After reading ‘A Fucked Up Life in Books‘ I bought a book journal and that simple act has totally altered how I read. In the last few weeks I’ve given myself permission to give up on books, I’ve started folding over page corners when I’ve found a quote I want to note in my journal, I’ve become excited about giving books 5 stars (and a sticker) and I’ve found myself planning my next reads.

Here are three (different in terms of genre and style) books that I have devoured and VERY much enjoyed over the last couple of weekends:

‘Sixteen, Sixty-One’ by Natalie Lucas: A memoir telling how Natalie Lucas was just fifteen when she began a close relationship with a sixty-year-old family friend. He started as a father figure, a mentor and then a tutor of sorts, he opened up Natalie’s mind and heart to philosophy, literature and art.

The book chronicles the change from platonic, to love, to an erotic affair. Natalie offers candid opinion, in a focused account that never seeks pity. This is not a book for those who judge, as this is a brave and honest account of sexual awakening and that journey from teen into adulthood.

The gripping aspects emerge when Natalie decides to try living a normal life. For me this memoir isn’t harrowing, it isn’t a sex-diary or a misery-memoir, instead it’s brave, intelligent and remarkable. It’s the true story of a lonely teenager, one who doesn’t quite fit in. It’s a story about manipulation, scare tactics and love. And, above all else, it’s a story of personal growth. It is really rather beautiful. (NB: It is currently only 99p in Kindle edition)

Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements: Sisters Imogen and Anna’s lives are turned upside down when they inherit their grandmother Vivien’s ice cream parlour. The Brighton business is critically low on customers and neither of the girls have any experience in running a shop. Anna and Imogen devise a plan to save the ice cream palour, making personal sacrifices along the way.

The sisters are faced with life-changing decisions, obstacles in their love lives and people seem to be wanting them to fail, yet both girls are determined to try and keep their grandmother’s legacy alive.

A light and delicious read, full of flavor and heart. Wonderful characters and perfect indulgence for the summer. And, as someone who doesn’t like ice cream (I know, long story!), this book had me craving a cone or two.

Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie: It’s been eight years since Gen Loxley’s baby, Beth, was stillborn. In that time Gen has been drowning in grief, barely able to function on a professional level. Her life hasn’t really moved forward, she was a published writer but hasn’t been able to write since losing Beth.

All around her, her friends are having children and moving forwards into exciting futures. Gen has had numerous failed attempts at IVF and her husband Art is keen to try again. Art is a successful entrepreneur, they have everything money can buy, everything except for a child.

And then a woman arrives on Gen’s doorstep, telling her that Beth wasn’t stillborn and that Beth is out there, needing to be found. But more than that, she tells Gen that people were paid to make the birth look like Beth had died and that Art knew all about it.

A chilling, creepy and incredibly tense read, this novel was devoured in one day. A psychological thriller that twists in an original an unnerving way. The ending was a reward, a reward that left me feeling rather uncomfortable. I liked that it did.