More about books

Catherine Larner

Hello, I'm Catherine Larner, a freelance journalist, editor and presenter living in Suffolk. I contribute features, profiles, reviews, comment and analysis to regional and national magazines, newspapers and online. You can take a look at my published articles on my website here.

I also interview on stage for festivals, organisations and bookshops, 'in conversation' with novelists, historians, politicians and personalities.

Reading extensively and widely, I report on the books I've enjoyed in a weekly e-newsletter and on this site which now provides a resource of more than 800 titles. I hope you'll find it helpful in choosing books for yourself and for your friends and family.

Thank you for reading

 

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.

What's on

Saturday 23rd May, 7.30pm
at Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge
BBC newsreader and presenter, Sophie Raworth is also a keen distance runner. She will be speaking about her life and her passion for running in this special evening event.

Recent Events

Tuesday 3 February 2026
Comedian, musician and Jane Austen fan, Rachel Parris has written 'A Pride and Prejudice novel'. She told us all about it in this special evening event.

Events Archive

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

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. 

Dreamland
by Rosa Rankin-Gee
Said to be 'a beautiful book: thought-provoking, eerily prescient and very witty', which presents 'the enduring power of love and hope in a world spinning out of control'. It is soon to be a BBC drama. What will we make of it?
Monday, 30 March 2026 - 8:00pm

Readers recommendations
At the end of each year, members of the Woodbridge 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 2025 the titles that were mentioned are listed here.

FRAMLINGHAM

I'm leading a 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

Mare
by Emily Haworth-Booth
Wednesday, 22 April 2026 - 7:30pm

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.

Kit de Waal
Publication date: 12th February 2026
Malorie Blackman
Recommended non-fiction
Publication date: 4th May 2023
Grace Spence Green
Recommended non-fiction
When a medical student is involved in a life-changing accident, what does she do next?
Publication date: 5th June 2025
Hardback edition
Katy Hessel
Recommended non-fiction
Thoughts and inspiration from artists for 366 days.
Publication date: 6th November 2025
Hardback edition
Frances Wilson
Recommended non-fiction
A fabulous biography of a truly extraordinary woman, and her work.
Publication date: 5th June 2025
Hardback edition
Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees
A time-travelling love story.
Publication date: 5th February 2026
Hardback edition
Mark Haddon
Recommended non-fiction
An original approach to a memoir of family which is both entertaining and moving.
Publication date: 5th February 2026
Hardback edition
Helen Bain
A beautiful and original way of looking at the last year in the life of Sylvia Plath.
Publication date: 12th March 2026
Hardback edition

For children

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

by Kenneth Oppel
Publication date: 30th April 2025
by Chi Thai and illustrated by Linh Dao
Publication date: 6th March 2025
Hardback edition
by Olivia Wakeford
Publication date: 26th February 2026
by Katya Balen
Con troubles to manage his anger - but then he learns all about homing pigeons.
Publication date: 25th September 2025
Hardback edition
by Harriet Howe and illustrated by Ariel Landy
A fun, colourful tale of a journey, and working as a team.
Publication date: 5th March 2026
by Satoshi Kitamura
A delightfully simple but vibrant tale of music, nature and the power of the imagination.
Publication date: 5th February 2026
by Rachel Tilda Wolf
Bear is searching for a dance partner. Will he find anyone to share his joy of movement?
Publication date: 5th February 2026
Hardback edition
by Sarah Crossan
Another stunning verse novel from Sarah Crossan, this time with the theme of 'troubled teens'. Brilliant.
Publication date: 26th February 2026

Look out for

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

by Woody Brown
Publication date: 2nd April 2026
by Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Wendy Holden
Recommended non-fiction
The official biography of the film star, fashion icon and humanitarian, written by her son with journalist and biographer Wendy Holden.
Publication date: 9th April 2026
by Malcolm Duffy
Recommended for children
Publication date: 9th April 2026
by Sophie Raworth
Recommended non-fiction
Publication date: 23rd April 2026
by Ann Patchett
Publication date: 2nd June 2026
by Mitch Johnson
Recommended for children
A football tale about chasing your dreams and standing up for what you believe is right.
Publication date: 4th June 2026

News

Sunday 22 March 2026

Back in print

It seems the latest fashion accessory is a book. Who'd have thought it?

There was a fascinating article in the Guardian yesterday, suggesting that 'clever is the new cool'. In the world of celebrities and pop stars, it seems hosting a book club is now an essential feature of the brand, and promotional or papped photos should feature a book in hand (or pocket).

Film and tv dramas are also using books as shorthand to flag up foibles and traits of characters and give clues in plot development. And fashion shows are being inspired by designers' current reading.

The books aren't props or gimmicks, though. Celebrities want to be identified not only as readers, but thinkers - intellectuals, even.