Review: The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser

This very sweet romance novel had all the makings of the kind of book in this genre that I really enjoy: a guarded, Mr Darcy-type brooding love interest, someone setting up a new life in a little village, a straight-talking heroine and plenty of books.

Review: A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

From a nostalgic look at Truman Capote's childhood to a somewhat speculative fiction story about a woman selling her dreams, these short stories all have that wintry festive feel, whilst being some very different kinds of Christmas spirit.

Review: Because They Wanted To by Mary Gaitskill

This set of short stories started out feeling poignant, sharp, observant and melancholy but, by the time you've read 5 or 6 of them, they began to feel like the same voice and same observations over and over again ...

Review: October, October by Katya Balen and Angela Harding

This wonderful, aching, sweet, heart-breaking book absolutely tore me apart and is up there with some of the best books that I've read this year. Without a doubt.

Review: Odessa by Jonathan Hill

Odessa is a really sweet post-apocalyptic graphic novel that portrays a small group of siblings searching for their mother across a completely destroyed America. I enjoyed the story, and the drawing style, but often found myself asking 'why' as I read it.

Review: Just Like You by Nick Hornby

It's been a while since I last consciously read anything by Nick Hornby. I remember reading High Fidelity as a teenager, and then again as a slightly older teenager, and being struck by just how poignant and acerbic his style of romantic comedy writing was, and still is.