Funny Girl

By Nick Hornby

This story is set in the 1960’s about a girl from Blackpool England who dreams about becoming a comedic actor. 

While I don't think that this is one of Hornby's best work - I felt disconnected from the protagonist, especially since the book jumps back and forth to different characters. I did enjoyed reading about London in the 1960’s and the book addresses the challenges of a women trying to break into comedy - still a relevant topic today.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

By Maria Semple 

This bestselling novel is a great pick if you are looking for a quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and became quite attached to the characters. It's funny, quirky, and there's a bit of a mystery. Where'd You Go, Bernadette is set in Seattle so reflections on the weather and West Coast culture may seem familiar. The format put me off at first – it’s mostly in the form of different correspondences from what seem like unrelated people but I soon got used to it and found the book to be quite clever.

Americanah

 
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Adichie is a wonderful storyteller. I found this novel to be very captivating and couldn't put it down. It is hard to describe this book because it is about so much - love, race and identity, the immigrant experience, and more.

Description from chimamanda.com:
Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion—for each other and for their homeland.

Your Voice In My Head

By Emma Forrest 

A beautifully written memoir about mental health and coming to terms with the death of the author’s well-loved psychiatrist (whose voice she still hears in her head). Forrest writes from a unique perspective as a young, successful writer living in New York who has ties to glamorous Hollywood. While sad at times this book is also full of wit and humour. One of my favourite books.

The Beauty of Humanity Movement

by Camilla Gibb 

Don’t let the strange title put you off. This captivating novel by Camilla Gibb spans three generations in Vietnam - during and after the Vietnam War. The “Beauty of Humanity Movement” is a group of artists and intellectuals who question Communist rule. The story follows this artists' collective and their friends and families but the central element of the book isn't a character, but rather, pho, a delicious soup served for breakfast. This is one flavourful novel you won’t soon forget!