December was a stacked month of great reads, here we break down all our favourite books from Dolly Alderton Barbra Streisand.
Rating: A-
For anyone who loved The Devil Wears Prada and has a secret fascination with high fashion, this is a must read. Amy Odell is masterful in her craft of this story of Anna Wintour’s life – it’s definitely a heavier read if you’re not a fan but a fascinating insight into the power play behind the scenes at Conde Nast and the wider impact of Wintour on fashion.
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Rating: B+
I’m a sucker for a Lisa Jewell and this did not disappoint! A cult-like story of a horror house and the search for the identity of a baby in that house. This took turns I didn’t see coming til the last few pages – loved it!
Rating: A
One of the best rom com novels I’ve read in ages – a delightful re-telling of When Harry Met Sally, the writing is sharp, witty and utterly compelling, a delightful novel.
really good, actually by Monica Heisey
Rating: A-
I laughed and cried in equal measure to this story of Maggie who is learning to carry on with her life, post-divorce. Heisey is a masterful character writer, who infuses life into Maggie throughout – you feel like one of her friends, tearing your hair out and commiserating with her in equal measure.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Rating: A+
I wasn’t a huge fan of Ghosts, but adored this latest offering from Dolly Alderton – the story of Andy, a struggling comedian, attempting to reconfigure his life after a bad break-up. It’s tender, moving and deeply compelling and the last chapters are some of the best portrayals of a break-up I have read.
Rating: B+
Yarros is a master of plot but the prose of this felt rushed – some of her ideas too felt like they hadn’t been fully fleshed out and I’m nervous that there will be plot holes in this series as it is rushed out to meet the virality of The Fourth Wing.
My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
Rating: A
Not for the faint-hearted but for any fans of Barbra this is a gloriously decadent and rich read, Barbra masterfully tells the story of her life and her journey through Hollywood and Broadway – a joy to read.
