Adult book highlights

Jesse Inchauspe became a big name in wellness this year. The biochemist found fame on Instagram, where over 2 million follow her Glucose Goddess account, which gives ‘hacks’ for managing blood sugar levels.

Her books tread a fine line between actionable health tips and food obsession. Worth stocking for her large following and the beneficial advice to those who actually need to monitor blood glucose, e.g. diabetics. Endorsed by Tim Spector (whose ‘Zoe’ project encourages the purchase of blood glucose monitors…)

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 8th December 2023

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One of our favourites this year was this gripping family melodrama.

Yasmin Ghorami seems to have it all - a career in medicine, a loving family and an engagement to be married. But her assumptions and the reader's are turned upside down in this captivating novel, which is as full of surprises, saucy plotlines and shocks as the TV soaps beloved by Yasmin's mother. A great read. 

Reviewed by  on 29th November 2023

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Sci-fi and fantasy are enjoying a moment in the mainstream, with increased demand and a keen fanbase fuelled largely by social media. This exciting, inclusive collection is edited by current star of the scene R.F. Kuang, whose fantasy work Babel won book of the year at the most recent Nibbies.  

It features short stories from big names, alongside authors lesser known this side of the water. A good starting point for those new to the genre; a must-read for die hard fans.

Reviewed by  on 17th November 2023

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Crime fans looking for new author can curl up on a winter night with this atmospheric debut out in paperback in December.

A major storm cuts off phonelines and access to a remote hotel in the Scottish highlands, where Remie Yorke is working her final nightshift with only a couple of guests present. A stranger emerges from the snow claiming to be a police officer protecting them from an escaped prisoner. Shortly after, a second stranger arrives making the same claim to be the same officer.

A scary and enjoyable locked-room mystery mixing a classic crime opening with a thriller second half. Like a UK-based version of Shari Lapena’s Unwanted Guest.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 7th November 2023

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Andy clings to the idea of solving the puzzle of his broken relationship with Jen: if he can find the answer to that, maybe Jen can find her way back to him. Andy still has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend's side of the story.

Ignore the terrible cover (socks??) and this is a very good read, spot on with the woeful tale of a rejected man as he tries to get a grip on his life when everyone else seems to have it sorted. 

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 27th October 2023

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A wonderful piece of non-fiction. Heatherwick argues that a lack of imagination in modern architecture has resulted in buildings bad for our physical health, mental health and the environment. 

His designer's eye presents its case for a better future in a way which makes the information leap from the page. Not afraid to play with imagery, fonts, and layout results in pages as exciting, engaging and human as the city designs he proposes. Makes what could be a dull topic accessible, urgent and vital. A great introduction to the subject.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 17th October 2023

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In 1907, 12-year old Dikembe is taken from the Congo to live in Britain by an explorer. At the end of the Century, the house he was brought to is inherited by Lowra, who also spent her childhood there and begins to investigate Dikembe's story.

A very engaging historical novel, great choice for Black History Month. Currently shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards. 

Reviewed by  on 6th October 2023

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Can longtime friends/sometime lovers Achike and Ekene’s 20-year situationship survive, as Achike’s alcoholic father Chibuike moves in to be taken care of by his son? This hugely moving, beautiful examination of Black masculinity, family and humanity is on the newly announced shortlist for the Diverse Book Awards.  Recommend to fans of Caleb Azumah Nelson, and readers looking for a weepy. 

Reviewed by  on 27th September 2023

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An unusual approach to detective stories that brings together sentiment, mystery and family drama in a series of warm-hearted short tales, braiding together into a gentle, bittersweet whole. Very charming, though the translated text occasionally feels clunky. A satisfying read, particularly good for admirers of Japanese culture and cuisine.

Due for release 5th October

Reviewed by Lucy Forrester on 18th September 2023

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A promising debut deftly portraying the aftermath of suicide. Having found her husband dead at New Year, Eve reflects on the joys and woes of their relationship, trying to make sense of the ending. She struggles to balance grief with handling her ice-cold mother in-law, her ever-present British-Nigerian family, and friends of hers and his. Heartache mixes with humour as the semblance of normal life begins to creep into bereavement.

Recommend for friends and family of anyone suffering a loss. This writer to watch is currently longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 8th September 2023

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Dr Schnack found fame posting accessible, quick mental health advice to her half a million followers on TikTok. Her first book is a great dip-in format. Clearly labelled sections, graphs, illustrations, case studies, lists and tables all stand out and make it easy to access what's relevant. The 10-step programme is flanked at each end with tips and suggestions for both long and short-term fixes for anxiety (including a super idea in the list of 100 Fun Activities: No. 22 Visit the Library). Recommend to fans of the similar, hugely popular Why has nobody told me this before?

Released 14^th September

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 24th August 2023

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Food, family, fashion… and wahala (trouble). Close friends Ronke, Boo and Simi enjoy catching up on relationships and careers over lunch in London’s Naija food outlets and fashionable eateries. Enter Isobel, Simi’s friend from her childhood in Nigeria, who causes Shakespearean levels of mischief and malevolence. Great characters, engaging plot and even a few recipes saw Wahala win the New Voice gong at the Comedy Women in Print Awards, and it’s now longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards.  

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 16th August 2023

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Stella's childhood is dominated by violent episodes from her father - a comedic MC on London's Ghanaian events circuit in public, a wrathful abusive parent and partner at home. As she moves through a private secondary education to an outwardly successful life as a barrister, the trauma from her unexamined past threatens to drag her under. 

Heavy but rewarding, this compelling debut offers hope through good friendships and the courage to face your past, and has just been longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards. 

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 7th August 2023

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We all want to escape Big Tech sometimes, and that’s the task at hand in this thriller currently shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize. 10 participants vye for a $3million prize, in a beta test of the joint surveillance powers of fictional tech giants WorldShare and the CIA  – their mission to spend 30 days offline and undetected.

Meaty issues about privacy vs security and convenience are wrapped up in a filmic adventure full of drones, deception and car chases. Good for readers who like their stories cinematic (author McCarten is also a screenwriter). Bish! Bash! Bosh!

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 27th July 2023

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Newly deceased Dr Miriam Price tries to prove she was murdered and didn't commit suicide as her inquest assumes. She enlists her neighbour and erstwhile nemesis as one of the few people that can see her ghost, and they need to put aside their differences as time begins to run out for them both.

Observational wit and sharp prose has you chuckling from the start. The dynamic between the two main protagonists is a masterclass in characterisation and the journey they make together completely engages. Readers will enjoy the ingenious plot twists, wonderfully funny comments on modern life and the brilliance of the wider supporting cast. Evans' adult list looks to be as strong as her children's - cannot recommend enough.

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 20th July 2023

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