Friday Book Debrief Vol 17

Every week we’re sharing what our some of our writers are currently reading.

For all of our US readers we now have our own Bookshop! You can find the full list of the below books here and with every purchase you will be helping local independent bookstores! All the below links will direct you to Amazon, but as usual we would much rather you support your local independent stores, lots are now doing local deliveries and they need your help more then ever in these uncertain times. - ❤️

The Creativity Code by Marcus du Sautoy - Christina

On my to read list for far too long. A bit heavy at times—I must say this is not the ideal read for these troubled times!

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card - Mel

The storyline immediately reminded me of Stay With Me, one of my favorite books, but with a more haunting set of deceased friends and relatives. The intriguing format of the intro initially hooked me, and the audiobook performance is keeping me interested!

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus - Melissa

This is a comfort story for me not only because I loved The Nanny Diaries (the book and the movie!), but also because I'm a nanny myself. The relationship between nanny, child, and parental figure can be tricky to navigate, but McLaughlin and Kraus put across the complexities while weaving in humor, too. This light book is just what I need during this weird, isolated time.

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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Real Life by Brandon Taylor - Maggie

I could honestly read this in one sitting if I wanted to. But I don’t want to. I’ve been following Taylor’s work online for years and I am trying to savor every second of his debut novel. It is very beautiful.

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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Crossfire: A Litany for Survival by Staceyann Chin - Akilah

"I have quietly decided to construct this / maybe-ultimatum-perhaps-even-final-farewell / before I find myself / three flights up on a broken fire escape / threatening to jump / or push you / over some ill-conceived ledge of impossibility"

While that does sound like the best decision, I implore you to let Chin's words push you off a better-conceived ledge, send you flying because I promise her words will also catch you.

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier - Cat

It's been a little hard to concentrate on this fairly slow-moving novel this week, but I've been enjoying it when I can get settled in. Set in Cornwall in 1820, the plot follows young Mary Yellan as she moves in with her simpering aunt and sinister uncle after the death of her mother—I haven't got much further than that yet! Daphne du Maurier is the queen of moody, atmospheric tales with themes of isolation and secrecy, and Jamaica Inn has these things in abundance.

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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The Passage of Love by Alex Miller - Courtney

I had never seen/heard anything about this book until the cover caught my eye and the blurb solidified my interest. The writing is wonderful, with excellent flow, but I’m still trying to figure out what to take from this novel.

Buy it here - US, UK, AUS.

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The Book of Anna by Carmen Boullosa - Jessica Maria

I was excited to start this book because the preface states that this is a book Anna Karenina wrote and is mentioned in the famous Tolstoy novel. And then. And then, as I’m reading along, suddenly the characters of Sergei and Anya (Anna Karenina’s now-adult children) are feeling some f*cked up ennui because they are surrounded by real people, and they were “written by Tolstoy.” In this novel, there are real people, and they are “fictional.” I have NO idea what’s happening or where Boullosa is taking me but I have fallen in love.

Pre-order - US, UK, AUS. OUT APRIL 14TH

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what have you been reading this week?

Sending lots of love to wherever you are in the world, from all of us at the book slut. x