Zulmira Ribeiro Tavares’s Family Heirlooms
First, let us admire the magnificent name of this famous Brazilian novelist: Zulmira Ribeiro Tavares. It’s like her prose: elaborate, decorative, exotic, elegant. She is an award-winning author in Brazil … Continue reading
The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E Smith
The Book Festival is over! *sob* And I am bereft. Two weeks of running around, hanging out, meeting old friends and new, hugging and high fiving and gossiping and drinking … Continue reading
Vulpes Revisited: Sylvanus Now by Donna Morrissey
(Originally published 22nd April 2008) Sylvanus Now is a fisherman, living in Newfoundland in the 1950s, ‘poor at book learning’, but who knows and loves this savage sea and land. … Continue reading
Drop Dead Gorgeous by Anna Cheska – a necessary chaser between grim books
Imogen’s marriage has hardly been an exciting affair but when her husband dies, she’s alarmed to discover that Edward hadn’t been nearly as predictable as she’d always thought … She’s … Continue reading
If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This by Robin Black: a literary and rather grim collection
From the blind girl who sees more than her parents can, to the portrait artist who sees more than her clients might wish, Robin Black illuminates secret fears, hidden desires, … Continue reading
Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo – seeing Austen as you’ve (probably) never seen her before
After Jane Austen’s death, nearly three thousand of her letters were supposedly destroyed, taking with them the secrets of Jane’s life. But what did they hide? Austen scholar Emma Grant … Continue reading
Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham: a holiday to remember
Chloe needs a holiday. She’s sick of making wedding dresses and her partner is having trouble at work. Her wealthy friend Gerard has offered the loan of his luxury villa … Continue reading
Heart of Tango by Elia Barcelo: where I am swept off my feet by an almost perfect passion
It is the 1920s in Buenos Aires. A young woman is to be married to a sailor much older than herself. Everything seems lost for Natalia, but then she meets … Continue reading
31 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell: a story and indeed a street with heart
Reclusive landlord Toby Dobbs has a houseful of long-term tenants – lost and lonely souls to whom he’s happy to offer sanctuary. He knows little about them, until the day … Continue reading
A Proper Family Christmas by Jane Gordon-Cumming: a rollercoaster of a celebration with a great deal of chat
William really isn’t into Christmas – all that jingly tinselly presenty stuff makes him feel queasy. He’d like to spend it alone in his vast old house with his cat. … Continue reading
The Novel in the Viola by Natasha Solomons
At this time of year, I like to suggest books that you might enjoy snuggled up by the fire, with a mug of hot chocolate and hand-knitted socks. This is … Continue reading
The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley
What I love about The Camomile Lawn is how it challenges our perceptions. When we look back at the 1940s, we make certain assumptions about the way people behaved and … Continue reading
The Commitment by Dan Savage – everything you want to know about love, sex, marriage and family, and possibly some things you might not …
Dan Savage’s mother wants him to get married. His boyfriend, Terry, says “no thanks” because he doesn’t want to act like a straight person. Their six-year-old son, D.J., says his … Continue reading
To Marry a Prince by Sophie Page – a novel I just couldn’t resist …
Bella Greenwood isn’t a fairytale girl. If pushed, she’d probably tell you that her perfect wedding would involve a handful of close friends and family. But as she’s never met … Continue reading
Vulpes Libris 
Recent Comments