Spring has finally sprung and our lovely librarian Dhimati has got some bloomin’ wonderful reads for your March book selection. So settle down among the daffodils and enjoy this month’s book reviews.
Top non-fiction: The Skills – From First Job To Dream Job: What Every Woman Needs To Know By Mishal Husain
Gathering together advice for women of all ages, whether they are new graduates, working mothers or simply seeking a career change, The Skills encourages women to make their ambitions a reality by focusing on practical skills that make a difference.
This includes how to present yourself to maximum effect, in person and online; how to prepare for quick wins, big moments and plan for long-term goals; how to gain confidence and authority and how to navigate the ups and downs of a long working life and build resilience.
Top fiction: The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. She still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir.
By chance she crosses paths with Alice Gray, a young midwife. Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy child.
As Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the north-west, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?
This is a tale of women and witchcraft, full of twists and turns.
Top audio book: The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, they lose their home and livelihood.
With nothing left, they make the decision to walk the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset. Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild.
The Salt Path is an open and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. It’s a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.
Top Children’s Book: Here We Are – Notes For Living On Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Thought-provoking new book from Oliver Jeffers about our planet and how we live on it.
From land and sky, to people and time, this book can be a guide. Some things about our planet are pretty complicated, but things can be simple, too.
Beautifully illustrated with an optimistic snapshot of contemporary life.
Librarian’s Choice: City Of Sinners by AA Dhand
This is the third in AA Dhand’s series of crime novels set in Bradford and featuring his detective, DCI Harry Virdee. If you like the noir end of things and serial killer mysteries, then City Of Sinners is for you.
A young Asian woman is found murdered in Waterstone’s bookshop. The body has been elaborately and painstakingly positioned to send a message. But what message? And to who? As DCI Harry Virdee investigates, the killer is leaving bizarre messages for him and making it clear that this is personal; the start of a spree of bizarre killings that centres round Harry.
DCI Harry Virdee is no model policeman – he breaks the rules and gets results.
There is no getting away from the fact that this novel is brutally violent, and if that’s really not your thing, you should probably steer clear.
For me, it is a refreshing read that has an Asian policeman at the centre of a crime novel. Also, the description of the family life of DCI Harry Virdee is rich, warm and realistic.
Have you read any of the books featured this month? We’d love to hear what you thought! Leave your reviews in the comments below. Missed last month’s top five? Catch up on them here.
You can find out more about libraries in East Sussex by visiting the East Sussex County Council website.
