Fiction

Thomas King's 'Obsidian' may not be your typical murder mystery but its a wonderful book and a satisfying conclusion to a great series.

So there you have it, a completely subjective list of ten books from 2019 I think will improve the quality of your life. Enjoy.

In 'A Keeper' by Graham Norton Elizabeth Keane returns to Ireland to settle her mom's estate and takes a harder look at her family's past.

A stage adaptation of Clarice Lispector's stream-of-consciousness debut novel boasts a fine lead performance by Sarah Lemp, but sadly is not a page-turner.

Nobody has managed to recreate the secret world of spies and subterfuge with Le Carre's flair and 'Agent Running in the Field' cements his reputation as a master of the genre.

'The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth (Book of Dust Vol.2) by Philip Pullman proves this sequence is every bit as excellent as "His Dark Materials".

'Quichotte by Salman Rushdie will ease the pain of your heart and make you feel a little less alone in this strange new world.

'Red Birds' by Mohammed Hanif is a wonderful, human look at the absurdity and true sadness of modern war. That it also happens to be a great read just makes it even better.

Guy Gavriel Kay's A Brightness Long Ago is a book that will entrance and enthral. Read, enjoy and revel in its depiction of a fascinating world.

Shahad Al Rawi’s The Baghdad Clock, published by One World Publications, allows us to see the world through the wondering eyes of a child. We watch as her world, at first so big and filled with magic, gradually shrinks as she grows. However, no matter her age and size, our …