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A Boy, a Bear and a Boat by Dave Shelton |
Unexpected, quirky and surreal, you need to read this to capture its unique flavour as the reader follows the boy on his voyage to . . . well, where? The bear seems to know - or does he? - he is the captain, after all. They have to face storms, a sea monster and a sandwich that glows - not to mention their own company; will they survive? You may have to make up your own mind.
Carnegie shortlist 2013
(bwl 68 Spring 2013) |
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A General Theory of Oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa (translated by Daniel Hahn) |
Winner of the Dublin International Literary Award in 2017. Set in Angola during the violent years as the country became independent. Ludo walls herself into her apartment with only her dog as her companion - and remains there. Outside life goes on. Lively, extraordinary - and surprisingly fun. Full of character and characters. This for me proved to be a real surprise that I loved.
(bwl 90 Autumn 2018) |
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A Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds |
What makes a young man go out with a gun and kill someone? The very primeval sense of justice that demands an eye for an eye has much to answer. Here Reynolds in this very short, immediate verse novel explores this very scenario as the young protagonist takes up a gun to avenge the death of his brother - but is he right and who is the "villain"?
(bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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A Murder Most Unladlylike by Robin Steven |
I am going to cheat here. The title is both the name of a series of nine books as well as the title of the first in that series. Meet Daisy Wells (or rather The Honourable Daisy Wells ) and Hazel Wong (Wong Fung Ying). They are both pupils of the exclusive Deepdean School for Young Ladies. Both belong to the exclusive Detective Society (President Daisy Wells). Wherever they go something happens - murder. In this the first, it is one of the mistresses. The inspiration is, of course, Christie and young readers will not be disappointed. Look out for them - I have read them all including the last one Death Sets Sail (inspired by Death on the Nile).
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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A Rose Petal Summer by Kate Fforde |
In dire circumstances a little bit of undemanding romance does not go amiss. And Katie Fforde serves this up in spades. No, you are not getting "high literature" - nor sadly the humour of Jilly Cooper but you will get great escapism (provided you are not too fussy and prepared to let your brain sunbathe). This is vintage Fforde. What is not to like - the Highlands, an irascible host, a good looking man.....it is all there
(bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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A Skinful of Shadows by Francis Hardinge |
Twelve-year old Makepeace living in a world of Civil War when the spirits of the dead can inhabit the living, finds herself host to a truly wild spirit - Bear. No one can do imaginative scenarios better than Frances Hardinge and here is one of her most imaginative. Yet against this background where history and fantasy meet is a powerful story about a girl and a boy fighting to grow up and survive. Fantastic.
(bwl 93 Summer 2019) |
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A Spell of Words by Elizabeth Jennings |
I have always loved anthologies of poetry but less often collections featuring one poet. But this changes my mind. How did I miss it? A selection of the poems by Elizabeth Jennings for children published in 1997. You have to get it from the National Poetry Library. These are not poems written for children so there is no “talking down”. What a lovely, thoughtful poet she was. This is a perfect entrée if you have never read anything by her and brings welcome familiarity if her work is already known to you. Due for a reprint!
(bwl 112 Spring 2024) |
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A Talent for Murder by Andrew Wilson |
Agatha Christie is usually the author, here she is the protagonist. Taking the real events of Agatha's life, Andrew Wilson creates a crime novel that does justice to the lady herself - for she is the detective. It is a time of crisis, Agatha has learnt of Archie's infidelity so engineering her own disappearance she flees to Harrowgate. But her success with The Murder of Roger Acroyd has inspired a real murderer . . .
(bwl 100 Spring 2021) |
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A Villa on the Riviera by Elizabeth Edmondson |
Sit back and prepare to take a trip to the South of France in the years between the wars. Polly Smith is a struggling young artist. She seems destined to become a conventional wife of a boring young doctor. Then the Riviera beckons . . . This is not a novel to analyse, this is a novel to enjoy. Well written fun - and making no pretence about it.
(bwl 79 Winter 2016) |
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Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn |
Revenge, love, friendship, honour, betrayal, sacrifice - all themes in this richly exciting novel. Set in a parallel world, in a society with strong echoes of Medieval Japan, it follows the fortunes of Takeo, wrenched from his safe childhood background and flung into a world of war-lords and assassins. Supposedly fantasy, the background is so real it seems historical in its detail while the characters are totally believable - I cannot wait for the sequel.
(bwl 18 April 2003) |
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Ahab's Wife or the Star Gazer by Senna Jetter Naslund |
Did Melville give Captain Ahab a wife? It doesn't matter - Naslund does it for him, creating in Una a character whose strength, wilfulness and imagination leap off the page. This is a massive novel to match its inspiration, and is full of atmosphere and character. We follow Una from her repressively religious childhood to her free thinking present as she grasps her dreams with the same determination that Ahab shows in his pursuit of Moby Dick.
(bwl 25 August 2004) |
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All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque |
Harrowing, absorbing, inspiring - outstanding. All of these adjectives apply to this novel. If you have never read it, I urge you to do so. I had resolutely avoided reading it, thinking it would be too unbearable. Yes, there are horrors, but there is humour and moments of ordinary life and real characters to meet; no officers, just ordinary soldiers. Above all it is universal.
(bwl 74 Autumn 2014) |
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American Gods by Neil Gaiman |
A war is about to start - a war between the 'old' gods, those brought to America in the minds of immigrants from the earliest times, and the 'new' gods of technology. Caught up in this war is Shadow, an ex-con and everyman. This is a big fantasy but Gaiman's world is uncompromisingly contemporary. The fantasy springs from the myths and beliefs that are woven into society. Tough, gritty, full of ideas and absorbing.
(bwl 19 June 2003) |
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An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden |
A step back in time. Rumer Godden is much overlooked today, though as the recent airing of Black Narcissus shows she is a far from comfortable writer both for adults and young readers. Here we are in London - London of the '40s - a faded square, run-down streets. We meet Olivia and her sister, Angela, Sparkey, Tip Malone the bad boy - and Lovejoy who you will never forget. Bittersweet it gets under the skin.
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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Angelmonster by Veronica Bennett |
When the young Shelley walks into her father's bookshop, he embodies all that young Mary has dreamt of. Defying convention she elopes with him, but there is no happy ending to this tale. Written for teen readers, this is the story of Mary and Percy Shelley told by Mary herself. Romantic, dramatic and eventful, Bennett links the events in Mary's life and her relationship with Shelley to the creation of her masterpiece, 'Frankenstein'. Very readable.
(bwl 33 February 2006) |
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Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Chris Riddell |
A sumptuous book; a winning partnership - but not for the very young. Crossley-Holland (himself a poet) takes on the Arthurian cycle. They are disturbing stories - far more so than any myth though their elements are fantastical - giants, witches, magic swords - but here the characters are not gods but people. Crossley-Holland organises the stories to make a coherent narrative of success and failure, Chris Riddell brings a visual life to the text. There is violence, love, jealousy, redemption. Not for the youngest.
(bwl 103 Winter 2022) |
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At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails by Sarah Bakewell |
So you know nothing (or not much ) about Existentialism? Here Sarah Bakewell lays it all out in an easy, friendly manner - though it is true, I am still not completely sure. But that is philosophy! However I did enjoy meeting Sartre and De Beauvoir and friends. Then there is the world they move in. So, yes, I would definitely recommend this book.
(bwl 86 Autumn 2017) |
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Before Nightfall by Silvia Vecchini |
How would you cope if as a young teen you are hearing-impaired and only have the use of one eye; and things are deteriorating? You face a difficult operation. Would you feel alone? Not if you have a sister like Emma. We meet them through the poems Emma writes as well as the voices of adults around them. Recommended for your teen readers – or try it yourself.
(bwl 112 Spring 2024) |
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Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks |
Kevin Brooks does not disappoint in his latest novel. The reader is treated to an atmospheric thriller in which the protagonists are not supermen - or super-boys - but typical adolescents, chilling out with drink, dope and cigarettes. Then there are all the emotional undercurrents as friendships shift and change. When two of the group disappear the tension becomes tangible. This is what Brooks does so well - tough, realistic novels for young adults (and old).
(bwl 45 April 2008) |
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Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd |
Siobhan Dowd was one of the most interesting new writers for young adults to emerge in the last few years. Sadly she died in 2007. Set in the Ireland of the 1980s at the time of the Maze hunger strikes, Fergus prepares to leave school and struggles to make sense of his world where tragedy could be just round the corner. Excellent writing, lively characterisation and dialogue, this is a teen novel worth reading.
(bwl 46 June 2008) |
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Bone Gap by Laura Ruby |
A magical book. Not only is it beautifully written in an easy, conversational storyteller's voice, but it tugs at the reader's awareness with themes and motifs from mythology, fairytale, folktale while telling a story that is based in reality. Magical realism but it is rooted in the world of a small town full of tensions, emotions, jealousies and passions. And this makes the magic work. Aimed at a YA audience but do read it.
(bwl 83 Winter 2017) |
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Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay |
There may have been a bit of a revival in historical novels for young readers recently, but the subjects and periods tend to be conventional. In Bone Talk Gourlay takes us to her home country, the Philippines, 1899. We meet Samkad looking forward to becoming a man. The arrival of an American followed by soldiers changes everything. As he says "I had not known it possible for there to be people with hair a colour other than black.." An eyeopener for Samkad - and the reader.
(bwl 89 Summer 2018) |
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Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak |
'The Book Thief' was a hit - what about this latest novel from Markus Zusak? Long - and somewhat disconcertingly written moving seamlessly between past and the present of the characters, it took a little while to adjust. But it was worth it; a richly crafted portrait of a family - five brothers coping with loss and betrayal. But who is the betrayer and who the betrayed? And is the bridge real - or metaphorical? Well worth trying.
(bwl 102 Autumn 2021) |
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Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Sandman |
Tanya Landeman's novel, Buffalo Soldier, is this year's Carnegie winner. Though written for a teenage audience, it is well worth discovering for adults. Charley is a young slave girl. The freedom promised by emancipation proves an illusion. Disillusioned and desperate, Charley disguises herself as a boy and joins the army; she becomes a Buffalo Soldier sent to fight the Indian tribes. Action packed, great characters - and plenty to think about.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie |
When the bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Hiroko's world is shattered. She survives, though she carries the memory of that day burnt into her back. This event opens the novel in which Shamsie explores themes of displacement, otherness, and imperialism. I was reminded of The Reluctant Fundamentalist (bwl 44) which inhabits similar territory. The characters stand out, in particular Hiroko, bringing the narrative to life. Not a comfortable read - but absorbing..
(bwl 65 Summer 2012) |
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Choose Love by Nicola Davies and Petr Horáček |
Why a picture book? Do not be misled into thinking this is a simple picture book for the very young. Rather it is a collection of poems, written by Nicola Davies, to describe and respond to the experience of being a refugee; of leaving home from necessity to travel dangerously to a cold welcome. The poems are short, the emotional impact powerful; an impact heightened by the images created by Petr Horáček. This is one for teens and adults.
(bwl 107 Winter 2023) |
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Choose Love by Nicola Davies |
Taking the experience of a refugee leaving a life devastated behind travelling to an unknown, unfamiliar destination, Nicola Davies has created a sequence of poems tracing this journey. Moving from Departure to Arrival and finally Hope. Some of the poems are heartbreaking. She commemorates a particular family who all drowned crossing the Channel. She ends hopefully. Together with the words are Horáček’s illustrations – vibrant, abstract, capturing emotions and a sense of place
(bwl 113 Summer 2024) |
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Circe by Madeline Miller |
We all know of Circe, the enchantress who magics the companions of Odysseus, transforming them into pigs. But what do we really know of her story? Madeline Miller in this novel fills us in, taking us from Circe's childhood to a satisfying conclusion. It is a richly coloured story drawing on Miller's extensive knowledge of the Homeric world and I found it an enjoyable, absorbing, imaginative read that I would recommend - Circe is brought to life.
(bwl 91 Winter 2019) |
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City of Thieves by David Benioff |
The siege of Leningrad . . . everyone is hungry. Arrested for looting, Lev, together with Kolya, a deserter, is given a reprieve: find a dozen eggs to make a wedding cake. This is the start of a quest through the frozen wastes of the city, a quest that is horrific, tragic, comic and painful. Told as a memoir, the narrative creates a strong sense of the horrors of war-torn Leningrad. It would sit well with Dunmore's The Siege (bwl 14).
(bwl 51 May 2009) |
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Cloud Boy by Marcia Williams |
Marcia Williams is perhaps best known for her lively introductions to Dickens, Shakespeare and the Greek myths, presented to young readers in an engaging and accessible comic style format. Here she turns her pen to a full length novel and it is very good. Aimed at her usual audience 8+ - Harry Christmas and Angie Moon have been best friends forever - but Harry is not well...how dare he be! Told as a diary by Angie this is lively, accessible, sad and funny. Perfect.
(bwl 92 Spring 2019) |
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Collecting the World: The Life and Curiosities of Hans Sloane by James Delbourgo |
People tend to forget Sir Hans Sloane whose collection when purchased by the British nation courtesy of Public Lottery leads to the creation of the British Museum. He becomes confused with Sir John Soane whose house and museum is round the corner. No longer now that there is this excellent biography which takes us through his long life warts and all. Erudite, absorbing and easy to read. Highly recommended.
