Category: Books

Frank and Red by Matt Coyne

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

For my IRL book club, ‘Frank and Red’ by Matt Coyne had been picked for September. And I was over the moon, as ‘Frank and Red’ had been on my shelf since ‘The Book Taster Live’ earlier this year (when I was also lucky enough to meet Matt Coyne).

This is a book that is a rather rare thing, this is a book that made me laugh out loud (and repeat the funny lines to Mr Bookwormandtheatremouse) and cry (and when I say cry, I mean ugly cry). This is a book that is full of two wonderful characters in Frank and Red who I will carry around in my heart forever.

Frank is a rather grumpy old man who is stuck in his ways, his wife Marcie has died, he has lost contact with his son and he never leaves the safety of his house and garden. Red is a rather chatty six year old, who likes to make friends and who has had to move to new area after his parents separated, and his new home with his mum is next door to Frank. And, as you may not be surprised to learn, much to Frank’s despair, as he rather likes (or so he thinks) the quiet life.

However, over time, these two very different characters become the friends that maybe neither of them realised that they needed. There are quite some adventures and misadventures along the way, but together they help each other learn a little more about themselves and the people that both of them can become.

Matt Coyne writes in such a humourous way but with real moments of tenderness – and has obviously written from the heart. This book is truly a page-turner, I was reading past my bedtime because I just kept wanting to stay in the company of this wonderful story. I hope that we will be treated to more books from Matt Coyne because this one is has definitely cemented itself as one of my favourite reads of the year. So, if you have not picked it up yet, do yourself a favour and make sure you do.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I put a call out to the lovely ‘Book Taster’ community, to ask for a book that was about books.

I mean, a dedicated bookworm like me should be able to come up with a book about books, but there are almost too many, so I hoped that I would get some great recommendations from the lovely readers on the ‘Book Taster’ community. And my cunning plan worked, as I was recommended ‘The Reading List’ by Sara Nisha Adams.

Now, I admit that I would not have picked this book up without it being a recommendation. And I know I should not admit this, but the cover may well have put me off to begin with – however, now I absolutely love the cover, and it gives me ‘Only Murders in the Building’ vibes. Which, despite this book having nothing to do with the crime genre, hints that it does have something in common with that classic TV show: a beautiful and heartwarming cross-generational friendship, between Aliesha and Mukesh.

This book has so many things about it that make it an absolute joy to read, but one of the absolute best things about this book is that it is about the importance of libraries and books. Both of which we, as readers, know are incredibly important in so many different ways. In this story, they bring together Aleisha, a librarian in the local library, and Mukesh, a widower who is slowly realising that maybe he needs to make some changes to his life – and he is about to embark on a friendship that is going to do just that, with the help of the power of books.

The story is told in eight parts; each part is dedicated to one of the books on the reading list. During each part, Aleisha and Mukesh are both reading the book on the list, and each of these books is teaching them some important lessons about life. These books bring them together but also give them some insight into how to tackle the hand that life has dealt them. It brings them closer to their families but also supports them in moments of grief and struggle.

I am not sure I can do this book justice – it was just a really wonderful read that I will be thinking about and recommending for a long time to come. Although, there is the risk that you will be adding books to your tbr pile – I have read four of the books referenced in the story, which means that there are four more on the wishlist to be added to the tbr pile (although I admit they are probably books that I should have read by now). And I am pretty sure this book may make you visit your local library, too, as it is true how important they are to the community for so many different reasons.

So, if you are a bookworm, you will love this book – the characters, the story and the love letter it really is to books and libraries. Just beautiful.

Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O’Porter

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I had not read any of the books of Dawn O’Porter, but when I heard that this series was a YA novel, I thought I would give it a go, especially as she had been inspired by the friendships and girls she knew in her younger years. A friend of mine had a copy, so I asked if I could borrow it and give it a go.

Now, before I go too much into my thoughts, I do have to say that I am surprised that this is presented as YA fiction. I am not sure I would be recommending it to that age group – or, if I did, it would be the older end of the YA age range. It definitely tackles some topics that I am not sure are appropriate to the younger end of the YA age range.

However, I enjoyed this book. Although, that never seems quite like the correct word when there are some difficult topics tackled amongst is pages, but it is a good read. We meet Renee and Flo, both 15 years old and both facing the end of their secondary school education. They have not been friends and there are those in their peer group that would not consider that they are meant to be friends – they are just two very different teenagers, having very different experiences in their teenage years. Yet, they are actually more alike than they realise: they are both lonely, they both have some complex family relationships and they both are not really totally sure who they really are. They both face some real struggles as we read their stories, and at moments it is incredibly difficult for both of our characters and their families.

