The best authors are those who read extensively. Here is what I’ve been reading lately.

If you're interested in learning more about the non-fiction books I've read and the insights gained from them, be sure to listen to the Two Booked Up podcast.

During January, I spent time with my family and indulged in reading fiction. In addition, I read two non-fiction books that were research for my current creative writing projects. 😊

Fiction Reads

Beach Rivals by Georgie Tilney

Beach Rivals caught my eye because of the vibrant cover! Yes, I did initially choose this book based on its cover, but the premise made me want to read it. Two twenty-somethings from opposite sides of the world respond to an online ad and end up together in Bali, running a bookshop for three months. What they didn’t know was that as well as working together, they'd be living together. And, of course, they can’t stand each other! It's a perfect escapist rom-com set in paradise.

Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon

Jane Fallon is the queen of the revenge novel, and this book is no different! Until about halfway through, I was distressed by what was happening, but then the plot twists hooked me, and I devoured the rest. If you love a story about forty-something women spiked with great twists and a little revenge, this one is a fun read.

The Emma Project by Sonali Dev

Another where the premise hooked me in! A contemporary re-telling of Jane Austen’s Emma, with a dash of Bollywood and a lot of romance, I enjoyed every page of this novel. A strong female protagonist who brooks no nonsense and a gorgeous young man who wants to impress her and also fancies her. Perfect! I’d read The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev last year and loved it, so I knew I enjoyed her writing.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

I love Sally Hepworth’s domestic thriller-type novels, and Darling Girls didn’t disappoint. The story is told from the perspective of three sisters and their foster mother, who lived at idyllic Wild Meadows. But when a body is discovered under the home they grew up in; the sisters are the key witnesses. With excellent pacing and plot twists, this is a page-turner of a psychological thriller.

The Kilimia Stone by Ian Trevena

A different genre for me, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this self-published book by Ian Trevena. Ian is a Sydney-based, self-published author and my friend. The Kilimia Stone refers to a very rare Tanzanite from Tanzania, and it’s a page-turner of a detective/crime novel. Not my usual style, but I loved it.

The Disorganisation of Celia Stone by Emma Young

It took me a little while to get into this book as I started to feel quite anxious for the main character, Celia. The book is marketed as funny and written in diary style, but perhaps because of my age and the mental health issues addressed, I didn’t think it was particularly amusing. That said, I enjoyed it and was happy to be reading a book set in Australia and written by a fellow Australian author.

Non-Fiction Reads

Wear It Well by Allison Bornstein

A recent (2023) release, this was an interesting read with valuable insights about making the most of your wardrobe. I appreciated that it had images to assist with understanding. It's always a good idea when talking about clothing choices! Helpful for the character I am writing in an upcoming novel.

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn

This one was a suggestion in my audiobook app, and I figured, why not? It was not the usual type of non-fiction book I would read or listen to, but as part of the Two Booked Up Reading challenge, we’re always looking to diversify our reading, and this book definitely did that. The insights shared are based on surveys and interviews with thousands of (straight) men, and Shaunti Feldhahn shares what they really wish the women in their lives knew about them. It has an interesting premise and some very interesting findings!

What have you been reading lately? Do you have a recommendation for a book you read and loved?

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