it on her own, she is willing to give it a good go. I found this such an inspiration; we should all do a little bit of what scares us, because we never know what may be on the other side. And I am again so ready to escape on a little Scottish adventure.

Something else I really liked about this book is hearing Freya North read the acknowledgments. It showed how much this book meant to her as an author, and I honestly believe that this added to my enjoyment of this book. Especially when you hear all the love and support she had around her as she took on self-publishing this book. Maybe there is a little bit of Freya North in our lead character Maggie – well, I like to think so.

So, I think it is safe to say that this lovely novella may have reminded me to make the most of the world of audiobooks that are out there, because it is another way to consume fantastic stories, whatever you are doing and wherever you are. And that can never be a bad thing.

Piglet by Lottie Hazell

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This book has been sitting on my shelf ever since a book event where I heard Lottie Hazell speak. I am not sure why I hesitated in picking it up, other than usual, collecting books and adding to the tbr pile is sometimes very different to actually reading them.

This book is going to be quite hard to review. I do not give spoilers, or particularly want to spend a long time trying to unpick the plot. It is a book I enjoyed but I am not sure I loved.

Lottie Hazell is interested in food writing in fiction and, this is fairly clear in this book as food is central to this story. However, I am not sure all the food related moments were required. It is clearly a study of the central character’s relationship with food, and how that relationship with food can so easily be disrupted by the events that take place in our life. Yet, at moments I found that potentially uncomformatable to read, maybe because food and diet is something that is always around us, especially with the social media world that is becoming such a driving force in society. Although, I did also find myself contemplating the idea that food can become something that is used to especially social status, and that our lead character sees food as something that can elevate her and lead to her acceptance in a better social class.

There is no denying that this is a thought-provoking read, and I finished it so I was invested in the book. But it is certainly not going to be a book for everyone. It is well written – it used the chapter headings successfully to almost make them part of the story which I enjoyed, and showed a well-crafted narrative (as I admit, I probably usually gloss over chapter titles if they have them, rather than just numbers). I would be interested to see what else Lottie Hazell writes as I enjoyed the writing. And there is no denying that she has created a book that can trigger discussion and sharing of thoughts; it is probably one very well suited to a book club.

So, I think it is safe to say that this book will stay with me and I am glad that I have read it. But I am not really sure on what my full thoughts about this book are and I would be intrigued to see what other readers have thought about it when they have read it. And, of course, that is another book successfully off the tbr pile in 2026.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Usually I wait until nearer the meeting for book club before I share my thoughts. But as the January choice was ‘The Lost Passenger’ by Frances Quinn, and it has been my second read of 2026, I had to share my thoughts immediately.

It is not a spoiler to share that this book is based around the time of the build up and eventual sinking of the Titanic. It is a story of survival, as Elinor boards the Titanic but Molly arrives in New York. And that is about all you are going to get out of me about the plot of this book.

My fascination with this book is the social history presented to the readers, and the beautiful storytelling from the pen of Frances Quinn. This may be a piece of historical fiction, clearly inspired by the events of the Titanic, but it is also an incredibly thought-provoking read. It is really a commentary on the experience of being a woman in Edwardian England, the pressure on the women to be the provider of children if she is from a wealthy family, and to be a poor woman is to be excluded from so many opportunities but still be expected to be a provider. It really makes you think that to be a woman was to be a second-class citizen in so many ways in England at the time. But, also, you find yourself reflecting on the social hierarchy aboard the ship, and the impact that had on the events of the fateful night.

Something I thought Frances Quinn was also very skilled at was giving her characters such an authentic voice. She embraces such a wide range of characters in her story, from all walks of life and all sorts of backgrounds, and as you read each one of them, they’re brought to life so beautifully that you feel you are there with them and you can empathise with them about their experience. And, rightly or wrongly, I do think there is something quite romantic about New York in the early 20th century.

I think it is safe to say that The Book Taster Book Club has done it again and Jenna has picked a book which I readily admit I may not have picked myself, but have really enjoyed reading. Historical fiction is not always my first choice (although I do enjoy it much more than I used to), but I also tend to shy away from events in history that I sometimes find difficult to read about when they have been fictionalised (it is the History teacher in me). However, this book treats the events of the night of the sinking of the Titanic with respect and not with morbid fascination, and recognises the emotional impact it had on those who survived as well as their families – and those poor decisions that appear to have been made on that night, or even before.