(bwl 92 Spring 2019) |
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Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky |
I admit it, I had never read this until last month; too scared. What a revelation. Slow to start and with an unlikeable main protagonist, nevertheless I was completely absorbed into the lives of Raskolnikov and his family, walking the streets of St Petersburg with them. The human dramas were gripping . This was the first occasion I discovered the translation mattered to me, preferring Constance Garnett to David MacDuff.
(bwl 73 Summer 2014) |
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Crossover by Alexander Kwame |
Two brothers, twins, both basketball players; but what happens when one begins to grow up a little quicker than the other? What happens when a girlfriend appears? This is an unexpected treat for the younger teen. A verse novel where the rhythms are those of hip-hop that traces sibling relationships against the backdrop of a sport. Concise, believable - I would recommend this to all.
(bwl 79 Winter 2016) |
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Dashing for the Post: The letters of Patrick Leigh Fermor by Edited by Adam Sisman |
Patrick Leigh Fermor - Paddy - has entranced readers through his books - as he seems to have entranced those who knew him. Here in this compilation of letters spanning seventy years we can get a flavour of why this was Paddy's energy, joie de vivre and ability to write leap off the page. This is why we should not stop writing letters.
(bwl 104 Spring 2022) |
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Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon |
Encouraged by reviews of other Donna Leon novels on this list, I decided to make the acquaintance of Commissaire Brunetti. Nor was I disappointed. This is the first of the Brunetti novels. The Commissaire finds himself engaged in solving the mystery surrounding the death of a famous conductor. Old fashioned police work, an engaging detective, a clever twist in the end - and Venice. I shall be reading more.
(bwl 54 November 2009) |
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Death Comes to Pemberley by P D James |
It is always dangerous to "create" a follow up to a classic and it very rarely works - not least because it is impossible to "recreate" the original style. P D James does well on that front and I didn't wince. From the title you might expect a "detective" story. In fact, that side is very understated and perhaps more authentic, but it makes for a lack of tension. Enjoyable that's all.
(bwl 64 Spring 2012) |
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Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely by Edward S Curran |
I didn't know much about Diderot - apart from the Encyclopaedia which is cited by the British Museum in the introduction to the Highlights Tour, one of those men of the Enlightenment. I now know him quite well (sort of). It's been a pleasure though I sympathise greatly with his wife. A thoroughly readable and enjoyable biography of a man whose reputation nowadays is overshadowed by his contemporaries - Voltaire and Rousseau. In his lifetime he was Le Philosophe. What a character, what a life. I urge you to read it.
(bwl 97 Summer 2020) |
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Dissolution by C J Sansom |
Meet Matthew Shardlake, eyes and ears of Thomas Cromwell, as he attempts to unravel a suspicious death within a Benedictine monastery on the eve of the Dissolution. I am predisposed to enjoy historical crime novels - and this one certainly does not disappoint. The Tudor background, full of tension, is brought to life, without resorting to heavy-handed learning or pseudo dialogue. Shardlake himself is an interesting and flawed protagonist. I shall certainly look for more.
(bwl 44 February 2008) |
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Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien |
Shortlisted for the Man Booker, this is a densely, though beautifully written, epic that introduces us, in the West, to the effect and impact of Mao's Cultural Revolution on both the ordinary people of China and those of the cultured and talented classes. A constant theme throughout - the power of music. Some might prefer Jung Chang"s Wild Swans - but this is not to be ignored.
(bwl 87 Winter 2018) |
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Dodger by Terry Pratchett |
It is very much in fashion to write prequels/sequels or just additional adventures that are inspired by "classic" novels. Here we have Pratchett's take on the Artful Dodger and Oliver Twist. It is vintage Pratchett writing for a younger audience; full of humour and wide ranging erudition (worn lightly) but without the relentless pace of his adult works. His characters - including Mr Dickens - step off the page; great stuff.
(bwl 67 Winter 2013) |
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Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin |
"I'm just a girl who forgot to look both ways before she crossed the street" - Liz is fifteen - and dead. Her reactions are those of a teenager - anger, disappointment, resentment that she will not get a chance to pass her driving test, go to a prom, acquire a boyfriend. Now she is in Elsewhere - which is very like Earth except one gets younger everyday. Quirky, lively and American this is a refreshing teen read.
(bwl 33 February 2006) |
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Encounters by Jason Wallace |
Remember Out of Shadows (bwl 60)? Tough, uncompromising writing for a young adult audience. Here is Jason Wallace's second book. We return to South Africa a few years on. The plot is driven by a real incident - the claim that aliens landed - is it true? That is not the point. The incident allows Wallace to explore relationships and events through the voices of the young people involved. Not for those looking for romance. Excellent.
(bwl 86 Autumn 2017) |
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Excellent Women by Barbara Pym |
What an excellent book. Pym deserves the accolades she has received and it is great that her reputation has been revived. In Mildred the reader meets a character who despite the rather bleak status she ascribes to herself of being an excellent woman, nevertheless is not to be pitied. Her observation of her world will make you smile - and wince. Pym's dialogue is a joy to read.
(bwl 72 Spring 2014) |
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Exodus by Julie Bertagna |
Imagine a world that has been completely flooded, the catastrophic consequence of 'global warming'. Now even the few remaining 'islands' are drowning. In a desperate attempt to find safety, Mara, her family and the whole community leave their island, Wing, in search of the fabled 'sky city'. But.... A futuristic adventure aimed at the teen market but full of invention and highly imaginative. Ecology, humanity, the importance of story - big themes, a good read.
(bwl 18 April 2003) |
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Exposure by Mal Peet |
In this powerful novel for teenagers about the cult of celebrity and the power of the press, Peet takes Othello as his inspiration. Set in the South American country of his previous novels, Peet follows the rise of a brilliant young football star - and his fall. But Peet does not slavishly copy Shakespeare. There is a second narrative involving poverty and street children - when the two stories meet, tragedy is inevitable.
(bwl 55 Winter 2010) |
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Exposure by Mal Peet |
The latest novel by Mal Peet. Once again it is set in Brazil and features Faustino, the sports writer. But it is not a football story. In this novel for young adults, Peet takes the tragedy of Othello (even the chapters are numbered as Acts) and presents a contemporary tale of celebrity destroyed by jealousy, rumour and the media. Not a comfortable read - but an interesting, modern take on a very old story.
(bwl 51 May 2009) |
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Field of Thirteen by Dick Francis |
Short stories come in two types - the crafted reflective stories that subtly explore emotions, situations and relationships and the stories that are condensed - or perhaps concise novels. Dick Francis delivers the latter in this vintage collection where the reader will find all kinds of racing shenanigans, criminal activity and a certain amount of sentimentality to help the reading experience. This is one to pick up and put down for that enjoyable coffee break.
(bwl 99 Winter 2021) |
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Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones |
I revisited this title and found it as absorbing as ever. It is a reworking of the Tamlin story in which a young man "captured" by the Faery Queen, can only be saved by the resolution and love of a mortal girl. Set firmly in the present its themes are time, growing up and relationships. DWJ is one of the few authors to be interesting with her fantasy.
(bwl 56 Spring 2010) |
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Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine |
Jenny Valentine is one of our most interesting writers for teenagers. From her first book "Finding Violet Park" she has never disappointed. This, her latest is brilliant. Iris, resentful, troubled, has been brought to meet her wealthy absentee father by her monstrous mother. He is dying. Sounds dire - no, it has humour, character - and a fantastic twist - and a terrific voice. This is one to recommend.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Fixing Shadows by Susan Barrett |
Do not be fooled by the cover which hints at light hearted fun. This is an enjoyable first novel that has a dark tone, dealing as it does with obsession, power and relationships forged by necessity not love. The Duchess gives birth to a son - vital for her plans to ensure her power base; the baby dies - but in her lonely garret, the governess has also had a baby boy . . . The scene is set.
(bwl 35 July 2006) |
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For Kicks by Francis Dick |
I must have read this quite a few times when Francis was still alive. Revisiting it - yes, the language - indeed some of the attitudes are dated (and may cause some to squirm). But my goodness, he keeps you on the edge of your seat. Few thriller writers can thrill as Francis does in his best novels, and I think this is one. A winning combination of inside knowledge and jeopardy.
(bwl 86 Autumn 2017) |
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From The Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers by Marina Warner |
How do you talk about Fairytales? Marina Warner starts with the tellers and looks at how fairytales have been transmitted. She then turns to examine a few of our most familiar tales identifying themes and preoccupations which run through them. She is particularly interested in the often hidden presence of women in the process. Fascinating, erudite, readable...this is a book to reread.
(bwl 81 Summer 2016) |
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Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly |
Mattie's dream is to go to college - but she has made a promise to her dead mother, and what about the handsome boy-next-door? Then there is a fatal drowning in the local lake - and Mattie finds herself torn between duty and dreams. Set in 1906 in the Adirondacks and based on an actual incident, Donnelly skillfully weaves together the story of Mattie and the tragic Grace, to create an absorbing, inspirational novel.
(bwl 25 August 2004) |
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Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin |
"The saddest book I have ever read" said one member of my Reading Group - nor was she wrong. We meet David, approaching middle age, American - and engaged. In Paris to escape his family he meets Giovanni. Their affair, so promising at its beginning soon disintegrates into claustrophobia and bitterness leading to a final betrayal. Powerful, beautifully written, this will either leave you feeling sleazy, almost dirty - or will completely engage your emotions. A must read.
(bwl 89 Summer 2018) |
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Glowrushes by Roberto Plumini |
Piumini is an important author in Italy and this is the first book by him to appear here. This is a novel which reflects a different tradition in writing for young people. We can see a similarity in many ways to Exupery’s The Little Prince, already a well established classic here. These two books have a real affinity in their atmosphere and belief that children can respond to questions and ideas that might be considered too philosophical when presented with engaging, teasing storytelling.
(bwl 107 Winter 2023) |
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Good Behaviour by Molly Keane |
I am not sure whether I liked this - it felt very close to the bone. But I do have to recommend it. The prose is needle sharp as are the observations, while the unreliable narrator in the form of Aroon is a character one can admire, hate, empathise with and feel sympathy for. A rich cast - a past era - or is it?
(bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter |
It is a family in grief. The mother has died recently. Her husband, a Ted Hughes scholar, and her two sons are unable to cope. Enter Crow - avatar, trickster, foul-mouthed intruder, nurse. Both very easy to read and bemusing, this verse novel opens the door to a very real, raw experience. Told through the voices of the three protagonists this has an immediacy that grabs the reader.
(bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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Hello Darkness by Anthony McGowan |
People say Young Adult writing is becoming very dark. This novel might be a case in point - the school pets are being slaughtered; no one seems to care. It is up to teenager Johnny to find the killer; except he is the main suspect. Surreal and full of outrageously black humour this is not for the staid - but it is brilliant. Oh there's a sarcastic cat, as well.
(bwl 74 Autumn 2014) |
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Heresy by S J Paris |
This is one for the fans of Shardlake and C J Sansom's Tudor mysteries (see previous bwl's). The background is almost the same - just a bit later, for Elizabeth is on the throne. But religious fear and suspicion is everywhere, and nowhere more sharply than among the scholars of Oxford. And it is to Oxford that our hero, ex-monk and scholar, Giordano Bruno, travels to find himself embroiled in murder and intrigue. Good holiday reading.
PS Giordano Bruno was a real person
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Heriot by Margaret Mahy |
Not everyone enjoys fantasy, but if it is your fancy this is one to attract attention. While, it may be aimed at a young adult audience, this is immaterial. The ingredients are recognisable - the education, development and coming-of-age of a young wizard to rescue the kingdom threatened with evil, but it is the quality of Mahy's prose that makes this fantasy stand out. I loved it.
(bwl 54 November 2009) |
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How to be Both by Ali Smith |
How to be both - that is indeed the question, or maybe the answer. Whether it is being a modern teenager or a Renaissance girl, an artist or craftsman, alive or dead - the dualities abound in this novel. Or should it be two novellas? Does the order of reading matter? It does indeed and the effect of two shorts as opposed to one long is disconcerting. Scintillating, intriguing but ultimately not wholly satisfying.
(bwl 78 Autumn 2015) |
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How to Live: A life of Montaigne in one question and twenty attempts at an answer by Sarah Bakewell |
I knew almost nothing about Montaigne. I did not realise that he invented the "Essay" as a literary form; a way of exploring thoughts and ideas. Using the framework of some of these thoughts, Bakewell presents Montaigne, the man, and his life. He steps off the page - it is a brilliant introduction to an extraordinary character.
(bwl 61 Summer 2011) |
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Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones |
One of my responses to lockdown has been to revisit some of the authors of my past. Diana Wynne Jones is certainly one of my favourites - but not from childhood; from my early career. Her fantasies are gloriously imaginative and teeming with life. Howl's Moving Castle is a perfect example in which we meet the feisty Sophie, the unreliable but attractive Wizard Howl, a tricky fire-demon called Calcifer - and, of course, a moving castle. What more could one want?
(bwl 97 Summer 2020) |
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iBoy by Kevin Brooks |
Brooks always write cracking thrillers for the young adult market, and this is no exception. In this case there is the added frisson of science fiction. As the result of a "freak" accident, Tom, the young hero, has an iPhone lodged in his brain giving him unparalleled access to the electronic world (databases, bank codes, conversations). Intriguing - add revenge and you have a heady mix. A real page turner.
