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Modern Classic Monday: Beloved by Toni Morrison
The plot: Sethe is a formerly enslaved woman living in Ohio with her daughter, Denver, and haunted by a past that simply refuses to remain buried. When a mysterious young woman named Beloved arrives, memories of the past begin to resurface, forcing Sethe and those around her to confront the devastating legacy of slavery. Beloved… Continue reading
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Author Spotlight : Toni Morrison
Few writers have shaped modern literature like Toni Morrison. I discovered her at university, and it is fair to say her work shocked me to my core. With her lyrical prose, unforgettable characters and fearless exploration of history, identity and community, Morrison created novels that are both deeply personal and universal. Who was Toni Morrison?… Continue reading
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Modern Classic Monday: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The plot: You’d be forgiven for thinking that this book is a gentle coming of age story, set in the English countryside. Kathy, Tommy and Ruth grow up together at Hailsham, a boarding school that seems idyllic but hides a most unsettling secret. As the friends grow up, the truth about their lives – and… Continue reading
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All Adults Here by Emma Straub
Genre: Family Drama Pages: 335 First published: 2020 Original language: English The plot: When 68 year old Astrid Strick witnesses a woman get hit by a bus, it prompts an uncomfortable realization: that life is short, and perhaps she hasn’t been entirely honest with her family. Having been in a relationship for some time with… Continue reading
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The Classics Collection : Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Yesterday we explored the life and works of Thomas Hardy. Today, let’s take a closer look at my favorite of his novels, Tess of the D’Urbervilles. The plot: On the surface, Tess is a story about a young woman whose life is transformed by the discovery that she may be descended from a prominent local… Continue reading
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Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Genre: Romantic Comedy (apparently) Pages: 352 First published: 2024 Original language: English The plot: Andy Dawson is 35, and a moderately successful stand-up comedian. He’s also recently single, after his girlfriend of four years, Jen, has decided that their relationship is over. Andy regards this decision less as a fact, and more as an irritating… Continue reading
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So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne
Genre: Mystery Pages: 405 First published: 2025 Original language: English The plot: A darkly funny, emotionally charged story about motherhood, friendship, and the complicated expectations placed on women. Nicki, Lauren, Charlotte and Steffi have been friends since university, but their lives have moved in very different directions as they’ve reached their 30s. Charlotte is desperate… Continue reading
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Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Genre: Family Drama Pages: 352 First published: 2024 Original language: English The plot: Three sisters, devastated after the death of their much-loved fourth sister, return home to New York to stop the sale of their childhood home. They are each exceptionally different. Avery is a lawyer, response and straight-laced, living in London with her wife.… Continue reading
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Just For The Summer by Abby Jiminez
Overcoming curses together. Genre: Romantic Comedy Pages: 405 First published: 2024 Original language: English The plot: Justin is cursed. Every woman he dates meets their soul mate right after they break up. So when Emma, a woman navigating a similar curse, comes into his life, they decide to date each other in the hope of… Continue reading
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5 Coming of Age Stories
Coming of age stories – characterised by a lead character who experiences a life-changing event, that transforms them into the person they will become – are incredibly popular. That’s because they are relatable! Many of us have experienced events that shaped us. Whether it was first love (or first heartbreak), the discovery of a family… Continue reading
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