My Week in Books – 25th February 2024

MyWeekinBooksOn What Cathy Read Next last week

Monday – I published my review of The Slowworm’s Song by Andrew Miller.

Tuesday – This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic was Bookish Superpowers I Wish I Had.

Wednesday – As always WWW Wednesday is a weekly opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next… and to take a peek at what others are reading. 

Thursday – I published my review of historical crime novel, Notes of Change by Susan Grossey.

Friday – I shared the longlist for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2024 which was announced on 22nd February.


New arrivals

Two books on the longlist for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2024 and a book club pick.

A Better PlaceA Better Place by Stephen Daisley (Text Publishing) Longlisted for The Walter Scott Prize 2024

The old people in the district would often say that Roy was not quite the same after he come back. There was a brother. A twin brother, Tony. Tony Mitchell, different boy but a good rugby player. Bit of a mental case, they said, but Roy would have none of it. He always stayed close to Tony when they were growing up. They both went off to fight, must have been 1940. Only the one come back, though.

Crete, they thought. We lost Tony over there.

For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on my Little PainFor they great pain have mercy on my little pain by Victoria Mackenzie (Bloomsbury) Longlisted for The Walter Scott Prize 2024

In the year of 1413, two women meet for the first time in the city of Norwich.

Margery has left her fourteen children and husband behind to make her journey. Her visions of Christ – which have long alienated her from her family and neighbours, and incurred her husband’s abuse – have placed her in danger with the men of the Church, who have begun to hound her as a heretic.

Julian, an anchoress, has not left Norwich, nor the cell to which she has been confined, for twenty-­three years. She has told no one of her own visions – and knows that time is running out for her to do so.

The two women have stories to tell one another. Stories about girlhood, motherhood, sickness, loss, doubt and belief; revelations more the powerful than the world is ready to hear. Their meeting will change everything.

Our Souls at NightOur Souls at Night by Kent Huruf (Picador)

Addie Moore’s husband died years ago, so did Louis Waters’ wife, and, as neighbours in Holt, Colorado they have naturally long been aware of each other.

With their children now far away both live alone in houses empty of family. The nights are terribly lonely, especially with no one to talk to.

Then one evening Addie pays Louis an unexpected visit.


On What Cathy Read Next this week

Currently reading


Planned posts

  • Book Review: All Day at the Movies by Fiona Kidman
  • Book Review: Perfume River by Robert Olen Butler
  • Book Review: The Other Princess by Denny S. Bryce

The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2024 Longlist

WalterScottPrizeThe longlist for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2024 was announced on 22nd February. Congratulations to all the authors and publishers of the books on the longlist.

As usual, the longlist provided some surprises but also includes three books I’ve read and two more that are in my TBR pile.

I’ve divided the twelve novels on the list into three parts: those I’ve read and reviewed, those I own but have yet to read, and those that are now on my wishlist (if they weren’t already). Links from the titles will take you to my review or the book description on Goodreads.


Read and reviewed

The New Life by Tom Crewe
My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

Waiting to be read

Music in the Dark by Sally Magnusson
Absolutely & Forever by Rose Tremain

On my wishlist

A Better Place by Stephen Daisley
Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein
For Thy Great Pain, Have Mercy on my Little Pain by Victoria Mackenzie
Cuddy by Benjamin Myers
The Fraud by Zadie Smith
Mister Timeless Blyth by Alan Spence
In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas

The shortlist will be announced in May by which time I hope to have read more of the longlisted books and be in a position to make a few predictions. Have you read any of the books on the list? Are there any you’re planning to read?
Walter Scott Prize Longlist 2024