In a part of Kyoto there is a small restaurant run by a father and daughter team. The Kamogawa Diner is difficult to locate. People who come looking for it have seen an advert and have a mystery to solve, they want to recreate the “one dish they’d do anything to taste just one more time”. The father and daughter act as food detectives, carefully making dishes that will recreate fond memories the customer has around that dish. The stories are a combination of recreating lost memories while also tracking down the specific ingredients from their region and cuisine. It is an enjoyable read, filled with nostalgia, yummy food, and of course, a Tabby cat called Drowsy – who appears in every story! (Amanda’s pick)

This was a beautifully heart-wrenching book.. Nana is a street cat who becomes Satoru’s companion. When his circumstances change, Satoru starts to travel all over Japan visiting family and friends with Nana, trying to find a new home for him. As you read on, the reason behind Satoru’s quest to find Nana a new home becomes clear. But Nana’s resistance to being parted from his owner is stronger. The ending is incredibly emotional, and you’ll be hard pressed not to weep or sob. (Amanda’s pick)

Doppelganger is an essential read for everyone. Naomi Klein, a Canadian author and social activist, is often mistakenly confused with Naomi Wolf, an American author and former progressive feminist who has shifted her views to embrace right-wing conspiracy theories. Intrigued and perplexed, Klein embarks on a journey to understand the transformation of Wolf, immersing herself in countless hours of right-wing podcasts, Twitter feeds, and Fox News programming. This significant book delves into a range of timely issues, including social media identity, media manipulation, echo chambers, Zionism, and much more. It is absolutely brilliant! (Bianca’s pick)

This poignant novel centers on Nahr, a Kuwait-born Palestinian refugee whose life embodies resilience. Embracing her identity in Kuwait, Nahr navigates the challenges of supporting her family while her widowed mother juggles caring for her mother-in-law and nurturing Nahr and her academically gifted brother. As Nahr balances multiple jobs to fund her brother’s education, she faces the emotional toll of daily struggles, the trauma of Kuwait’s invasion, and the persistent displacement of Palestinians. The narrative powerfully captures the harsh realities many endure, echoing the sorrow and tragedy experienced by countless families and drawing parallels to the ongoing suffering in Gaza. This impactful read is both heart-wrenching and enlightening. (Bianca’s pick)

An incredible feat of research and writing, this history of women is astonishing, disturbing, awe-inspiring, and absorbing. Going all the way back to 1066, Gregory has delved into the records to bring us stories of women from all walks of life. Written in a very accessible way, this book shows that women are simply remarkable. (Carlie’s pick)

Despite an unappealing cover design and uninspiring title, this novel gradually becomes a deeper story about love and meaning than it promised at first. (Cassandra’s pick)

Although I’m tiring of novels about socially-withdrawn people, this Australian novel had a surprisingly offbeat tone that raised it above the usual type of unhappily-married-woman finds-herself trope. And, as a beginner golfer, I also liked the golfing analogies and settings. (Cassandra’s pick)

The novel centres on two brothers, Peter and Ivan, who have recently lost their father to cancer. Their mother has remarried and is not very involved in their lives. The brothers struggle to connect to each other, especially after the loss of their father. It is also about their respective relationships to women in their lives, in Peter’s case with a much younger woman and his ex who he still loves. In Ivan’s case, it explores his relationship with an older divorced woman. Intermezzo is a compelling and complex novel with themes of love and sexuality, along with grief and loss. (Deb’s pick)

This novel is a mixture of a mystery-thriller and a character driven drama. The writing is more literary than I was expecting, and the characters are finely detailed with the mystery taking a long time to be resolved. If you’re prepared to be patient all will be revealed and there are some twists at the end that I didn’t see coming. The main characters are best friends Patch and Saint, and the story takes place over 30 years as we follow the twists and turns of their lives. Set in Monta Clare Missouri, where young girls are disappearing it eventually takes you to many other places in search of the truth. It’s a compelling story of love between the two main characters that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next. (Deb’s pick)

