The Stationary Shop of Tehran
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: Roya loves nothing better than to while away the hours in the stationery shop run by Mr Fakhri. The store, stocked with fountain pens, shiny ink bottles, and thick wads of writing paper, also carries translations of literature from all over the world. Bahman, with his burning passion for justice, is like no one else she has ever met. But all around them, as their relationship blossoms, life in Tehran is changing. Suddenly, shockingly, violence erupts: a coup d'etat that forever changes their country's future, as well as their own.Historical Romance novel set in 1950’s Iran.
Main themes:
- Love and heartbreak
- Politics affecting personal lives
- Missed chances and regret
Reader review: I thought this book was really emotional as it really showed the effect of loss through the revolution taking place in Iran, which changed the lives of many and put them in difficult positions of sacrifice. It explored familial problems, having on impact on the personal love life of Bahman and Roya. This book deeply explored the idea of soulmates and lost chances, reconciling old relationships years later, due to the revolution tearing loved ones apart. It has similarities of the movie ‘The Notebook’. This book also allowed me to become aware of the situation taking place in Iran, educating me on the political leaders at the time at the time and the rules that became obligatory upon residents.
The Kite Runner
Genre: Historical fiction. Powerful novel about friendship, guilt and redemption set in 1975 Iran.
Synopsis: Afghanistan, 1975: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.
Main Themes:
- Friendship and betrayal.
- Guilt and forgiveness.
- Redemption, family and loyalty.
Readers review: This book was the second book by Khaled Hossenei that I read and it was very moving and heartbreaking. I felt very drawn to the characters especially Hassan after a tragedy strikes him which leaves Amir regretful, striving to make up for his past mistakes. This book honestly felt like heartbreak after heartbreak and made me itching to find out more, and intrigued on how the story will end. It also made me feel very grateful for how much I have around me, as there are others who are living in fear constantly in Afghanistan, trying to escape the Taliban. I watched the screen adaptation of this book, which captured so many of the scenes well and really did a good job of conveying the message across clearly.
The Seven Sisters
Genre: Historical Romance
Synopsis: This is Maia’s story. When Pa Salt dies suddenly, the bereaved sisters gather together at their childhood home, a spectacular secluded castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. Each of them is handed a tantalising clue to their heritage and Maia finds herself on a journey across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eighty years earlier, Izabela Bonifacio’s father has aspirations for her to marry into the aristocracy. But Izabela longs for adventure, and convinces him to allow her to first travel to Paris. In the heady, vibrant streets of the city, Izabela meets an ambitious young sculptor, and knows at once that her life will never be the same again. What links these two young women? In the beautiful city of Rio, will Maia find the answers she needs to understand who she truly is?
Main themes:
- Identity and self-discovery
- Family and belonging
- Love across time
Readers review: Six babies are adopted by Pa Salt and named after the stars in the Pleiades constellation. Pa Salt dies and leaves trails for each sister to follow to find their family’s story. Each book talks you through each of the sisters past to find out their biological families and reason for their adoption. The last book takes you to Pa Salt’s history and answers questions that are asked throughout the series about who Pa Salt is. These books must be read in order for the full story. They take you through different era from Romanians in Spain during World War one to, Norway with a link to Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt to the of the creation of Christ the redeemer in Rio De Janeiro. This book takes you on a historical journey through the world with hints of loss, family, friends and romance.
The Housemaid
Genre: Fast-paced physiological thriller full of twists and mind games.
Synopsis: Every day I clean the Winchesters' beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor. I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew's handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it's hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina's life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband. I only try on one of Nina's pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it's like. But she soon finds out... and by the time I realise my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it's far too late.
Main themes:
- Deception and hidden identities
- Power and control
- Trust and manipulation
Readers review: This book had so many twists and turns, which left me not wanting to put the book down. It was also super fast paced, and easy to read, with the writing being very engaging. It almost felt like the outside world didn’t exist while I was reading this book, that’s how engaging and interesting the story within these pages were. This book has also become a screen adaptation which really brought the suspense and twists from this book to screen really well. I do feel the book was better as it allowed for more finer details and themes to be explored whereas the screen adaptation may have only brushed across these details lightly.
The Silent Patient
Genre: Psychological thriller revealing a shocking crime
Synopsis: Alicia Berenson lived a seemingly perfect life until one day six years ago. When she shot her husband in the head five times. Since then she hasn't spoken a single word. It's time to find out why.
Main themes:
- Trauma and mental health
- Obsession
- Truth vs Perception
Readers review: Gripping and fast paced with a unpredictable ending.
Better Than the Movies
Genre: Romcom, Chicklit
Synopsis: Perpetual daydreamer and hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet. The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbour might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must re-examine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.
Main themes:
- Love vs. expectations
- Romantic clichés vs. Reality
- Grief and family
Readers review: This was one of the first romance books I read that got me into reading. It was very light-hearted, fast paced and easy to read. I loved the different movie quotes at the beginning of each chapter and references throughout, as it gave more of an insight into main female character Liz, her interests and what she thinks the perfect love story should consist of. This book felt exactly like watching a 2000’s romcom with the themes of romantic cliches, and the high-school setting. Overall the book surprised me with a slight plot twist, which was nice to see as it kept me of my feet and didn’t make the storyline feel predictable.