(bwl 58 Autumn 2010) |
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Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell |
Enter a magic world – the Archipelago where the impossible creatures are dying – yes ,those mythical beings that populate our stories are facing extinction – some already are extinct. It is up to Christopher and Mal to find out why – and stop this. This is excellent fantasy that channels all those classics but never seems stale. And it is not all rosy. Recommended if you have lively young readers 8+ (or want to connect to your childhood).
(bwl 111 Winter 2024) |
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In Darkness by Nick Lake |
Dark, compelling, the reader crosses time, as a teenager - a gang member, no stranger to violence - lies in darkness, trapped underground after the Haitian earthquake. His review of his ghetto life becomes entwined with the story of Toussaint l'Ouverture and the liberation of the Haitian slaves. Friendship, betrayal and sacrifice but ultimately hope are at the heart of this story This is an incredibly powerful novel that demands to be read.
Carnegie shortlist 2013
(bwl 68 Spring 2013) |
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In the Shadow of the Ark by Anne Provoost |
Provoost tells the story of the Flood from the point of view of Re-Jana, a daughter of the marshes, who with her family find themselves drawn into the construction of the Ark. Re-Jana is doubly involved since she has fallen in love with the youngest son, Ham. This is an engrossing take on a familiar story featuring real characters facing real challenges. There is noise, stench, claustrophobia, agony. And a 'happy' ending? Decide for yourself.
(bwl 30 June 2005) |
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Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore |
I read this inspired by a visit to the Holy Land made this year with four days in Jerusalem. I don't know if this is The Biography - but Montefiore charts the turbulent, confusing, violent history which has this extraordinary city at its centre in a way that is both informative and with a certain humour. A marathon - but fascinating.
(bwl 74 Autumn 2014) |
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Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke |
A BIG book that has been much hyped. I was not disappointed; I loved every word and there are a great many, including footnotes. Clarke's prose looks to the past: the young Austen, Dickens, Thackeray, both in style, which she captures excellently, and in approach - discursive. Described as 'fantasy' this is rather a fairytale, with its dark, surreal twists, humour and social comment, set against the real background of the Napoleonic wars.
(bwl 27 December 2004) |
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Just in Case by Meg Rosoff |
Fifteen year old David Case is desperate to cheat a Fate clearly out to get him. The first move is to change his name to Justin; the second to adopt a new persona courtesy of a charity shop and the eccentric photographer, Agnes. But Fate is not so easily tricked. Edgy, quirky, thoroughly enjoyable - or very irritating, Rosoff captures the surrealism of the teenage mind in a second novel which is as original as her first.
(bwl 39 April 2007) |
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Kim by Rudyard Kipling |
From the moment we meet Kim astride the gun, Zam-Zammah - the fire-breathing dragon - we are plunged into the noisy, colourful, exotic world of the Raj. This is not just an exciting Boy's Own adventure of spies and assassins; it is also a wonderful portrait of a country, fascinating and multi-layered. I read it on holiday in Nepal - it was the perfect backdrop. If you haven't read it, I recommend it - Kipling is a great storyteller.
(bwl 37 December 2006) |
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Les Misérables by Victor Hugo |
The "holiday" read par excellence - a book that really demands to be read in one great sweep (all right I didn't but every time I managed to properly sit down with it, I was swept away on the tide of Hugo's storytelling - I am afraid in English). There's the story at its core - the tension between Javert and Jean Valjean - the moral complexities of their situation and characters; there's the excitement of the 1832 June rebellion sweeping through Paris; there's the love story (perhaps the least satisfactory element) and then there's the history, Hugo's opinions on the government of France and England, philosophy, and Paris which is as much a presence in the novel as any of the human dramatis personae. The cast - well Marius and Cossette, great disappointments, but Valjean, Javert, Eponine and Gavroche - brilliant - and sadly all dead by the end.
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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Let's Chase Stars Together by Matt Goodfellow |
In this sequence of poems, beautifully packaged and presented by the publisher with the evocative illustrations of Oriol Vidal, Matt Goodfellow takes the reader through the experience of a 13 year old boy as he faces the problems, the sadness – and the joy in his life. The immediacy of the poems is instantly engaging, the language accessible, the emotions recognisable; an outstanding sequence of poems for young people (and adults).
(bwl 110 Autumn 2023) |
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Lirael by Garth Nix |
The second in The Abhorsen trilogy, this is as exciting as the first volume - Sabriel. It is a world where, in Ancelstierre, there are guns, telephones, motors; in the Old Kingdom there is magic bound by the Charter. But some magic is not bound and in the hands of necromancers threatens to overturn the world. Conventional ingredients maybe, but they are handled with great assurance. Inventive, action packed - well worth reading.
(bwl 21 November 2003) |
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Lost Army of Cambyses, The by Paul Sussman |
This was not quite what I expected but is, in fact, an enjoyable, well paced thriller. Set in Egypt it takes the lure of archaeological treasure as its central motif. The reader is plunged into the murky world of bribery, corruption and murder. The characters are satisfyingly predictable - a really nice Egyptian policeman; nasty diplomats; a religious fanatic - and a splendid 'penny dreadful' villain. Facing a long journey or a boring wait? Just the thing.
(bwl 37 December 2006) |
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Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud |
Take a trip to Trinidad - you will not be disappointed. Here in her funny, tragic but ultimately satisfying tale of a friendship almost broken beyond repair Persaud introduces the reader to a great cast of characters - Miss Betty, Mr Chetan and Solo at the centre and others. She brings to life an environment familiar yet foreign. But it is the writing, the rhythm of a Trinidadan voice that captivates.
(bwl 104 Spring 2022) |
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Lydia: The wild girl of Pride and Prejudice by Natash Farrant |
How do you follow the ultimate classic? By not trying to be that author. Farrant is clever enough not to do this and this novel aimed at a teenage audience (but as enjoyable for adults, I feel) is a rollicking success. Lydia steps off the page; a modern miss? No think Becky Sharp. One to recommend - and then try the original.
(bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner |
Sometimes a book really makes you sit up. Mark Haddon did it with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night (bwl 19). Now Sally Gardner does it with Maggot Moon. Living under a repressive regime is never comfortable; disagreement is dangerous. When Standish and Hector discover what is truly behind the much vaunted moon landing they put their lives in jeopardy. This is a brilliant book that you will love or hate - don't ignore it.
(bwl 67 Winter 2013) |
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Mansfield Park by Jane Austen |
Surely everyone must have read Mansfield Park. I had – but a long time ago. Coming to it once again, I found that I had missed a great deal. There was no boredom or impatience for me. I was drawn into this polite world where emotions and tensions swirled. I met characters I could recognise, whose voices I could hear (no, I have not seen the film). Dismiss Austen at your peril – a mistress of her art.
(bwl 107 Winter 2023) |
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Medusa - The Girl Behind the Myth by Jessie Burton - illus. by Olivia Lomenech Gill |
Burton is known as an author for adults. Here she looks to a younger audience. Taking the myth of Medusa she does not retell it; she reimagines it from the perspective of a teenage Medusa. The setting is an island, the time frame narrow, both protagonists in their teens, both bound by convention and expectations. But Medusa can turn you into stone - a happy ending? I would suggest satisfying and the illustrations are perfect.
(bwl 106 Autumn 2022) |
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Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan |
No elephants this time. Instead meet Inspector Persis Wadia of the Bombay City Police - the first female police detective in India (modelled on a real heroine). It is 1949 - India newly independent - Persis has the cards stacked against her as she leads the investigation into the death of a prominent English diplomat. She steps off the page - spiky, smart and uncompromising, as different from Chopra as possible but just as engaging.
(bwl 100 Spring 2021) |
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Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick |
Inspired by a painting in the National Gallery in Sweden, Sedgwick has created a tale of sacrifice and love. It is a fascinating construction, linking seven different stories across the ages from the future to the past all starting from one act of violence. The author's style - spare and somewhat uncompromising add to its power - and even if you don't quite understand what is going on, the images will remain.
(bwl 62 Winter 2011) |
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Miss Aldridge Regrets by Louise Hare |
Set on board the Queen Mary en route for New York. It is 1936. We meet Lena Aldridge aspiring musical star – this is her chance to escape the sleazy Soho clubs but leaving a murder behind she finds herself involved in a stream of further deaths. And there are plenty – there is also romance, glamour, drink, drugs – and (note the name) race. Not great literature but an enjoyable (teasing) beach – or should that be cruise read!
(bwl 114 Autumn 2024) |
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Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness |
The final volume of the Chaos Walking trilogy (the others are: The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer) and well up to the standard of the previous two volumes. This is not for the faint-hearted. The reader is catapulted into a war zone as three factions manoeuvre for control of the planet. In the middle are Todd and Viola. Through them, Ness confronts young readers with the dilemmas of power. Ambitious, gripping, unmissable
(bwl 57 Summer 2010) |
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Montmorency by Eleanor Updale |
Meet Montmorency. Except that is not his real name. It is the name he created for himself during his stay in prison. Now he is living the life of a society gentleman. Also meet Scarper, thief, and Montmorency's servant. But they are the same person! Inspired perhaps, by the stories about Raffles, this is an enjoyable 'take' on adventure stories of the Buchan variety. The writer is the wife of James Naughtie.
(bwl 22 February 2004) |
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Moon Juice by Kate Wakelin |
A collection of poems by a new voice writing for children is an event to be celebrated. Take a look at Moon Juice by the poet, Kate Wakelin. Here are poems to seduce and attract reflecting the imagination of the young reader, avoiding noise and instant attention. There is humour and a quirky look at life - try Bad Moods, Night Journey or Ten dark toes at the bottom of the bed.
(bwl 85 Summer 2017) |
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More than This by Patrick Ness |
After all the hype around Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy and his novel A Monster Calls, there are very high expectations for his latest book. In Monsters of Men, the author moved away from straight storytelling to something much more philosophical. This new novel continues that trend. It is also a tense, absorbing drama that opens with the death of the main protagonist. Not for everyone, perhaps, but worth it.
(bwl 71 Winter 2014) |
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Mortal Engines - sequence by Philip Reeve |
There are four novels in the Mortal Engines sequence: Mortal Engines; Predator's Gold; Infernal Devices and The Darkling Plain. Written for a teenage audience, these are for grown-ups too. Do not be put off by the description "steam punk". Here is a brilliantly imagined world where Municipal Darwinism rules. However, it is the characters who will stay with you. Highly recommended
(bwl 72 Spring 2014) |
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Mortal Mischief - Book 1 of The Leiberman Chronicles by Frank Tallis |
During this strange limbo period, I caught up with Vienna Blood - based on the Liebermann Chronices - on BBC iPlayer - so I borrowed this. Sometimes the film version disappoints and indeed Mortal Mischief is very different from its screen incarnation - the cast, the plot and the setting are the same - fin de siecle Vienna creaking under the end of the Hapsburg regime, anti-semitism, protocol, Freud and Klimt - but the flavour of the two approaches refreshingly different; the result two very enjoyable experiences. I shall read more.
(bwl 97 Summer 2020) |
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Mr Creecher by Chris Priestley |
What happened on the journey north through Britain in the novel Frankenstein? In this novel aimed at a young adult audience, Chris Priestly provides an answer. Billy is a thief earning his living by his wits. Then he meets Mr Creecher. He is the monster created by Frankenstein. Billy is drawn reluctantly into his pursuit of the scientist who has promised him a mate - with terrible consequences. Dark, brooding, compelling - worth reading.
(bwl 66 Autumn 2012) |
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Muddle and Win by John Dickinson |
I don't usually enjoy "funny" books for teens. This is the exception. Muddle is a devil - a very minor one; Sally Jones is good. All attempts to turn her from the straight and narrow have failed. So Muddlespot is sent; his adversary, the redoubtable, perfect Windleberry. The synopsis sounds incredible - but it works. And if Muddlespot is the best character, well the devil always did have the best tunes.
(bwl 70 Autumn 2013) |
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Music and Silence by Rose Tremain |
An extraordinary novel in which the narrative dances between characters in counterpoint, echoing the music that is such an important theme throughout the book. It is also interesting. Tremain takes characters who already have a history and, musician-like, gives them a new reality. The fact - a lutenist plays in the dark for a lonely king - becomes a key, unlocking the imagination to create relationships that, though fictional, are more real than the fact.
(bwl 26 October 2004) |
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Naked Without a Hat by Jeanne Willis |
An exuberant love story in which the main protagonists are a boy with Down's Syndrome and a gypsy girl. Unlikely - perhaps, but the author handles her story with humour and character. Will Avery leaves home with his guitar and his hat. He finds himself living in a house with autistic Rocko and obsessive James. He acquires a job - and then he meets Zara - read it and see....
(bwl 22 February 2004) |
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Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman |
The latest from our new Children's Laureate. This will definitely satisfy her many fans. A dystopian future, an attractive hero, two girls and a conflict between The Alliance and the Crusaders who live in the Badlands. But who are the good guys and who are the bad? A novel about the stories we are told by those who govern us. What is the truth? Not original but a page turner.
(bwl 69 Summer 2013) |
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Not the End of the World by Geraldine McCaughrean |
What was it really like at the Flood? Timna is Noah's daughter - she doesn't appear in the traditional story, but she was there. Then there is the family - tyrannical Noah, his long-suffering wife, her insufferable brothers and their wives. Their views present an alternative vision of a familiar story. This is an uncomfortable book aimed at young readers but well worth the effort. McCaughrean is a good writer who is not afraid to be different.
