I listened to the audiobook of this, which had a handful of narrators, when the point of view changed between characters, the narrator did too, but I could have done without that, if I’m honest, the main reader was fine. Regardless, the story took a while to get going and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but somehow it kept me gripped and I desperately wanted to know what was going to happen next. An emotional one but a good one.

I’ve had this in my digital library for a really long time, I’m not sure what prompted me to pick it up in the first place. It was a good read, the kind of young adult book that puts teenagers in more adult situations (although the trainee police thing was a believable setup) and then you find they bring their own solutions that the adults would never have been able to do. I also liked the way this was written, Chris Ould has done a lot of TV work, and this felt very scenic - each chapter a snapshot of a scene before moving on to the next.

A while back, I tried a bit of running and became really interested in people who had written books about running. I don’t run anymore and now going through my long, long to-be-read list, I’ve got a few of these sporty books to catch up on. This one is a dash through the world of the 100 Marathon Club, people who have run a hundred marathons. Author Helen Summer talks to a variety of different people who are part of the club, from all walks of life. I wasn’t sure this was going to be of interest to me anymore as a non-runner, but actually it was fascinating to read just how different the people are who join this club, their reasons, their lives, how it affects their loved ones.

This was a really interesting science-fiction novel, a really gentle dystopian fiction that was no less horrifying for its slow and steady pace. The world is starting to turn more slowly and we gradually see the impact of that, on the wider global scale but also on very personal levels. Through the eyes of a pre-teen girl, there are still friendship and boy dramas alongside the huge worldwide problems and discoveries.

This was a good action/adventure story that I can absolutely see being a movie - the characters and the thriller story are almost made for the big screen. It had a very mild time travel element that I obviously liked but it was grounded in reality, if the science was a little stretched. But it kept me turning the pages and I’m intrigued what the follow up has in store.

The second book in the John Puller series and it’s another good mystery where Puller gets involved at a certain level and then gradually finds a deeper and more disturbing plot is behind it all. Baldacci’s writing is exceptionally good as a pageturner, it’s short and sharp, tight sentences and keen paragraphs that just keeps you wanting to read more. And I really like Puller as a character, he’s got the skills and tightlipped manner that his career has given him, but can let his guard down occasionally and give us insight into the man behind the military bearing. Can’t wait for the next one.

As I was reading this, it felt oddly familiar. I don’t think I’ve read it before, but you never know. Regardless, it took a little while to grab me, and there was a little too much detail about future archaeology for my tastes, but underneath all that it was a really interesting and fun story to get on board with. I did think it was interesting that events kept piling on to the point that Jarra herself believed her deception, but then when she did reveal all it was slightly underwhelming - having built up to what could happen all book, she was just accepted. Having said that, it does tend to be the case that when you get to know the person underneath, any sense of racism you might have can fall away.

I had no idea about this crash before picking up this book, but what an extraordinary and tragic event to have lived through! Strouch waited a long time to tell his story but does so with great sensitivity, honesty and reflection. The events unfold sort of chronologically, but more dipping into various areas of the event - spirituality, survival, hope, despair, telling what happened via emotions rather than via a timeline. It’s an eye-opening and incredible read.

I feel like I’ve read this before but I don’t have a review of it anywhere so I figured I’d give it another go. Whether I’ve read it before or not, I’m glad I got to experience it again. Mack deep dives into what drives a comedian to choose this career, and what makes someone funny, by examining his own history in a unique and hilarious way. Usually dipping too much into childhood and early days can be dull but this was never boring.

It feels a bit cheeky to call it a book as it feels more like an extended magazine article, but there’s no denying it’s a nice piece. Sam is inspirational and seems like a lovely guy, and it’s nice to see the author connect with his extended friends and family. Would have liked to delve a bit deeper but it was still a nice read.