Practice Makes Perfect
Genre: Friends-Lovers Romance
Synopsis: When the owner of the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky, makes a questionable agreement with a tattooed bad boy, a delightful friends-to-lovers romance begins to bloom - from the author of When in Rome and TikTok sensation, The Cheat Sheet.
Main themes:
- Small town setting.
- Friends-lovers.
- Personal growth and self worth.
Readers review: This was one of the best romance books I’ve ever read. I connected really well with the main female character lead, and felt a lot of similarities with my personality to hers, being quite shy and reserved which allowed me to feel more seen and engaged in the story. The female and male lead also had a lot of good communication throughout the story that felt refreshing to see characters actually talking things through, instead of the miscommunication trope which is common in a lot of other romance books. I loved how the book was set in a small town which added to the escapism and coziness, making the book almost feel ‘lived in’ and memorable.
Once Upon a Broken Heart
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO FOR HAPPILY EVER AFTER? For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in happily ever after. Until she learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, and her dreams are shattered. Desperate to stop the wedding, and heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing. But after Evangeline's first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game - and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy . . .
Main themes:
- The cost of wishes
- Trust and betrayal
- Fairy-tale illusions vs. reality
Readers review: I really loved Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber—the magical world of the Magnificent North felt so vivid and enchanting. The whimsical, fairytale-like atmosphere completely pulled me in. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Evangeline and Jacks was a highlight, with so much tension and chemistry. Their connection felt deeper and more compelling compared to Evangeline and Apollo. Overall, it was an immersive, addictive read that left me wanting more.
We Hunt the Flame
Genre: Arabic Fantasy
Synopsis: Zafira is the Hunter. Forced to disguise herself as a man, she risks everything to provide for her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, forever bound to his father the sultan's command. Both are legends in their kingdom – but neither wants to be. And when Zafira embarks on a dangerous quest to return magic to their suffering land, Nasir is sent on a similar mission. But as their journey unfolds, an ancient evil begins to stir . . . In a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia
Main themes:
- Whimsical, fairy-tale-like world
- Romantic but also dark and mysterious
- Full of plot twists and magical rules
Readers review: This gave a whimsical, dreamlike vibe. Zafira stands out as a strong, independent protagonist, which I really loved. The slow-burn chemistry between Zafira and Nasir is a major highlight and develops in a very satisfying way. It was a bit hard to get into at first due to dense world-building, but it became captivating once the story took off.
Girl, Goddess, Queen
Genre: Greek Mythology
Synopsis: Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying. The real story is much more interesting. Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her. Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld's annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core. But consequences can be deadly, especially when you're already in hell...
Main themes:
- Female empowerment and autonomy.
- Identity and self-discovery.
- Freedom vs control
Readers review: A modern spin on the archaic tale of Persephone and her journey to becoming the feared Queen of the Underworld. Full of empowerment, overcoming self-doubt, love, and breaking away from generational trauma - This is a story which shouts from the rooftops that your past doesn't have to define you, and that you can seize anything if you want it enough.
Project Hail Mary
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Martian. Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that's been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it's up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.
Main themes:
- Survival and sacrifice.
- Isolation vs Companionship
- Courage and growth.
Readers review: Project Hail Mary is a solid 5/5 book.
The Shadow of the Gods
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Synopsis: After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið. Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods....
Main themes:
- Vengeance and justice.
- Survival in a brutal world.
- Identity and legacy.
Readers review: My favourite ever series is the 'Shadow of the Gods' trilogy by John Gwynne, 5/5! It's an epic fantasy with Nordic mythology inspiration
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis: Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life. Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?
Main themes:
- Loneliness and isolation.
- Trauma and recovery
- The importance of friendship.
Readers review: It deals with grief, mental health, loneliness and trauma balanced with light hearted humour and heartwarming moments. It's story shows the reader how stepping outside your comfort zone, opening up to others and embracing new experiences can slowly, but sometimes surprisingly, change your life for the better.
Why Fish Don't Exist
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science
Synopsis: As the daughter of a scientist, Lulu Miller was taught that chaos will come for us all. There is no cosmic destiny, no grand plan. But years later, reeling from heartbreak, she stumbles upon the story of David Starr Jordan - a fearless taxonomist devoted to order. Looking to cure her crisis of confidence, Lulu is intrigued by the hubris of this mighty biologist, who refused to admit defeat when lightning struck his laboratory and earthquakes shattered his collection. Until, digging deeper, she makes a startling discovery. One that will upend her wish for a neatly catalogued existence and reveal the profound beauty of embracing chaos.
Main themes:
- Obsession an dedication.
- Failure and Resilience.
- Chaos vs Order.
Readers review: Why Fish Don't Exist' is excellent, its a non-fiction with scientific themes, but is told like a fiction and has good themes on morality, history and questioning what we think we know.