I absolutely loved meeting Flo and Renee, and could see in them so many of the teenage girls I knew when I was at school. But the novel handled the complexity of being a teenager beautifully – especially that idea of not really knowing what your true identity is, or those friendships that maybe are not the correct ones but, at the time, they are the ones that you feel you should work on, sometimes for little return. And, the moment at the end of the book when Flo and Renee are really honest that maybe they are the friends for each other, and it does not really matter what anybody else thinks, is rather wonderful.

I am really glad that there are more stories of Flo and Renee for me to discover, as ‘Goose’ is the second book and ‘Honeybee’ is coming out this month. I would really like to see what happens to our two wonderful characters.

This, of course, does mean that I may try more of the books of Dawn O’Porter because this one was a very good starting point.

Handle with Care by Louisa Reid

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I feel so lucky to have been gifted a copy of ‘Handle with Care’ by Louisa Reid. Louisa Reid is an author that I really admire and I am always excited if I know there is a new book on the way. And it is safe to say that, yet again, she has given us an incredible read, that does not shy away from tough topics – and will in fact make you cry.

In this latest offering we are introduced to Ruby and Ash, best friends – but Ruby has been keeping a secret: she is pregnant. And when Hero makes a dramatic entrance to the world during a History lesson, both of their lives change forever, as does their friendship. Ruby has to deal with a world that thinks it knows best, and Ash has to deal with a revelation that throws a whole different light on what has led to this very moment.

I love that Ruby’s chapters are told in Louisa Reid’s usual wonderful free verse. This allows us to really be on the journey with Ruby as she comes to terms with becoming a mother and all that means for her. It conveys all the emotions that Ruby is experiencing beautifully, and the real feeling of confusion as she has to deal with becoming a mum – and the relationship she has with her own mother.

Ash’s chapters are told in prose, almost suggesting that her life is almost just carrying on as normal, as she tries to understand the experiences of Ruby. It works so well to show the distance which appears between the two friends, but how much Ash still loves her friend, yet just does not know how to help, as they are now living what seem to be very different lives.

I do not want to give any spoilers of what happens in this beautiful book, but I will say that it is an emotional rollercoaster. You will feel joy, sadness, anger and hope, sometimes all at the same time. Most importantly, though, Ruby, Ash and Hope will stay with you even when you have read the last word – and you may surprise yourself as you find yourself thinking about them when you least expect it.

Just like ‘Wrecked’ and ‘Gloves Off’, I will be recommending this book to everyone – and, of course, ‘The Poet’ (although this one is not YA). What reading this has also reminded me is that I must make sure I pick up a copy of ‘Activist’, because I know it is going to be a book that I will enjoy.

So, the important questions is, have you read any Louisa Reid yet? And if the answer is no, then make sure you give them a go soon – because you will not be disappointed.

In A Thousand Different Ways by Cecelia Ahern

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am not sure how, but I had missed the publication of ‘In A Thousand Different Ways’ by Cecelia Ahern, and as she is one of my auto-buy authors, I knew I had to treat myself when I spotted it out in the world. It does of course also have a rather beautiful cover, so that was an additional reason it was definitely allowed to be purchased.

This is exactly what you come to expect from the pen of Cecelia Ahern: a little magical realism in the modern world, with a strong female lead who we can all admire for her strength. This is a simple but beautifully told story, as we meet Alice who can see everyone’s emotions; everyone carries colours that Alice can read. This seems like quite a gift that should make understanding people a doddle, but this could be a curse as well as a gift, as Alice has to learn how to live with it, and understand how to make it something that will not simply consume her.

This really is a journey of self-discovery for Alice as we follow her from childhood to adult life; we laugh with her and we cry with her. We see how lonely it can be for someone who does not fully understand who they are and how someone needs to be able to accept themselves and their skills before they are really able to understand others. Alice needs to understand that she cannot take on all the emotions of others, that she must learn to manage her gift and use it for good, but that she cannot fix and protect all of those around her. When she does this, can she find the happiness that seems to have been lacking for her for so long as she has tried to take care of everybody else?

