Novels & Biogs
Westwood by Stella Gibbons
I’ve been listening to Lynne Truss’s Radio 4 Extra adaption of this just re-released version of Stella Gibbon’s Westwood and it’s a joy. Many people think Stella Gibbons begins and ends with Cold Comfort Farm, but she wrote lots more… Read More
The Locusts have No King by Dawn Powell
As recommended by TWR reader (and sometimes book reviewer for us) Lee Randall, this is a gorgeously New York-y book, set at the end of the 40s, full of dames, late night bar activity, high-falutin’ social parties, actors, playwrights and… Read More
The Long Song by Andrea Levy
Clara Bow Runnin’ Wild, by David Stenn
Clara Bow Runnin’ Wild, by David Stenn takes us back to the Roaring Twenties, when the film industry moved out of New York and headed for sunny Hollywood. Clara Bow was the original sex symbol, dubbed the “It” girl by… Read More
Cyril Connolly: The Life and Times of England’s Most Controversial Literary Critic, by Clive Fisher
Cyril Connolly: The Life and Times of England’s Most Controversial Literary Critic, by Clive Fisher.
Another book in which promiscuity features heavily – all the more extraordinary since Connolly looked like a chubby bulldog. But boy, could he pull! Proof,… Read More
Huxley In Hollywood by David King Dunaway
Huxley in Hollywood by David King Dunaway. This is a great book about an intriguing man. What’s stuck all these years –I’ve just discovered a page full of notes made at the time of reading – is the description of… Read More
The Model Wife by Suzanna Fagence Cooper
The Model Wife, by Suzanne Fagence Cooper is the story of Effie Millais (nee Gray), possessor of the most speculated-about pubic hair in all of history. She was the ill-fated bride of John Ruskin, a man who managed to be… Read More
War Paint by Lindy Woodhead
War Paint: Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, Their Lives, their Times, their Rivalry, by Lindy Woodhead. This dual biography isn’t merely the tale of two impressive female entrepreneurs, but the story of the rise of the beauty industry, which was… Read More
Blue Monday by Nicci French
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Mistress of my Fate: the Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot
How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Haven’t read this yet, just read wonderful reviews. Coming from Amazon today. Will update once I’m through it.
OK, read it now. It’s a glorious mash up of characters whose stories are connected through school, college or just fate. It’s … Read More
Squirrel seeks Chipmunk, a wicked bestiary by David Sedaris
Dorian by Will Self
I picked this up at the V&A shop after having whizzed through the Cult of Beauty exhibition. It is wicked, full of sex and drugs and highly enjoyable. Will Self always makes me feel a bit thick, and I always… Read More
To My Best Friends by Sam Baker
We are grateful to Sandy Lewis for this review
“This book is a chick lit summer read and it certainly does what it says on the tin. Runs loosely along the ‘Sex in the City’ formula, give or take, although… Read More
Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt
This is an accomplished and original first novel by Rebecca Hunt. It’s about loss and depression, but is actually quite uplifting, it was of interest to me because of the insights into the condition.… Read More
The Best Of Everything by Rona Jaffe
0… Read More
Lucky Break by Esther Freud
The Happy Hoofer by Celia Imrie
Ok, so we haven’t actually read Celia’s book, but we did hear her discussing it on Radio Two’s Bank Holiday Monday programme with French and Saunders. It sounds great, she’s so funny (did you know she was once kidnapped?) and… Read More
Smut by Alan Bennett
It’s a new Alan Bennett, featuring middle age women and their views on sex, what more do you need to know?… Read More
Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
Completely hilarious novel about the sort of aunt you SO wished you’d been blessed with. A must, the fashion references are a joy.… Read More
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Other people’s bookshelves
I am on holiday, staying in a house with very extensive bookshelves full of books that are very battered and faded due to the sea breezes and hot sun. Looking through other people’s bookshelves is always fun and occasionally enlightening,… Read More
Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
Hilarious, I am a David Sedaris groupie.… Read More
Comfort and Joy by India Knight
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Our favourite book this year. Surprisingly engaging account of Patti Smith’s arrival in New York, meeting Robert Mapplethorpe and her first taste of success. After reading this, both Jane and Amanda wanted to BE Patti Smith.… Read More
We Had it So Good by Linda Grant
Room by Emma Donoghue
Beautiful Darkness by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia
When we heard about Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia’s method of writing novels together, we couldn’t help but be interested, since Jane and I are a writing partnership of sorts too (although sadly, nowhere near as rich).
The ladies write… Read More