Dark Matter
Genre: Science Thriller
Synopsis: Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakes to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before the man he's never met smiles down at him and says, 'Welcome back. In this world he's woken up to, Jason's life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. In this other life, Jason has created a box. Transport into infinite alternate universes – every possible outcome of his life, one behind each door. In this other life, Jason chose a door. And he stole the life he wanted. If Jason Dessen wants his life back, he will have to find it among infinite possibilities. And he will have to battle a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe: himself.
Main themes:
- Identity and self.
- Choice and consequence.
- Love and Connection.
Readers review: Sci-fi thriller that dives deep into the idea of parallel dimensions. It’s an intense, fastpaced read, but the writing pulls you in, making the journey through its twisting realities completely absorbing. Crouch’s storytelling keeps the tension high! If you enjoy the book, there’s also a TV adaptation available on Apple TV!
La Nuit Des Temps
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: During a scientific expedition in Antarctica, researchers make an extraordinary discovery beneath the ice: two humans from a civilization that existed hundreds of thousands of years ago, perfectly preserved in suspended animation. As the scientists awaken them, they uncover the story of a lost, highly advanced civilisation and the tragic love between a man and a woman whose lives were cut short by catastrophe. The novel intertwines themes of love, the rise and fall of civilisations, and the ethical dilemmas of science, while questioning humanity’s capacity for progress, compassion, and self-destruction. It’s both a sweeping romantic tale and a philosophical reflection on human nature.
Main themes:
- Love across time.
- Science and discovery.
- Human nature and morality.
Readers review: French book but this one has a few English translations from the 70s! In the book, a French expedition in Antarctica discovers a chamber where a man and a woman from a 900 000 year old civilisation have been in 'suspended animation'. When the woman is woken up, she explains that her civilisation was destroyed by war, but her husband holds knowledge which will basically help reach world peace. But not everything goes according to plan...
Je Vais Mieux
Genre: French Contemporary
Synopsis: One day, I woke up with an inexplicable pain in my back. I thought it would go away, but it didn't. I tried everything... I went through periods of worry, despair, and even temptation towards the paranormal. My life started to spiral out of control. I had problems at work, in my relationship, with my parents, and with my children. I didn't know what to do to get better... And then, finally, I understood.
Main themes:
- Burnout and modern life.
- Self-discovery and reinvention.
- Mind-body connection.
Readers review: One of the best literary realism I have ever read. In the book, a man one day gets this pain in his back, and his entire life starts crumbling from this point on. The pain pushes him to question everything, which makes him address the tension in his relationship, his work and his family. The story is so simple and sad but it is so well written you'll barely notice time go by as you're reading.
The Inmate
Genre: Thriller
Synopsis: There are three rules Brooke Sullivan must follow as a new nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison:
- Treat all prisoners with respect.
- Never reveal any personal information.
- Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.
But none of the staff at the prison knows Brooke has already broken the rules. Nobody knows about her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary’s most notorious and dangerous inmates. And they certainly don’t know that Shane was Brooke’s high school sweetheart—the star quarterback who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for a series of grisly murders. Or that Brooke's testimony was what put him there. But Shane knows.
Main themes:
- Trust and Betrayal.
- The past resurfacing.
- Deception and hidden identities.
Readers review: The Inmate' is a psychological thriller that keeps ya guessing until the very end, where you genuinely doubt yourself on who the bad guy actually is.
Ps. I Love You
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis: Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly and Gerry. Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other’s sentences. No one could ever imagine them without each other. When Gerry dies, Holly is devastated. But Gerry has left her a bundle of notes, one for each month of her year, each signed 'PS, I Love You'. As the notes are opened, the man who knows Holly better than anyone teaches her that life goes on. With some help from friends and family, Holly laughs, cries and finds that life is for living – but it helps if there's someone watching over you.
Main themes:
- Grief and coping with loss.
- Letting go and moving on.
- Hope and new beginnings.
Readers review: Very tear jerking story about a widow who gets delivered scheduled letters that her late husband wrote for her before he passed to get her through the grief. She didn't know he was sick! 6/5, It got turned into a movie and I haven't worked up the courage to watch it yet.
Two Kinds of Stranger
Genre: Crime fiction
Synopsis: Elly Parker had everything. Perfect husband. Perfect apartment. Perfect friends and the perfect job. As an internet celebrity - famed for her random acts of kindness - everyone knew it. So when a betrayal causes her to lose it all, millions of people are watching. But even at her lowest, Elly will always help someone in need. Which makes her the perfect target for a sadistic game. Because as she soon learns, you can never trust a stranger - and a seemingly random encounter plunges her into a nightmare worse than she ever imagined. The only person she can turn to is conman turned trial lawyer Eddie Flynn, who must take on a case where nothing is what it seems. With the most cruelly ingenious mind manipulating events from the shadows, everyone is in danger - including Eddie and his family.
Main themes:
- Deception and manipulation.
- Trust and danger
- Dark side of social media.
Reader reviews: For the crime fiction, twisty turny book fans; anything by Steve Cavanagh.