This is such a beautiful book, and part of the reason I always return to Cecelia Ahern is because you know you will get a lovely story and characters that you will care about. I also really enjoy that they are almost like fairytales for adults – pure escapism, a touch of magic and fantastic characters. Cecelia Ahern writes beautifully and you are completely immersed in the world that she creates for her readers.

So, if you are looking for a lovely read this summer (or any time), then I would recommend this book. There are some slightly difficult issues about family relationships touched on in the story, but they are handled with care and they are all part of the complex tapestry of life that make us all who we are. And they make Alice who she is – and she becomes stronger for it.

I am hoping I do not miss the publication of any of Cecelia Ahern’s other books, as this has again confirmed why she has been an auto-buy author for me since the days of the beloved ‘P.S. I Love You’.

Before I Do by Sophie Cousens

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

A friend lent me this book as she wanted to see what I would think of it. Now, if I am honest, I would not have read this book without her passing it on to me. I think it would probably just have passed me by as not one of my first-choice picks. However, once I started reading ‘Before I Do’, I did find it rather hard to put down.

This is the story of Audrey, who is about to marry Josh. This should be the happiest day of her life, but the night before her wedding, in walks Fred, the photo booth guy, a blast from the past – and Audrey’s life is thrown into disarray. Are the signs telling her that she should call her wedding off, and maybe Fred is the real love of her life? Or is Fred just a memory of what was – and not what should be?

This book is a joy to read, there is so much warmth and humour in this book but with a rather serious undertone. It really explores the impact that the past can have on our future. Especially when the past becomes romanticised, and we have so many people around us telling us what we should think, what we should do and exactly how they think things should be.

The characters are beautifully created for the reader. They are really brought to life, and as the book is set around the day before and day of a wedding, you will definitely find someone you know amongst the characters. A personal favourite for me was Josh’s grandma, reading her Jilly Cooper novels, observing all that is going on and passing her cutting remarks about everything – but you know that she has a good heart underneath it all, just nobody is quite good enough for her grandson.

So, if you like a humorous story, with a heart and some serious observations, then this is a book for you.

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

If you have been around here a while then you know I am already a fan of Clare Pooley so when this proof copy of her newest novel landed on my doorstep I was over the moon. First of all, although we do not judge books by their cover, of course, the cover of this book is absolutely stunning and should make you all want to read it. But you should also all want to read it because, to put it bluntly, it is a fabulous book.

This is a book full of colourful characters, of capers, and simply of pure joy from beginning to end, and it was a book that just made you feel good when you picked it up to read it. In fact, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish reading it because, although I did not want it to end, I also had to know what was going to happen to this unlikely group of friends.

As with all of Clare Pooley’s novels, this is a book about community and friendship; this time, it is centred around a community centre, which is a lifeline for the locals and for the characters in our book. Our main focus is the newly formed group for the older members of the community, giving them somewhere to socialise (and keep warm), but not one of them is ready to settle for a few board games and a cup of tea. They are all ready to keep having adventures, and have some pasts that they need to deal with. And, for Ziggy, it provides the nursery he can take his little girl to, which means he may be able to finish his A-Levels and get to uni as he had always hoped.

When this community centre is under threat, however, it brings the young and old of the community together to do whatever they can to ensure it has a future. And, as you would expect with the novels of Clare Pooley, there are many laughs along the way as well as some tender moments that will no doubt bring a tear to your eye.

I absolutely adored this book and will be recommending it to anyone who will listen. This is a book with a heart and is a book that shows that getting older does not mean that you need to give up on life – in fact, you can have just as much fun as you may have done in your younger years. I think it is great that there are always inter-generational friendships in Clare Pooley’s books, which I think are so important because we should not let those who came before us become forgotten.

So, to conclude: Clare Pooley is one of my favourite authors, her books simply bring me joy, and I will be raving about this book for quite some time to come.

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Bookstagram made me do it, as well as the fact that this book won the ‘Val McDermid Debut Award 2024’ at the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival. And, oh my word, this book deserved this award – and it definitely deserves more hype than it seems to be getting. As you all know, I do not read blurbs, I go with what I think I will like based on what I see around, so I had no idea of the story I was about to read, but it absolutely blew me away.

This is not cosy crime; I have been describing it to people as more Taggart or Frost than Midsomer Murders, but this is a excellent crime writing. This is a story that has come from a great writer and plotter, and someone who has a brilliant creative mind. This is a story that is not about if you can work it out, but about how it is worked out on the page – and I loved it.