So, as there is a whole backlist by Frances Quinn to read, I feel lucky to have discovered her writing thanks to the wonderful bookish community out there, and I am looking forward to seeing what other readers think of ‘The Lost Passenger’.

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I spotted this book on the Instagram grid as December drew to a close and I remembered that ‘The Last Bear’ by Hannah Gold was in fact sitting on my shelf. So, I decided that, as the festive break was upon us, I would give this book a read, as it has a clear wintery feel.

This is a book that I certainly wish had been on the shelves when I was a child. I read lots of stories with animals in them and the Sophie books by Dick King-Smith are the ones I really remember about the relationships between animals and people (along with a strong female lead character).

‘The Last Bear’ almost feels like a step up from this: a modern, strong girl story and an exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. April moves to the Arctic with her father. He is there to study the weather, she is there for the adventure that he promises her. But, as April’s father gets sucked into his work, just as he did in England, April makes a discovery – that bears have not left the island after all.

April forms a friendship with this wonderful polar bear and wants to be able to return him to his family. But will she be successful?

This is such a beautiful book, with the most stunning illustrations by Levi Pinfold to support in bringing the wonderful writing of Hannah Gold to life. It is a story that tackles so many important issues with such sensitivity, but without making any issue less important than the other. April’s grief at losing her mother at such a young age, but also the impact that this has on April’s father are central to the story. This is also reflected in the desire April has to ensure that Bear is not alone and should be able to return to his family. But, also, I think we are forced to think about our world: are we ensuring that it is a world that will be here for future generations?

This is a book that has won awards, been shortlisted for awards and applauded by so many readers. And rightly so! This is also a book that reminds adults that it is okay to read children’s books. They have something to teach us, they give us something to think about, and they open a whole other world to us. I do not think there is any harm in remembering to be young at heart with our reading from time to time; any reading is important and maybe this is a book that could get you back into reading, or get someone you know back into reading.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The first book of 2026 has been completed, because it was a book that not only made me read past my bedtime, but I also kept telling myself that I had to read just one more chapter.

I saw a lot of love for ‘The Correspondent’ as 2025 drew to a close, so I knew I had to read it, so may have treated myself to this beautiful book. I mean, for the cover alone I would have read this book, as it is absolutely beautiful and would look stunning on any bookshelf.

‘The Correspondent’ is the story of Sybil. A woman who seems to have skill for penmanship, and always seems to communicate better through letters – with everyone in her life. We learn all about Sybil and her life through a range of letters and emails – including secrets she has held for many years of her life and the impact that these have had on her. Will she have time to resolve these as she feels she is ageing?

As I do not like to reveal any spoilers in books, it does sometimes make them hard to review. But this book is such a great read, as it is told in letters and emails, which makes for an easy and page-turning read. It is brilliant how Virginia Evans manages to create the first-person voice of so many characters as they write letters or emails. This is a quite a talent for a writer, as she has to be in the minds of so many different characters and keep the authenticity, but she has done it and it makes for a really wonderful book. You will feel all the emotions when you read this book too – by the end I may have shed a tear, which surely is also testament to the excellent writing from the pen of Virginia Evans.

This book reminded me of a radio series called ‘Ladies of Letters’, which used to star the wonderful Patricia Routledge and Prunella Scales (it was also on TV in 2009, with Anne Reid and Maureen Lipman, which was also great). If you have never encountered this, please do seek it out because it is a joy, as is this book.

Back to the matter in hand: this book means my 2026 reading has started strong. Any book after this one has a lot to live up to, although I am, of course, still excited to see what the rest of the year has to hold. But back to this book, I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen, and hope that it will mean that it will find lots more new readers, because it really deserves it.

(If you would like to find out even more about this book, it was BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick on the 29th April 2025 – so you may like to look up the episode.)

A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Not too long ago, a friend bought me a book from the charity shop because she said she read the blurb and she knew it was a ‘me’ book. And, well, she was not wrong. I have picked it up in these ‘Twixmas’ days as I knew I had the chance to give it some time, but as I could not put it down, and I was reading past my bedtime with the good old ‘just one more chapter’, it did not take too long to read at all.

