Lullaby – Leïla Slimani: Lavinia’s Book Pick, September 2018
Lullaby is the story of the murder of two young children by their nanny. That’s not a spoiler – that’s how it opens. It’s tense, tight, and enigmatic throughout. There’s a [...]
The Good People – Hannah Kent: Lavinia’s Book Pick, June 2018
I recently enjoyed a lovely holiday out in the wilds, and Hannah Kent’s The Good People was the perfect read for the occasion – though I struggle to think of an occasion for which The [...]
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street – Natasha Pulley: Lavinia’s Book Pick, April 2018
This book recommend is one that I’d be really interested to hear what other people thought about! The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is a steampunky historical/magic realist novel that tells the [...]
Lavinia’s Book Pick, January 2018: First Love – Gwendoline Riley
This book was given to me by my good and dear and true friend Kay, and it turned out to be a good and dear and true gift. First Love is [...]
Lavinia’s Book Pick, September 2017: The Crossing – Andrew Miller
A Word in Your Shell-like Our old pal Lavinia Collins is back with some more book picks for us! And not a moment too soon. With autumn lurching in, we’ll need all [...]
Lavinia’s Book of the Month: March 2017
A Brief Word First, an admission and an apology. I had originally earmarked this for Chapter and Verse’s February pick, but through indolence and negligence it got pushed back; I [...]
Lavinia’s Book of the Month: January 2017
His Bloody Project – Graeme Macrae Burnet Hello 2017! Very excited to be writing up my first Book of the Month – especially since I couldn’t recommend this book more. Now, [...]
The Mothers – Brit Bennett
Rating: 5 stars If you read one book this year (assuming you still have enough time – it is nearly Christmas), make it Brit Bennett’s The Mothers. The Mothers tells the story of a [...]
CLEPE ON CLEPEN ON
Lavinia's Medieval Word of the Week This week’s word is: Clepen. What does it mean? According to the Middle English Dictionary, it means: 1. (a) To speak; call, shout; ~ out; ~ of, [...]
Lavinia’s Book of the Month: October 2016
The Butcher’s Hook – Janet Ellis I’ve actually recommended this book before, by accident. When I was in the bookshop (yes, a real bricks and mortar shop filled with books – [...]