These books have been all over our Twitter feed; due to their recent release or because of the sheer volume of praise they’ve received.
Books are a brilliant way to pass the time, whether you’re into crime fiction or literature that will put a pep in your step; every single one of these is worth checking out.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
You won’t want to leave, until you can’t.
Sarah Pearse’s debut novel, The Sanatorium, is a spine-chilling thriller that has been chosen by Reese Witherspoon herself as her book of the month for February 2021.
The story takes place in the chilly Swiss Alps, where Elin finds herself heading after reluctantly agreeing to go to her brother’s engagement party.
She almost begins to relax, despite the creepy sanatorium-turned-hotel she’s staying in, until her brother’s fiancée, Laure, goes missing…
This book is a wonderful debut novel from Pearse; it has the perfect balance of suspense, character progression, and it definitely keeps you guessing. The fear spreads through the pages and has you on the edge of your seat.
The Sanatorium is the perfect book to pair with a hot chocolate and the heating up full.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Life has so many choices; embrace them.
The Midnight Library, from celebrated author Matt Haig, is a beautiful story about the choices we have and the possibilities that constantly unfold before us.
Nora’s life is a bit of a rollercoaster – one minute things are bad, the next, well they’re usually worse. But at midnight on her final day on Earth she is brought to a library.
This library gives Nora the chance to try out lives she may have lived, and undo regrets no longer set in stone.
A wonderful, charming story that gets to the heart of what really is important in life. With so much praise, it’s definitely one you should pick up if you get the chance.
The Last Thing To Burn by Will Dean
He calls her Jane. That is not her name.
Acclaim for Will Dean’s first standalone thriller, The Last Thing To Burn has been tremendously high, and for good reason.
The story follows Jane as she fights to stay alive in the wake of her seventh year being held captive by him.
She is tired, in pain, and wants nothing more than to escape; and when the perfect reason to leave comes along, Jane will stop at nothing to break free.
Dean’s writing skills shine through this book; he nails the themes of heartbreak, willpower, and the inside struggle felt by our incredible main character.
If you’re unsure about what book to purchase, look no further.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Murder isn’t just for the young.
The debut book, by comedian Richard Osman, absolutely nails the themes within it, and does not falter at any point.
A delightful group of senior citizens meet every week in their retirement home to look over old cases, to see if they can spot something – and to pass the time.
When a murder occurs within their home of Coopers Chase, the group go all out to find out who would do such a horrible thing.
It cannot be said enough how charming and warm this novel really is, despite the murder. It has such class and wonderful humour as the elderly folk talk about youth and technology.
The Thursday Murder Club is worth reading time and time again.
Dog Days by Ericka Waller
Not every bad thing has to stay that way.
Dog Days is Ericka Waller’s debut novel, focusing on the idea that negative things in life can always be turned around for the better.
The narrative focuses on three people: George, Lizzie, and Dan. Each character has something deeply melancholic tied to them, but each of them share something in common – a canine companion.
There has been so much excitement surrounding this recently-released story, and for good reason. It combines two total opposites – sorrow and joy. The way Waller makes the two work together is outstanding.
It really can be felt that Waller wanted this book to show people that when things are bad, they don’t have to stay that way. She also drives home that dogs are perhaps one of the best cures for happiness humans need.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
RELATED: Review: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse is a brilliant debut thriller!
Horror and thriller books may be the hardest to write, with the author having to describe each moment through language rather than through sight. Fortunately, Sarah Pearse cuts right through this with her debut novel, The Sanatorium.
Pearse is a young writer who lives by the sea with her husband and two daughters. Always drawn to creepy and peculiar things, the writer has allowed the macabre to creep beautifully into her first release.
The narrative of her novel follows former detective Elin Warner as she reluctantly embarks on a journey to the Swiss Alps with her boyfriend, Will, to meet her brother for his engagement party...
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