Vampire in Love by Enrique Vila-Matas

"The strange electricity between us meant that suddenly, like someone throwing out the main ballast from a balloon, I lost all my nervousness and transferred it to him"

I had just finished this collection of short stories when my friend asked me about it. I described it thusly. You know the feeling when you wake up from a night of solid dreaming. You start to recall the detail and recount it to a friend and nothing really seems to make sense. The stories have strange endings and move unexpectedly from one conceit to another. That is a little of what these stories feel like. Some held my attention more than others. The mother with the child who won't speak is particularly effective and none end the way they seem to be going. This element of surprise is one of the most intriguing creative aspects here. While I didn't love this unreservedly, it is deeply intriguing and I'd still recommend it.

 4 out of 5 stories that keep you thinking a

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

"Inside the bedroom, Nick was wondering what precisely to say to his grandmother, "Nay ho mai ?" he said, and then immediately wondered why he had asked he such a stupid question."

So enthusiastic was I to return to Kevin Kwan’s ultra-luxe world after finishing Crazy Rich Asians, that I mistakenly bought what I thought was the next instalment at Brisbane Airport – only to discover I’d missed a volume. It seems I’ve cheated myself out of China Rich Girlfriend and moved straight onto its sequel. It didn’t matter too much, I still gorged on its delicious decadence with the restraint of a gambling addict at Crown.

I’ll leave what’s happened in the interim between the two books alone- namely because I’ve just ordered the middle one and am counting down until it arrives. In any case, the fortunes of Kitty have really improved, not to mention the fact that Rachel’s had a ring put on her by the adorable Nick Young. That being said, Nick’s grandmother, the family matriarch is on her deathbed and the vultures – particularly Eddy – are circulating.

Throw in a sex scandal, a few crazy exes and a new romance and you have hours of reading entertainment ahead. I pretty much finished this over a flight from Brisbane to Sydney and then just a couple of hours at home later. When I finish the 2^nd book of the trilogy I will be eagerly anticipating more entertainment from this delightful author. While he lampoons the crazy excesses of his unimaginably rich characters, he still imbues them with so much personality that you really want to hang around them for that little bit longer.

5 out of 5, this novel could never be last season.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

"It was so bloody unfair. His parents were loaded, and his mother was set to inherit another obscene bundle if his Singapore grandmother would ever kick the bucket"

This is just so delightfully easy to consume that it is better than a Toblerone. How could you not get drawn into this crazy world of extreme wealth. Fish out of water Rachel Chu has no idea that she has won the heart of one of Singapore's most eligible bachelors. Indeed the power and wealth of her paramour's family is a complete mystery that will not stay a mystery for too long. An invitation to Nick's best friend's wedding in Singapore will see Rachel and Nick leave their American home for the crazy world of his birth.

The kind of place where it isn't a question of whether to take a private jet, rather whose one to take. The family situation is going to prove difficult ground for the young couple to navigate and for the reader, a mix of giggles and shock that will keep the pages flying by. I immediately had to read more of Mr Kwan's work after I finished the last page. Unfortunately, I bought the 3rd book by accident instead of the 2nd. Review forthcoming soon. I'm keen on reading all three and can't wait to see the upcoming film adaptation. Hope it has the big budget that this will require.

5 out of 5 times meeting the family is never easy.

No Is Not Enough by Naomi Klein

"Just saying no to shock tactics is often not enough to stop them, at least not on its own."

I was a little ambivalent to this book to begin with. It seemed a little repetitive at first. There was, however, much to recommend it in terms of sentiments and so I persevered.

Once you get to the Leap Manifesto at its conclusion, surely any sensible person would be on board. Who could argue with removing the corruptive influence of campaign donations from politics, of better, cleaner transportation options, of protecting the vulnerable, to be bold and brave for a better world?

While it provides a comprehensive analysis of some of the commodification of politics today and the pervasive influence of brand, Trump; it also looks to potential positive outcomes - an optimism we can all draw strength from.

5 out of 5 times we should all pick the better path.

The Dry by Jane Harper

"When Aaron Falk was eleven he'd seen Mal Deacon turn his own flock into a staggering, bleeding mess using shearing clippers and a brutal hand."

You know when people rave about a thriller as being "unputdownable" and you roll your eyes? Well prepare to eye roll because these are my exact sentiments where The Dry  is concerned. Here is an Australian country town setting that is very much in the Wake in Fright  mode; a hidden seething mess of danger, compounded by the financial concerns of modern farming.

Aaron Falk has been away from town for a very long time due to a life changing event which still has repercussions today. The death of his best friend from childhood, Luke Hadler, Luke's wife and child is initially thought to be a murder-suicide, a consequence of the two years of drought playing havoc with the farmer's livelihood. Luke's parents aren't so sure about that narrative and call in Aaron, who just happens to be a federal policeman, to return home and unearth the facts.

His journey for the truth had me awake through the early hours; desperate to understand what really happened in this horrific instance and the explanation about the earlier, mystery that is Aaron's formative experience. This is a fabulously written novel, it has great pace and mood and I highly recommend you get yourself a copy. It is worth the sleep you will undoubtedly lose.

5 out of 5 secrets buried, look different in the light of day.

Autumn by Ali Smith

"The lifelong friends, he said.  We sometimes wait a lifetime for them."

Post brexit fiction doesn't sound particularly inviting does it? Don't be fooled by those style of reviews, this novel is fabulous. It is about an unlikely friendship, a shared love of obscure art, the formative influences of our youth and the prospect of the end of life. The novel meanders time wise and reminded me of a vivid, engaging dream. The writing has an economy which is reminiscent of poetry, it tantalisingly draws you in, touching your emotions and spurring you on to completion.

Elizabeth's relationship with her much older neighbour, Daniel, is really intriguing. Theirs is a cerebral connection that transcends the exterior of youth and age, rather it is a meeting of inquisitive minds and that is a beautiful and inspiring thing. Their interactions reminded me of all the people in my life who have opened my mind to fascinating fiction, art, music and different ways of looking at the world. Daniel is in start contrast with Elizabeth's mother, who is fearful and more concerned with outer appearances. The characters seemed so visceral to me, which is even more of an achievement when you consider this is not a particularly long novel, that speaks to the artistry of the writer. Deservedly on the long list for the Man Booker prize - although unfortunately not the winner - Autumn promises to be the first in a series of four seasonally themed offerings and I for one can't wait to enjoy the rest of that literary year.

5 out of 5 lives are a work of art.

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

"It is shaming sometimes,  how the body will not, or cannot, lie about emotions."

I noticed that this slim volume has recently been adapted into a movie ( I chanced upon it while looking up the Cunard British Film Festival ) and I am generally a stickler for reading the book before the movie.Certainly it made for an amazing read. 

McEwan so perfectly captures that communication gap that can really skewer things when it comes to sexual awakenings. The first time can be fraught because we lack the experience to understand what the other person is thinking and the confidence to explain our own feelings and apprehensions.

Set in 1962 the novel draws the reader into the torment that surrounds the prospect of a wedding night and misaligned expectations. It is beautifully realised and at times difficult to read, as the reader becomes deeply enmeshed in the inner fears and emotions of a couple who can't quite voice their true feelings. I could continue to bang on about how great this is, and yet, life is short, you should just go read it for yourself.

5 out of 5 hidden torments are the indelible ones.