Another absolute corker from The Very Splendid Mhairi McFarlane. Last Night has some of the funniest lines I have ever read (even in chapter one the comment about Justin’s ideal holiday made me snort tea out of my nose in a fairly indelicate manner and by the second chapter’s Bush Episode I was in pieces) - also, anyone who can use Mary J Blige lyrics in actual dialogue (‘hateration, holleration in this dancery’ in case you’re interested) is an absolute legend as far as I’m concerned. But the most exceptional components of this story are the characters; the goth who never grew up, the sweary queen who runs a care home, the super-nice guy who manages to have his cake and eat the whole bakery, I loved them. I LOVE them all and want them to be MY friends (no offence, actual friends). As a result of the skilful characterisation , these imaginary people really get under your skin and this story stays with you long after you finish reading it. The other joyful aspect of this book is the realisation that authors like McFarlane simply get better and better the more they write. It’s quite reassuring as a reader (although I don’t know how she’s going to top this one) but also as a debut writer it’s nice to see an enormously successful and experienced author continuing to write out of her skin, surpassing her own high standards with every book she publishes. Bravo @mhairimcf I adored #lastnight and am awarding it the full 5 peaches 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑 no less. #funnyfemales #funnyfemalefiction #cwip #comedywomen #comedywomeninprint #wimminsfiction #nodtojeannettewinterson #readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #readersofig #amreading #amlovingfunnybooks #amwriting #amwritingfiction #debutauthor #debut #romcom #romcombooks #lol #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerslife
Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank you, is one of those books you wish you’d written yourself but are nonetheless enormously grateful that somebody talented and brilliant has already created. An up-lit story of a woman approaching the end of her life and finding new joy and a reason to keep going. It’s beautifully done, like Saving Missy (but better?) and I love, love, love any book that introduces end of life conversations into the world of commercial fiction (something I’m seeking to do with my debut Love Life, given that it is set in a hospice). It’s sweet and funny and tackles big topics with a light touch - and the ending was perfect. I can see why @drkathrynmannix is mentioned in the acknowledgments, and where she leads the charge in bringing palliative care to a wider readership, Eudora’s story takes it even further. Bravo @annielyonsauthor and @onemorechapterhc - Four and a half peaches 🍑🍑🍑🍑1/2 for #eudorahoneysettisquitewellthankyou #annielyons #endoflife #endoflifedoula #endoflifecare #endoflifeplanning #hospice #advancecareplanning #readersofinstagram #readers #readersofig #readersofinsta #amreading #amwriting #amwritingfiction #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity #writersofig #writersofinsta #bookstagram
