What I’m reading Rebecca K Reilly

I am a terrible reader who is always borrowing popular library books and not reading them until the night before they’re due, if at all, and, instead of supporting local businesses, ordering overseas editions that have nice covers (and not reading them either).

I have, however, read and finished some books – as follows.

She’s a Killer by Kirsten McDougall I’ve just finished this, which is a great, fast-paced book that has a lot of different, multi-dimensional women characters and inspired me to go out without wearing sunblock since the world might end anyway. Now I am a shade more tanned.

Nostalgia Has Ruined My Life by Zarah Butcher-McGunnigle and The Disinvent Movement by Susanna Gendall

These are two short, fragmented novels by writers who are also poets.

I would recommend them to anyone who has ever felt adrift or who has ever briefly thought that they could assimilate themselves perfectly into a workplace and this would give their life purpose, later finding out they were very wrong.

by Jackie Ess

Darryl

I’m looking forward to this, which was recommended to me very enthusiastically by writer Rose Lu.

This is a third short novel written by a poet, except this time it’s about a simple man in Oregon who enjoys hiking, basketball, and watching his wife with other men.

By all accounts it’s hugely funny as well.

Mrs Caliban by Rachel Ingalls There’s a new edition of this out, which is great news because it’s an excellent book, but it’s been in and out of print since it was originally published in 1982 and therefore difficult to come by.

It’s about a lonely suburban housewife who falls for a companionable sea monster and is described in one review as perfect, short, bizarre, heartfelt and insane. I recommend!