This novel is an epic love story set in Europe at the start of World War 1. The lovers are Pinto and Osman brought together by the events of war. Imaginative, sad and totally absorbing, this novel brings together world events and their devastating impact on ordinary lives, all told in a beautiful narrative style. (Fiona’s pick)

Lucas is an unemployed writer who embarks on a day trip to Buenos Aires to pick up fifteen thousand dollars in cash. He hopes this cash advance will help with his marriage problems. Set over one day, this highly readable book is funny and poignant. (Fiona’s pick)

This book beautifully captures the incredible journey of a middle-aged couple as they tackle the challenging 630 miles of the stunning South West Coast Path, which stretches from Somerset to Dorset through Devon and Cornwall. It is not merely a guide, but rather an inspiring testament to their courage and resilience, particularly in the face of adversity, as one partner grapples with the debilitating effects of CBD, a degenerative and terminal brain disease. After being betrayed by a close friend, they find themselves homeless, embarking on their adventure without a concrete plan, driven solely by the desire to walk along the breathtaking clifftops of South West England. Throughout their trek, they encounter various challenges and meet remarkable individuals, leading to the unexpected improvement of Moth’s health. Ultimately, this book highlights the transformative power of nature, purpose, and the benefits of regular and challenging physical activity, all rendered in beautifully evocative prose. (Mally’s pick)

Although I was aware of the numerous instances of sexual abuse committed by clergy within the Catholic Church, I was not inclined to delve into the distressing specifics. However, having admired the author’s impressive architectural contributions in Fremantle, I was eager to explore his story. I was captivated by his writing style, and even amid the somber themes, the book flowed seamlessly, leaving me excited to uncover the resolution of his quest for justice, which ultimately unfolded as a narrative of hope and healing. (Mally’s pick)

I love Di Morrisey’s novels and always look forward to reading them. This is a beautiful story about friendship. The arrival of a hotshot New York composer brings a touch of glamour and excitement to the small, peaceful country town of Fig Tree River. A really enjoyable read. (Mary’s pick)

This is a lovely story about aging, resilience and the enjoyment of rediscovery. It’s never too late for a new beginning! (Mary’s pick)

When it comes to Tchaikovsky’s typical offerings, this novel feels almost like a novella at just 390 pages. Professor Arton Daghdev has always yearned to study extraterrestrial life firsthand, so when he is sentenced for life to a labour camp on an alien planet, he seizes the opportunity to immerse himself in the most chaotic and monstrous ecosystem humanity has ever encountered. Alien is engaging, captivating, intense, and in true Tchaikovsky style – a remarkable exploration of science fiction. I am continually amazed by how this author conjures up worlds and lives that are so utterly alien to our imagination, all rendered in exquisite detail. (Mel’s pick)

Madeline was born in America in the 1980’s and grew up poor. Madeline describes the community she found of people in similar circumstances to her own, who helped and shared resources in order to survive through economic depression. Madeline shows how businesses can be different from the current capitalist formula and actually benefit both owner and employees. (Roslyn’s pick)

This book is full of sweetness! It is a YA gem which explores how disabilities change life, namely diabetes and vampirism. A complex and elegant coming of age wrapped in a supernatural love story that already feels like a nostalgic classic despite only being released on Halloween 2024. Come for the vampires, stay for the bunny rabbits and knitting tips. (Nina’s pick)

A YA drama, adventure and comedy involving pirates, gender swapping, sea sponges, swashbuckling, ancient gods and romance. Tiger, tiger is a rich and intriguing book about a woman who disguises herself as her twin and steals his ship to study sea sponges on uncharted islands. Nordlund’s quirky and chaotic sensibilities from their webcomic “Prague Race” shine through in the fascinating lore and unique setting. (Nina’s pick)

A very silly, smelly story about one of the coolest, calmest animals on the planet. My five year old loves the secret to Barry’s chilled out personality. (Sam’s pick)