Over the summer, I’ve slowly gotten back into reading, after a difficult start to the year. In July, I read a fantastic mix of fiction and non-fiction, with some heavily political books too.
The Weaning, by Hannah Vincent
When busy young couple Nikki and Rob hire childminder Bobbi to look after their young son, they don’t realise that she’s hiding a tragic secret. Bobbi soon becomes involved in the lives of Connor and Kim, a teenage couple who are battling to keep their baby and events spiral out of control.
This is a short novel from small publisher Salt who are renowned for the quality of their books. It’s a quick and immersive read that takes the reader on an unexpected journey as the truth about Bobbi is slowly revealed. The last couple of scenes stuck in my mind for several days afterwards.
Find it on Goodreads | Buy The Weaning on Amazon
Notes on a Nervous Planet, by Matt Haig
The best-selling follow up to the much loved Reasons to Stay Alive is an essential read for anyone who struggles with anxiety, or has ever felt overwhelmed by social media or the pace of modern life.
It’s simply and beautifully written, full of lists and inspirational soundbites that are incredibly quote worthy.
Not to mention that the book itself is stunning.
Find it on Goodreads | Buy Notes on a Nervous Planet on Amazon
Force of Nature, by Jane Harper
When a group of women missing from a corporate retreat in the Australian bush turn up injured and in shock, with one of their number absent, the police are called in. Detective Aaron Falk soon gets involved, as the missing woman was an informer who was about to hand over evidence about the illegal activities of her employers. But was she attacked by someone from her company, or did something more sinister happen in this remote area that was once the haunt of a renowned serial killer?
The follow up to last year’s incredibly popular crime thriller The Dry, this is also a page-turning read, although it takes a little longer to get going than the first book. Although Falk works in the financial crimes department, his cases manage to be a bloodier and more engaging than you might expect.
This is shaping up to be a great series and I’ll look forward to reading the next book.
Find it on Goodreads | Buy Force of Nature on Amazon
Poverty Safari, by Darren McGarvey
The winner of this year’s Orwell Prize for political books, this is a polemic on what it means to be part of the underclass in Britain today. Written by Scottish rapper Loki, who grew up on a deprived estate in Glasgow, this is a furious examination of how poverty affects lives, reducing opportunity and aspirations.
Part memoir, part political commentary, it looks at the issues faced in working class communities and what the political class is failing to do to address them.
A thought-provoking and powerful read.
Find it on Goodreads | Buy Poverty Safari on Amazon
Night of the Party, by Tracey Mathias
A post-Brexit YA dystopia that follows two teenagers who meet on a stalled Underground train in London. Ash is still reeling from the death of his sister Sophie at a party months earlier. The police have marked the death down as an accident: Sophie was taking drugs and that led to the fall that killed her. But that’s not the whole truth.
Zara knows what really happened, because she was there when Sophie died. But she hasn’t come forward, and Sophie’s family don’t even know she exists. Because Zara isn’t BB – British Born – and that makes her an illegal. If she goes to the police, she’ll be deported, along with her family. But there’s an election coming up and the polls suggest that The Party won’t be able to hold onto power much longer…
This is a rather chilling take on what could happen after Brexit. Of course, it’s heavily fictionalised – the author picks up on the issue of immigration and pushes it to the extreme to create a convincing dystopia. As in real life, friends on opposite sides of the debate grow increasingly fractious and opinions grow more strident.
But at its heart this is a romance about two teens falling in love on opposite sides of a divide, in this case, their immigration status. Zara never quite opens up to Ash because she’s afraid of what the truth might mean, what could happen to her, her family and to him.
A topical, dark story about truth, fear and belonging.
Find it on Goodreads | Buy Night of the Party on Amazon
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N.B. I received a complimentary copy of Night at the Party from Amazon Vine, but all opinions are my own.