Clear some room on your bookshelves as March offers plenty of amazing books to get your noses into.
by Andrew Hirst
Black Cake
by Charmaine Wilkerson
In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past. A journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London on to California and ends with their mother’s secret recipe for her famous black cake.
Wilkerson’s writing is lyrical and sensitive addressing freedom, sexuality, child abandonment, racism, secrets, lies, resentment and a whole host of other family issues. Hold on as you are about to go on an emotional roller-coaster.
This book is unforgettable, so much so that it is soon to be a major Hulu series produced by Oprah. What more of a recommendation do you need?
Release date: Out now.
Love & Saffron
by Kim Fay
This witty and tender novel follows two women in 1960s America as they discover that food really does connect us all, and that friendship and laughter are the best medicine.
Joan, a young Californian woman, sends a fan letter and a gift of saffron to her favourite columnist, 59 year old Imogen. Their friendship grows through their letters as they both write about their love of food.
New worlds open up to them through their culinary adventures, bringing with them new and exciting experiences and people.
It’s a fast read, at only 200 pages, yet stays with you long after. This deserves to be a best-seller and has even been added to my re-read list.
Release date: Out now.
Wahala
by Nikki May
An incisive and exhilarating debut novel of female friendship, following three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group. They have grown up together, as close as sisters; sharing their successes, their dreams and also supporting each other through their failures. With the introduction of Isobel, things start to change for the three of them; a change which has the potential to tear this group apart for good. ‘Wahala’ is a word commonly used in Nigeria meaning trouble. This is a sharp, modern take on friendship, but if you buy this book be warned… clear the calendar for the weekend, because once you start you won’t put it down until you’ve finished.
Release date: Out now.
For the love of Oscar
by Sarah Roberts
When Sarah Roberts’ son, Oscar, was born, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Sarah had to rapidly come to terms with a new normal, as she suddenly found her life on a different path to the one she’d always hoped and believed she’d follow.
The book shares a mother’s real and very raw emotions as she comes to terms with that new path, in a story which is nevertheless both heart-warming and funny. Sarah writes candidly about the ups and downs not only of parenthood, but also of parenting a child who just happens to have additional needs; the therapy sessions, the mountains of paperwork, the tantrums and the tears.
Release date: 3 March.
Her perfect twin
by Sarah Bonner
When Megan discovers photographs of her estranged identical twin sister on her husband’s phone, she wants answers. Leah already has everything Megan has ever wanted. Fame, fortune, freedom to do what she wants. And when Megan confronts Leah, an argument turns to murder. The only way Megan can get away with killing her twin is to become her. But then lockdown hits. How can she continue living two lives? And what happens if someone else knows her secret too?
Release date: Out now.