Here are all the books I read last month – fiction and non-fiction. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll learn so much.
Show Don’t Tell – by Curtis Sittenfeld
If all you have the capacity for at the moment are short stories, this book is for you. And if you enjoy reading stories featuring midlife women characters, this one is definitely for you. There are stories about marriage, female friendship, school reunions, prejudice and intimacy. I loved reading the snippets of the characters’ lives and how they transported me to their worlds. This is what I love about reading – you’re afforded a peek into other lives. You may not relate to some of the characters, viewpoints or stories, but you’ll learn from them or enjoy how they transport you to see how other people live and think.
My rating is 4/5.
Order on Amazon US | Amazon UK
We All Live Here – by Jojo Moyes
Jojo Moyes fans will love this one. Lila Kennedy is a newly divorced mother of two daughters whose life and writing career are in disarray. While dealing with all that life has thrown at her, her stepfather has moved in to help out. And then to add insult to injury, her father turns up on her doorstep after many years away. But despite the chaotic subject matter, this story ambled along soothingly and had me enthralled all the way through. And I was a little sad when it ended – which is always a good sign.
My rating is 4/5.
Order on Amazon US | Amazon UK
You may also want to read: All the great books I read in February 2025
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space – by Adam Higginbotham
I probably wouldn’t have read this book if it wasn’t part of my online book club, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also learnt so much from the author who researched this topic brilliantly, bringing in evidence from many sources to weave together a full picture of exactly why the Challenger accident occurred. It’s truly a fascinating account of what happened, why it happened, and who and what was to blame. I was captivated by all I learnt about this historic event.
My rating is 4/5.
Order on Amazon US | Amazon UK
How to have a happy birthday: Create meaning, fulfilment and joy on your special day – by Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming
I received an ARC of this book and it was just what I needed. Being middle-aged, I’ve long known that birthdays can be disappointing and tinged with sadness. But while I’d worked out that if I wanted to have a good birthday, I had to take ownership of the day and my experience, this important lesson bears repeating and elaborating on, which is exactly what this book did.
I loved the author’s thoughts on why birthdays matter, how to create the day you want, the do’s and don’ts on birthdays and how to feel comfortable celebrating yourself. After finishing this book and the insightful workbook at the end, I feel inspired to view my birthday differently (it’s never too late) and to feel confident in why I’m celebrating. I’m now looking forward to many happier birthdays ahead.
My rating is 4/5.
Order on Amazon US | Amazon UK
Broken Country – by Clare Leslie Hall
Beth was seventeen when she first met Gabriel and fell madly in love. But when Gabriel left to become the person his mother expected him to be, she fell apart. Frank, who had long loved Beth, swooped in and they built a good life together. But when Gabriel returns to the village, Beth feels their connection again immediately. This book is not only a love story, there’s also friendship, death, grief and a murder trial. And if you love family stories in small English villages, you’d love this one.
My rating is 5/5.
Order on Amazon US | Amazon UK
I loved all the books I read last month – have you read any of these?
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