(bwl 29 April 2005) |
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One by Sarah Crossan |
This teenage novel does not sound promising - its subject conjoined twins; style, blank verse. However it is an absorbing, lively and sympathetic read that draws the reader in. Grace, the narrator, comes over as a very real teenager, and her sister, Tippi, so different in character is just as alive. But they live permanently attached to each other. By using verse, - spare, concise, - as the medium, Crossan avoids sentimentality. Highly recommended.
(bwl 78 Autumn 2015) |
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One Dog and his Boy by Eva Ibbotson |
Eve Ibbotson died just before Christmas - a great loss to the world of children's books. This, her last novel, shows no diminution in her skill as a storyteller or her ability to capture the sympathy of her readers. Her stories are old fashioned and beautifully crafted, but they do not lack drama and young readers (and adults sharing the tale) will be gripped as they follow the adventures of Fleck and his boy, Hal.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen |
Of course they do; they take no precautions always believing things will be OK. Pessimists, however, plan for every dreadful possibility. Petula is a pessimist; she guards against everything. When optimist Jacob turns up, both have to confront their own demons. Lively, fun, quirky, Nielsen is one of the most enjoyable of authors writing for younger teens - or anyone.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence |
YA fiction is anything but bland. Here is another very contemporary thriller aimed at this audience. Set against a backdrop of drugs, gangs - and yes, eventually guns. Sixteen year old Marlon is a likeable young man and not a villain. But when the girl of his dreams drops dead (literally) on their date, he is drawn into this world. Fast paced, definitely one to keep a reader engrossed.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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Our Endless Numbered Days by Elizabeth Fuller |
What is true? Did it really happen? Peggy (or should she be Punzel?) is the unreliable narrator as she tells her story; "abducted" at the age of eight by her survivalist father and taken to Die Hutte in the middle of a German forest where they live for nine years with no outside contact. She is a good storyteller - and fairytales play a part; the end is a shock.
(bwl 85 Summer 2017) |
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Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace |
Zimbabwe; Mugabe has just come to power, the saviour of his nation, a new era. For Robert Jacklin it is also the start of a new life as a pupil at Haven School. It is here he meets Ivan, clever, charming, ruthless. This is an impressive debut novel for young adults, powerful and bleak, dealing with patriotism, friendship, loyalties and betrayal. It will stay with you for a long time.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes |
Natalie Haynes is a historian with a flair for bringing the classics alive. She is keen to shine a light on hidden and forgotten characters; to allow a more balanced view. She is particularly interested in women. Here she turns her attention to the women in Greek mythology and stories. She is fascinating, enthusiastic, articulate and passionate. I must now go and read Euripides properly. Her message – there is always more to the story . . .
(bwl 109 Summer 2023) |
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Persian Fire - The First World Empire and the Battle for the West by Tom Holland |
The story of Thermopylae has captured the imagination over the centuries. But it was only one incident in a much bigger story. In Persian Fire Tom Holland tells this story - the first great clash between east and west. This is history as it is meant to be told. Like Schama, Lane-Fox and Tuchman among others, Holland is able to bring this distant period alive - and in particular the characters. This is a book to read.
(bwl 41 August 2007) |
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Pet by Akwaeke Emezi |
A powerful, disturbing novel for teens. What does a monster look like? Or indeed, what about an angel? Suppose the angel looks like a monster? And what happens when the monster is found? Set in Luville, an idealised community that has experienced a "revolution" in which monsters were eradicated; now the community is lead by the human angels. This is a thought provoking read presented in a contemporary voice.
(bwl 94 Autumn 2019) |
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Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean |
"Something is wrong in Neverland . . . we must go back". So Wendy, John and the other Lost Boys (despite being Grown Up) find themselves back under the leadership of Pan. Neverland is dying as dreams are leaking out. Can they save it? Full of amazing characters and surreal adventures, McCaughrean captures both the spirit and tone of Barrie's original. And the strangeness. This is the official sequel. Not everyone will like it. But worth a try.
(bwl 39 April 2007) |
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Poems to Live Your Life By by Chris Riddell |
As a child I loved poetry - still do - and a poetry anthology was always beside my bed. Here is one to inspire the young of today and I would hope would quickly become a book dipped Into frequently. Chris Riddell has chosen some of the poems that have coloured and inspired his life - not an overwhelming number but ranging from classics such a Ode to a Nightingale and A Road Less Travelled to contemporary works by Duffy and Neil Gaiman. The whole is embellished by Chris's art. Accessible, attractive - a book to treasure.
(bwl 91 Winter 2019) |
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Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo |
Xiaomara feels trapped, a teenager growing up in Harlem whose mother wants her to follow the strict conduct rules laid down by the church. But Xiamara wants to be free and she finds her escape in words capturing her passions, her feelings, her frustrations on the page - but she wants to shout out loud. But is she brave enough? A powerful and completely immersive verse novel to be read by young adults and old.
(bwl 93 Summer 2019) |
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Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo |
Private Tommo Peaceful remembers his childhood as a country boy in the early years of the 20th century. It was a hard life - but there was his brother Charlie - bold, bright, irrepressible Charlie. And then came the War. Now Charlie is to face the firing squad and Tommo looks back over their experiences while he keeps vigil. Though written for children, Morpurgo's sympathetic handling makes it a book to share.
(bwl 22 February 2004) |
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Queenie by Candace Cartey Williams |
Meet Queenie, the truly annoying heroine of her story – but she certainly cannot be ignored. You will tear your hair as she falls from one inappropriate relationship to another in an effort to drown her misery in the wake of a failed love affair. You will either hate or love this novel and it could provide fodder for discussion – is the author being subtly ironic or are the clichés just that?
(bwl 112 Spring 2024) |
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Red Stars by Davide Morosinotto |
Aimed at a YA audience this is a war story that is different. It is set in Russia as the Nazi army invades and Leningrad is besieged. Nadya and Viktor are true children of Communist Russia now led by Stalin. And yet - when they are separated (they are twins) uncomfortable truths emerge. Told through their diaries now a dossier in the hands of a government department, it is engrossing - and exciting. Highly recommended
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde |
This is the froth on a cappuccino - complete with that sprinkling of chocolate. If you are fussy about style, characters and dislike romance - don't read, but if you need some pure, uncomplicated, comforting fun, then do. Grace needs a lodger, Ellie needs a home - they both need a man. Luckenham House needs restoration Then there are the awful ex's. The scene is set for a gentle romp that keeps the reader smiling.
(bwl 23 April 2004) |
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Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch |
Peter Grant, constable, has just discovered a corpse in Covent Garden; but the only witness has been dead for a century. So begins Peter's initiation into an arcane and secret arm of the Metropolitan Police. Lively, fun and with more than a touch of Pratchett humour, this is detection with magic - not forgetting the feuding Mama Thames and Father Thames with their family - the rivers of London.
(bwl 76 Spring 2015) |
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Romanitas by Sophie McDougall |
Rome: Marcus, heir to the Imperial throne, must escape possible assassination. London: a young slave boy is facing crucifixion for rape. This is the Roman Empire - but a Roman Empire of the 21st century. The author combines the technology of the future with the panoply of Ancient Rome. This is an interesting juxtaposition that works as the setting for a historical novel with a touch of science fiction. I enjoyed it - though McDougall's style could irritate.
(bwl 34 April 2006) |
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Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann |
Verse novels have become fashionable - certainly for the Young Adult audience. Not all are good - this is outstanding. Manjeet draws on personal experience to bring us teenage Amber, a talented athlete but who comes from a background where women are not supposed to shine. Coming from India, neither of her parents read or write, there is violence, her home life difficult. It is time to start a revolution, time to run. Read it.
(bwl 100 Spring 2021) |
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Runemarks by Joanne Harris |
Just another famous author cashing in on the youth market? Taking the Norse Myths as her background, Harris creates an 'alternative' world where Religion a.k.a. The Reason dominates the lives of all. But the old gods are stirring; imagination cannot be suppressed - and Maddy, who thought she was just ordinary, finds herself involved in a race to fulfil a prophecy. But can she really believe Loki the Trickster? Richly imagined; worth reading.
(bwl 42 October 2007) |
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S P Q R: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard |
Why is the Roman Empire still important and relevant today? Surely just as “Latin is a dead language, dead as dead can be"….. the same can be said of the Roman Empire? Mary Beard, passionate about Roman history warts and all, takes on the challenge – and makes the case with conviction, enthusiasm and scholarship. No whitewashing, but opinions that make sense – this is history brought to life.
(bwl 105 Summer 2022) |
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Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys |
Have you heard of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945 - the final years of WW II? It was carrying thousands of refugees from Latvia, Poland and East Prussia; over 9,000 died. Ruta Sepetys follows the fortunes of three of these refugees, all with their own tragedies to bear, all with their own secrets. Written for a teenage audience this is a novel for all.
(bwl 85 Summer 2017) |
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Saturnalia by Lindsey Davis |
Marcus Didius Falco is once again involved in a delicate matter of state - a murder and an escaped political prisoner - while juggling a lively and complicated domestic life. It is Rome, 76AD under the rule of Vespasian during the Saturnalia. Loosely described as detective stories, the Falco novels are a highly enjoyable romp through Roman life and customs. Though some are more successful than others, I have enjoyed them all, and Saturnalia does not disappoint.
(bwl 40 June 2007) |
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Set in Stone by Linda Newbery |
Samuel Goodwin is employed by Mr Farrow as drawing master to his daughters. It seems an ideal job - patronage, elegant surroundings, charming company. But appearances deceive. Samuel - and the reader - are drawn into a mystery; the denouement is a horrifying and dramatic revelation. The style echoes Brontë and Collins; the subject is entirely modern. This is a rewarding read for anyone who is happy to blur the boundaries between adults and children.
* This novel has just won the Costa Award (ex Whitbread) in its Children's category.
(bwl 38 February 2007) |
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Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: Reflections on Fairy Tales by Katherine Langrish |
Do you like fairy tales? Did you read them as a child? Are you intrigued by them? Katherine Langrish, herself a storyteller, is steeped in fairytale and has been writing a blog around her interest. Here she has recreated her blog as a series of essays looking at themes and indeed, specific tales. Intelligent rather than academic, these are an enjoyable introduction to a fascinating and fantastic world.
(bwl 83 Winter 2017) |
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Shackleton's Journey by William Grill |
The received wisdom is that reluctant boy readers can be attracted by factual books. But the generality of information books available always seem to me somewhat sterile - glossy photographs, uninspired captions. This is something different. Here is the little known story - and it is a story - of Shackleton's journey across Antarctica told economically to the accompaniment of stunning original illustrations. This is the way to excite readers.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron |
This is one of the most immersive, interesting – and depressing – travel journals; but so fascinating. Colin Thubron writes beautifully and one is drawn along in his wake as he retraces an earlier journey following the Silk Road. He is travelling through places that ring in the imagination with glorious pasts; now derelict, run down – or great concrete sprawls. There are extraordinary tombs in the middle of nowhere – and over all the devastation of modern regimes. His knowledge is encyclopaedic. A wonderful read – but depressing
(bwl 111 Winter 2024) |
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Silks by Dick and Felix Francis |
The latest from the Francis stable, and though perhaps not quite up to the standard of such vintage titles as "For Kicks", "Risk" or the Sid Halley thrillers, it is not a bad addition. There is the link to racing - the hero, a barrister, is also an amateur jump jockey - there is a nasty villain and an ingenious scam. There are satisfying details and a suitably violent climax.. A good armchair read.
(bwl 50 March 2009) |
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Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen |
This is, yes, another YA novel; a fantasy and it is really exciting to see an author of colour stepping into this field to bring a fresh voice. Here we meet African myth and folklore. At its centre the Mami Wata, black mermaids both fearsome and benevolent and an array of deities opening eyes to the richness of African cultures. I was not bored - recommend to any teen or YA friends and relatives.
(bwl 106 Autumn 2022) |
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Smith by Leon Garfield |
Garfield is a somewhat overlooked writer in today's world of children's books. Writing thrilling adventures which were set in the past - usually the 18th or 19th century, he was not interested in giving readers a history lesson. Smith, one f his earliest and his best, is well worth revisiting. Here are villains and bodies - and a mystery - in a style that owes a lot to Fielding and Dickens.
(bwl 71 Winter 2014) |
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Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee |
This the third in the series of novels featuring Captain Sam Wyndham. Set in India as it struggles for independence it is a brilliant evocation of the turbulent times, the ambiguities in attitudes, setting an intriguing murder mystery against a background of political turmoil. Sam Wyndham is an interesting character as he battles opium addiction and his relationship with his Sergeant 'Surrender-not' well drawn. An interesting light on a history that is badly overlooked.
(bwl 92 Spring 2019) |
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So Much to Tell: The biography of Kaye Webb by Valerie Grove |
Kaye Webb was an extraordinary person, synonymous with the "Golden Era" of Puffin. Reading this biography, one becomes aware that Kaye knew everybody from Walter de la Mare to Roald Dahl. Then there was The Puffin Club. Sadly it was too late for me. Kaye's energy and charisma spring off the page. She must have been overwhelming and impossible.
(bwl 61 Summer 2011) |
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Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill |
A must read book - whatever your age. Adopting the rather outmoded literary form of the essay, Athill reflects on life - her life - growing old, relationships, sex and death among other subjects with an almost brutal honesty. And what a life, she has to look back on; publisher, editor, writer, lover always unconventional. She writes beautifully, with wit, humour and a complete lack of sentimentality, terrifying but refreshing and uplifting.
