Book #1 of 2020 (I know, I know...January was not a good month!) was Melmoth by Sarah Perry. I've rated it so-so because, whereas I really enjoyed the super descriptive prose style, I didn't really feel gripped by the story until after halfway through. It felt like a bit of a slog and the ending was a bit meh for my liking. That said, it has inspired me to revisit Perry's The Essex Serpent which I had tried to read and then abandoned!

Hands down this has been my favourite book of the year so far, possibly even of last year too. It tells the story of fictional photographer Amory Clay from her birth to her death and everything in between. It's not plot driven, but meanders through her life using a mix of narrative and supposed journal entries.

I loved Amory - she's complicated, strong and sometimes misunderstood. Completely unputdownable!

Pls excuse bad photo and chipped nails!

Couldn't put this one down. I love historical novels and this was no exception - fantastic descriptions of 17th century London and several plot lines that come together nicely for the finale.

A strong feminine lead too which is a bonus!

Love, love, loved this book! In essence it's a crime novel but from an observer's perspective - the observer being the protagonist Manfred Baumann. He's a fascinating character and, for me, not particularly likeable which makes his observations even more interesting and surprising.

The book trots along at a comfortable pace and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. I can't recommend this enough!