Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws:
- What are you currently reading?
- What did you recently finish reading?
- What do you think you’ll read next?
Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping!
What I’m Currently Reading
Time of the Child by Niall Williams (Bloomsbury)
Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in the little town of Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from his community. A visit from the doctor is always a sign of bad things to come.
His youngest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed her chance at real love – and passed up an offer of marriage from an unsuitable man.
But in the advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.
The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis Hall (The Borough Press)
Cambridge, 1942. Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.
Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.
Two years later, only one of them comes home.
What I’ve Just Read
Room 706 by Ellie Levenson (Headline)
What I’ll Be Reading Next
The Two Roberts by Damian Barr (Canongate)
He will stay like this forever, Robert’s arm draped round him. They will be forever twenty.
Scotland, 1933. Bobby MacBryde is on his way. After years grafting at Lees Boot Factory, he’s off to the Glasgow School of Art, to his future. On his first day he will meet another Robert, a quiet man with loose dark curls – and never leave his side.
Together they will spend every penny and every minute devouring Glasgow – its botanical gardens, the Barras market, a whole hidden city – all the while loving each other behind closed doors. With the world on the brink of war, their unrivalled talent will take them to Paris, Rome, London. They will become stars as the bombs fall, hosting wild parties with the likes of Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and Elizabeth Smart. But the brightest stars burn fastest.
What Cathy Read Next... 
Looking forward to your thoughts on The Two Roberts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I reviewed it last year actually https://whatcathyreadnext.co.uk/2025/09/29/book-review-the-two-roberts-by-damian-barr/ but I’ll be reading it again in ‘judge mode’ for the Winston Graham Historical Prize. Rereading is not something I often do so it’s going to be interesting to see if my thoughts about any of the shortlisted book change second time around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did think it was a bit surprising that you hadn’t read it already 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve just added The Two Roberts to my TBR so interested to know what you think of it when you read it!
LikeLike
I read it last year actually and really admired it https://whatcathyreadnext.co.uk/2025/09/29/book-review-the-two-roberts-by-damian-barr/ Rereading is something I rarely do so it’s going to be interesting to read it again, this time in ‘judge mode’.
LikeLike
I’m currently reading Ambush of Tigers by Eve Langlais
In the last week I read 🥁
1 Make it Out Alive by Allison Brennan
2 Black Widow by Julie Ann Walker
3 Sincerely Mr Braden by Melissa Foster
4 Hot Times in Heart Falls by Vivian Arend
Next up should be the new JD Robb. The bad news being I had to cancel the order from a non Amazon supplier as there was a delay. The good news is although I had to use Amazon, it was cheaper! Expecting it later today. 🤞
Gill
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am in a book group of lawyers and we read Time of the Child in December. I had not read his other books which some said were better but I felt it took a long time for anything to actually happen! It was very readable but I didn’t really get the hype.
LikeLike
I read his earlier book, This Is Happiness, which is set in the same Irish village and, at the time, liked that one more although I thought Time of the Child had a real charm about it. It’s going to be interesting rereading it – this time in ‘judge mode’ – and seeing if I feel differently about it and how it stands in comparison to the other shortlisted books.
LikeLike
I read his earlier book, This Is Happiness, which is set in the same Irish village and, at the time, liked that one more although I thought Time of the Child had a real charm about it. It’s going to be interesting rereading it – this time in ‘judge mode’ – and seeing if I feel differently about it and how it stands up in comparison to the other shortlisted books.
LikeLike
Nice list! My husband has enjoyed some books by Williams.
Last #book I finished: Moi Fadi le frère volé, by #RiadSattouf
#Amreading: The Chinese Maze Murders, by #RobertVanGulik
#Amlistening to: That Hideous Strength, by #CSLewis
#TBR Reading next: Satantango, by #LászlóKrasznahorkai
LikeLiked by 1 person