If you’re looking for a reading list, you’ve come to the right place!
Because last year’s book round up was so popular, and also given that I like other people’s lists soooo much and rely on them for new recommendations, I thought it would be a good idea to share all the books I’ve read in the last year here. Once I got the hang of breastfeeding it was great to be able to read while doing it, I polished off soooo many novels in this way. So I wanted to share with you a few of my recent faves. Some of them are quality, literary books, and others are great reads but won’t exactly go down as classics. But I like to read classics and also the odd trashy novel. Don’t hate me!
Books I’ve Read In The Last Year
Bad Blood If you’ve been devouring the Fyre Fest documentaries and Anna Delvey stories, you should definitely add this book to your list. It’s all about the the rise and fall of the firm Theranos, the multibillion-dollar biotech startup headed by Elizabeth Holmes and how she scammed the whole of Silicon Valley into investing billions of dollars into a fake blood testing technology. S0 intriguing!
A Bunch of Megan Abbott Books Including Die A Little, Bury Me Deep, Give Me Your Hand Megan Abbott is great for a holiday read, and serves up thrillers with (sometimes inevitable) plot twists that are great if you want to take a break from reality. She has heaps and I’m working my way through them.
Transcription An espionnage novel all about a secretary and her experiences of war and post war, I really liked this one!
My Sister The Serial Killer This is another great read, all about a woman who’s sister can’t help but kill her boyfriends. I liked the story but more than that I liked the Nigerian setting.
Boy Swallows Universe I loved this book, set in Brisbane in the 1980s. It’s a surreal blend of crime, the city and family. In many ways reminded me of the sad but heart warming stories on Shameless (the US version).
A bunch of Carl Hiaasen novels including Star Island, Stormy Weather, Razor Girl I’m a big Carl Hiaasen fan and love any book he writes, usually hilarious tales all about the conflict between greed and environment, set amongst the petty criminals and quirky characters of Florida. Lots of climate change/environmental commentary thrown in, even in the older books! If I ever find I have downtime I can pick up any of his books and be entertained.
If You See Me Don’t Say Hi Melancholy but beautiful short stories all about the coming of age and growing up of young Indian immigrants in the US.
Silence of The Girls Such a great book, written by Pat Barker who is a pro at writing historical war fiction, this is about the plight of the women during the Trojan wars, it’s a bit shocking at times as the women are treated like property and spoils of war, but completely captivating.
Made For Love A thriller all about a relationship with a controlling tech guru.
Something In The Water Sooo many holes in this plot but another great (ahem trashy) holiday read about a couple that discover a plane crash in the water while on their honeymoon.
Nine Perfect Strangers Liane Moriarty is my guilty pleasure, on the one hand her books are a little trashy, but on the other she nails our inner dialogue so, so well. And for that reason I got back for more every time.
I’ve also read the whole Crazy Rich Asian Series (couldn’t put down but I definitely don’t recommend!), Ask Polly’s book What If All This Were Enough and a bunch of baby books.
Always looking for more recommendations if you have any!
