Welcome to House With No Name. I write about everything from books and films to education, family and France.
The Dry was one of my favourite books of last year. Jane Harper’s debut had everything I want in a novel – a gripping plot, strong characterisation and a real sense of place. I recommended it to everyone I know. Not surprisingly, I’ve been eagerly anticipating her second book – and the good news is that Force of Nature is out this month. Even better, I’m delighted to report that it’s a ...keep reading
My mum interviewed Nigella Lawson countless times – and they got on really well. Her admiration for the domestic goddess grew after my mum accidentally burned her foot on a heater in her London flat. She wrote about the injury in her column and to her astonishment Nigella sweetly sent her a pot of Elizabeth Arden cream that she swore would heal the burn. Sure enough, it did – much ...keep reading
The sky is grey, the wind is howling and mist has obliterated our views of the sea. Yes, it’s a miserable January Sunday and the only thing to do is curl up on the sofa and settle down with a good book. Luckily I’m spoilt for choice. Along with Jane Harper’s sequel to The Dry (one of my top reads in 2017), Joanna Cannon’s Three Things About Elsie and Still ...keep reading
One of my favourite jobs in recent years was being a judge for the Costa First Novel of the Year award. It was a huge honour to read scores of debut novels and help to whittle them down to a shortlist and then a winner. I love the fact that the Costa Book Awards celebrate the most outstanding and enjoyable books of the year across five categories – novel, first ...keep reading
“All good wishes for a peaceful Christmas. Stay safe in 2018 in this strange and troubled world.” That’s what my wise Evening Standard friend David M wrote in his Christmas card and I couldn’t have put it better myself. What an unsettling year 2017 has been. On a personal level there have been highs and lows. The highs included bursting with pride when I saw my son graduate in July, ...keep reading
Forget Paris in the springtime. Paris in the autumn is far more fun – especially when it gives you the chance to stay at the latest addition to the Hoxton fold. The Hoxton Paris is less than a mile from the Gare du Nord, a half-hour walk if you’re trailing a suitcase on wheels. So after getting the first Eurostar out of London on a dreary Tuesday morning we were ...keep reading
Rachel Bright is one of the most talented – and prolific – children’s authors around. Under-fives (and over-fives too) love everything about her books while adults admire the witty storylines, thought-provoking themes and captivating illustrations. Bright’s latest title, The Squirrels Who Squabbled, is one of her best yet. Illustrated by Jim Field (her collaborator on The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could), it’s the tale of two greedy squirrels ...keep reading
One of the best moments of the week is when the postman rings the doorbell and hands me a pile of books to review. Parents often ask me for recommendations so here are some of the best new picture books for children aged five and under. Thank You, Mr Panda by Steve Antony (Hodder Children’s Books, £6.99) Steve Antony is one of the most talented illustrators around. The Queen’s Hat ...keep reading
The Lake District is one of my favourite places. So I was thrilled at the news that it’s the first UK national park to be designated a Unesco World Heritage site – for its culture as well as its glorious walks and uplifting landscape. From Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud to Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons, the Lakes have inspired some of our greatest writers and their words ...keep reading
I whizz through scores of books for work but I’ve rarely read one that made me cry on the train. Luckily no one was sitting next to me on the 15.28 to Waterloo. If they had been, they might have been surprised to see a middle-aged woman in a spotty dress blubbering at Lisa Jewell’s new book, Then She Was Gone. I’ve always been a fan of Lisa Jewell’s novels ...keep reading