The Whittlesea team has wrapped up some of their favourite reads for you to peruse. A mix of genres and tales as eclectic as our friendly staff, these titles can be enjoyed in a range of formats as well.
Stretch your library card to its full potential by checking out Libby and BorrowBox apps for these and more titles. You may just find your new favourite!
The Clergyman's Wife by Molly Greeley
A novel exploring the life of a minor character from Pride & Prejudice who marries for security rather than love. Greeley has created a gentle, melancholy novel true to the characters and unlike other works, uses her own narrative voice rather than trying to emulate Austen's style.
Naomi enjoyed it and would recommend it to other Austen fans as well.
Reserve the physical copy at your local branch.
Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
31st instalment in the Discworld humour/fantasy series by Terry Prattchet, but a stand-alone novel, Monstrous Regiment follows the story of Polly Perks, a solider who disguised as a boy to find her brother deemed missing in battle.
Alongside a vampire, a troll and, perhaps worst of all, men with inflated egos, Polly must navigate the political ins and outs of being part of the infantry while remembering to belch, slouch and pretend to shave every day, so as not to give herself away.
Hana recommends to comedy and fantasy fans alike. A great starting or returning point to Pratchett’s works. Enjoy a few laughs with this novel, available to listen to on Borrowbox.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Set in Ireland in times of struggle and poverty, the story follows humble coal merchant and father Bill Furlong, as he uncovers the sad history of Magdalene Laundries and the mistreatment of women in his town.
Although sad, and at times shocking, the 110-page novella also highlights the hope in humanity, exploring acts of kindness and love in the face of cruelty.
Jane says it will leave you with a sense of hope and remind you how small stories can often make the most impact.
Borrow this moving gem in physical copy at your local branch or listen to the eaudiobook on Libby.
Hamnet by Maggie O’ Farrell
Recently adapted for the screen, this uniquely told and moving story is a fictional retelling of the real-life tragedy that struck history’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. Told from the view of those around him, mainly his wife Agnes, this immersive novel examines familial bonds and casts a new light on forgotten history.
Shani found the story gripping and enjoyed the historical setting alongside the interwoven mythology of the time.
Borrow the physical copy or audiobook in CD or MP3 format.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Wild and fast-paced, this dark comedy boasts a surprising amount of heart as it follows ex-coast guard Carl and his cat Donut as they are thrust into the limelight of an intergalactic war.
Forced, alongside the remaining citizens of Earth, to enter a video game-like dungeon crawl, they must survive against strange new creatures, an ever-changing A.I. and impossible odds to reach the next floor. All while the whole universe is watching.
Rebecca thinks the plot twists and engaging characters of this series will have you glued to the page.
Enjoy the start to this whacky saga as hardcopy or ebook via the Libby app.