Ava is growing up just outside Birmingham in the 1980s. She has some slightly unusual interests, like the anatomy of animals, and keeps records and observation notes of the world around her. Ava has a great mind and, when a number of children are murdered in the local area, she gets drawn into the investigation, and becomes quite the support for the local police force.

I can not give any of this tale away, but please do not think that because a young girl becomes a support for the local police force, they are there as a bit of a joke. This is not true at all; this is about respect and support between the two. Ava can observe much of what the police can not ,as she is part of the community, and because observing and note taking is something that she likes doing.

I honestly thought this book was absolutely fantastic and well-deserving of its award. At points, it might not be for the faint-hearted, but things are not there to shock – they are there as part of the story, and it is all dealt with well.

I really hope that we will see more from the pen of Marie Tierney because I, for one, will be reading it immediately. If you like an excellent piece of crime fiction, maybe with a slightly chilling edge, then make sure you pick this book up immediately, because you will not be disappointed.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I am always happy when I see that Lucy Foley has published a new thriller, so when ‘The Midnight Feast’ started appearing all over the bookstagram community, I knew I needed to keep an eye out for it. So, it was a no-brainer when it appeared as a bit of a Kindle bargain, and it did not sit on my Kindle for long.

This was what I expected from the pen of Lucy Foley, a thrilling read with an added chill. This was another ideal summer thrilling read – set during the summer solstice, past and present. As readers, we are facing two mysteries, one from the past and one from the present. What happened in Tome in the past that has been haunting it ever since – and could now have an impact that nobody was expecting?

Francesca has turned her old family home into a exclusive new resort, to attract the creme de la creme of society, giving them the ideal place to relax and recharge. However, the rest of Tome are unhappy about this heiress and her development damaging the local economy and the local land. However, as we discover as we read the book, the conflict has existed for quite some time and has had a far-reaching impact on many in the community.

The local legend of ‘The Birds’ is also haunting the people of Tome – but will it stop Francesca and her business from being successful, or will revenge finally been achieved by those who have been wronged, in this life or another?

There is a chilling edge to this thriller when the superstitions are entwined with the the actions of those in Tome. (And it really makes you think about how you would pronounce the name of the village – it adds another edge to the tale.)

As a thriller, this is a well-constructed tale. Told from multiple points of view, and through the journal of ‘Bella’, we are well and truly drawn into this story – it is a real page-turner – especially as there are so many hidden secrets for so many of the characters. And Lucy Foley makes the landscape and the land a character in the story, too, which adds even more all-important atmosphere to the story.

This is a thriller that will be ideal in the summer months, but it will take you well into the spooky season too – and I will be recommending it to many of my thriller-reading friends.

The Summer Party by Kate Gray

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was lucky enough to win a copy of ‘The Summer Party’ by Kate Gray from another wonderful book lover. I was so incredibly excited when I won this, as ‘The Honeymoon‘ was a fantastic thriller and has been passed round numerous friends who have also loved it (love being able to share books with friends), so I knew I was in for a treat with ‘The Summer Party’, and I was not wrong. And it was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, just in time for the summer break.

Kate Gray again takes us on quite the thrilling summer adventure. This book really reminded me of ‘And Then There Were None’ by Agatha Christie, it was a brilliant locked-room mystery and, to me, that is quite the compliment, as it shows that this is up there with one of our greatest mystery writers. When the Flavour’s Summer Party is at a new exclusive summer resort on the sourthern coast, the whole business is over the moon, and when some of the team are invited to spend the whole night on the resort, it seems like a dream. Of course, it is soon more like a nightmare, as they fight to find out exactly why the night is not going as they would hope – and does it have some connection to the death of a work colleague after the Christmas Party? (Parties are really not good news for this business).

There was a twist where I actually gasped out loud (good job I was reading at home) and there are so many red herrings and moments, where everything you think you know is turned completely on its head, that it is impossible to put this book down. In fact, I read it in two days, because I just had to know what was going to happen next.

The characters are an interesting bunch, especially when they are thrown together on the island overnight. It adds another dimension to the story when you are slowly figuring out why these ‘random’ colleagues have ended up in quite so sticky a situation.

This is an ideal summer read, especially if summertime is your time for a thriller. This is a claustrophobic, summer-heat, locked-room mystery – with more than one mystery amongst its pages. I will definitely be sharing this book with my friends and recommending it each time I am asked for a thriller. I hope that we have more thrillers from Kate Gray soon, as I will most definitely be reading them.