(bwl 63 Winter 2011) |
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Spirit Hunter by Kate Moran |
Moran is making a quiet name for herself as a writer of well crafted historical novels for a young readership (10+) in the tradition of Rosemary Sutcliff. Following Bloodline and Bloodline Rising, we have Spirit Hunter. Set in the China of the Ta'ang dynasty it follows the fortunes of Asena, daughter of a Mongol tribesman, kidnapped by Swiftarrow a young Shaolin warrior, for the Empress. Open this book, step into the past.
(bwl 57 Summer 2010) |
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Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher |
A truly gripping fantasy adventure that takes place against the background of London today from a new author for children. George finds himself facing real danger when he breaks the head off a stone dragon while on a visit to the Natural History Museum. He unwittingly awakens the statues of London - the spits and the taints. A war is imminent. George must find the Stone Heart to prevent it. But how? Read on.
(bwl 37 December 2006) |
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Tamar by Mal Peet |
This is a powerful novel, that deserves a wider audience than the teenage readership at whom it is aimed. When Tamar is left a box of memories from her grandfather to decode, the story that emerges turns her world inside out. It is the story of a group of resistance fighters in Holland during the Hunger Winter. It is a story of love, jealousy, betrayal - and finally tragedy. Winner of the Carnegie Medal, a fantastic read.
(bwl 36 September 2006) |
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The American Boy by Andrew Taylor |
I have a particular fondness for the "Victorian" novel that is so fashionable. I enjoy the rich, often dense mixture of romance and thriller. This is an excellent example full of labyrinthine twists. Even the title is misleading; the American boy is Poe - but he is the "hinge" factor; his presence allows Thomas Shield to become involved with the Frants and Carswells, a subtle influence. A strong setting, a suitably authentic style: a good read.
(bwl 50 March 2009) |
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The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor |
I have always enjoyed Andrew Taylor’s books about James Marwood and Cat Lovett. This is set a little later and we find ourselves in the dingy, murky world of a Cambridge college in the eighteenth century. There is a suspicious death, the suggestion of a ghost, a disturbed undergraduate (or is he) the slippery politics of academia and a main protagonist to catch your attention – John Holdsworth. Gripping and immersive.
(bwl 112 Spring 2024) |
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The Athenian Murders by Jose Carlos Somoza |
Forget any preconceptions about 'the detective novel'. Yes, it is a traditional murder story - mysterious deaths, a detective and sidekick, red herrings and a (triumphant) solution. But - the tale is set in Athens at the time of Plato. So what. Then the reader realises things are not what they seem, literally. The author is playing games with the genre, with literary devices, with ideas. It's bewildering - but great fun and great detecting.
(bwl 17 February 2003) |
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The Barefoot Emperor: An Ethiopian Tragedy by Philip Marsden |
This is a fascinating, lively and extremely accessible account of the reign of Tewodros II - or as we might recognise him, Theodore - king of Ethiopia from 1854-1868. The story may be unfamiliar, though Magdala may resonate. Tewedros was an extraordinary man whose character, charismatic embodied extremes, Ethiopia in the 19th century almost unknown, a history of arrogance, assumptions and mistaken expectations. Well worth reading - eye opening.
(bwl 90 Autumn 2018) |
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The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak |
This was quite unexpected - a romp but with serious undertones. Two families - one Turkish, the other Armenian, one in Istanbul, the other now in America - both full of opinions, tensions, history - and secrets. Once one gets used to the storytelling in which the story is intercut with the histories of the various family members it becomes important to get to the end. Full of character, atmosphere and families - worth reading
(bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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The Bellwether Revivals by Benjamin Wood |
A masterpiece of psychological suspense says the cover. It sounded promising - and it had been shortlisted for the Costa. Indeed it was an intriguing read, exploring interesting ideas around music, genius and the concept of hope. Owing much to Donna Tartt's The Secret History, it is much less drawn out and the climax is truly dramatic and unexpected. I would recommend it as something a bit different. Intelligent writing.
(bwl 71 Winter 2014) |
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The Binding by Bridget Collins |
I was intrigued to read this. I knew Bridget Collins as a writer of edgy, interesting and imaginative novels for the Teen/YA audience - in particular The Traitor Game her debut. Here though writing for an adult audience the themes are the same: relationships, love, loyalty, betrayal. Here at the heart she asks what really makes us human? What are memories? It is uncomfortable and immersive - and as always well written.
(bwl 95 Winter 2020) |
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The Blood Of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani |
Set in seventeenth century Isfahan. We follow the fortunes of the young heroine as she faces trials and tribulations before achieving happiness. She tells her own story, interspersing her narrative with traditional tales that act as a counterpoint to her own and emphasise the 'Arabian Nights' quality of this attractive novel. I loved it - the exotic background, the details of the rugs and especially the lively independent heroine, reminiscent of Sheherazade, herself.
(bwl 41 August 2007) |
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The Blue Demon by David Hewson |
Nic Costa and his friends in the Roman Carabonieri are catapulted into the world of international terrorism and the secretive background to world politics. A horrific murder on the eve of the G8 summit in Rome seems to hark back to a previous incident thought to have been closed, involving a maverick group, the Blue Demon. This is a fast paced thriller that plays with ideas of nationality and loyalty.
(bwl 56 Spring 2010) |
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The Bolds & The Bolds to the rescue by Julian Clary |
If you are looking for something to share with a child or grandchild as a bedtime read look no further. Who are the Bolds? Meeting them you would take them for your average suburban family; well they are living in Teddington. You would be wrong. The Bolds are, in fact, hyenas. Funny, lively and quirky - who would have thought Julian Clary could write so well.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock |
For those looking for somethIng for an 8 - 10 year old with an adventurous attitude to reading. Meet Boy - often shunned, mocked and taunted for his seeming difference - his posture a permanent stoop. He longs to be seen as a normal boy, so when the strange traveller Secundus turns up on his way to Rome where prayers may be answered, Boy joins him. But neither Boy nor Secundus are as they seem and "the key to hell picks all locks". I loved it.
(bwl 91 Winter 2019) |
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The Book of Everything by Guus Kuijer |
Thomas sees things - frogs leaping through the letterbox for example - and he is recording everything in his notebook. It is his defence against his violent father and his repressive religious beliefs. Sounds grim? Far from it. Beautifully translated from the Dutch original, this is a little gem of a book that deserves to be discovered by discerning readers, young and old. You will want to cry - but in the end there is hope.
(bwl 39 April 2007) |
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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
"Just don't ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me". This is Death, narrator of The Book Thief, dispassionate, ironic, full of wry humour. Set in Nazi Germany, this is the story of Liesel Meminger, left by her mother to be fostered by Hans and Rosa Huberman. It is a story of ordinary Germans struggling to make a living under an increasingly despotic regime. Funny, moving, tragic - read it now.
(bwl 38 February 2007) |
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The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel |
A real Boys Own adventure and a thrilling train ride across Canada on a seven mile long train, its passengers representing every stratum of society. Will's father is the engineer who has designed and created this amazing machine sponsored by millionaire adventurer van Horne, and it is up to Will helped by a troupe of circus performers to foil the thief who wants rob him, Action packed adventure for young teens.
(bwl 75 Winter 2015) |
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The Bread of Angels: A Journey to Love and Faith by Stephanie Saldaña |
It is the time of the Iraq war. Damascus is full of the displaced. Enter Stephanie also displaced; an American fleeing a broken relationship to study the prophet Jesus in Islam. She is also on a quest to find her own faith. Through her eyes we meet a Damascus not seen in the news - vibrant, crowded, welcoming. Through her we experience the intensity of a spiritual journey. Immersive, fascinating.
(bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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The Brides of Rollrock by Margo Lanagan |
Margo Lanagan is not an author to be trifled with. Her novels - and short stories - draw on fairy tales in all their original grimness. In this her latest novel she takes the story of the selkie wife - the bride taken from the sea - and explores the possible motives and consequences for a community in such a situation. Disturbing, haunting, clever - this is real writing for teens (and adults).
(bwl 64 Spring 2012) |
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The City of Abraham: History, Myth and Memory: A Journey through Hebron by Edward Platt |
The politics of the Israel-Palestine conflict are fraught and divisive. Here Edward Platt describes how he became fascinated by the city of Hebron, situated right in the middle of the argument; a city that like Jerusalem is at the centre of three world faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam since all claim descent from Abraham. I found it readable and bleak. But the history is fascinating.
(bwl 72 Spring 2014) |
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The Death Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean |
Pepper is destined to die on his fourteenth birthday; St Constance revealed this to his aunt at his birth. So on the great day, Pepper walks out and keeps walking into adventures, keeping one step ahead of his fate until he finds his life. McCaughrean never disappoints in her imaginative flights as immaculate plotting takes Pepper from one situation to the next, while weaving a sparkling web of words to capture her readers.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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The Deathless Girls by Kiran Hargrave |
We all know the legend of Vlad the Drac and the vampire. Here Kiran Millwood Hargrave tells the story from the point of view of two girls Lil and Kizzy who find themselves captured and enslaved to become gifts for The Dragon. A dark tale full of jeopardy with an unexpected ending for a teenage audience that I didn't want to read but could not put down.
(bwl 99 Winter 2021) |
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The Declaration by Gemma Malley |
It is 2140, a world where having children can be a criminal act. Surplus Anna aims to become a Valuable Asset - but then she finds the pink notebook and so begins her diary. It is her first act of defiance and it will have dramatic consequences for Anna. While not as powerful as Noughts and Crosses (Malorie Blackman) this first novel for young adults with its bleak vision of a distopian future is very readable.
(bwl 44 February 2008) |
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The Devil Walks by Anne Fine |
Anne Fine is one of our best writers for young people. Here she moves into M.R. James territory with a tale of obsession and possession. Daniel has lived a reclusive childhood with only his mother as his companion. The arrival of Dr Marlow changes everything and Daniel finds himself facing some very dark secrets. Horror can be difficult to achieve, but Fine succeeds. A slow starter, this is a gripping read.
(bwl 63 Winter 2011) |
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The Devil's Detective by Simon Kurt Unsworth |
This is a detective thriller not for the squeamish. We are in Hell – literally for that is the setting imagined and described with all the relish and detail of Hieronymus Bosch. Meet the Fool – selected to be the “detective” and fixer of crimes committed in Hell….There is something unsettling going on – “deaths” that should not occur. Will the Fool succeed – and survive? Very clever, very gory, with a real twist at the end.
(bwl 108 Spring 2020) |
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The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare |
At last - an enjoyable and substantial novel for younger readers. Eleven year old Quenelda longs to become a dragon knight like her father - not a career for a girl. However, she has a gift that will set her apart - she can talk to dragons. Is she the real Dragon Whisperer? While not outstandingly original, this is a good, exciting read and to be recommended. Looking for more? Try Tamora Pierce's Alanna books.
(bwl 54 November 2009) |
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The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson |
Think Ruritania and Sound of Music - this is the flavour of Ibbotson's new novel for children. While not perhaps her best, nevertheless it has all her trademark touches: a charismatic heroine (Talitha or Tally), an eccentric setting (a progressive school), an Eastern European kingdom and the Nazi threat. Characters abound: heroic teachers, truly villainous villains, loyal retainers. There is an assassination, horrible relations and a happy ending. Curl up and enjoy.
(bwl 45 April 2008) |
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The Edge by Dick Francis |
While not one of his strongest, I still found myself gripped as Our Hero is given the task of exposing a smooth, ruthless villain trying to muscle in on the British racing scene. The action takes place on the Trans- Canadian railway, a train specially commissioned to advertise Canadian races. The pace may be slower than in many of Francis' thrillers - but he can still deliver a punch. Worth re-reading.
(bwl 75 Winter 2015) |
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The Electrical Venus by Julie Mayhew |
It is the Age of Enlightenment. The excitement of scientific discoveries is everywhere. But not for Mim and Alex trying to make a living as Curiosities in a Travelling Show. At least until Mim becomes The Electrical Venus. This is a lively, unexpected treat whirling the reader to a rich, vivid past in the company of two teenagers facing life. I loved it - but do not be fooled by the cover. No magical realism here - just realism.
(bwl 89 Summer 2018) |
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The Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman |
In her latest novel for young people, Mary Hoffman pays more than a passing nod to the current vogue for period crime novels. Here the background is medieval Umbria. Silvano, accused of murdering the rich farmer Tommaso, must take sanctuary with the Franciscans in Gubbio. Here also comes Chiara, destined to become a nun. But there are more murders and now one of the friars is implicated. A stylish novel with a richly imagined background.
(bwl 41 August 2007) |
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The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard |
Meet a new private investigator - Umuko Wada; a most unlikely candidate - quiet, unassuming, the ideal PR. When her boss, is killed in a hit and run it seems that Wada will be out of a job - but...Life is never simple. I really enjoyed this 'thriller' - a race against time to stop a ruthless business man and uncover an historic truth. Great holiday read.
