by Hayley Charlesworth

To say that Landline is not one of Rainbow Rowell’s best books is in no way an insult, but rather a compliment to her incredibly readable and fun novels. Unlike her most popular books, Eleanor and Park and Fangirl, Landline is a novel aimed at adults, centering on a married couple in crisis, but with an added fantastical twist. Characters are well-realised, as is the unique plot device at the centre of the book. In fact, the only reason why Landline doesn’t rate among Rowell’s best is simply because, while this is great, other books of hers are greater.

by Hayley Charlesworth

Ajax Bell is an exciting new voice in the world of m/m literature, with her debut novel This Charming Man a delightful blend of coming of age, nostalgia and romance. Set in early 90s Seattle, this book is one that isn’t afraid to create flawed characters, and as such the journey they take is much more rewarding.

by Hayley Charlesworth

Today sees the release of the latest Johnny Depp vehicle (without Tim Burton’s involvement!), Mortdecai. But before rushing out to see this comedy crime caper, why not look into Mortdecai’s origins in the excellently titled Don’t Point That Thing At Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli, which first brought the dishonourable Charlie Mortdecai to the world.

by Emlyn Roberts-Harry

River of Stars is a sort-of sequel to Kay's previous book, Under Heaven, taking place in the same world but around 400 years later. Despite the huge time skip, though, the effects of the cataclysmic events which happened in Under Heaven are still being felt. Where it was a story of an empire at the peak of its powers being brought down by decadence and hubris, River of Stars is a more melancholy look at a crumbling civilisation frantically trying to stay intact, despite the incompetence of those trying to run it and the increasing power of younger rival kingdoms.

By Gemma Williams

Contrary to my usual reading habits, I first watched Howl's Moving Castle, many years before even acquiring the book. It was weird, random, made little sense, and was absolutely wonderful. My hopes when reading the book would be that there would be some kind of explanation to the story but that it would be equally wonderful and magical.

The story follows young Sophie Hatter who is put under a curse by a witch. She sets out to discover herself and finds a new home in Howl's Moving Castle. Evil rumours are spread about Howl and so she should be wary as she enters the magical, random and utterly ridiculous castle.

By Gemma Williams

It has taken me a while to jump on to the bandwagon of this series, written by Sarah J. Maas. I had heard so many great things about it that I was scared it wouldn't meet my expectations. I was afraid that the characters would be one dimensional, fall into the usual love triangle trap, and a story that had more or less been done before. So how did my expectations affect my reading of the book, and did it meet these fears of mine?

by Hayley Charlesworth

2014 marks one hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War, making this Remembrance Sunday all the more poignant. But while much of the world's attention is focused on that first conflict, Keira Andrews' latest book, Semper Fi, takes the Second World War as its source and setting, particularly the conflict between America and Japan. Splitting the action between the hellish experience faced by marines Cal and Jim and their post-war reconciliation in 1948, this friends-to-lovers story expertly explores both hope and despair, and a love born from terrible circumstances.

by Hayley Charlesworth

Pat Barker is one of the masters of wartime fiction. Her award-winning Regeneration Trilogy revolutionised the genre and was an epic and devastating examination of post-traumatic stress disorder against the backdrop of trench warfare. Her 2013 release Toby's Room is a companion novel to her earlier book Life Class, though both books can be read independently of each other. Again using the First World War as its subject, this book's primary focus is on the relationship between war and art.

by Hayley Charlesworth

Scandinavia has been the place on everybody’s lips in terms of culture in the past decade. Film, television and literature have been flooded with their typically cold, atmospheric thrillers, from the Millenium Trilogy books and films, through to TV shows like Borgen and The Killing. One of the big Scandinavian hits was Let the Right One In, a vampire novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist and later adapted for cinema by Tomas Alfredson (who brought a very Scandinavian flair to the English-speaking world with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.) While the film was an absolute triumph, spawning a lesser American remake in Let Me In, the book remains one of the great vampire novels of recent times.