62 Book Review F
iction sales are apparently swelling with the growing demand for romantasy, thrillers and book/film adaptions whilst the non-fiction market is struggling to hold its appeal. However, if you like a bit of maritime history which reads more like a thrilling yarn look no further than To The Edge of The World by Tilar Mazzeo. This true story is a well-researched account of the brave and courageous Mary Ann Patten who in 1856 set sail with her husband in their clipper ship from New York with the dream of building a home and family in San Francisco. When her husband falls ill around the Cape Horn she has no option but to take charge of the ship and battle through a mutiny and severe storms to successfully deliver themselves and their very valuable cargo - all whilst pregnant! Her am- bition, grit, and very strong sea-legs know no bounds in this white-knuckle ride of a book which transports the reader direct to the ship’s deck in a remarkable story of love, survival and resilience.
There are some cracking debut fiction reads out at the moment. Flor- ence Knapp’s The Names has had the book world talking since it was first published in May last year and it’s out in paperback in March. It’s a story based on the “sliding doors” concept with 3 different versions of a life for a baby given 3 different names. Not as ‘fluffy’ as you might think with a difficult theme of domestic abuse but it’s a moving tale about the twist of fate, the trials of life and what a name means to a baby and how it shapes its future. “This year’s buzziest debut lives up to the hype . . . a tender, clear-eyed portrayal of the horrors of domestic violence and joys of family life” (Guardian).
A Family Matter by Claire Lynch won the debut fiction prize in the Nero Awards last year and is a small but mighty read which can be easily read in one fell
by Emma Jones
Family Ties 2026 is officially the National Year of Reading. The worrying decline in literacy has prompted this initiative which encourages us all to “connect through stories and develop a life-long love of reading, in all its forms.” World Book Day on 5 March kicked off the Spring programme with the promise of a book for every child and young person (check
literarytrust.org.uk for more info). Meanwhile World Book Night on 23 April will be promoting Quick Reads - short books and great stories (£1 each in paperback) by bestselling authors written in an accessible and easy to read style.
swoop. The powerful story about familial love, family secrets and generational prejudice and injustice is written by an author with an eye for detail and succinct writing. The story of a fractured family is at once both simple and complicated, set over 2 different timelines, 40 years apart. It is packed full of emo- tion, mixed in with the minutiae and nuances of life making it a thought-provoking read with a lingering effect.
Agatha Christie fans are marking another milestone in 2026. It’s 50 years since her death and after the success of the Netflix adaption of Seven Dials you can look forward to a major exhibition later in the year at the British Li- brary. Younger readers also now have the chance to en- joy the company of Agatha Christie’s favourite sleuths who feature in a charming, new series of Mr Men and Little Miss stories (written by Adam Hargreaves) including Little Miss Marple Muddle at the Vicarage and Mr Poirot Mystery on the Opulent Express.
The new release I’m waiting for this Spring is A Far-Flung Life byM L Stedman – author of the bestselling book and film The Light Between the Oceans. This sweeping family saga set in the Australian outback of 1958 promises to be big and bold and as epic as the previous one filled with secrets and tragedy… prepare yourself and your book club.
And remember if you don’t want to buy books from our wonderful local bookstores, don’t forget our brilliant local library: pick a copy off the shelf or borrow books digitally and for free from the BorrowBox app.
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