Books I have loved in ‘22

Duckling by Eve Ainsworth

I wasn’t expecting to be as moved as I was by this book. What I thought would be a gentle, easy read turned out to be much more thought provoking. Lucy is a loner, keeps herself to herself, expecting little from life and giving the same back. That is until a neighbour asks her to look after her little girl for a short while. When far more than a couple of hours have past and there’s still no sign of her returning, Lucy realises that she’s got some choices to make. Does she contact the police or Social Services? Or does she continue to care for little Rubi until her mother reappears?

Up till  now, Lucy’s life has revolved around her cat, her job in a bookshop and the complicated relationship she has with her father, a recovering alcoholic. As the story progresses we learn more about Lucy’s past and the reasons for her self isolation. I found myself alternating between wanting to shake her and hug her as she does her best to do the right thing by Rubi. The plot is pacy and entertaining with plenty of humour peppering the dialogue, but it was Lucy’s voyage of self-discovery that I enjoyed the most. Lucy has been imprisoned by her perceptions of her past and the book makes you realise that long held beliefs can be completely and utterly wrong. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my final read of ‘22 and I think you will too! 😊

Books that I loved in ‘22

 The Lost Storyteller by Amanda Block

This was another recommendation from my Twitter friend Adam, and again he picked a corker. I don’t have enough superlatives to describe how this book made me feel. 

Captivating? Yes!

Evocative? Yes, Yes! 

Poignant? Yes, Yes, Yes!

The journey that Rebecca takes in trying to uncover the meaning of her father’s book of fairy tales is riveting. All of her childhood feelings of abandonment and hurt colour her adult life and only by exploring the past can she find peace of mind. It’s an interesting take on the father/daughter dynamic and one which will have you alternating between laughter and tears. It might also make you question things from your own past that you’ve taken as gospel up till now. All in all, a gem of a book. 

Books I have loved in ‘22

 Five Minds by Guy Morpuss

This was one of those books that, once started, you just want to keep on reading. Think you don’t like sci-fi or dystopian settings? Think again as this book deftly crosses multiple genres to create an utterly believable world and still manages to be a cracking murder mystery. 

I loved how easy it was to immerse yourself in this world & accept that the essence of 5 people inhabit a single body, each getting 4 hours allotted to them each day. Just as in a regular household, the individual minds behave badly & put the others in jeopardy or act altruistically for the greater good. They have disagreements about their future which add to the drama. 

All in all this is totally different from any other book I’ve read & am looking forward to reading the author’s next title,Black Lake Manor.

Books I have loved in ‘22

 Before the Coffee Gets Cold: tales from the cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

If you’re looking for something that’s just a bit different from your average book, then look no further. I was introduced to this by a Twitter friend who has exquisite taste in books and this is definitely up there in  my top 10 reads of ‘22.

A series of customers visit the Funiculi Funicula cafe for the express purpose of being able to travel in time to meet a loved one. But there’s a catch, you have to sit in the right seat, the person you want to revisit must have also been a customer at the cafe and you only have the time it takes for your coffee to grow cold to complete your quest. 

Each vignette is beautifully written, the characters are well drawn and relatable. It reminds you of the importance of not leaving things unsaid or undone. I’m going to be sure to read the others in this series and you would do well to do the same ☺️

Books that I have loved in ‘22

 Journal of a Husband by Marc Francis

This is the perfect book for anyone who has ever been in a relationship. I’m not sure whether to describe them as chapters or anecdotes but each covers a situation everyone can relate to. We all know that it’s not US who’s the difficult one, right? Hmmm, well that might not always be true because I saw myself as both the victim & the culprit at various points along the way! 

I must be one of the few people who’ve never visited an IKEA(or sampled their legendary meatballs) , either with or without my significant other. I know that must be hard to believe but I can assure you that is the case. However, I have had to listen to endless horror stories from friends and family about the rows these trips cause to know it rings true. 

Likewise the trials of going along with things for a quiet life, the difficulties of getting some uninterrupted alone time & navigating the tightrope that is married life are all laid bare for your amusement. I genuinely laughed out loud at frequent intervals and it made me feel some sympathy for my partner when I realised what effect my “can you just” requests might have had over the years. I’ve also made a note of the devious tricks to get away with forgetting a birthday or anniversary. 

