Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on or the music we’re loving.

Nina is reading What Came Before by Anna George

In a recent Q&A (read it here), author Anna George said: ‘I wasn’t conscious of whether I was writing a psychological thriller or a literary novel. The book is framed around a crime but I don’t see it as a crime novel, as such… What Came Before is probably … maybe … best shelved in general fiction.’

I share her hesitation of how to classify this novel. It’s crime, but not of the detective-investigates-a-case variety. It’s fiction but an underlying tension and menace drives the story, in a way that you often find in the crime and thriller genre.

None of this classification discussion really matters of course. The real question – is the book any good? The answer: a resounding yes!

What Came Before is not an easy novel to read, mind you. It’s dark and unpleasant, as you might expect with a story that begins with a man murdering his wife, and then jumps back in time to the start of their relationship. But it’s also a book that is filled with small pleasures and delights; the descriptions of living in Melbourne are outstanding, the friendship between main character Elle and her best friend Mira feels real and lived-in, and Elle herself is a wonderful character. I wanted to be her friend, and I really wanted to watch her films (she’s a screenwriter and a director.)

What Came Before feels utterly true, in every sense, from its characters, to its setting, to Elle’s slow tumble down the rabbit-hole of a terrible, destructive relationship. I highly recommend it.

Fiona is reading Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson

My colleague Alison is a dangerous person to know. It’s not that she isn’t lovely - she’s the best - but when you ask her the seemingly innocent conversation starter, ‘Read anything good lately?’ you will inevitably end up purchasing everything she loved, because she is the most convincing, enthusiastic reviewer I know. Luckily we also share similar tastes in fiction, so she has yet to steer me wrong. Our most recent conversation ended with me scrambling to put a copy of Fourth of July Creek aside, then staring at it longingly for the rest of my shift.

Smith Henderson’s debut novel has received a lot of attention because it doesn’t feel like a debut novel. Henderson has a firm grip on the English language, in that middle-of-nowhere American type of way – things are different there, with people isolating themselves from the government and the general population. Pete is a social worker who spends his days breaking up domestic fights, and trying to stop kids from being put in state homes. His own home life is nothing wonderful, having split from his girl and the daughter he loves, but thinks he cannot care for. One day he’s summoned to the local school after an unknown child turns up on the grounds, a kid from a family so sheltered that they can’t wear new clothes and have achieved near-mythological status as people who have shunned the world the rest of us live in.

That’s about as far as I’ve gotten right now but it already feels like there is so much in this novel, such depth of story, this haunting sense of desolation and a grip on violence that no one seems able to shake. I can’t wait to get back into it.

Kushla is reading Brooklyn Girls: Angie by Gemma Burgess

Brooklyn Girls follows five twenty-somethings living together in a sharehouse in Brooklyn playing grown-ups. Mostly it focuses on their journeys to becoming financially independent for the first time and how this changes their relationships with their parents and friends.

Being classified as New Adult I was a bit hesitant to give the series a go. I find the genre hard to navigate – sometimes you get the good stuff, but a lot of the time you don’t and I’m partly convinced that New Adult is mostly just secret code for sexy young adult books. But, happily, my hesitation proved ungrounded.

Angie was really great! It felt like I was reading about Georgia Nicholson (from Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging) now all grown up, moved out and absolutely broke. I wouldn’t label the series as New Adult even, but rather as Chick Lit – with bite. The novel appealed to me in the way that both Girls and Gossip Girl did. It’s not teeny, but it certainly does not feature any fully-fledged adults yet. I would highly recommend the read for anyone tiring of young adult and looking for something to graduate to, though it’s not suitable for readers under fifteen.

Bronte is watching Friday Night Lights

I’m late to this series which first came out in 2006 to much critical success, but I can finally now attest that the show lives up to the hype. Quite simply, I’m enjoying everything about it so much! Based on a non-fiction book of the same name, Friday Night Lights follows a high school football team in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. It’s been a real joy to watch a show where I actually like the characters: Matt Saracen is an angel, while Coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tami Taylor (who works as a guidance counsellor at the high school) are often deservedly celebrated as being one of the best real depictions of a good marriage on TV. The Taylor’s are also basically ‘acting parents’ for every teenager on the show. The football games are tense and thrilling, despite me having no prior interest in or knowledge of American Football, and if you like shows with heart, this is is one you must try.