The Half Life of Stars: Louise Wener

I was so excited to spot this in the library, being a huge indie kid (Lousie Wener)
Secret: I still want this haircut (since circa 1995)


And this.. just because ... What do I do now

It was great and I keep meaning to check out her other books as it was funny and fresh and not chick lit-y at all whichwas what I  (very wrongly) assumed. Read it!

Us: David Nicholls

New book by 'dick lit' author Nicholls, who wrote One Day, and this book is like the grown up version. By grown up, I mean that the main characters are older. I found this easy to read and funny and touching in places, although I made the mistake of reading it at the same time as that other David (Mitchell)'s new book. There were a few surprising parallels which ended up confusing me (both mention Stoke Newington, for one!) so I decided to power through this easy reading novel so I could give my undivided attention to the much more deserving (author crush) The Bone Clocks. I've now given this book to Andreas in an(other) attempt to get him reading. I will report back.

I liked the relationships in this book a lot more than the travelling, which is unlike me, but could be to do with the character that does the travelling, seeing Europe through his eyes. The main relationship, which is breaking down through the novel, was nicely portrayed and stayed just on the right side of cliche. I liked the flashback arrangement and thought it worked well, although it wasn't a reach to read and I didn't have to think that hard about it (not a bad thing at the moment).

There But For The: Ali Smith

This book was really good, so funny and different to what I was expecting. I liked her The Accidental, but this is different again. It's full of puns, clever word tricks and story tricks, and refreshing angles on familiar things. It's about a man who goes into a room while at a dinner party, and doesn't come out. Who hasn't thought of doing that? I liked this review of it. I have another book lined up about running away from things...

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

Interesting book about a possible end of the world! To start with thought it was going to be quite light and easy, which it is but also makes you think. One day the earth starts to slow down, and keeps going, through the eyes of an 11 year old she explores the consequences of something so simple.

Brilliance: Marcus Sakey

Book on kindle that I can't remember if I finished.... I do remember thinking that it was not well written (bit formulaic thriller-y) but I did like the premise: namely, that there's a new 'mutation' or something that gives some people special powers, and a few of those have extra good ones. A bit like that tv show Heroes, if you remember that, I also liked the idea more than the execution...

The House At Riverton: Kate Morten

Another easy read, can you tell where my head is at? I'm just waiting to get my hands on the new David Mitchell, honest. This was lovely though, and Alice I think you would enjoy it. It's told in flashbacks, from the point of view of a maid in the big house. There's a mystery, an affair, a murder, but my favourite thing was following the (beginning of the) emancipation of women, and the twenties in general.

We Were All Completely Beside Ourselves: Karen Joy Fowler

An interesting, by fairly easy, read exploring ideas of sibling ties and what constitutes family. Try not to read anything about it (apart from this, ha ha) before you read it. I didn't as I just picked it up cheap on Amazon, and I think this helped me enjoy it more. I read a few reviews after I had finished and they would have spoiled it for me I think. Can't say any more til you've read it!