All in all this is a light, fun read. There is swearing & some rude bits so be warned if you’re easily offended, but for me it added to the authenticity of the accounts. I hope there are more journal entries to come. 

Books that I’ve loved in ‘22

 Dirty Little Secret by Jonathan Peace

If you’re a fan of police procedurals with a twist, then look no further than Dirty Little Secret. It ticks all the right boxes, intriguing opening, fast moving multifaceted plot, strong characters (some you’ll love and some you will absolutely love to hate), and a storyline that will, at times, feel make you like you’re falling down a rabbit hole as you are reading.

The book is set in ‘80s Yorkshire and this adds to the atmospheric narrative, depicting  the small town mentality of the era. The central character, WDC Louise Miller, has to deal with a horrific murder as well as the dinosaurs in her own station. The author captures the casual sexism women have often faced when entering a male dominated environment perfectly and I was frequently outraged on her behalf. I loved that Louise is no pushover who faces down her detractors and looks to improve the lot of the other female in the shop, WPC Hines. Theirs is a winning combination and one that I look forward to seeing develop in future outings. 

When a second girl goes missing, things really start to hot up and Louise is all too aware that the clock is ticking. No one wants a second body turning up, but can she untangle the layers of circumstantial evidence and uncover the town’s hidden secrets before it’s too late? 

I particularly enjoyed the way this book leads you this way & that, leaving you unsure whether the events being described are based in reality, the imagination or something darker still. This is an accomplished thriller which means that you are bound to be hooked from the very first page to the startling conclusion. 

Books that I’ve loved in ‘22

 Fires of Hate by Heather Peck

I’ve read all 3 books in the DC Greg Geldard series now and they just keep getting better. This time, in addition to a cracking story line revolving around animal rights activism, we get to see more of the man himself. In the last book, Glass Arrows, we had a tantalising glimpse into Greg Geldard’s private life but Fires of Hate let’s us learn more about what makes him tick. A highly principled man with a strong sense of honour, Greg is trying to do the right thing when his wife wants a divorce whilst he is dealing with a fatal incident at a government laboratory. We meet again the feisty DS Chris Mathews who is becoming increasingly important to Greg and their developing romantic relationship is a running feature in this book.

This is a compelling tale which deftly uncovers the mindset of the people involved in the central incident. You get to see how characters’ previous life experiences impact their decisions and actions and also how they become embroiled in situations that rapidly become out of control. DC Geldard and his team have to discover who is responsible for the atrocities and ultimately bring the culprits to justice. Their task is complicated by the discovery that there has been an undercover agent operating in the animal rights cell.

This book can be read as a stand-alone but for those who have read the previous titles, there are pleasing cameos and links to characters and events from earlier cases. The book is filled with moments that will make you gasp and hold your breath as you see how events unfold. Heather Peck is on to a winner with this series and the ending will absolutely make you want to read the next title. It’s a hit for me! 

Books that I’ve loved in ‘22

 Paws by Kate Foster

I’ve got 2, now adult, autistic children and this book make me laugh and cry at its perfection in describing the world through an autistic child’s eye.  It captures the confusion caused by unwritten social conventions, the desire to be “good” but unable to control swirling emotions & the absolute need to talk about special interests. His experiences at school reflect the difficulties autistic children face but done in a non-preachy way by seeing it through his eyes. There were so many times that I thought “Yes, I recognise this”! 

I loved that Alex isn’t portrayed in a heroic way, but as he is, a boy trying his hardest even when he makes mistakes. Likewise his family are allowed to be less than perfect, mum sometimes being tetchy & an older brother who behaves like older brothers do, sometimes kind but sometimes not. However it is clear that this is a family filled with love.

Central to the story is the bond between Alex & his dog, Kevin. Unlike human friendships, this relationship is uncomplicated but Alex wants a human friend before he goes to secondary school. He is sure that he will become popular if only he & Kevin can win a trophy at a dog show. 

All in all, this is a wonderful, funny and heartwarming (but not saccharine sweet) tale which I would have loved to have been able to read with my two when they were younger. Representation is important & this book certainly does this well, not falling into the “inspirational/ overcoming difficulties “ tropes but instead delivering a cracking story with a loveable central character who is,incidentally, autistic. 

