Book List #2

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
I expected this to be better than it was after reading other reviews. I really didn’t like most of the characters so almost didn’t care what happened!










The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell
Read my review here.












Guernica by Dave Boling
I wasn’t sure about this book from the back cover but it was actually good and taught me a bit about Basque culture and the Spanish Civil War.










East End Angel by Carol Rivers
This book was ok but nothing special.












Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
I really enjoyed this book.












Life and Laughing by Michael McIntyre
This actually felt like Michael McIntyre talking – very funny in parts.












Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola
Loved this!

The Hand That First Held Mine

The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie Farrell is a really good read.

It tells the story of Lexi Sinclair, a university student who runs away from rural Devon to busy, exciting 1950s London.  There she falls in love with a magazine editor Innes Kent.  The novel jumps between Lexi’s story and that of Ted and Elina, a present day couple with a newborn baby living in London.  Ted has never been able to remember large parts of his childhood, but since the birth of his son he’s been having flashbacks which don’t tally with his parents’ version of things.

From the start, it’s known that the two storylines are connected and gradually throughout the novel, the connection becomes clear.  It’s a fast moving, easy to read book and I’d definitely recommend it.

You can buy The Hand That First Held Mine from Play for just £4.49 and get free delivery.