The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

When I first heard there was a new book from Margaret Atwood my first question was, What happened to Offred? I couldn’t wait to read it to discover the truth and expected it to be a continuation of her story. The Testaments isn’t a direct follow on from Offred’s tale, and it is so much...

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

In 1937 Kentucky a group of women find more than they bargained for when volunteering to work for the local library. They work hard to bring books on horseback to the most remote families, and often in treacherous conditions. There are many skeptics amongst the men in the community who believe the library is diluting...

The Muse by Jessie Burton

It's 1967 and Odelle is offered a job as a typist in a London art gallery. A budding writer from Trinidad, she doesn't realise how much life will change for her whilst working for Marjorie Quick. In 1936 Olive is living with her art dealer father, and her mother in Spain. Isaac and Teresa arrive...

A Book For Her by Bridget Christie

A Book for Her is Bridget Christie's thoughts on feminism alongside her personal experiences as a comedian. In her own words if she can make terrible things funny then she might be onto something. Bridget admits she doesn't say anything new, but covers feminist issues with humour. Topics range from politics and the media, to...

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

It's 1686 when Nella arrives in Amsterdam to move into her new husbands home. She is greeted by her husbands sister and the maids , but no husband (Johannes). It doesn't seem a great start to married life. He soon returns to their home but is often distant and too busy working to speak to...

Cop town by Karin Slaughter

Atlanta 1974 Kate Murphy starts a new job with the police. At a time where racism was widespread, being a female cop was also very tough. ...the only thing the black and white male officers could agree on was that none of them thought women should be allowed in uniform Cops are being murdered all...

Q&A with Jojo Moyes

Tonight I was involved in a web chat with Jojo Moyes to talk about her latest book and film over on Mumsnet. Here's what Jojo had to say to my questions: You tend to depict strong female characters in your books. Is that something you have to actively try for, or do they come quite...

Q&A with Elizabeth Gilbert

I have just been on a webchat with Elizabeth Gilbert over on Mumsnet talking about her book The Signature of All Things. I thought you might like to see a few things she said about the book. I was really keen to talk to her about her intentions behind the book; whether she intended a...

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

I was drawn to this book by the promise of a strong female character; a scientist in the 19th century making her way through life in a male and religion dominated world. I wasn't disappointed at all. The Signature of All Things starts with the story of Alma's father and how he came to become...

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Reviewed January 2014: The Invention of Wings follows two girls from the deep south in the 19th century; Sarah and her slave Hetty. The book tracks their journey through adolescence and into adulthood exploring the challenges and emotions of the two both together and separately. Initially it felt like a story I already knew and...