‘A Woman is No Man’ by Etaf Rum is an incredibly powerful read. This book tells two stories in parallel, one of Isra, as she leaves Palenstine for her new life in America, with her new husband and his family, a marriage that has been arranged for her. The other of her daughter Deya, who has been growing up with her grandparents in New York, since, as she believes, the death of her parents, Isra and Adam.

As we follow Isra’s story, she has arrived in a land that she hopes will bring her freedom and allow her to gain more freedom as a woman. However, does her husband’s family’s desire for tradition and reputation amongst their ex-pat community in New York just cause her to in fact become less free than she could ever have imagined. What will her fate become? At the same time we follow Deya as she attempts to break the cycle of expectation on her for being a woman in her Muslim family. But she is also dealing the trauma of losing he mother at a young age, her aunt running away and her desire to ensure that her sisters are always protected. Alongside this, she discovers that her family history may not have been presented her to accurately – will that cause her to have the strength to change the generational cycle for all the women that will follow her?

I am not sure that I can do this book justice, as there is just so much in it that can be shared and discussed. However, this would lead to me potentially revealing spoilers and I am not willing to do that. What I can share is that Etaf Rum has written an incredible novel that should be read by us all. Although there are some difficult topics in the story and a lot of tragedy, both women are strong female characters, they are just tackling very similar but very different circumstances.

The very final chapter of the book is one of the best I have ever read, and the final line is quite something. It will stay with you for quite some time when you have finished the book – I am still thinking about it now and I think I will be thinking of it for quite some time to come.

So, as you enter the new year, or are looking for something to take you to the finish line of 2025, then this is a book you should definitely seek out. It was my 100th book of the year and it is certainly one of my favourites, which I can see recommending to absolutely everyone if they are willing to listen.

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This month for ‘The Book Taster’, we could choose any Jenny Colgan book we wanted to read. After all, she does have a little bit of a festive backlist behind her. However, I did give in to her newest release, ‘The Secret Christmas Library’, mainly because I judged the book by its stunning cover – the content of the story was almost irrelevant.

But, I am pleased to report that this book did not disappoint. This story was just the right amount of festive joy for any book lover. I mean, a treasure hunt for a missing book in a family library (with plenty of bookish and popular culture references) is potentially a bookworm’s comfort read of choice. It is also rather delightful that this book brings us back to two of the chracters from ‘The Christmas Book Hunt’ (which I read last year), Mirren and Theo.

Mirren and Theo are reunited, as rival book hunters, as they attempt to help Jamie find a rare and valuable lost book in his grandfather’s old collection, because Jamie needs to try and save his crumbling family home. His grandfather had been a great puzzle-setter, which seems to make it an impossible treasure hunt. And, of course, there are all sorts of challenges along the way, and mishaps that keep you reading and rooting for Jamie.

The joy of this book was that it was easy to read at this time of year. It had the right touch of festive fun without becoming overly cheesy. It left you feeling good about the world; a cosy comforting read that helps you escape from the stresses of the world.

I will certainly be looking up the other bookish titles from Jenny Colgan’s backlist, as one thing I love is a book about books – because there seems to be an extra dose of comfort for a reader when the book is about books.

New Beginnings for Christmas by Sally Page

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I did not really plan my festive reads this year. I just went for mood reading and books that may have had a little bit of a festive feel. As I was searching for something to read the other day, I stumbled across ‘New Beginnings at Christmas’ by Sally Page on my Kindle and thought it was definitely the right time to read it.

I have never read a Sally Page book before; I am not sure why, I guess there are just so many books in the world. However, I am instantly questioning why I have not picked up a book by Sally Page before. I was hooked from the moment I started reading. This book was a huge hug in book, and it was just the tale I needed to take me to the festive break.

Malcolm is determined to give his friend Rev. Ruth a perfect relaxed Christmas, as, after all, it is her busiest time of year. As he plans his festivities, the celebration seems to get bigger and bigger – is it too much for Malcolm, or is it exactly what he needs? And, will he have the nerve to invite his friend and colleague Padam to celebrate with them?

Honestly, Malcolm is one of my favourite characters to have met this year. Even as I finished the read, I am still thinking about Malcolm and all his friends at Christmas time. This is just one of those books that fully sucks you in and makes you feel like you are part of the community you are reading about. It is also rather lovely that a bookshop plays such a big part in the story, because we all know a bookworm’s happy place is in a rather lovely bookshop.

