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.

Lian Hingee is reading Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone

Parenting a small has played havoc on my reading time, so when my partner and I took our nearly-two-year-old up to visit his grandparents for the first time since before Covid, I took the opportunity to catch up on my TBR pile while they kept him entertained. Part psychological thriller, part domestic noir, with a hefty dose of fantasy, a pair of twins, and a mysterious house, Mirrorland was always going to be at the top of my list.

Cat and El are twin sisters who escaped their unconventional upbringing by disappearing into a magical world of their own creation called Mirrorland. Now estranged, Cat must return to the home they grew up in when her sister goes missing and is presumed dead. What results is a twisty and tense read as Cat struggles to separate fantasy from reality and truth from lies. The depiction of Cat and El’s extraordinary make-believe world is beautifully rendered and the mystery at the heart of the novel kept me guessing. This is a compelling and perfectly paced debut novel, perfect for readers of Gillian Flynn and Emma Donoghue, and fans of the films of Del Toro.

Lucie Dess is reading The True Colour of A Little White Lie by Gabriel Bergmoser

I absolutely loved this sweet and hilarious YA coming-of-age about Nelson, a fourteen year old boy who’s sick of the embarrassment of high school and just wants to reinvent himself. The opportunity for this reinvention arises when his parents announce they’ll be running a ski lodge up on the mountain and, from now on, they’ll be staying up there every weekend.

Suddenly Nelson has the freedom he’s so desperately wanted, but is he ready for it? He befriends the lodge staff and finally feels like he belongs. Even better, he meets a cute girl, Juliet, who’s staying at the lodge every second weekend. What more could a teenage boy want? Enter, Adele – another cute girl staying on the mountain – on opposite weekends to Juliet. Soon, Nelson is completely in over his head.

I absolutely felt for Nelson. He’s a kid who just wants to be liked as he navigates his way through the world, but he still manages to make plenty of mistakes. My favourite thing about this book was the lessons Nelson learns. He doesn’t get away with anything and has to deal with the consequences of his actions.

Tye Cattanach is reading Real Pigeons Flex Feathers by Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood

Readers of this blog might be forgiven for being unaware that most of my days at Readings are spent working in our magical Readings Kids shop, owing to the fact that I usually talk about grown up books. Time to rectify this! This week, I am going to share the list of books I am absolutely LOVING in Kids right now. Firstly, Real Pigeons Flex Feathers! Visitors to kids at any time of day will often hear me loudly enthusing my love of all things Real Pigeons and the marvellous creators responsible! Book 7 in this bird-brained series is no exception and without doubt the first (and last) time I have ever found a tarantula adorable.

There are so many beautiful picture books being published this year, but by far the most beautifully layered and richly textured of them all is The Katha Chest by Radiah Chowdhury illustrated by Lavanya Naidu. This stunning picture book is one to be pored over and loved for generations. Last and by no means least is the absolutely gorgeous Bear and Rat by Christopher Chen and illustrated by Stephen Michael King. This gentle, powerful and uplifting book is a joyous celebration of love and friendship. Breathtaking in its imagery, it is perfect for ages 3+ and highly recommended for anyone who has a heart. Which I hope, is all of us.