What I’ve Been Reading Recently – Sam

January’s a tough month for many; mine was cushioned with some varied quality reading.

Bewilderment is a propulsive, moving novel about a single father with a very special son. Themes of scientific enquiry, grief, and communication against a backdrop of crisis. Powers is on top form here, with a novel that manages to be simultaneously tightly focused and expansive.

The Nutmeg’s Curse is a real mind-blower. With a multi-disciplinary approach, Ghosh reveals the roots of Western ideologies concerning our planet as resource and home, and promotes a new vitalist politics. If you’ve got any interest in colonial history, climate change, or cultural studies, then this is essential.

Dog Rose Dirt is a brilliant, empowering thriller. Journalist Heather is investigating her mother’s suicide when she discovers decades of correspondence between her mother and notorious serial killer Michael Reeve, ‘The Red Wolf’. Then a copycat killer begins killing women in the same way Reeve did, and Reeve will only speak to Heather. Intelligent and tense with a punch-the-air final set piece, this is an exceptional British crime thriller.

White Fox in the Forest concludes the story of Arctic fox Dilah, who set out to become a human in White Fox. This is one of my favourite recent children’s series, with an admirable protagonist and a fully fleshed out fantasy world. There’s real peril and tragedy here, heart warming friendships and wonderful plotting.

Hope you all have a lovely February!

Kind regards

Sam Drew