If this little festive novella is anything to go by, Sally Page is an author that needs to be on my 2026 tbr pile (like I need excuses to add to it – haha) because I think this is one of the most wonderful books I have read. A hug in a book that reminded me of the reasons why I love the books of some of her fellow authors, such as her daughter Libby Page (who we already know I am a big fan of) and Mike Gayle. And I loved this book so much that, before I had even finished it, I had recommended it to a whole host of people because I knew it would be loved by them just as much as it has been loved by me – and that is surely the sign of a very good read.

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

When my book buddy suggested it was time for a wintery read as we head into December, I was more than happy to read ‘Dark Matter’ by Michelle Paver. It was a book I know Mr Bookwormandtheatremouse had enjoyed and I heard an adaptation of it on the radio, read by Lee Ingleby, so I was intrigued how I would find it as a read.

Now, one thing I am totally fascinated by is early 20th century exploration, and the daring exploits of men such as Scott and Shackleton, so ‘Dark Matter’ being set in this world was something that I knew would make this book a winner for me (although set slightly later in 1937). We follow Jack Miller as he embarks on an Arctic expedition with three other men – men that are above him in social status. Their expedition seems to be plagued with bad luck, but Jack is determined not to be beaten and prove that he has just as much right to be part of this adventure as any other man. However, as Jack spends his time in isolation in Gruhuken, with only the dogs for company, he starts to realise that maybe the rumours about the place were not just rumours – maybe it is haunted.

This is a book from the ‘horror’ genre, and that is not a spoiler. But I have a lot of respect for anyone who can write in this genre, as you do not just have to tell a good story – you have to tell a story that will spook or haunt the reader, and that is something that Michelle Paver has done brilliantly in this tale. But she does it alongside making some very good points about society (especially in the early 20th century), and the poor treatment of those who are seen as different. That there is a dark side to the world, who do not wish to help those who are not seen as acceptable to the rest of the world. This, for me, added to the story even more, as you were left feeling empathy for the darker character of the story – is it a horror story, or a story about the horror of the world?

I could not put this book down once I started it, and now I want to read all Michelle Paver’s books within this genre. She is a very skilled storyteller, and this is a book that I have not been able to forget since I finished it – even to the point that I may, in fact, make it a book that I re-read in the colder months. Although, we all know there are so many books and never enough time – and a Michelle Paver backlist.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Last year, I visited a stately home with friends, and when we were there we saw some dummy boards. Figures made of wood were used as an old-fashioned security system to make it appear that homes were occupied when families may have been away, usually placed to cast a shadow or be seen from a window. A fairly basic but rather ingenious idea, I remember thinking.

This story reminded a friend of a book she had recently read and suggested that it may be a book that I would enjoy. That book was ‘The Silent Companions’, and I am ashamed it has been sitting on the tbr for quite some time since that trip, but this December I decided to pick it up. And, although it may not be the usual pick for this time of year, I thought it was perfect for these dark December evenings, especially if you are someone who enjoys a ghost story for the winter months. In fact, I read past my bedtime to find out how it would end, and a little chill passed over me as I read the very end of the story.

‘The Silent Companions’ is a novel with a Victorian Gothic feel, and I loved that about it. We meet Elsie as she has been confined to an asylum and, from that moment, we find out exactly what put her there. As the story unfolds, we find out she has inherited a house, ‘The Bridge’, from her late husband. But this house appears to hold a dark secret – in the form of silent companions. However, the silent companions also seem to know the secrets of those around them, or so Elsie thinks.

This is a wonderfully constructed, creepy story that keeps you turning the page, as we move between the present (the 1800s in this case) and the 1600s to find out how the silent companions came to be and who exactly they may be. This was such a clever narrative, as there are moments where you realise conclusions you may have reached may not be correct, which really adds to the gothic feel of the tale.

If you like historical fiction with a creepy twist, then this is the book for you. It reminds me of the classic Victorian ghost stories, but it has a fresh feel. And, more importantly, it turns out that there is a sequel (which can also be a standalone) called ‘The House of Splinters’ set in the same house as ‘The Silent Companions’, and I am so excited to read it, as I think Laura Purcell is a talented ghost/horror story writer.