Book after Book

By Chloe Benjamin Published by Tinder Press As a blogger, sometimes I feel so in awe of a book that words won’t come out. This is one of those books… but I will try and write a couple of coherent sentences. Chloe Benjamin’s second book, The Immortalists , was published in the US on January 9th and – since then – it has been praised and celebrated wherever it’s landed. If you knew the day you were going to die, how would you choose to live? This question perfectly encapsulates this great novel, which succeeds in being witty, moving and tragic all at the same time. Everything begins in the summer of 1969, when the four Gold children – Varya, Daniel, Klara and Simon – decide to seek out a fortune-teller known for her ability to predict the date of your death. This one childhood act of bravado will change the way they will live and – ultimately – die. The novel is divided into four parts, one for each of the siblings, and follows them as they hurtle through life and face...

By Stella Duffy Published by Serpent’s Tail Synopsis: Saz has been hired by a mystery employer, the Wavewalker, to investigate the activities of Dr Maxwell North, an internationally acclaimed therapist, healer and guru. She starts by experiencing ‘The Process’ at a meeting in London, then insinuates herself into North’s life and home, not realising the extent to which North will go to protect the dark secrets of his past. Starting in ‘70s San Francisco, then crashing into her own ‘90s London life, the investigation propels Saz into dangerous territory and a highly combustible conclusion. How did this book end up in my hands? I bought this book many years ago. I’m ashamed to say I can’t even remember when I bought it but long enough ago to have followed me through many house moves. Was it a page-turner? Yes, every twist in the plot was completely unexpected – right to the very end. Having read the synopsis, did the book meet my expectations? Yes. The story was well develope...