Like most readers, I love a good novel. However, I also love a good short story collection. They're perfect for days I want something more bite-sized to read or for days I'm in the mood to devour multiple storylines. These collections are also a fantastic way to experience an author's creativity on a broader spectrum.... Continue Reading →

I was immediately smitten with Helen Lamb's Three Kinds of Kissing the moment its publication was announced by Vagabond Voices online. From its fantastic cover art to its intriguing summary, I knew it needed to be at the top of my tbr pile. Now, imagine my delight when I went into Blackwell's in search of... Continue Reading →

When you pick up a thriller, it will generally tell you that it is guaranteed to be "the most chilling book of the year," but most seem to fall short on that claim. It's a situation that always leaves me feeling like I've been cheated out of a good scare or a heart-stopping series of... Continue Reading →

I've been wanting to read Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine for quite some time now, but never got around to it until recently (thank you transatlantic flight). From the moment Eleanor introduced herself in her own quirky manner, I was hooked. It's not too often you find characters like Eleanor in the typical... Continue Reading →

I love nothing more than a book that can send a chill down my spine without having to rely on being overly gruesome and grotesque. For me, I want a book that can steadily build its thrill factor and keep my heart racing without trying too hard. I know horror isn't for everyone, but I... Continue Reading →

Poignant, and often heart wrenching, Lynn Michell's The Red Beach Hut follows two outcasts as they form an unlikely friendship that brings hope and healing along the lonely coastline of an English beach. Abbott is a youth worker on the run from what he believes is a homophobic cyber attack and a looming mistake from... Continue Reading →

Several months ago, I received a lovely package from Vagabond Voices (a Glasgow-based publisher) containing four poetry books. Of the four, Theresa Muñoz's Settle was my first choice and I've continued to return to her words on more than one occasion. In her debut book of poetry, Muñoz works through the themes of migration and technology.... Continue Reading →