More about books

My More About Books bookstore where books can be purchased online can be found here or from any 'buy this book online' link. If you buy books linked to this site, I earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.

For book news, events and recommendations, sign up for my weekly e-newsletter here.

As a writer and editor, I have enjoyed many years meeting and interviewing many fascinating people, and visiting wonderful locations worldwide. Take a look at my website here for an archive of my published articles.

These days I also indulge my passion for books, reading and writing by interviewing authors, hosting events and sharing my reviews and recommendations.

I've organised visits to Woodbridge by Alexander McCall Smith, Margaret Drabble, Victoria Hislop, Griff Rhys Jones, Kate Mosse, Deborah Moggach, Maggie O'Farrell, Michael Morpurgo, Robert Peston, Kate Humble, Max Hastings and many more.

I've interviewed Simon Mayo for the First Light Festival; Simon Garfield, Anna Pavord and Melissa Harrison for The Cut Halesworth; Louise Doughty, Salley Vickers and Esther Freud for Felixstowe Book Festival; Barbara Erskine and Alan Johnson MP for Suffolk Libraries, as well as authors for Lavenham Literary Festival, FolkEast and the HighTide Festival in Aldeburgh.

For more than 10 years I co-hosted a book club on air for BBC Radio Suffolk with the afternoon presenter, Lesley Dolphin. You can listen again to our conversations by following the link below. 

In 2008 I launched an open book club in Woodbridge and we have been meeting each month ever since.

Each week I compile an e-newsletter offering book news, author events, my reviews and recommendations. If you'd like to receive it, please click here.

Thank you for reading
Catherine

What's on

I am always planning new events but at the moment I have nothing quite ready to announce.

Events Archive

Visit my archive pages for details of all events in recent years.

Listening in

For more than 10 years I co-hosted a monthly book club on BBC Radio Suffolk with the presenter Lesley Dolphin. You can listen to past discussions here.

Book Groups

WOODBRIDGE
I've been hosting an open Book Group in Woodbridge for the past 17 years. We used to meet in the town's bookshop but are now gathering in a hall just off the Thoroughfare. Please ​​​​sign up for the weekly e-newsletter here to receive details. 

Transcendent Kingdom
by Yaa Gyasi
Exploring love, loss and redemption, family, faith, science and immigration, and the opioid crisis, this novel moves from Ghana to Alabama in the American South, and was shortlisted for the Women's Prize in 2021. What will we think of it?
Monday, 29 January 2024 - 8:00pm

FRAMLINGHAM
I'm now leading the monthly adult book group at the fabulous Ottie and the Bea children's shop in Framlingham. You can find out about how to join in the meeting and sign up here or call in to the shop to learn more and browse the wonderful selection of children's books and gifts. The book we are reading this month is

Lincoln in the Bardo
by George Saunders
The winner of the Booker Prize in 2017, this was the author's debut. Telling the story of Abraham Lincoln grieving the death of his child, the action takes place on one night and is written in 'an exhilarating new form'. It's described as thrilling, hilarious and terrifying. What will we make of it?
Wednesday, 10 January 2024 - 7:30pm

Reader recommendations

At the end of each year, members of the Book Group meet together to share their favourite titles and offer ideas for gifts for friends and family, and for new authors to try ourselves. For 2023 the titles that were mentioned are listed here.

Buying books

I've linked the reviews on my website so that you can purchase online if you wish (and I will receive a small commission for each purchase, with a further commission going to all independent bookshops). 

Click here for my page on bookshop.org and do consider using it whenever you wish to buy online. 

Book reviews

My recent recommendations

Here are the books I've been enjoying recently, both fiction and non-fiction titles.

