Normal People

I've read Normal People by Sally Rooney which is set in Ireland.  This is a love story.  Connell and Marianne are at school together.  Connell's mother is Marianne's mother's cleaner.  So they are very different in socio-economic terms.  They go to university and remain friends while they each have other lovers. There is no punctuated dialogue but the story still flows. 3/5

The Choke

I enjoyed The Choke by Sofie Laguna which is set in a small town on the Murray River.  Justine lives with her grandfather, "Pop" as her parents went their separate ways and she only occasionally has her father visit.  Justine is shy and doesn't really have any friends.  One day when her father is visiting he takes her to "visit" a former girlfriend and something happens which adds to a long-term feud with that girl's family.  This later has serious ramifications for Justine. 4/5

Ginny Moon

I enjoyed Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig which I read on my Kindle app. while overseas recently.  The author has experience with autistic children and the narrator in this story an autistic 14-year-old.  Ginny had a traumatic childhood and was removed from her mother four years before.  She has been in a few foster homes and the story has her with a couple who want to adopt her.  They have some reservations about her behaviour when the foster mother becomes pregnant.  Eventually Ginny's behaviour is understood and the story continues.  I found it interesting being "inside Ginny's head". 31/2/5

The Lie of the Land

I enjoyed The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig which is set mainly in the English countryside.  A woman moves there with her children while waiting for their house in London to sell so she can divorce her philandering husband.  There is a mystery surrounding the property as they learn the reason for the cheap rent.  A murder took place there and the killer has not been identified.  There are interesting characters in this small village including the landlord ageing rock star.  Twist at the end. 4/5

A Gentleman in Moscow

I very much enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.  In the early 1920s in Moscow, Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to remain in the Hotel Metropol for life but not in his usual room.  He is taken to an attic room which he eventually makes comfortable for himself.  There are some great characters in the hotel and the Count is the most interesting of them all.  He meets and sees many people come and go in the hotel.  A young girl has an impact on his life and the story takes a new turn.  Highly recommended. 5/5

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

I very much enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman which is set in Glasgow. Eleanor is a great character, very likeable and it is very interesting to watch her develop in the story as she breaks free from her self-imposed constraints.  She had a terrible childhood which we gradually learn about.  Her life changes when she and a work colleague help a stranger who collapses in the street.  Beautifully written, a delightful book. 5/5

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

I read The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland which is set in Australia.  Alice grows up with her violent father and her mother who tries to keep the peace in their insular household.  Alice doesn't go to school, she doesn't leave her family property.  When tragedy strikes, Alice is sent to live with her grandmother on an unusual flower farm.  Alice is taught that flowers have meanings.  She grows up on the farm and then story is about her life there and living with the ghosts of the past.  31/2/5