Category: Currently Reading

My Week in Books – 11th April 2021

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MyWeekinBooks

On What Cathy Read Next last week

Blog posts

Monday – I published my review of The Deception of Harriet Fleet by Helen Scarlett as part of the blog tour. 

Tuesday –  This week’s Top Ten Tuesday ‘official’ topic was Books I’d Happily Throw in the Ocean but as I prefer to spread book love rather than hate, I compiled a list of Books Set at Sea.

Wednesday – WWW Wednesday is the opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next…as well as have a good nose around to see what books others have plucked from their shelves.  I also shared my publication day review of The Tuscan House by Angela Petch as part of the blog tour.

Thursday – I published my review of There’s No Story There by Inez Holden.  

Friday – I shared my Five Favourite March 2021 Reads and there were some cracking books amongst them.

As always, thanks to everyone who has liked, commented on or shared my blog posts on social media.

New arrivals

This Other IslandThis Other Island by Steffanie Edward (eARC, courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley)

When Yvette receives a call to say her estranged father Joe has been attacked in a seemingly random act of violence, she rushes to his side. But when she arrives, she finds a man different to the larger-than-life father of her memories. Joe is broken, too scared to describe his attacker to the police, and seemingly haunted by memories of his past – memories he’s fought to suppress.

About the boat journey that brought him and his wife Dolina to their new home in a hostile and unwelcoming Britain – as part of the Windrush Generation. About the secrets left behind in St Lucia… And about the darkest secret of all – the one that he has carried with him since stepping off the boat that cool, wet August day.

As he fights for his life, he begs Yvette to find out what really happened on the last day of that crossing. Because, for forty years, Joe has believed that he killed a man. A man who had loved Dolina too. And who might hold the key to Yvette’s own story…

A Hundred Million Years and A DayA Hundred Million Years and a Day by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, translated by Sam Taylor (review copy, courtesy of Gallic Books)

‘On the mountain, the only monsters are the ones you take with you.’

Summer 1954. Stan has been hunting for fossils since the age of six. Now, having made a career out of studying the remains of tiny lifeforms, he hears a story he cannot forget: the skeleton of a huge creature, a veritable dragon, lies deep in an Alpine glacier. And he is determined to find it.

Leaving his life in Paris behind, Stan sets out in pursuit of a legend. But he is no mountaineer, and to attempt his dangerous expedition he must call on loyal friend and colleague Umberto, who arrives with an eccentric young assistant, and expert guide Gio. Time is short: the four men must descend before the weather turns. Bonds are forged and tested as the hazardous quest for the earth’s lost creatures becomes a journey into Stan’s own past.

On What Cathy Read Next this week

Currently reading

Planned posts

  • Book Review: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
  • Blog Tour/Book Review: After The Storm by Isabella Muir
  • Waiting on Wednesday
  • Book Review: Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry

#WWWWednesday – 7th April 2021

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WWWWednesdays

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!

Currently reading

The Final Revival of Opal & NevThe Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton (proof copy, courtesy of Quercus)

An idol of Afro-punk. A duo on the brink of stardom. A night that will define their story for ever.

Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Despite her unconventional looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her one night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together.

In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves, but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially Black women, who dare to speak their truth.

Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo’s most politicized chapter, but as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens everything.

The Metal HeartThe Metal Heart by Caroline Lea (eARC, courtesy of Michael Joseph via NetGalley)

Orkney, 1940. On a remote island, a prisoner-of-war camp is constructed to house five hundred Italian soldiers.

Upon arrival, a freezing Orkney winter and divided community greets them. Orphaned sisters Dorothy and Constance volunteer to nurse the men. Dot is immediately drawn to Cesare, a young man fighting on the wrong side and broken by war and destruction. The soldiers spend their days building a secret barricade between the islands. By night, however, they construct a reminder of their native land – an exquisite chapel.

As tensions between the islanders and outsiders grow, the sisters’ loyalty is tested. Will Dot choose love, or family?

Recently finished

Links from the titles will take you to my review.

The Deception of Harriet Fleet by Helen Scarlett

The Drowned City by K. J. Maitland

The Tuscan House by Angela Petch 

After the Storm by Isabella Muir

When a violent storm blasts England’s south coast, it’s up to retired Italian detective Giuseppe Bianchi to sift through the devastation and piece together the tragic events left behind in the storm’s wake.

Giuseppe Bianchi’s brief visit to Bexhill-on-Sea has become an extended stay. He is loath to return to his home in Rome because of the haunting images that made him leave in the first place. 

During his morning walks along the seafront with Beagle, Max, he meets Edward Swain, who becomes Giuseppe’s walking companion. They form a friendship of sorts and find they have a similar outlook on life.

But the devastating events of a single night lead Giuseppe to question the truth about Edward Swain. Teaming up with young journalist, Christina Rossi – his cousin’s daughter – Giuseppe learns about the brutal reality lurking behind the day-to-day life of families in the local community. And as the story unravels Giuseppe is reminded how anger and revenge can lead to the most dreadful of crimes. (Review to follow for blog tour)

What Cathy (will) Read Next

Don't Turn AroundDon’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry (ARC, courtesy of Vintage )

Two strangers, Cait and Rebecca, are driving across America.

Cait’s job is to transport women to safety. Out of respect, she never asks any questions. Like most of the women, Rebecca is trying to escape something.

But what if Rebecca’s secrets put them both in danger? There’s a reason Cait chooses to keep on the road, helping strangers. She has a past of her own, and knows what it’s like to be followed.

And there is someone right behind them, watching their every move…