Lee Child and Andrew Child
Jack Reacher seems to be on the backfoot as scientists involved in a secret project years earlier are dying. Who will be next, why are they being...
Publication date: 24th October 2023
Hardback edition
Sally Huband
Recommended non-fiction
A wonderfully moving and informative memoir about a new life in Shetland, responding to motherhood, illness and the natural environment.
Publication date: 6th April 2023
Hardback edition
Nina Stibbe
Recommended non-fiction
The follow-up to 'Love, Nina', this is the diary of Nina Stibbe at 61, taking time out from her marriage, back among her literary friends...
Publication date: 2nd November 2023
Hardback edition
Dolly Alderton
Andy is struggling for a big break as a stand-up comedian, his girlfriend has left him and his friends are all 'grown-ups'. Why is he...
Publication date: 9th November 2023
Hardback edition
John Boyne
The first in a quartet of books this is a beautifully written, poignant and challenging read about a woman coming to terms with her past.
Publication date: 2nd November 2023
Rick Rubin
Recommended non-fiction
A very readable and fascinating guide to the creative process and how we all might tap into our innate creativity and gain huge benefits from doing...
Publication date: 17th January 2023
Hardback edition
Susan Magsamen and and Ivy Ross
Recommended non-fiction
A readable and inspiring guide on how the arts can help us emotionally, mentally and medically to be healthy, happy people!
Publication date: 30th March 2023
Hardback edition
Louis de Bernières
Described by one reviewer as 'a jolly dystopia', this is a quirky, entertaining and thought-provoking read. Loved it!
Publication date: 26th October 2023
Hardback edition
William Sieghart
Poetry is a balm for our soul, particularly in these difficult times. This is the final instalment in this wonderful anthology collection. Essential...
Publication date: 28th September 2023
Hardback edition
John Simpson
Recommended non-fiction
A gripping read about an extraordinary life reporting at the frontline of world events over several decades!
Publication date: 31st October 1999
Chetna Maroo
Beautifully poetic descriptions of playing the game of squash in this coming-of-age novel about a young woman in Pakistan.
Publication date: 11th May 2023
Hardback edition
Adam Henson
Recommended non-fiction
Something for everyone with personal recollections of farming and family life, fascinating facts about Christmas traditions, rare breeds and life on...
Publication date: 26th October 2023
Hardback edition

For children

These are my most recent recommendations for children. Click here to see listings by age.

by Zeb Soanes and illustrated by James Mayhew
The latest from Gaspard the Fox and his friends, this time we learn new words from Peter the Cat. Brilliant!
Publication date: 10th November 2023
Hardback edition
by Jenny Pearson
A funny, heartwarming time slip adventure where children are tasked with saving Christmas.
Publication date: 9th November 2023
by Joyce Dunbar and illustrated by James Mayhew
On their latest adventures, Mouse and Mole go on a country walk, spook themselves in the dark and muse about the meaning of life over a bowl of soup!
Publication date: 31st October 2023
by Sophie Anderson
A magical, wintery tale of relationships won and lost. Very special.
Publication date: 26th October 2023
Hardback edition
by Susie Dent
The marvellous Susie Dent introduces new words to young readers to describe and bring about joy, hope and happiness.
Publication date: 5th October 2023
Hardback edition
by Katya Balen
A wonderful tale of family, a quest, the natural world and the stories we tell ourselves.
Publication date: 28th September 2023
Hardback edition
by Frances Hardinge
A gripping gothic thriller with magic, ghosts and a coming-of-age, beautifully illustrated.
Publication date: 21st September 2023
Hardback edition
by Liz Kessler
A beautifully told dual narrative with equally gripping stories of the present day issues facing a young girl at school and home, and wartime tragic...
Publication date: 14th September 2023
Hardback edition
by Sally Nicholls
A nostalgic tale of three young women in 1896 returning to their very different lives after boarding school. Told in letters, with a modern slant.
Publication date: 7th September 2023
Hardback edition
by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
A wonderfully warm and hopeful story told in verse, with beautiful illustrations. There are challenges but great characters too. Brilliant!
Publication date: 7th September 2023

Look out for

These titles will soon be published but are not yet available in the shops. 

by Phil Hickes
Recommended for children
A boarding school ghost story adventure - set in Suffolk!
Publication date: 1st February 2024
by Erica James
Publication date: 29th February 2024
by Philippa Forrester
Recommended non-fiction
Publication date: 29th February 2024
by CL Miller
Publication date: 29th February 2024
by Esther Rutter
Recommended non-fiction
Publication date: 7th March 2024
by MJ Robotham
Publication date: 11th April 2024

News

Sunday 3 December 2023

Making a list

Well I've had quite a week and I'm pleased to say everything has gone brilliantly! Thank you to everyone who has come along to the events and meetings. I hope you enjoyed it all as much as I did.

Nicola Upson charmed us with her passion for Josephine Tey, Alfred Hitchcock and Daphne du Maurier as she described researching and writing her latest novel 'Shot with Crimson'. And afterwards it really was very special being able to see 'Rebecca' on the big screen. The Riverside Cinema was the perfect venue to launch this fabulous novel.

Adam Henson was wonderfully warm and entertaining, as we knew he would be. And it was a good job he could speak quickly as there was so much he wanted to share with us. We could have listened to him all night but he had to get back in the car and drive four hours back to the Cotswolds after our event at The Riverside.

There were two book groups for me to lead this week - our regular monthly meeting in Woodbridge discussed 'Saltwater' by Jessica Andrews, and this raised many topics of interest and debate. And I met with children at Woodbridge Primary School to talk about the book we've been reading there this term. 'The Final Year' by Matt Goodfellow was a huge hit with them all!