There's nothing we love more than talking about the books currently sitting on our bedside tables (or keeping us up far too late at night).
Every few months we like to check in with the Book Hero team to see what everyone's reading, and as always, the answers are all over the place. This time we've got everything from sweeping Western epics and sci-fi adventures to dark romance, literary fiction, cosy fantasy and thought-provoking non-fiction. Whether you're looking for your next page-turner or just curious about what the team is recommending, here's what we've been reading lately.
I'm about 90% through Yesteryear and I've read almost the whole thing in just two days. I genuinely haven't been able to put it down. Natalie is one of the most fascinating protagonists I've read in a long time. As an influencer documenting her idyllic pioneer lifestyle on her ranch, Yesteryear, she's either an inspiring tradwife, a complete fraud, or something in between, depending on who you ask. One of my favourite things about this book is how it constantly explores perception versus reality. From the carefully curated version of her life on Instagram to the stories she tells herself, there's a constant feeling that you're never getting the full truth. Natalie is both deeply unlikeable and incredibly compelling, and that eerie sense that she might be an unreliable narrator hangs over every page.
When Natalie suddenly wakes up in the 1800s and is forced to live the authentic pioneer life she's spent years romanticising online, the story takes on a whole new dimension. There have been a couple of moments so far where I thought, come on, let's get to the point, but I've realised every chapter has been building towards the bigger picture. I'm not quite at the end yet, but it's shaping up to be a really satisfying finale, and I can't wait to see how it ends.
I was gripped from the first chapter. Although a non-fiction which is normally outside of my wheelhouse, the sense of story telling and atmosphere is better than anything I’ve read in recent fiction! This is a gripping, sad and pensive tale, leading to questions about values, priorities, the corruptive power of wealth and the potential evils of social media. Emotional, driven by a powerful and urgent narrative, I can’t recommend this book enough. An absolute must read, and I hope a read that leaves a lasting impression and a legacy of change on us all.
I’m currently reading the sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and while I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, the sequel so far hasn’t lived up to my expectations. To be fair, I’m only half way through, but the central character (Ari) seems to have done a huge amount of emotional growth off the page, which no longer makes his character feel relatable or believable, and it’s also starting to tick off lots of cliche material that unfortunately makes its way into so many queer romance stories - AIDS, homophobia, activism etc. What I loved about the first book is that it was subtle, and you didn’t know how the story was going to end. With this book - I feel like I’ve read the story 100 times before and it’s lacking in originality. We’ll see though - it may surprise me at the end!
Just like the madeleine cake in Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, all the symbolic dishes in this story took me straight back to my childhood in Taiwan. These memories are so private, but they're also the kind of collective memory shared with the land and the people around you. That's probably why it resonates with basically anyone reading it, even if the setting feels exotic and very local at the same time. I reckon that's why this book is called a Travelogue.
There's a reason food carries so much weight in this book, actually. In Taiwanese, we don't say "how are you", we say "have you eaten?" (呷飽沒). Food isn't just comfort or nostalgia in our culture, it's basically the language people use to ask about things they can't ask directly.
And honestly, that's exactly what this novel is built on. It's set in May 1938 and follows Aoyama Chizuko, a well known Japanese novelist sent on a government funded tour of colonial Taiwan. She couldn't care less about the imperial agenda, she's there for the food. She gets assigned a young Taiwanese interpreter, Chizuru, who she nicknames Chi-chan, and over train rides, banquets and endless cups of tea, Chizuko's fascination with her turns into something closer to infatuation. Chizuru keeps her distance though, and Chizuko doesn't work out why until much later, after a pretty painful separation.
Honestly, it's not an easy read, because it makes you want to go eat all this food at the night market, or at your grandma's house. Or maybe I'm just enjoying memories I'd forgotten about for years. One thing I noticed is that the English translation adds a lot of descriptive language and cultural substitution in the text to get across what each dish actually is, plus there's a glossary at the back. I get why the translator did it that way. Literature doesn't need to erase its roots to feel universal, it becomes universal by staying true to them.
PS. Yáng Shuāng-zǐ is actually a pen name shared by twin sisters, and the book is dedicated to the sister who passed away while it was being written. Knowing that adds a lot of weight once you find out. I also came across some interviews with the author, and her own story is just as fascinating as the book, worth a look if you want to understand why she keeps working to make Taiwan seen by the world.
This week I am finally reading Butcher and Blackbird thanks to the fact that it was the pick for a local bookclub! I’ve been meaning to try out one of Brynne Weaver’s dark rom-coms about serial killers falling in love for a while so was grateful for the push needed to pick up the first in the series! It’s a lot of fun considering there is quite a bit of murder.
I’m also getting into Theodora’s Tea Shop by Christy Anne Jones at the moment. It’s an atmospheric fantasy novel inspired by the 1920s and after following Christy online from the very start of this novel’s conception it is such a delight to finally be able to read it ahead of it’s release on the 28th July.
I’ve finally got round to reading Whistler, I’m 80 pages in so far and really enjoying it. I've been reading quite intense and emotional books lately so it's nice to pick up something a little calmer. It's been lovely seeing the connection between the two main characters Daphne and Eddie, I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes. I'm not sure why I left reading this one so late!
started the Red Rising series just three weeks ago. As a long-term Sci-Fi and Fantasy fan, the Red Rising series ticked all the boxes - think Game of Thrones in Space. With a sprinkling of the Expanse and the Heirarchy series, this trilogy has had me hooked from day one. The story is filled with twists and turns, and it is one of those books that will have you pining for more and reading well into the night. If you haven't given this series a go, I urge you to pick one up!
I’ve almost finished Lonesome Dove and I can see why people love it so much ( including the Pulitzer Prize judges, whoever they may be). I’d never read a Western before, and I’d been told this was the one to read. It is. The land and the way people live are unforgiving: hard work, wild weather, loneliness, violence, and long distances where anything could (and does) happen. It’s a chunky book, but it never feels slow. It feels unpredictable, and the people in it feel real in a way that makes you know you won’t forget them.
Gus and Call are at the centre of the story but everyone is brilliantly written. The two cowboys (ex rangers) are completely different personalities, but their friendship reveals itself subtly through the book. Gus in particular is my favourite, he’s funny, antagonising, charming, and often the only person making the journey feel enjoyable.
At this point, I feel like I’ve been on a cattle drive myself… It’s been a rough journey so far and I’m hoping it has a happy ending 🤞
That's another snapshot of what's been keeping the Book Hero team busy outside of work. One of our favourite things about these round-ups is seeing just how different all of our reading tastes are, and there's always at least one book that ends up climbing someone else's TBR because of it. If you've read any of these, or have a recommendation you think one of us needs to pick up next, let us know. We always love hearing what you're reading.