Two women, worlds apart, sentenced to the same fate. In our latest Books & Bakes read, Sarah Stovell’s The Night Flower follows Miriam, a young Romany girl, and Rose, a disgraced governess, as they’re transported to Van Diemen’s Land for crimes shaped as much by poverty and gender as by choice. A gripping, unflinching look at Victorian justice, motherhood and who gets to be called respectable.
A Quiet Contagion by Jane Jesmond is a thoughtful and atmospheric novel that blends historical fiction, medical mystery, and family drama across two timelines. Set against the backdrop of the 1957 polio epidemic and a present-day search for answers, the book explores grief, secrecy, ethics, and the lasting impact of hidden truths. Our latest Books and Bakes read sparked rich discussion about trust, public health, and how the past continues to shape the present.
A rich and thought-provoking Books and Bakes session exploring The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham. With themes of reputation, creativity, and small-town life, the book sparked varied perspectives and meaningful conversation.
A thoughtful and engaging Books and Bakes session exploring The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers by Samuel Burr. With themes of belonging, identity, and community, the book sparked meaningful conversation, shared reflections, and plenty of curiosity.
A fascinating discussion at Books and Bakes this week as the group explored A Very English Scandal by John Preston. With some members having lived through the era—and even been part of the Liberal Party—it sparked surprising reflections, varied perspectives, and powerful conversation about history, memory, and change.
A quiet suburban family with a powerful secret at its core, The Radleys by Matt Haig explores what it means to hide parts of ourselves in order to fit in. Beneath the humour and unusual premise lies a thoughtful reflection on identity, family dynamics, and the tension between living authentically and protecting those we care about.
A reflective and atmospheric novel exploring family secrets, shifting timelines, and the echoes of the past. In February, our Books and Bakes group discussed The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase, sparking thoughtful conversation about memory, perspective, and storytelling.
A group of schoolboys survive a plane crash and find themselves alone on a tropical island. At first, they try to organise themselves with rules, meetings, and a shared hope of rescue. But as fear grows and leadership fractures, order gives way to power, violence, and the loss of innocence. This summary of Lord of the Flies explores the novel’s journey from structure to chaos and invites readers to share what they thought of Golding’s unsettling vision of human nature.
A gripping psychological thriller that explores loyalty, fear, and the heavy cost of keeping a secret. In this reflective summary of Gillian McAllister’s That Night, we delve into the moment that changes everything for the Plant siblings and the emotional unravelling that follows. A tense, character-driven story that asks how far we would go to protect the people we care about — and what happens when a single decision becomes impossible to outrun.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee revisits the world of To Kill a Mockingbird through the eyes of an adult Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, returning home to Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1950s. What begins as a nostalgic trip becomes a painful awakening as she discovers that her father, Atticus Finch, and her hometown are not the moral beacons she once believed. Through themes of race, disillusionment, and identity, Harper Lee challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of growing up — when our heroes falter and the world we knew no longer fits the ideals we hold.