When I was young, my family accused me of being a “full contact reader.” My hands still bear the scars of books I’d read while slicing carrots, the knife edging ominously close to a curled knuckle. As an adult, I’ve managed to temper my more reckless tendencies – mainly thanks to audiobooks, which allow me to read whilst intersecting traffic or sautéing onions. To me, the best books are those you can’t bear to put down: the ones you read late into the night, unaware that the ticking clock is edging ever closer to dawn. Here’s a list of five of my favourites… preferably to be read without sharp or flammable objects in the vicinity.
I wrote...
The Last Grand Duchess
By
Bryn Turnbull
What is my book about?
Grand Duchess Olga comes of age amid a shifting tide for the great dynasties of Europe. But even as unrest simmers in the capital, Olga lives within the confines of her sheltered life, hiding from the world on account of her brother Alexei’s secret affliction and rising controversy over Father Grigori Rasputin. Olga’s only escape from the seclusion of Alexander Palace comes from her aunt’s grand tea parties.
As troubling rumors about her parents trickle in from the front, Olga dares to hope that a budding romance might survive whatever the future may hold. But when tensions run high and supplies run low, the controversy over Rasputin grows into fiery protest, and calls for revolution threaten to end 300 years of Romanov rule.
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The Books I Picked & Why
The Library of Legends
By
Janie Chang
Why this book?
Chronicling the real-life evacuation of Chinese university students during the Battle of Nanking, Janie Chang makes history and magic come alive in The Library of Legends, perfectly tying together the trials and tribulations of a group of students evacuating Nanking with the myths and legends that they’re sworn to protect – and which protect them in turn over the dangerous 1,000-mile journey to safety. Quite simply, this book is magical.
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The Social Graces
By
Renée Rosen
Why this book?
I’m a sucker for a gilded-age story, and Renee Rosen’s latest novel ticks all the boxes for a truly immersive read. Chronicling the high society rivalry between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt, The Social Graces takes readers into the truly baffling feud between old and new money, making you all but feel as though you’re at parties with the Four Hundred, backbiting and gossiping behind the fold of an open fan.
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Courage, My Love
By
Kristin Beck
Why this book?
I can’t tell you how many World War II novels I’ve read (and loved!) and Kristin Beck’s debut novel, Courage, My Love, stands out as an unforgettable tale of women in the Italian resistance. Showcasing the bravery and strength of those who fought against fascism, Beck’s impeccably-researched book drops readers into the harrowing and dangerous world of occupied Rome. Absolutely unputdownable.
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Bloomsbury Girls: A Novel
By
Natalie Jenner
Why this book?
Pour yourself a cup of Ceylon and settle into your coziest armchair to transport yourself to Bloomsbury Books, the postwar London bookshop where three determined women are about to make history. Natalie Jenner’s upcoming novel is a quiet and triumphant celebration of literary sisterhood, peopled with real-life literary figures and memorable heroines.
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Sisters in Arms
By
Kaia Alderson
Why this book?
I so love a WWII book that opens my eyes to a lesser-known aspect of the fight against fascism, and Kaia Alderson’s debut novel gives readers an insight into the lives of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black female battalion that served in Europe. Immersing readers in the experiences of women fighting prejudice at home and abroad, Alderson’s novel is a fantastic read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
