Deborah Maclaren - Editorial Expert

Latest Reviews By Deborah Maclaren

Dedicated to “readers and writers everywhere” this is a stunning gift of a book for every devoted bibliophile. Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread is a beautiful, beautiful reminder of the power and the joy of books.  Libris is used as an inscription on a bookplate to show the name of the book's owner. I’ve never had one, I’ve always wanted one. Life goals right there. Michiko Kakutani is perfectly placed to write this “magical brick-sized object”, as she wonderfully speaks of books. She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic ... View Full Review

I’m really not sure where to start. A book has never held my attention so much, nor has one made me think so hard. In a good, good way, but in an uncomfortable way. About being white, about white privilege, about how white is the default, how white is neutral. Having always seen myself as an anti-racist, I am embarrassed by how little I knew about black British history until I read this book. How little I knew about things that happened on my doorstep in my home town of Liverpool, originally Britain’s biggest slave port ... View Full Review

When a book grabs you from the first page with bullets shooting past a young eight year old boy, you know this is going to be one gripping read. Lydia is married to an investigative journalist trying to save Acapulco and expose the cartels who are destabilising their beloved home city. After a particular article exposes the main boss of the Los Jardineros cartel "La Lechuza", sixteen of Lydia's family are gunned down at a family get-together. She loses almost everyone she loves - with only her 8 year old son left. This story is of Luca and his Mami - ... View Full Review

The Queen of Skin Care Caroline Hirons delivers a beautifully put-together stroke-able book which covers everything you ever need to know about a great skincare routine. Her usual straight-talking non-nonsense advice shines out of the book, and I know this will follow through to my skin as I start to embed these routines into my life. This holds your hand and takes you through how skin works, top tips for great skin, routines, as well as dispelling decades of skincare myths. This is the most comprehensive guide for the perfect complexion, choosing the right products, understanding your skin’s ... View Full Review

It’s more than 20 years since I read my first Mike Gayle book. And I loved it. Perfectly pitched and incredibly funny, I became a fan. This is Mike’s most grown up novel yet and I adored it. Unable to put it down I ploughed through, consumed by the story of Kerry and her fierce love for  her long-lost brother Jason. Although worlds apart, with Jason’s adoption, idyllic childhood and privileged education, they are connected and a stream of events change their lives forever. My glasses steamed up with my tears as I cried ... View Full Review

LoveReading Top 10

1. NICK
   1
2. The Reluctant Heiress
   2
3. Execution
   3
4. While Paris Slept
   4
5. The Castaways
   5
6. Between Two Kingdoms
   6
7. Geezers
   7
8. A Long Petal of the Sea
   8
9. Mrs Death Misses Death
   9
10. The Thursday Murder Club
    10

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