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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The Fire Court by Andrew Taylor |
This is the second book (see bwl 93 The King) to feature James Marwood and Cat Lovett - and it is as enjoyable. We are in London as it recovers from the Great Fire. A court has been established to sort out the inevitable disputes arising from property ownership, leaseholds - and development. But - are the judges incorruptible? Taylor brings the past to life. The reader walks the devastated streets with Marwood - and keeps turning the pages
(bwl 98 Autumn 2020) |
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The Fire Eaters by David Almond |
The unthinkable has become thinkable. Russia and the USA square up to each other over Cuba; the world holds its breath. This is the background as Bobby Burns faces the challenge of grammar school and his father's illness. On the beach the war damaged NcNulty breathes fire. Taut, spare - Almond's prose captures the Northumbrian coast and community in which Bobby lives and these tense two months. No great action just a great read.
(bwl 24 June 2004) |
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The First Ghosts by Irving Finkel |
When you think of the ancient past, do you think of ghosts as part of the culture? Here Irving Finkel introduces us to the ghosts of Assyria. And there are many and real. This is a fascinating journey through cuneiform tablets that open the door to an ancient belief in ghosts - and how to deal with them. Finkel is erudite, enthusiastic and amusing, the way history should be presented.
(bwl 110 Autumn 2023) |
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The Flood by David Maine |
I imagine the Noah of David Maine's story to be a farmer from a mid-west state; dour, unbending, righteous, in direct communication with God; slightly comic, yet strangely sympathetic. Maine follows the Bible version, looking at the events through the eyes and words of each member of Noah's family - his wife, his sons and their wives - their different voices bringing the familiar tale vividly to life, adding humour, pathos and horrific reality to the epic.
(bwl 30 June 2005) |
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The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed |
This is not a comfortable read. Yes it is a novel – and very well written but its inspiration is a horrendous miscarriage of justice leading to the execution of a young Somali man in 1954. The portrait she creates of Mohamed Mattan is engaging, the prejudice and racism in the world of the Cardiff docks shocking. I wasn’t sure how much fact there was in the fiction but I do have to recommend it.
(bwl 109 Summer 2023) |
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The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys |
There is a great silence over the Franco years in Spain. Here Sepetys, who as a writer is interested in untold histories, lifts the curtain to shine some light on the darker corners. Her narrative which is informed by interviews with those who lived during that time is no dry history. It is a novel - and it is completely immersive. This is not just for a young adult audience - recommended.
(bwl 100 Spring 2021) |
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The Garden of Evil by David Hewson |
Set in Rome, the reader is drawn into the murky world of fine art and obsession. Here the plot revolves around lost works by Caravaggio. Leo Falcone and Nic Costa, already well known to many readers, are in pursuit of a violent, aristocratic villain. They are an attractive partnership, while Hewson taps into the Dan Brown world of fine art, symbols and secrecy to create a tense thriller that carries the reader along. Enjoyable.
(bwl 53 September 2009) |
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The Gifted, the Talented and Me by William Sutcliffe |
Sam's dad suddenly finds himself rich, his family are thrilled. Not Sam, the "ordinary" middle one. Enrolled into a school for Gifted and Talented, Sam is unimpressed. The others (parents included) are gifted, talented and creative, looking to express themselves. Why should he conform to their mores? There is plenty of humour as Sutcliffe asks some interesting questions about individuality versus community for a teenage audience. Well worth a read.
(bwl 95 Winter 2020) |
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The Girl who Became a Tree by Joseph Coelho |
Daphne is struggling with the death of her father. Taking refuge in the library she follows her memories as a means of coping. But you can become trapped in memories. Coelho is a poet and here he tells his story through poems finding a parallel with his contemporary Daphne and the Greek myth of Daphne who also turned from real life to become a tree. One to think about - and reread.
(bwl 99 Winter 2021) |
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The Girl with a Louding Voice by Abi Daré |
Adunni is fourteen. Life is hard for her family in Nigeria. Indeed hard enough for her father to sell her as the bride to a much older friend looking for a third wife. This is the beginning of Adunni’s life – sounds dire. But Adunni has her own agenda as reader quickly finds. Here is a character who really steps off the page – I loved it despite the horrors. A great read.
(bwl 109 Summer 2023) |
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The Glass Books Of The Dream Eaters by G W Dahlquist |
An intriguing title; a large sprawling adventure in the current vogue for 19th century pastiche, this will either absorb you - or irritate you. This is the world of Ruritania - royalty, dastardly dukes, evil scientists, a beautiful villainess - and heroine - and a convoluted plot. Just keeping track of the action requires an agility worthy of an Alan Quartermain or Hannay. I am enjoying it all - I just wish I could remember who everyone is!
(bwl 46 June 2008) |
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The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato |
Meet Corradino, the greatest glassblower in 17th C Venice - a Venice, ruled by the Council of Ten, where glass workers are virtual prisoners on the island of Murano. Fast forward to the 21st C: Leonora - fleeing a failed marriage - arrives in Venice to follow the footsteps of her famous ancestor. Using this dual narrative, Fiorato creates an absorbing drama that draws the reader into the Venetian world - corrupt, colourful and full of secrets.
(bwl 53 September 2009) |
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The Golden Cage by Anna Castagnoli and Carl Cneut |
Yes, this is a picture book, but . . . forget cosy bedtime stories, happy endings and comforting images. This is very different. A fairy tale drawn from the darker recesses of Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by one of the most notable Belgian illustrators in a style that is both outstanding and uncomfortable. Find out what happens when Princess Valentina sets her heart on a bird that can talk . . .
(bwl 94 Autumn 2019) |
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The Good Hawk by Joseph Eliot |
It is always a pleasure to find a debut author who really does deliver - and Joseph Elliott does just that. The setting is Scotland - the Western Isles - but this is not a known period, rather an alternative history. We meet Agatha and Jaimie who both have problems - Agatha has Downs Syndrome, Jaimie suffers dreadful anxiety. Not ideal when you find yourself on a desperate quest to save your clan. Briskly written, full of excitement and great characters for keen 10 + readers
(bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman |
Ever since Northern Lights, Pullman has invited controversy, and his latest novel appears to do just that. Written as part of the Canongate "Myths" series, Pullman rewrites the life of Christ. Or does he? In some ways, I was rather disappointed with Pullman's version - though this may be his writing style - intensely pragmatic - but it did provide interesting ideas and an ending as ambiguous and tantalising as that of the original. Worth a try.
(bwl 57 Summer 2010) |
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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman |
If you want a modern fairytale, then Gaiman is your author. Nobody Owens has been given the Freedom of the Graveyard when, as a baby, he is found there after the brutal murder of his parents. We follow Bod as he grows up, meeting a variety of creatures from ghost and folk tale on the way, always aware of the threat that hangs over him. This is a book to read aloud at bedtime. Highly recommended.
(bwl 49 January 2009) |
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The Guardians by John Christopher |
Rob Randell is on the run. Escaping over the fence that separates the strictly controlled urban Conurb, he finds himself in the idyllic ordered society of the County. But this harmony comes at a price - is it a price too high? Christopher is much neglected as a writer for young people. His dystopian novels written forty years ago are well worth discovering and recommending to teens - or adults.
(bwl 71 Winter 2014) |
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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas |
A must for anyone who enjoys writing for young adults. Sixteen-year old Starr is the only witness when her best friend, Khalil, is shot by a white policeman for no apparent reason. She herself inhabits two worlds - her own community and the posh white school she attends. How should she react? Immediate, challenging, uncomfortable, thought provoking but ultimately uplifting.
(bwl 87 Winter 2018) |
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The Holy Thief by William Ryan |
I have a new detective hero - Captain Alexei Korolev of the Moscow Militia's CID. Set in 1936 Stalinist Russia just as the pogroms are beginning, the author captures the edgy atmosphere of the city and a sense of conflicting beliefs as Communism takes over. The plot involves a stolen icon and is suitably convoluted, but it is Korolev who was the star - I will be looking for more.
(bwl 61 Summer 2011) |
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The House in Baker Street by Michelle Birkby |
Have you ever wondered about Mrs Hudson? Who is she really? There she is, in the background, providing tea, meals, laundry, as Sherlock and Dr Watson come and go . Here you can find out, as Mrs Hudson together with Mary Watson take on a puzzle rejected by Holmes. The author provides Mrs Hudson with an interesting back story creating an engaging character. An enjoyable whodunit.
(bwl 85 Summer 2017) |
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The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton |
There is something daunting about 19th century novelists - all those words! Yet so often - as is the case with Wharton - the words slip by like silk they are so well written. I had not read any Wharton - and what a pleasure, despite finding the world portrayed horribly fascinating in its shallow adherence to luxury. But that is the point - and in Lily Bart, Wharton has created an interesting, flawed heroine. Recommended.
(bwl 47 September 2008) |
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The House on Hummingbird Island by Sam Angus |
With its Caribbean setting and a plot that must owe something to The Wide Sargasso Sea this is a book that I think adults as well as a younger readership would enjoy. The author's style is reminiscent of such writers as Hodgson Burnett or more recently Eve Ibbotson and draws the reader in. This story of a young girl growing up in strange circumstances is beguiling.
(bwl 81 Summer 2016) |
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The Ides of April by Lyndsey Davis |
Falco and Helena Justina are happily married with a grown up family. Now it is the turn of their adopted daughter, Flavia Alba, to take centre stage following her father as a “private investigator”. Not, perhaps what one might expect but Davis does her research. Once again she brings Rome to raucous life, all grit and grime , while Flavia is a lively, likeable protagonist well able to step into Falco's shoes - definitely one to enjoy.
(bwl 105 Spring 2022) |
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The Imaginary by A F Harrold |
and Emily Gravett
Many of us will have had an imaginary friend when a child. We grow out of them - but what happens if you don't want to? What happens to the friend. Amanda and her best (imaginary) friend, Rudger face this predicament as they come up against the sinister Mr Bunting. Harrold blurs the boundary between the real world and that of the imagination helped by Gravett's illustrations
(bwl 75 Winter 2015) |
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The Impressionist by Hari Kunzru |
Charting the rise and fall - or rather the transformations of Pran, born at the beginning of the 20th century to an Indian mother but British father. Driven from the certainties of high caste Indian life, he begins his search for an identity, chameleon-like adapting to circumstances - but for what? A truly picaresque novel of great flair, comic, tragic, satirical, extravagant and - to my mind - hugely enjoyable.
(bwl 20 September 2003) |
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The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild |
This proved to be an improbable novel. On the surface (title and cover design) a rather frothy romance - and it was certainly a romantic comedy - it became a fascinating, if on occasion biting portrait of the world of high art and the wheelers and dealers inhabiting it. It is possible to identify some of the players! Then there is the painting - what a character. Good fun.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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The Island by Olivia Levez |
"I am Medusa Girl. Cold as rock, hard as stone". This is how Fran armours herself against a world that in her eyes offers nothing but betrayal. This is a modern Robinson Crusoe with a feisty teenage girl as the castaway. She is not likeable, but the reader really wants to find out how she fares. Aimed at a young adult audience this should grab the attention.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin |
It is always good to meet a character that you feel is a friend, so I really enjoyed going back to renew my acquaintance with Yashim, the eunuch. This is the first novel in which he appears. The plot is wonderfully convoluted; the characters varied and the setting, Istanbul at the close of the Ottoman Empire, richly detailed in social detail and history. I shall certainly read more.
(bwl 62 Autumn 2011) |
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The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness |
This is a book to love or loathe. The first of a trilogy, it transports the reader to a planet, New World, a world of Noise. This is Todd's world . But even in a place where thoughts are public, there are secrets. Science fiction, coming-of-age novel, a tale of the pioneering adventure - non stop action, relayed in vivid, vigorous and idiosyncratic prose style. Read it and see. I loved it - unputdownable.
(bwl 51 May 2009) |
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The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier |
Nicolas, artist and womaniser, is commissioned to design a set of tapestries for the ambitious Jean le Viste. We move between Paris and the le Viste family - Jean's pious, unhappy wife and his beautiful, rebellious daughter, Claude - and Brussels, home of the weavers and blind Alienor. It is these three women who provide inspiration for Nicolas - each in their way the Lady to his Unicorn. Clever, assured and absorbing.
(bwl 21 November 2003) |
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The Last Protector by Andrew Taylor |
I am not usually a great fan of series, but Andrew Taylor’s novels featuring James Marwood and Cat Lovett have me hooked. This one, the fourth in the sequence, had me as gripped as its predecessors. Full of twists and turns, jeopardy and the violence that goes with the period, one cannot help but be completely immersed in the story following James and Cat in their uneasy relationship , willing them to succeed.
(bwl 105 Summer 2022) |
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The Last Slave Market: Dr John Kirk and the struggle to end the African slave trade by Alastair Hazell |
Alastair Hazell charts a fascinating and horrifying story - and in many respects a tragic one. Though John Kirk was successful, his is not the name that is recognised. It is a story that shows all sides as less than perfect and the results are, like most historical results, ambivalent. A very readable account of a little known aspect of the history of the British Empire, of East Africa and the story of slaving. Recommended.
(bwl 70 Autumn 2013) |
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The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa |
Set at the time of the Risorgimento, this intensely personal account of the fading of an aristocratic Sicilian family is an extraordinary read. It scarcely seems to qualify as a novel there is so little plot or characterisation. Lampedusa creates an album portraying a lost world of tradition, ritual and boredom, unchanged for centuries, now gone - and the images remain even after the book is closed. A classic - I think so - but judge for yourself.
