Adult book highlights

Patrick off of the Sewing Bee wants us to own fewer, better quality items to help save the environment, communities and jobs. Enticements from the wealthy to simplify our lives must be taken with a pinch of salt, and in the intro Grant reveals he owns SIX bikes. But this detailed history of the rise of ultra consumerism in the West makes a sobering read, and its hopeful idea that changing individual habits can improve global and local outcomes is a worthwhile message pre-Christmas. Likely to resonate with those already attuned to the idea of reuse over needless consumption - our library borrowers.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 6th December 2024

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A favourite this year was this intelligent will-they/won't-they novel, longlisted for the Polari Prize (the UK and Ireland’s only dedicated LGBTQ+ book prize.)

Celine and Luke live together in Dublin and are engaged to be married in London. When Luke goes AWOL at the engagement party, the complexities of their betrothal are examined from the viewpoints of themselves and their group of friends. Will they make it down the aisle? A thoughtful examination of contemporary relationships - recommend to Sally Rooney fans.

Reviewed by Peters team on 20th November 2024

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Richard Ayoade has truly dedicated to the silliness of his latest project. Because Harauld Hughes doesn't exist, he's a figment of Ayoade's imagination, a mid-century playwright and uncanny lookalike of Ayoade whose life he details in The unfinished Harauld Hughes. Four Films is one of three books of 'rediscovered' works, 'reissued' to coincide with the biography, and of course also authored by Ayoade. 

Through the screenplays of the titular four films, all ludicrous in concept and content, the comedian and actor parodies everything entertainment.  An hilarious but demanding read, best for fans of the (actual) author.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th November 2024

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Young Brit Cleo meets older American Frank absconding from a New Year's party in New York in 2006. Well-written and propulsive, a gritty yet romantic tale ensues following them and their friends as they navigate relationships, careers, love and loss. Coco Mellors is currently shortlisted for Waterstone's Book of the Year with her follow-up Blue Sisters. 

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 30th October 2024

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After the huge popularity of his last book Leave the World Behind, readers are likely to flood to Rumaan Alam's latest. Entitlement is much slower in pace and action, however, examining themes of power and privilege through the slow unravelling of main character Brooke when a new job working for a billionaire changes her perceptions of money, friends, family and self.

Destined for '21st Century English literature' syllabuses, recommend to book groups looking for moral and societal issues to chew over.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 23rd September 2024

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Award-winning singer Paloma Faith reckons with motherhood, relationships and societal expectations in this candid memoir. Not a dish-the-dirt on other celebs, this conversational chronicle is more about musing on what it means to be a working woman in the pop industry right now, and a reflection on the experiences that got her there. Bravely frank, and sometimes hilarious - recommend to fans of confessional feminism.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 2nd September 2024

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As the nation tries to move away from ultra-processed food, BBC Good Food has jumped on the bandwagon with this timely collection. The opening makes seemingly impossible UPF staples appear easy, with simple, time-friendly recipes for various stocks and breads. A varied, colourful selection of mouth-watering dishes is then arranged by meal: dinners are split into quick midweek or weekend feasts, and dropping UPFs doesn't mean excluding puddings. Clear instructions with full nutritional information and easy to source ingredients make this another winner from BBC Good Food, likely to introduce new favourites for any type of household.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 26th July 2024

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Saba has to contend with corrupt police, escaped zoo animals and the voices in his head, as he travels to his childhood home of Tblisi to track down his missing father and brother. This is an engaging tale of returning to a lost homeland and facing buried memories, that will appeal to fans of last year's Black Butterflies.  Currently shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize.

Reviewed by Peters team on 8th July 2024

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This is a character-led slow burner with a sense of a setting so strong it's almost a protagonist in itself. A gradual build-up of tension around the main missing person and the historical links across the other leads really draws you in. A focus on family relationships, friendships, and the importance of community is central. If readers want Hollywood-style action then this is not for them: if they seek Nordic atmosphere and a book to challenge the emotions, then recommend this. Will grip and keep you guessing til the end.

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 24th June 2024

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Three Iranian-American brothers' Los Angeles adolescence is interrupted when their father takes them unexpectedly to Iran. They struggle both to adapt to life there and to revert upon their return. Not an easy read, this coming of age tale focuses on the youngest sibling and takes on issues of abuse, identity, sexuality and belonging. Poetically written and set over more than a decade in America's recent past, fans of literary fiction will enjoy.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th June 2024

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Willow Smith’s media profile as singer and daughter of Will Smith will get this book on peoples’ radar, and the combination of Black slavery and Viking culture is sure to intrigue. It takes a while for the action to kick in; the Vikings feel tame in places though there is also plenty of suitable brutality; the historical setting convinces in places but feels like fantasy in others. But a number of poignant issues are tackled in a thought-provoking way and the characters provoke genuine emotion throughout. Sure to promote a reader response.

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 4th June 2024

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Debut following the fortunes of Amber Young, a fame-hungry teen pop star in the late 90s/noughties. Her rise to fame sees her pitted against fellow teen idols Gwen and Savannah, who seem to gain longed-for success much more easily. Amber experiences the highs and lows of stardom, gets mixed up in a messy romance with a boyband member and eventually tries to leave the spotlight to pursue songwriting.

What is great fun is all the characters have echoes of the 'real' pop stars from of that era. It's a bit trashy but pretty readable - anyone nostalgic for this era of pop music will find plenty to enjoy here!

Due for publication 25 June

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 20th May 2024

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Fans of TV's Baby Reindeer might enjoy this tale of stalkerish obsession. 

Our unreliable narrator scours the internet, piecing together the lives of her lover's other women from their social media presences. She sways between hatred of them, and supporting them as equally mistreated by the man that connects them. Sometimes disturbing, sometimes hilarious, she takes aim at the social and gender injustices which separate and bind her with the objects of her fixation. Good for fans of literary fiction.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 9th May 2024

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When Dolores finds an animatronic sex doll in her garage, everything she knows about her marriage and relationships is turned on its head. Initially she sees it as a symbol of her strained marriage but as she starts to talk to the doll, Zoey, other secrets emerge. A rather unlikeable character, Dolores nevertheless makes for a compelling protagonist as we learn more about her family, history and relationships. Despite the grim subject matter, this is an easy read thanks to the beautiful writing; I genuinely couldn't put it down. Recommended for fans of the author. 

Publication due 23rd May

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 30th April 2024

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Fast-paced crime thriller told from the perspectives of two young women. Dive instructor Cass and travel blogger Brooke are living in an expat community on idyllic Thai island Koh Sang, when a series of murders lead to questions about the pasts from which they have escaped. Reminiscent of The Beach but updated for the 21st Century, this is a page-turner great for anyone after a summer holiday read. 

Paperback due 4th July. Previously published in hardback as The Dive.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 22nd April 2024

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