More about books

As a writer and editor, I have enjoyed many years meeting and interviewing many fascinating people, and visiting wonderful locations worldwide.

These days I also indulge my passion for books, reading, and writing by interviewing authors, hosting events and sharing my reviews and recommendations.

Each month I host a book club on air for BBC Radio Suffolk with the afternoon presenter, Lesley Dolphin. You can listen again to our conversations by following the link below. Do join in with your own comments on the books we're reading!

I also have the pleasure of chairing and organising author talks for children and adults at events and festivals thoughout the year. Past events include Alexander McCall Smith, Margaret Drabble, Victoria Hislop, Griff Rhys Jones, Kate Mosse, Deborah Moggach, Maggie O'Farrell, Michael Morpurgo, Robert Peston, Kate Humble, Alan Johnson MP, Max Hastings and many more.

Each week I compile an e-newsletter offering book news, author events, my reviews and recommendations. If you'd like to receive it, please click here.

Thank you for reading
Catherine

Events

Browsers Book Group

Due to the current situation regarding coronavirus, we are no longer able to meet in person. If you wish to join in with the monthly online discussion, please sign up for the weekly e-newsletter here to receive details.

The Forest of Wool and Steel
by Natsu Miyashita
Tomura is transported by the sound of a piano being tuned in his school and determines to learn the skill himself. Described as a tender and uplifting novel, this million copy bestseller was the winner of the Japan Booksellers Award. What will we think of it?
Monday, 26 October 2020 - 8:00pm

Browsers Book Group has been meeting monthly for over 12 years now. The books we have read are listed here.

Screen time

While it’s still not possible to meet in person, I’ve been in touch with some of my favourite authors to find out about their new books and to learn more about where and how they’ve been working.

At the writer's desk with Saskia Sarginson

Saskia with Catherine

SEPTEMBER 2020 Novelist Saskia Sarginson talks to me about her latest novel 'The Bench' and has many interesting things to say about the writing process. You can see the interview here.

At the writer's desk with Sophie Green

Sophie Green and Catherine

AUGUST 2020 Children's writer Sophie Green tells us about writing her 'Potkins and Stubbs' trilogy. And if you'd like to win a set of the three books, please sign up to my newsletter here to be entered into the draw. Watch video

Potkin and Stubbs books

At the writer's desk with Meg Rosoff

Catherine in discussion with Meg Rosoff

JULY 2020 The award-winning writer Meg Rosoff introduces her ninth book 'The Great Godden', a beautiful summer's coming-of-age novel.
- watch video - quick view

Listening in

For some years I’ve been co-hosting a monthly book club on BBC Radio Suffolk with the presenter Lesley Dolphin. You can listen to past discussions here.

Scroll down for details of the title we’re reading this month or click here.

Podcasts

Dr Rowan Williams: The former Archbishop of Canterbury on the Rule of St Benedict

Published by and available on Premier Christian Radio

You can listen here to this podcast.

First available: 6th June 2020

 

Archive

Visit my archive pages for details of all events in recent years.

Book reviews

Look out for

Ghosts
by Dolly Alderton
This is a funny and poignant tale of the challenges facing a young independent woman.
read my review
Publication date: 15th October 2020
Hungry
by Grace Dent
Recommended non-fiction
One of the much-loved voices of the food scene in Britain today, this is Grace Dent's story of growing up with a hunger for life.
read my review
Publication date: 29th October 2020
Shadow Sands
by Robert Bryndza
A gripping thriller following former police officer Kate Marshall's investigation for a missing person. Great characterisation and fast moving plot.
read my review
Publication date: 3rd November 2020
Exit
by Belinda Bauer
Published 11 February 2021. A quirky, comical murder mystery. Not what I was expecting! Loved it.
read my review
Publication date: 11th February 2021
Girl in the Walls
by AJ Gnuse
read my review
Publication date: 4th March 2021

