My Animals and Other Family – Clare Balding

I was intrigued by this because the original Gerald Durrell book, My Family and Other Animals, was one of my all-time favourites when I was about fifteen. In this book about Clare Balding’s early life, she paints a vivid picture of the dogs and horses that she grew up with and the book made me smile (and cry in one place). What an amazing young life she had.

Rachel’s Holiday – Marian Keyes

I always recommend Marian to people who have lost interest in reading or are finding it difficult to get back into reading for any reason. Her books lure you in with straightforward language, sharp observations and heart-breaking life experiences. Rachel’s Holiday is no exception! Somehow, the author has managed to make what is an extremely difficult subject – spending a few weeks in a clinic as a recovering drug addict – into an amusing, but also emotional rollercoaster. The heroine, Rachel, feels too big for her life, she’s tall with size 8 feet and after a series of calamities in New York her Irish family drag her back to a Dublin version of the Betty Ford Clinic to go cold turkey with a series of hilarious and poignant stops along the way!

He Said, She Said – Erin Kelly

As the title suggests, it’s the story of a man and a woman, both of whom have something to hide. It’s tense, exciting, and all tied into a series of eclipses – which somehow successfully add to the sense of apprehension. You know something is coming – but you don’t know what. And I have to say, that I had absolutely not the first clue what was about to be revealed at the end of the book. Skilfully written, and worthy of its bestseller status.