The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah A story about the strength of the women left behind to survive the Nazi occupation of France. I enjoyed the development of the main characters and the way they each grappled with the terrible circumstances they found themselves in. (4 stars) The Hours – Michael Cunningham Warning: This book contains suicide, terminal illness and depression, so it is not a cheerful romp. A Pulitzer Prize winner, this book concerns three women living in different times (the 1920s, 1940s and 2000s) linked by the book Mrs Dalloway. The story chops between characters, with each having their own story of desperate longing. The way Cunningham captures their…

We’re a fair way into June now so I thought I’d better get on with posting the books I read. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin I’m not into video games, but I loved this. Although gaming is a big part of the plot, this character-driven story focuses on the relationship between Sadie and Sam. I started noting some sentences I liked and then, as usual, got too into the story to remember to stop and savour the really good bits. How Bad are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything – Mike Berners-Lee This book is about the carbon footprint of many things we consume daily. The book…

Human Croquet – Kate Atkinson ★★★ I picked this because it was in a list of recommended books with time travel. The writing is excellent, but I thought overall the plot was disjointed. Maybe there were too many moving parts? I enjoyed the main character and narrator, Isobel; she was weird and snarky in just the right measure. The resolution was disappointing. Legend Born: Tracy Deonn ★★★★ Fantasy YA. An exciting and unusual twist on the Arthurian legend. The main character Bree is a strong black female, and her experiences as she deals with grief, oppression and generational trauma are portrayed compellingly. I’m looking forward to the sequel. Recommended by…

Summarising in 25 words what was most noteworthy to me from the books I finished this month. The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time #2) – Robert Jordan I’m enjoying this epic series, but the books are very long, with tiny print. Luckily they are engaging enough that the time is worth it. The Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance #3) – Naomi Novik A satisfying end to this series. I felt like the inner monologue, which I found a bit irritating in earlier instalments, decreased in this one. Sister Girl – Jackie Huggins Essays by an Aboriginal historian and activist. I appreciated the perspective that helped me better understand the issues…

Summarising in 25 words what was most noteworthy to me from the books I finished this month. Australia’s China Odyssey: From Euphoria to Fear – James Curran This is an engaging, well-written account of Australian policy and attitudes to China in the 20th and 21st centuries, a topic I knew little about. Horse – Geraldine Brooks Thoroughly enjoyable. With multiple storylines, my favourite was the bond between Lexington and Jarret. I did feel the Jess and Theo arc was the weakest.

Summarising in 25 words what was most noteworthy to me from the books I finished this month. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari The beginning section on early humans was fascinating, but then I became increasingly irritated by the author’s opinions being presented as facts without supporting arguments. The Cartographers – Peng Shepher I enjoyed the concept and plot line of this but the clunky writing and apparently super-intelligent characters who made many stupid decisions bought it down. The Rock – Aaron Smith An outsider’s experience of life in the Torres Strait with a confronting reflection on the injustices, both current and historical, experienced by the…

Summarising in 25 words what was most noteworthy to me from the books I finished this month. Not many books finished this month, a combination of busy days, several partially read non-fiction books and this month’s 997-page fiction read. The Evening and The Morning – Ken Follett Another epic tale told from multiple characters’ viewpoints. This book has inspired me to learn more about England at the end of the dark ages. Creating a Missional Culture: Equipping the Church for the Sake of the World – J. R. Woodward Focuses heavily on the five roles in Eph 4:11-13. Reminded me how I should be looking to serve as I settle…

Summarising in 25 words what was most noteworthy to me from the books I finished this month. I Am Malala, Young Reader’s Edition: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World – Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick This young reader’s edition was a quick read for me. I loved reading the story in Malala’s voice. A brave and inspirational girl/young woman. The Anomaly – Hervé Le Tellier It was a fascinating concept, and I enjoyed how it jumped between different characters’ stories. Ultimately though, I found the resolution a bit flat. Coming Home: Discipleship, Ecology and Everyday Economics – Jonathan Cornford Connecting theology and our everyday home life.…