(bwl 38 February 2007) |
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The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge |
It is not often that the winner of the Costa Book of the Year is a novel written for children. It has only happened twice. And this is one of those winners. Hardinge is an interesting writer who never takes the easy way. Her novels are rich in plot and characterisation and deal in complex themes. This is no exception. Not just for children, this should be read by everyone.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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The Lighthouse by P D James |
Here is a classic 'closed room' mystery and classic James. Once again Dalgliesh takes charge of a sensitive case. A famous novelist has been found dead on an island retreat favoured by the powerful. The scene is set - a small civilised community but with hidden tensions and secrets; a remote setting and minimal technology. The reader, like Dalgliesh, has to pick up the clues - and James doesn't cheat; they are all there. Very satisfying.
(bwl 34 April 2006) |
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The Lightstep by John Dickinson |
Look out for this novel when it is published later this summer if you like an intelligent historical novel. This is no swashbuckling adventure, though the setting is tense. In the aftermath of the French Revolution, in war-torn Rhineland, the old and new orders form an uneasy alliance in the face of invasion. I wished I knew more of the history but Dickinson creates sympathetic characters that ensured I wanted to follow their story.
(bwl 45 April 2008) |
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The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris |
Following on from the iconic Lost Words which saw the first pairing of Macfarlane's poems with Jackie Morris's paintings, we have The Lost Spells. Much smaller in format that the first book it is still as entrancing. Macfarlane's words capture the essence of the wild life he spotlights - take Red Fox , or Silver Birches, - while the illustrations leap off the page. A treasure box indeed.
(bwl 104 Spring 2022) |
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The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan |
I tend to avoid those books with those rather "pretty" covers, but I couldn't resist this title. I was rather agreeably surprised, and Jenny Colgan will take her place as an acceptable alternative to Katie Fford when I want a light, undemanding romance with a bit more spirit than the average. There is Paris), and there is chocolate (with recipes). Holiday bliss.
(bwl 69 Summer 2013) |
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The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton |
You will either love this book or be extremely irritated by it - always supposing you have the stamina to read beyond page 300. I loved it, and found the artificial construction fascinating. At heart it is a murder mystery, in which twelve men whose characters reflect the signs of the zodiac are all unreliable narrators. Following the pattern of the moon, the narrative ends where it began. Very clever, beautifully written.
(bwl 76 Spring 2015) |
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The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox |
"After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper" - a dramatic first sentence for this accomplished first novel. Introduced as a lost curiosity of Victorian literature, complete with footnotes and bibliography, it is a story of deception, love, betrayal - and revenge. Who is Edward Glyver? Is he really who he claims? What about Charles Daunt? Saints - or sinners? This is an excellent read straight out of the Wilkie Collins' stable.
(bwl 36 September 2006) |
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The Medici Seal by Theresa Breslin |
Matteo fleeing for his life from the bandit Sandino, finds himself in the household of one of the most charismatic men of his age, Leonardo da Vinci. We are in Renaissance Italy where rival war lords and the Pope battle for control. This is an excellent historical novel full of detail but never boring; Matteo has a secret - danger and death follow him. The result, an absorbing and exciting read.
(bwl 40 June 2007) |
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The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Isobel Gower |
When Mr Hancock learns one of his captains has traded his ship and cargo for a mermaid, he thinks he has been ruined. But it is just the first step on a journey that will take him up the social scale and the fascinating Angelica to respectability. Gower brings the bustling eighteenth century to life in its sleazy glory. The result a very enjoyable read. Is there a mermaid? Well there might in fact be two - but the reader must decide.
(bwl 93 Summer 2019) |
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The Midnight Folk by John Masefield |
Who could not be enchanted by Masefield's classic in which he enters the world of childhood imagination. The social background is rather different but the adventures . . . We meet Kay suffering at the hands of his fearsome governess Sylvia Daisy (but who is she really?). Come, there is treasure to be found and a family name to clear. So let's follow Nibbins and meet the Midnight Folk - characters once met never forgotten.
(bwl 98 Autumn 2020) |
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The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery |
It is the middle of the war. Coll, desperately unhappy having been evacuated and separated from his beloved older sister, Rose runs away to find himself on quest against a fearsome adversary; his companions, The Guardians, his imaginary friends from early childhood. I don't often get really excited but this one I loved - it reminded me of Masefield, The Midnight Folk in its imagination (see separate review). A Christmas treat
(bwl 98 Autumn 2020) |
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The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin (aka Katharine Webb) |
If you like Ben Aaronovitch you will like this. The second in a sequence of four following the adventures of Matthew Smith, a young sorcerer who has died but been reincarnated through the power of the electric waves of communication - The Blue Angels - that link us all. Wild, unrelenting in its action, imaginative. The Midnight Mayor keeps the City safe after the Lord Mayor has gone to bed.
(bwl 87 Winter 2018) |
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The New Policeman by Kate Thomson |
What is the price of time? This is JJ's quest - to buy some time for his mother as her birthday present. This is a teasing, playful novel Playful, because it is actually built round Irish dance tunes, reproduced between each chapter, whose titles form a skeleton of the plot - introducing some deliciously surreal touches. Just who is the new policeman? Does JJ find his mother's present? And what does it cost him? Find out yourself.
(bwl 32 November 2005) |
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The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern |
This beautiful book will either infuriate you - or enchant you. It has enchanted me despite its flaws (yes, I agree there are flaws). I have been completely drawn into this world of a magical night circus, the Cirque des Rêves, sustained by the magical contest between two young magicians. This is a fairy tale, and fairy tales are rarely consistent. If you enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (bwl 27) have a look.
(bwl 63 Winter 2011) |
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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith |
Meet Mma Precious Ramotswe and her No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Except Mma Ramotswe does not detect so much as help solve problems brought to her by her clients; problems ranging from the return of stolen cars, teenage relationships to witchcraft. But this is Botswana not middle-England. The African background is lovingly depicted and the reader is introduced to some colourful characters. The most memorable is Precious Ramotswe herself. Gentle, observant, humorous - thoroughly enjoyable
(bwl 17 February 2003) |
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The Nostradamus Prophecy by Theresa Breslin |
Set in France during Catherine de Medici's regency and culminating in the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, this is an exciting historical novel with a strong heroine. Melisande finds herself caught up in the intrigues of the court; a prophecy by Nostradamus seems to involve her in saving the king. But prophecies are tricky things and deception - whether self-deception or the cunning of others - is a central theme. A very enjoyable teen novel.
(bwl 47 September 2008) |
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The Opposite of Amber by Gillian Philip |
This is a gritty, contemporary young adult novel for those who are already reading Kevin Brookes, Melvin Burgess and Helen Grant. Borrowing motifs that will be familiar not just from the newspapers but from crime dramas currently shown on television, Gillian Philip combines them with the more traditional themes of the teen novel - relationships, growing up and the pressures faced by teenagers today. The result is rich fare - a novel crowded with incident, characters and content.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud |
'The secret of being an outlaw was to move fast and stay light on your feet' - a precept Scarlett follows meticulously. Then she meets Albert Browne - and life becomes complicated. This is a rollicking adventure from the master of the alternative setting, Jonathan Stroud. Here it is a Britain travelling across a Wessex, robbing banks, avoiding the Mentors, trying to reach the Free Isles. The action is non-stop, the characters engaging - great teen reading.
(bwl 102 Autumn 2021) |
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The Painter of Silence by Geraldine Harding |
What would it be like to have no words or access to words because you are both deaf and mute? This is the premise behind this novel. Set in Romania just after the war we follow the fortunes of Augustin - the deaf-mute artist of the title - and Safta, his childhood companion. Atmospheric with a strong sense of place clearly inspired by A Time of Gifts (bwl 20 & 33) it is worth reading.
(bwl 67 Winter 2013) |
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The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein |
It is June 1938. Julie Beaufort-Stuart is returning for the last time to her grandfather's Scottish estate. It is being sold, and a way of life will vanish. Instead of an idyllic stay, Julie finds herself embroiled in a mystery. Strong characters, a brilliant sense of time and place this is a YA novel that can be read by a much wider audience. Recommended.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer |
Feeling low - the cure: Georgette Heyer; not to everyone's taste, she is ideal for those 'Mars Bar' occasions. Lively characters, an ability to write dialogue and a sense of history - she does bring the past to life. While The Reluctant Widow may not be her best, it combines humour, mystery and romance into a very satisfying whole that does not require too much concentration but lifts the mood. Indulge yourself - try her (Stephen Fry does!).
(bwl 42 October 2007) |
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The River Midnight by Lilian Nattel |
This is a real find - a lovely read which resonates beyond the page. It is a portrait of a Polish Jewish 'shtetl' over a year at the end of the 19th century. The same incidents are seen from the point of view of different villagers - the women, the men and above all Misha, the charismatic midwife. Ranging from the past to the future, using Jewish traditions and stories Nattel recreates her heritage.
(bwl 18 April 2003) |
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The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brookes |
Fiction for the young today is far from anodyne. This is a hard hitting thriller from an outstanding writer. Ruben and Cole Ford have been devastated by the brutal rape and murder of their sister, Rachel. Bent on discovering the truth - and exacting revenge - they find themselves in a bleak Dartmoor village, rife with secrets and menace. Full of brooding atmosphere and violence, this novel had me gripped from the first page to the last.
(bwl 40 June 2007) |
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The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson |
Originally published as A Countess Below Stairs, this is the antidote to gloomy, rain-sodden afternoons. Feeling in need of a pick-me-up? - curl up in a large chair with this novel. Out for a summer afternoon on the river with hamper and champagne? - this is book to take. A trademark Ibbotson: a glorious romance with everything - handsome hero, lovely heroine and ghastly villain (villainess).
(bwl 66 Autumn 2011) |
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The Shadow of Death by James Runcie |
Here we have a set of stories very much in the mould of Miss Marple or Father Brown. It is the fifties, Sydney Chambers is Vicar of Grantchester - and like Father Brown seems to attract trouble in the form of crime. These are gentle stories that reflect local parish life. The puzzles are neat, the characters amusing without being original. The stories are now an ITV series: Grantchester.
(bwl 74 Autumn 2014) |
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The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott |
Historical novels are back in vogue both for adults and for the young - so much easier to get rid of the adults. The Short Knife - aimed at good readers 10+ - is a really good example. It reminded me of the immersive novels of Rosemary Sutcliff. Set just after the legions have left Britain as the Saxons arrive it may not be such a familiar period to some but here is history that is colourful and relevant. A great read.
(bwl 97 Summer 2020) |
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The Siege of Krishnapur by J G Farrell |
Set against the backdrop of the Indian Mutiny, this novel turns the spotlight on the British community in the beleaguered (fictional) town of Krishnapur. Farrell is not particularly interested in the rights or wrongs of the situation. His concern is what happens when entrenched social attitudes and complacent beliefs about culture are placed under extreme strain. You will either hate or thoroughly enjoy Farrell's humorous and coruscating look at imperialism. I enjoyed it.
(bwl 66 Autumn 2012) |
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The Silent Stars Go By by Sally Nicholls |
Though written for a young adult audience this is also adultvjust much shorter than many novels telling similar tales. The war - World War I is over; a time of rejoicing. Harry, who three years ago was reported missing in action, is alive and coming home but for Margot there is a secret to be kept at all costs. Beautifully written, Sally Nicholls captures the period, the place and the people perfectly.
(bwl 99 Winter 2021) |
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The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith |
This is the second Cormoran Strike novel by Robert Galbraith aka J. K. Rowling. As with the first it is a very competent, thoroughly enjoyable detective novel of the traditional variety. The plot is convoluted and is set in the world of publishing, involving the death of a rather nasty author. While there is nothing particularly original, with good characters and an intriguing murder, this is one for the summer break.
(bwl 73 Summer 2014) |
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The Silver Curlew by Eleanor Farjeon |
This is a book from the past. No one can recreate fairy tales like Eleanor Farjeon who was both an accomplished author and a poet. This is her retelling of the tale of Rumplestiltskin - or rather the English version Tom Tit Tot. It has the feel of a superior pantomime - a moment of magic that dissolves reality with humour and poetry. Farjeon's style is perfectly mirrored by Shepard's illustrations. Do look for it.
(bwl 63 Winter 2011) |
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The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis |
Rereading this the first of the Falco novels, I was not disappointed. Davis writes with humour and impressive knowledge of the Roman World - here the process of mining for silver in the British mines - and the corruption that went with it. Falco is engaging, Helena a worthy heroine, so if you haven't met them allow me to affect the introduction.
(bwl 84 Spring 2017) |
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The Smell of Other People's Houses by Sue Bonnie Hitchcock |
How to describe the homes of other people or places you remember? For the four teenage protagonists in this absorbing coming-of-age novel it is the smell. Set in Alaska, the author captures the small-town atmosphere of this Last Frontier in the 1970s. I was not expecting to enjoy what sounded like just another teenage novel with the usual tensions and problems. I loved it.
(bwl 80 Spring 2016) |
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The Snake Stone by Jason Goodwin |
Meet Yashim, an unlikely detective; he is a eunuch and the setting is 19th century Istanbul, a place full of colour, excitement, passion - and crime. This is the second novel about Yashim and I am looking forward to reading the first - The Janissary Tree - and then more. Yashim is an engaging character, the background exotic, the plots labyrinthine. What more can one want?
