April 2024

April kicked off a particularly busy time in my life, where I’m travelling an awful lot. Obviously, the most fun thing about going to new places is being able to check out new book shops, but I’ve found myself in the centre of a long weekend, with very little to do, which has felt like a blessing. In my career, I’ve gone from a global investment bank, to a very large consulting firm, and now I’ve just started at a medium technology company. It’s a really nice change of pace, and it’s been an interesting experience to be the new kid after five years in a place that I had become very comfortable.

My many train trips mean I got some time to read this April. I also hosted an interview with Niamh Mulvey about her new novel The Amendments at my beloved West Kirby Bookshop.

Anyway, onto the books!

Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi AndreadesThis was my book club’s pick for April, and I really loved it. It’s an unusual narrative style, telling the multi-layered stories of the lives of women living in immigrant communities in Queens, New York City. It is so vital and specific, yet feels completely relatable in so many ways. It’s not really like anything I’ve read before, but celebrates culture and female friendship in completely unique ways.

Turning Point by Danielle SteelWhere would I be without my girl Danielle? I realised today that I didn’t know what she sounded like, so spent some time watching interviews with her on YouTube. She seems kind. This one was super dramatic, even for DS. It’s about a group of trauma surgeons who go to Paris to share knowledge with their French counterparts. Of course they are from San Francisco. Of course everyone falls in love. Of course tragedy strikes! What else do you want from me?

Romantic Comedy by Curtis SittenfeldI realised while trying to decide what to say here that I really enjoyed all of the books I read this month, which is unusual. This one is so brilliant. It’s a compulsive read, about a writer for a TV show that’s definitely meant to be SNL, who starts a relationship with one of the celebrity hosts, who just happens to be one of the most famous musicians in the world. It’s funny and tender, and was not what I was expecting it to be at all.

Bellies by Nicola DinanMy friend Sara interviewed Nicola Dinan and I missed the event, probably because I was on one of my many jaunts, or else unwell from going on too many jaunts. I regret missing it terribly now, because I inhaled this book. It tells the story of Ming and Tom, who meet in university, and their evolving relationship as they enter the working world after graduating and after Ming comes out as a trans woman. It has some of the most moving and beautiful writing that I’ve seen in ages, and is another tender love letter to friendship. The characters are fascinating, and often unlikeable, but you find yourself drawn to them regardless.

Conversations on Love by Natasha LunnIf you know me well, you know that I am something of a hopeless romantic, and I love Natasha Lunn’s newsletter, which has the same name. This is a collection of interviews from the newsletter, with a variety of famous faces and experts, from Alain de Botton, to Dolly Alderton, to Philippa Perry, about all kinds of love, and the role that love plays in our lives. Love is the motivation for basically everything that I do, and I spend every day thinking about the love that swirls around my life. I am very grateful, and this book moved me to tears on many occasions. This came at a rally perfect time for me, because I had my leaving drinks in London for my old job, and was joined my so many people I love. I was heading back to Euston on the tube the following morning, and could see love everywhere. I felt like my eyes were fully open. This book is a good one if you’re someone who fixates on romantic love (or the lack thereof), because love is abundant in so many forms. You just need to know where to see it.

The Amendments by Niamh MulveyI read this one in two sittings, because it is impossible to put down. I was lucky enough to chat to Niamh, who is funny, witty and warm, and I may have gushed a little too much about how much I enjoyed this book. It’s a narrative from the perspective of three different women, Dolores, her daughter Nell, and Nell’s spiritual leader Martina. It jumps through locations and times, focusing on themes around women’s reproductive rights and what we think Irish womanhood is. This could have been a far more simplistic book than it is, and Niamh Mulvey made some fascinating choices in how she presented her characters. It’s a fantastic read.

The Challenge by Danielle SteelOne day, I will have read all of the Danielle Steel books, and i’ll just start them all over again. They are a warm blanket that comforts me. This one is about a group of kids in rural Montana who get trapped on a mountain after a hike that goes a bit wrong. Tragedy! Rich people! Lessons learned! Love! She knocks it out of the park every time!

All That’s Left to You by Ghassan KanafaniThis was the book club pick for May. Consisting of the titular novella, and some short stories, this is a piece by an author who is considered to be one of the most important voices in Palestinian literature. This is a really unique piece of writing, and the main novella switches perspectives, with beautiful and descriptive language. There’s a really helpful introduction, which was written in 1989, the year I was born. What angered me was that so little has changed in the 35 years since. We are still fighting for the liberation of Palestine. I hope it will not take another 35 years to get there.

Onto May! If the weather doesn’t improve, I will consider emigration. Again.

Edited to add: I forgot my April playlist! It’s now included below.