Night Watching by Tracy Sierra
Best for: Those who want a page turner that has an underlying message about society. In a nutshell: Our protagonist isn’t given a name – in fact, no one, I realised only as I started writing this review, has a proper name. Everyone is identified by their relation or role – mother, father, daughter, son. She wakes up in the night to see a man standing in her hallway, and has to make a decision about how to keep her children safe. Worth quoting: “Men […]
Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham
Best for: Folks who are interested in how man-made disasters come about, and how governments and individual people respond to them. In a nutshell: During a test of the cooling system, one of the reactors at the Chernobyl plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, USSR, explodes, leading to some immediate deaths, some short-term deaths, many longer-term deaths, and the complete abandonment of an entire city. Worth quoting: “We have to be seen to be doing something.” Why I chose it: I watched the recent miniseries and given […]
I am a Hitman by Anonymous
Best for: I can’t really recommend this book. It’s fine, but not something I’d recommend even to those who have a curiosity about such things. In a nutshell: The author claims he worked as a hit man, and details how he came into that world, and how he eventually got out. Worth quoting: Nothing. Why I chose it: Wanted an audio book to read while running and as someone who finds details and specifics fascinating, I was interested in HOW contract killing actually worked. Review: […]
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Best for: Those who enjoy a bit of mystery, a bit of revenge, and some history. In a nutshell: Two parallel stories: In the late 1700s, Nella runs a secret apothecary in London to assist women who need freeing from abusive men. In the current day, Caroline has come to London to celebrate her 10th anniversary, only just before leaving the US for the trip, she found out her husband had been having an affair. Worth quoting: N/A – Audio book Why I chose it: […]
How Bad Are Bananas: The Carbon Footprint of Everything by Mike Berners-Lee
Best for: Anyone interested in the overall topic of climate footprints; those who are looking for some ideas on how they can reduce their own. In a nutshell: Author Berners-Lee explores the literal carbon cost of pretty much everything. Worth quoting: “Cryptocurrencies have to be one of the most fundamentally pointless ways of using energy. … Blockchain…adds even more to the energy use and the carbon footprint.” Why I chose it: I was looking for a book to leave at work and read when I […]
The Woman Who Lied by Claire Douglas
Best for: Fans of this genre. In a nutshell: Emilia is a successful author of mystery novels. She’s working on her latest book when some odd things start happening … right out of her novels. Including the latest unpublished one. Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: I’ve enjoyed her previous books. Review: I sped listened to this book because it was so interesting to me. Emilia is divorced and remarried – she co-parents her daughter with her ex-husband, who is now married to one […]
