Lauren Hough: Monster of a Land: On the Road in Search of Modern America, Pantheon, Penguin Random House Usa

Lauren Hough embarks on a road trip thru modern America with her pitbull Husky mix Woody,  inspired by Steinbecks Travels with Charlie which happens to be one of my favourite books but this is were all similarities stop. Lauren is a gay, 6 foot tall former airforce woman, barkeeper, cable guy and now bestseller author. Her trip from Austin/ Texas around the US in her old rebuilt 2001 Dodge van is a sobering analysis of a very broken country, told in her witty, sarcastic, honest writing,  mixed with her own colorful story. No sugar coating there. 

  What really got to me was the hopelessness and poverty she encounters in previous thriving little communities but also the help she receives from unlikely strangers when stranded. It's a great social study, mixed with personal life experiences which makes "Monster of a Land" a great read. Loved this very different road trip. 

 Laura Sheperd-Robinson: The Art of a Lie, Mantle, paperback 

 "The Art of Lie" is one of the best historical crime novels I have read as of late. Great story, learned a lot about London in the mid 18th century, how society functioned, how many women were independent shopkeepers but yet had virtually  no rights once married and how easy it was to trap windowed women into parting with their money. Loved the main protagonists, widow Hannah Cole who owns a confectionery shop  with her husband who is found murdered.  Hannah discovers that he had 

 secret dealings as the case is being investigated by no one less than Henry Fielding who makes an appearance as the investigating magistrate. Such a twisty wonderful historical crime novel,  where we early know who is the killer which makes it that much more interesting. Highly recommend. Sadly not out in German yet.

 Bokyeong Sunim: One day a cat came to me, Timeless Zen Wisdom from a Cat & Its Monk, Profile books, 

If you are a cat lover and interested in Buddhist wisdom and philosophy,  this is the book for you.

 When a cat shows up near the temple in the mountains where Korean monk Boyyeong Sunim has moved to from the city, he is first intriged by this creature but slowly starts to grow fond of the cat. Of course if you have or had a cat, all whar follows sounds very familiar. Reflecting on

his developing relationship and their growing closeness, incorporating Buddhist teachings, makes this a wonderfully wise and soothing little gem of a book. 

 Deesha Philyaw: The True Confession of First Lady Freeman, Doubleday, Jan 2027, i read a proof

I am clearly not the target group for this novel but had some fun with the bad ass attitude of First Lady Scharisse Freeman, heroine of the book,  wife of a pastor in one of the Black megachurches in the US who call themselves First Ladies. How much is based on how these churches  work and how rich they are is probably not so far from reality. 

Lots of gossipy female bitchiness, sex, back stabbing,  religous falsehood and competition amongst the wives of these pastors and the churches male domiance provide the base for this often funny novel.  I skipped thru the book, as I said, not really my reading taste, too predictable,  but i can see the appeal to younger female readers. 

 Hannah Rothschild: Masterpiece, Penguin, coming Feb. 2027

"Masterpiece" is my kind of novel, historical, multi-layered and at the heart  art, the masterpiece by Piero della Francesca " Resurrection",  a story  spanning 500 years, told from the perspective of 4 very different characters. First the artist himself, then Mary Hutchinson who was part of the Bloomsbury set, a soldier, Anthony Clarke,  whose letters and actual actions during the second world war gave Rothschild the idea for this novel and Clarry, a young British conservator, involved in the preservation of the painting in Italy.. I absolutely loved all the character in this moving, fascinating story learning a lot about painting techniques in the 15th century. Loved it.

 Lily King: Heart the lover, Canongate, 

"Heart the lover" I read during the weekend, absolutely fell in love with this book and the protagonists Jordan, Sam and Yash and their friendship from student years into their late forties. 

 This heart-breaking lovestory / coming of age novel had me in tears towards the end. The three become very close during their student years and for two of them, it will be a deep, first love with all it's ups and downs and life changing consequences. I love Lily King's writing,  reaĺly liked Writers & Lovers but Heart the lover was even so much better.  Will not reveal more of this story that really grabbed me, tore at my heart and would not leave my brain.  Rightfully on the shortlist for the Women' prize.

 Kathryn Stockett: The Calamity Club, Penguin, Hardback

Kathryn Stockett of "The Help"  fame has written a new,  very different but equally page-turning bestseller, I can easily see this as a movie. 

The novel is very long, a doorstopper with 653 pages, guaranted escapism, has several strong female characters but at the same time a serious subject at heart: the  social, religious and racial injustice and bigotry of the US South in the 1930is when everyone was hit by the big Depression. I thought it had some length in the middle but probably because I was añnoyed with some characters of an otherwise often very funny novel.  Of the three protagonists, gutsy, warm-hearted Birdie, tough Charlie and spunky Meg, little Meg stole my heart. A great read with historical, atmospheric background, a story of sisterhood, perseverance, hyprocrisy and love.