For my reviews on radio click here

My recent recommendations

Troubled Blood
by Robert Galbraith
read my review
Recommendation date: 29.09.20
Brixton Hill
by Lottie Moggach
read my review
Recommendation date: 29.09.20
The Courage to Care
by Christie Watson
Recommended non-fiction
A powerful account of how nurses look after us all, and what we can learn from them. Inspiring, disturbing and challenging.
read my review
Recommendation date: 10.09.20
Moonflower Murders
by Anthony Horowitz
A clever, addictive read about publishing, murder and Suffolk, with a book within a book. Loved it!
read my review
Recommendation date: 03.09.20
Dear Reader
by Cathy Rentzenbrink
Recommended non-fiction
A story of a life lived with and through books.
read my review
Recommendation date: 27.08.20
V2
by Robert Harris
It's war and, in 1944, V2 missiles have been unleashed on London. A young woman, after a close call, seeks to do her bit in preventing further...
read my review
Recommendation date: 25.08.20
Just Like You
by Nick Hornby
Lucy and Joseph meet across a butcher's counter. They've nothing in common... A funny and tender account highlighting the prejudices,...
read my review
Recommendation date: 25.08.20
Through a Glass Darkly
by Alister McGrath
Recommended non-fiction
A fascinating and very readable account of the pursuit of truth by this respected scientist and theologian.
read my review
Recommendation date: 24.08.20
Knife Edge
by Simon Mayo
Members of an investigative news team are murdered in London. What had they uncovered? Why have they been killed? Who's next?
read my review
Recommendation date: 20.08.20
The Fleet Street Girls
by Julie Welsh
Recommended non-fiction
read my review
Recommendation date: 20.08.20

For more reviews click here

For children

Also display listings for children by age

The Misadventures of Frederick
by Ben Manley
This is a funny, silly and beautifully illustrated story about friendship, outdoor adventures and overcoming a fear of things that might go wrong!
read my review
Review date: 03.10.20
The Lost Spells
by Robert Macfarlane
A book to cherish always - stunning illustrations, beautiful words to sing, recite and savour, and a gold ribbon to mark your page!
read my review
Review date: 29.09.20
Bloom
by Ann Booth and Robyn Wilson-Owen
A beautiful and surprising picture book with a powerful message.
read my review
Review date: 19.09.20
Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists and Flaming Arrows
by Robert Muchamore
A fabulous modern interpretation of the myth of Robin Hood.
read my review
Review date: 05.09.20
The Last Paper Crane
by Kerry Drewery
Mizuki's grandfather is sad and full of regret and guilt for a terrible episode in his past.
read my review
Review date: 27.08.20
Shy Ones
by Simona Ciraolo
A beautiful and funny picture book for young children, with a positive encouraging message.
read my review
Review date: 24.08.20
After the war
by Tom Palmer
With WWII finally over, three boys are among 300 children who have been brought from Europe to the peace and safety of England's Lake District.
read my review
Review date: 12.08.20
Clap When You Land
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Two girls are united in grief as a plane crashes. An extraordinary book with a dual narrative in blank verse. For young adult readers.
read my review
Review date: 02.08.20

On the radio

BBC Radio Suffolk

Catherine at BBC Radio SuffolkOn the first Tuesday of each month, at 2.20pm, I join Lesley Dolphin on the afternoon programme at BBC Radio Suffolk to discuss the book of the month which I have chosen for her feature called Lesley's Readers. Listeners are invited to send in comments by text or email, or by phoning the programme on 0800 141 2121.

xxx

Lesley's Readers are reading...

The Girl Who Reads on the Metro
by Christine Féret-Fleury
Listen to Catherine's choice for the month

We have just read.....

Anyone for Edmund?
by Simon Edge
A comic tale setting the already extraordinary story of the medieval saint Edmund against the shenanigans of modern British government.
read my review
Listen to Catherine's choice for the month
Listen to Lesley and Catherine's discussion

My blog

Sunday 30 August 2020

Joined up thinking

This week sees the start of the new academic year. That means the end of summer, children back at school and, this year, a call for the grown-ups to get back to the office.

The people who have made that leap in the publishing world have been proving the point by posting pictures of their desks on Twitter. In the way of social media, this has meant that all the images have recorded enviable scenes of spectacular views from huge windows, high ceilings and spacious rooms, tidy bookshelves and remarkably resilient plants which have flourished despite having no human care over the past six months.