Book 21 of 2023

‘I Must Betray You’ by Ruth Sepetys

Young adult fiction.

Liked this book. Set in Romania in the 1980s and follows a 17-year-old boy who is living under the grip of a dictator.

This is not a true story – but easily could be.

A powerful novel that is violent and heart-breaking.

Book 19 of 2023

‘A Walk From the Wild Edge’ by Jake Tyler

Really enjoyed this book. It follows Jake’s story from being on the brink of suicide to him walking/running around Britain.

Funny and heart-breaking.

Definitely worth a read.

Book 18 of 2023

‘Waiting for Murder’ by Fleur Hitchcock

This book is one of a few that the lovely librarian at school gave me to read over the holidays. Teenage fiction.

This book is probably aimed at an 11 or 12 year old. It’s good, very exciting and fast-paced. Would definitely recommend it to any year 7 students.

It is a long, hot summer when something strange is revealed at the bottom of the drained reservoir…

It follows two kids, Dan and Florence, as they try to solve a mystery in the village they are staying in.

Book 17 of 2023

‘Walks Come Tumbling Down’ by Daniel Rachel

This has been on my reading list a long time. I remember going to a Red Wedge gig and with a lot of commentary from Billy Bragg along the way it was always going to be an interesting read. And it was.

The book itself begins in 1976 when Eric Clapton made a speech in support of Enoch Powell, then explores the late 70s and 80s with the Rock Against Racism, the Specials, Red Wedge, ending in the early 90s and the Anti-Apartheid movement.

The book tells the story through conversations with over one hundred contributors, including Billy Bragg, Paul Weller, Paul Heaton, Richard Coles, Rhoda Dakar, Neil Kinnock, Phill Jupitus, Joe Strummer, Tracey Thorn, and Elvis Costello.

A fantastic oral history of a time when music fought against fascists.