"Bibliomaniac: An Obsessive's Tour Of The Bookshops Of Britain" by Robin Ince

An amiable book about an amiable book tour. It carried me along for the ride nicely, and made me want to see Robin Ince again next time he’s touring.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

"Quite" by Claudia Winkleman

I like Claudia Winkleman, and was hoping for some depth… for I’m sure she has some. And while the chapter on art was passionate, and the chapter on Strictly was heartfelt, the rest (what I managed to read) felt shallow and lazy, and with disappointingly little insight.

I really must break my habit of hoping for the best with celebrity autobiographies and the like.

My rating: ★☆☆☆☆

"Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus

I loved this book, but I had a little trouble tuning into it for the first 80 pages or so. The writing style is generally light hearted, even whimsical in places, but there are many dark moments, and some quite serious themes.

The author does a marvellous job of bringing us along for the ride, as Elizabeth navigates her love and expertise in science around a male dominated world. Elizabeth herself is difficult to relate to, and her emotional life isn’t very well explored (or portrayed) in the book, but she is surrounded by characters that reflect her character in their own emotional reactions - from Harriet Sloane to the wonderfully drawn Six-Thirty.

I genuinely found myself fist-pumping for her successes and crying for her failures.

The reveal/wrap-up at the end feels hurried, but I can forgive that in what was otherwise an enjoyable page-turner.

My rating: ★★★★★

"This Much is True" by Miriam Margolyes

I always start celebrity autobiographies with such hope. And Miriam Margolyes appears to be such an interesting and quirky character when you see her in TV and film that I was looking forward to finding out about her life. And while the course she has taken through life does have its interesting turns and diversions, this is ultimately a list of achievements and anecdotes from someone who is relatively privileged. And while there is nothing wrong with that, it doesn’t make for an especially engaging read.

My rating: ★★★☆☆