(bwl 58 Autumn 2010) |
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The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce |
Meet Alanna of Trebond. Her ambition to become knight; her brother Thom wants to become a magician. Both ambitions go against the rules of their world. So will they succeed? Well you have to follow Alanna as she takes on a boy’s persona and trains with the squires. Full of action, adventure, magic and jeopardy – and a bit of romance - Alanna’s career is one for all those active girls who want to kick against convention.
(bwl 113 Summer 2024) |
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The Spirit-Wrestlers: And other survivors of the Russian Century by Philip Marsden |
I met Philip Marsden (metaphorically) in Ethiopia. Here he is in Russia following the trail of the Doukhobor's - "spirit-wrestlers" - a group of radical Russian sectarians who basically reject the institution of the church, believing in the "spark of light that lives in each individual". It is a journey taking him from Moscow, across the Steppe to the Caucasus. It is fascinating, depressing and absorbing; a lost world.
(bwl 95 Winter 2020) |
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The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern |
I loved The Night Circus, the author's debut so was really looking forward to this her second novel. The production certainly promised a magical read. Possibly...probably...but I found myself so disappointed (or maybe I am not clever enough). Magical, yes - but somewhat incoherent. I think the whole is a metaphor for writing a book and the way imagination works potentially a threat to reason. But I am not sure...form over substance? Can someone enlighten me?
(bwl 103 Winter 2022) |
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the stars at oktober bend by Glenda Millard |
An extraordinary voice; Alice Nightingale is not able to speak properly - but her head is full of words and poems. She writes these out leaving them pinned round the township for anyone to find. One of those is Manny James from Sierra Leone, a refugee. Both suffer for who they are. Another painful YA novel? Yes in parts but ultimately uplifting. Do read it.
(bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith |
Imagine seeing a young man fall past you from the gallery while at a concert. Isabel Dalhousie, editor of The Review of Applied Ethics, witnesses such an event and feels morally obliged to find out more. Under the pen of Rankin this would set the scene for a spiral of increasingly nasty deaths. However, this genteel foray into detection is an excuse for McCall Smith to reflect on life, morality and everything. Very enjoyable.
(bwl 26 October 2004) |
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The Supreme Lie by Geraldine McCaughrean |
Geraldine McCaughrean is one of my favourite authors currently writing for a young audience - but she is not necessarily the most popular. Her writing is razor sharp, replete with glorious vocabulary, her wit is as keen and her settings always a surprise. Here we are in Afalia, a country threatened by a cataclysmic flood. People rely on the News. But is it the truth? Clever, percipient, challenging - and often funny.
(bwl 102 Autumn 2021) |
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The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley |
Meet the new heroine of detective fiction . . . Flavia de Luce, and she is eleven years old! The period is vintage, 1950 to be precise; the setting (you have guessed it) a substantial country house; the cast, eccentric. This is the first in the series, and I shall be looking out for more. Flavia is brilliant - but I like Inspector Hewitt; his code for Flavia is "P"!
(bwl 64 Spring 2012) |
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The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan |
Welcome to a new hero for lovers of detective novels. Inspector Chopra is retiring - a great day. But made surreal by the gift of a baby elephant. There are family complications and a crime to solve. Chopra is a man of principle - and I thoroughly enjoyed making his acquaintance. Traditional format laced with gentle humour against the exotic bustle of Mumbai - and a baby elephant.
(bwl 81 Summer 2016) |
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The Vanished Man by Jeffrey Deaver |
The fourth novel featuring detective Lincoln Rhyme. Full of forensic detail - and everything you might want to know about conjuring. Rhyme and his team are pitted against a magician seeking revenge. There are blind-alleys, misdirection and surprises throughout with the usual completely unexpected twist at the end. Like Holmes, Rhyme, a quadriplegic, solves his mysteries using his mind (helped by modern technology). I love the detail and nail-biting excitement. Polished, no - but gripping.
(bwl 19 June 2003) |
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The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant |
Bad Munstereifel: everybody knows everyone - and the details of their lives. Not the place for mysteries, one might imagine. Then a young girl vanishes, and eleven year old Pia seems to be the last to have seen her. This is the start of an excellent debut novel for teenagers- but adults could enjoy it too. A mystery, a family story... and local folklore to add colour, this is a page turner.
(bwl 52 July 2009) |
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The Wall by William Sutcliffe |
Published both as an adult and a children's novel, this is very much an example of the "cross-over". Though Sutcliff uses imaginary names it is clearly set on the Israel-Palestine border. When Joshua kicks his football over the Wall that keeps him safe (as he has been told), he decides to rescue it. What he discovers changes his life forever. Didactic, perhaps, but well worth reading.
(bwl 72 Spring 2014) |
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The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan |
This is a "verse novel" that sensitively charts the experience of a Polish teenager arriving in this country to face a new life as her old life crumbles. This is not a showy novel that shouts at the reader, rather it is quietly compelling. This type of novel can seem a bit of a "fad", but in this instance it works and Kasienka's voice is completely convincing.
Carnegie shortlist 2013
(bwl 68 Spring 2013) |
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The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean |
This is a challenging novel, well worth reading; McCaughrean, an outstanding writer for young people, makes no concessions to her audience. Sym, awkward, lonely, intelligent and deaf finds herself on a bizarre journey to the ends of the world - literally, as she travels across Antarctica. Sym has always been fascinated by the continent and in Scott's final journey; her best friend is Captain Titus Oates - but he died ninety years ago. Intriguing? Read it.
(bwl 33 February 2006) |
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The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders |
Take a brother and sister - twins; a new home inherited from a mysterious uncle; a cat called Demerara (who can talk) and a very grimy rat and you have the beginnings of a thoroughly enjoyable adventure involving a dastardly uncle, magic and a lot of chocolate. Did you know there is a government department called the Secret Ministry of the Unexplained? You do now. For younger readers.
(bwl 64 Spring 2012) |
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The Witching Hour by Eizabeth Laird |
Set in 17th C Scotland, a violent period of religious struggles, bitter hatreds and extreme cruelties, the narrative follows Maggie Blair as she flees her home on Bute - having been accused of being a witch - across Scotland to Edinburgh in a desperate attempt to free her uncle taken as a Covenanter; an excellent, well crafted and absorbing historical novel with a strong female protagonist and a good sense of period for teen readers. Recommended.
(bwl 53 September 2009) |
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The Year the Gypsies Came by Linzi Glass |
It is 1966, the outskirts of Johannesburg. For Emily life would be perfect - if only they did have a really happy family. But it is Buza, the old Zulu, who gives Emily the love and support she longs for. Then Streak and his itinerant family arrive, bringing novelty. Their arrival triggers a chain of events that ends in tragedy. Beautifully written for a teen audience this is a book to recommend to adults as well.
(bwl 39 April 2007) |
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This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel |
It is the 18th century. We are in Switzerland at the Chateau Frankenstein with sixteen year old Victor, his twin brother, Konrad and their cousin, Elizabeth. Life is full of laughter and liberal ideas. Then Konrad falls ill. What will Victor do to save his beloved brother - especially when Elizabeth stands between them? What with alchemy, sibling jealousy and love, this is a truly gothic novel - atmospheric, exciting and extremely well crafted.
(bwl 66 Autumn 2012) |
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This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson |
A substantial read - but do not let this put you off, nor that it is in that fashionable "genre" of "faction" - a fictionalised treatment of historical events. Here it is the voyage of the Beagle with Charles Darwin on board under the command of Fitzroy. My heart sank - but no, it was a riveting read not least because of the central protagonist, Fitzroy himself - someone we should know more about - an unsung hero. Read it to find out why.
(bwl 94 Autumn 2019) |
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Toby Alone by Timothee De Fombelle |
Toby is on the run, hunted by his own people. This sounds a promising start for a thriller. But Toby is no more than one millimetre tall and his home is the Tree. Translated from the French (the sequel is already out in France), this is an exciting adventure for young readers with a strong ecological theme that those who have been brought up on 'The Borrowers' - and those who haven't - will relish.
(bwl 45 April 2008) |
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Tomorrow is Beautiful: Poems to comfort, uplift and delight by Sarah Crossan |
Poetry has been making a come-back in recent years with the rise of the verse novel. There have also been some brilliant anthologies and this is one - the most recent. Sarah Crossan is a poet and novelist. Here she has collected a wide ranging selection of poems that reflect a sense of hope - there are poets from the past and many from the present. A volume full of glorious surprises.
(bwl 102 Autumn 2021) |
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Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere by Jan Morris |
If you are going to Trieste – and you might - it is no Renaissance town; its heyday (brief) was the 19th century. But Jan Morris captures a very specific atmosphere and the reader is intrigued. It is not so much a travel book as an exploration of a place with a unique relationship with Italy, Austria and Slovenia. This is a book about a place and the feelings it inspired. I was mesmerised and read it in one go.
(bwl 114 Autumn 2024) |
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Unbecoming by Jenny Downham |
Jenny Downham has already made her name with her bold choice of subjects. Her third novel continues the tradition. Katie is confused about her sexuality. Willing to conform, she feels hemmed in by her mother's attempts to guide and control. Then Mary arrives, the grandmother she does not know, suffering from old age and memory. Told from the point of view of both Katy and Mary this is a powerful young adult novel.
(bwl 81 Summer 2016) |
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Unhooking the Moon by Gregory Hughes |
When their father dies, Bob and his little sister, Rat, set off for New York to find their relatives. It is the Rat's idea - and it is the character of the Rat that is central to this road-trip adventure. This is a typically American novel as the two children negotiate the city streets, finding warm hearts wherever they go. Enjoyably quirky, with a bittersweet ending that does not detract from the overall feel-good character.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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Unraveller by Frances Hardinge |
The latest journey into the rich imagination of Frances Hardinge. Enter Raddith and the misty marsh-woods, the Wilds - the home of the spider like Little Brothers who will seek out those filled with anger or hate and bequeath them a curse. Kellen is unique – he can unravel a curse often with difficult consequences. But there is a mystery to solve, and Kellen is the one to solve it. Totally immersive – keep your wits about you.
(bwl 108 Spring 2023) |
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Vanity Fair by William Makepiece Thackeray |
I have to confess I have been putting off reading this. The thought of Becky Sharp has always made me reluctant. What a mistake. Sprawling, vivid, full of characters this is a brilliant book to read. This is not least because of Thackeray's own voice, because he is there all the time, commenting on his characters and on the human condition with humour and wit. And Becky . . . well she seduces everyone.
(bwl 77 Summer 2015) |
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Velvet by Mary Hooper |
This is a very accessible historical novel as one would expect from Mary Hooper. She delights in introducing her young readers to unusual and interesting aspects of society - in this case that of the late Victorian and early Edwardian period. However, it is rescued from becoming a history lesson through her characters - Velvet is lively, independent and attractive and her predicament ensures that the reader wants to turn the page. Definitely one to try.
(bwl 62 Autumn 2011) |
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Western Lane by Chetna Maroo |
A family devastated by grief. A father with three teenage daughters to bring up. This sounds as if it might be a cliché, but this slim novel (almost a novella) avoids any such criticism. This is a novel about grief, that instead of talking directly about grief, finds ways of avoiding it. Instead there is the game of squash. While it may not appeal to all this is clever writing, nuanced and subtle and could catch you unawares.
(bwl 114 Autumn 2024) |
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Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean |
I make no apology for once more recommending Geraldine McCaughrean; she is one of the finest writers for young people today, always original. Her latest is no exception. We are transported to St Kilda. The community relies on harvesting the sea birds each summer for livelihood. A group of boys with three adults set off to Warrior Stac; but no one comes to bring them home. Read on.
(bwl 85 Summer 2017) |
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White Truffles in Winter by N M Kelby |
I was immediately attracted by the title; delicious. And so it should be since this is a novel built round the life of Escoffier. I found it initially disappointing, though the lush descriptions of the food, dishes and menus are wonderful. Escoffier is both larger than life character, while remaining shadowy. By the end I was immersed - though still a little unsatisfied. Very nearly very good; interesting.
(bwl 69 Summer 2013) |
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Winter Damage by Natasha Carthew |
Natasha Carthew writes poetry; it really shows in this novel aimed at a teenage market. Set in Cornwall, it is a dystopian imagining but very real - and the cold which pervades the narrative is palpable. A tale of desperation, survival and ultimately hope. Read it.
(bwl 70 Autumn 2013) |
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Wisdom of the Ancients by Neil Oliver |
Here in a series of what are separate essays or if they had appeared online “blogs”, the archaeologist and historian, Neil Oliver, looks at the deep past and the emergence of homo sapiens to identify ideas, relationships, questions that are still important today, though all too often subsumed by the speed with which we live now. Organised under six thematic headings this is a personal, thoughtful book and worth dipping into.
(bwl 108 Autumn 2023) |
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Wonder by R J Palacio |
What would it be like to be so disfigured that people either shun you or make fun of you? This is the predicament of the young protagonist in this novel. How he deals with it is both thought provoking and heart warming; and even though I found the "Pollyanna" element a little too much, this is a novel with a wide appeal across ages and interests.
Carnegie shortlist 2013
(bwl 68 Spring 2013) |
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Yours from the Tower by Sally Nicholls |
Sally Nicholls writes for young teens and YA. This, her latest book is a treat. Set in the 1890’s three friends (all girls, all in their late teens) write to each other now they have left school - their hopes, fears, frustrations. Through their letters we get a glimpse of different aspects of the society of the times. It is a neat, engaging package – and there is romance. Think Daddy Longlegs by Jean Webster.
(bwl 111 Winter 2024) |
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