A definite yes from me 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Books that I’ve loved in ‘22

Could leave out Tip of the Iceberg by David Jarvis could I? 😉

A fake photo of an oil rig near to Antarctica appears in the national press giving rise to speculation about the discovery of oil in the region. The cat is truly set among the pigeons with governments, environmental groups and, more importantly for this story,  the CEO of Petronello Oil, Charles Yelland , all parties having vested interests in the  veracity of the photo. Yelland knows the photo is doctored and he’s due to address his AGM. Oh, and he’s hoping to take over another company & this complicates things. Now you might think this is going to become just another business intrigue story, but you’d be wrong. 

What follows is a rollercoaster ride which starts with Yelland’s daughter being kidnapped. The thing is, the kidnappers don’t want money, they want him to confirm the photo as genuine, but why? Enter Mike Kingdom, a wig wearing, motorbike riding, computer hacking whirlwind with connections to the Five Eyes intelligence community. Yelland employs her to recover his only child but is he prepared for the fallout? 

The action weaves between the kidnap situation, the machinations of government and others having a vested interest in the outcome. The author creates an utterly believable narrative involving SPADs, PMs, the President of the USA and government officials. I loved that he captures the world of politics with such aplomb & I genuinely laughed out loud at some of the exchanges. There are plenty of unexpected events, edge of the seat moments and an intriguing climax- are you hooked yet? 

This is intelligent, thought-provoking stuff with a generous dollop of humour to grease the wheels and very current with its environmental theme. In Mike Kingdom, David Jarvis has created yet another memorable character who I’d love to see in another adventure. This is the second book of his that I have read, and if I enjoyed The Collation Unit, I ADORED The Tip of the Iceberg. It’s a resounding YES from me! 

Books that I’ve loved in ‘22

 Next up is The Change by Kirsten Miller

Funnily enough, I started reading this on World Menopause Day! Perfect for those who’ve enjoyed Vox or The Handmaid’s Tale. In Harriet, we meet a woman who has harnessed the power of botanicals. Mess with her and she knows just what to do to wreak havoc in your life. As a former pharmacist, whose favourite module at uni was pharmacognosy, this was an absolute delight. She is joined in her quest to bring powerful men to justice by Nessa & Jo, two women who are also coming to terms with the changes that advancing years have brought to their lives. Under Harriet’s guidance they learn that they have capabilities that they never knew they had.

This is a fast moving thriller that highlights the lived experience of many women, the casual misogyny, the invisibility that comes with no longer being viewed as worthy of attention and the imbalance of a patriarchal society. There isn’t any tub-thumping though, the feminist messaging is delivered through a riveting storyline. I defy woman of a certain age not to laugh out loud in recognition at some of the exchanges in the book. Ultimately, this is a darn good read with an important warning- underestimate menopausal women at your peril! 😉

Books that I’ve loved in ‘22

I’ve read lots of amazing books this year and here are a few of my standout titles. 

First up is Yes, I Killed Her by Harry Fisher

 For anyone who knows me, the fact that my initial response to reading Harry Fisher’s latest DI Mel Cooper thriller was a single word speaks volumes. What was that word? It was “WOW!” because it left me speechless at the sheer audacity of the premise and the masterful way it was written. I’m not giving away any secrets to say that you know who dunnit from the start and that’s a large part of what makes this book so unusual and compelling. 

In Edward Fuller we meet a man who is clever, ruthless and convinced of his own brilliance. When he concocts his plan to commit the perfect murder he is dogged in his research and has the patience to wait for the perfect moment to set his plans in motion. Fuller seemed to have thought of everything, even setting up someone else to be the fall guy. Will Mel and her team fall for it? There’s only one way to find out!

I loved the way that the story unfolds, giving you glimpses into the chain of events that preceded the murder, giving you just enough to whet your appetite but teasing you to continue reading. It worked, because I ignored the household chores and my family’s pleas for attention to keep turning those pages. 

Mel Cooper is now a fully formed and captivating character, if I loved her previous outings, I ADORED her in this one. She is utterly believable and doesn’t fall into any of the usual detective tropes. The story was an interesting form of police procedural & there are plenty of surprises along the way which is incredible, especially given that you know who the guilty party is from the beginning.

This is one that is ripe for a TV or film adaptation and I will break my “I don’t watch dramatisations of books that I have read” rule for this one. There can be no higher praise than that from me! Do NOT miss out on Yes, I Killed Her.