All library except for a book I picked up at my friends book swap event where I overdosed on verrrrry dry gluten free crackers and was bad at active listening.
18 The Safekeep - Yael Van Der Wooden (Inner West Library)
Very buzzy novel that I enjoyed a lot without fully getting swept away with it. The protagonist’s perspective is incredibly well crafted, though left me feeling very claustrophobic. Had a twist that I felt was a little too well signposted but lots of people whose taste I trust really rate this, so it might just be me!
19 Human Voices - Penelope Fitzgerald (City of Sydney Library)
Based on Fitzgerald’s own experiences of working at the BBC in London during the Blitz. I really enjoyed this. Brisk, funny, quite odd at times. The narrative is a lot more glancing than you’d expect from the set up, characters you think will be a focus fade out and in throughout. Sometimes feels more like a sketch than a book but still worth the read.
20 Stet - Diana Athill (City of Sydney Library)
Have had this memoir of one of London’s great editors on my to read list for years, but it rather disappointed me. Don’t get me wrong it’s breezy and enjoyable, and you get some good publishing gossip scattered throughout, but as a memoir it just didn’t have a lot of heft for me.
21 My Phantoms - Gwendolyn Riley
This book is like drinking an espresso laced with sugar - bittersweet, strong and bracing. Loved it. Completely different in tone but it reminded me of Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt. Both are slim and concentrated, with a deep understanding of human nature and psychology. The relationship between the protagonist and her mother is so recognizable in its strain, awkwardness and fleeting moments of tenderness. One of my favourites I’ve read this year.
22 Stay True - Hua Hsu (Picked up at a Book Swap)
Another celebrated (and awarded!) memoir that just didn’t hit for me. I used to love memoir so I don’t know if this is a me thing or a them thing, but I just found this a little…dull. Or maybe just not artful enough? Not for me either way.