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.

Gabrielle Williams is reading The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

I’m reading an old classic, The Pursuit of Love, the first in a trilogy of books by Nancy Mitford. It’s amazing how relevant it is. Well, apart from the furs and the landed gentry and the fox hunts and the coming out seasons and the presentation balls and, okay, lots of it isn’t that relevant, but putting all that to one side, it’s actually astonishingly relevant (as well as subversive, caustically witty, and very funny).

Set in the days before the Second World War, it follows the beautiful, aimless Linda Radlett as she marries first of all Tony (the terrible capitalist banker who really is a dreadful bore); then Christian, the communist, who takes her over to Perpignan during the Spanish Civil War, where she helps displaced refugees who are languishing in camps (sound familiar?); and then finally to Paris, where she settles into a true love affair with Fabrice. But the war is looming, people are becoming obsessed with politics, friends and family are being split down political lines, and Linda (and the reader) can feel the shifting of the world.

Rosalind McClintock is reading two short story collections and the upcoming Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down

Recently, for obvious reasons, I have only had the headspace for short stories. I loved Chloe Wilson’s darkly funny, Hold Your Fire and on what may be my last holiday outside of my suburb (yes, I know I was lucky), I devoured Readings 2018 Prize winner, Jennifer Down’s book of short stories, Pulse Points.

I am so glad I did as a preview copy of her new book Bodies of Light came across my desk and I jumped on it. From the opening pages this book drew me in and held me. It is by no means an easy story to read, but Down writes so beautifully it is a smooth one. The darkness and difficulty of the protagonist’s life is somewhat offset by small moments of genuine pleasure and beauty.

You can pre-order Bodies of Light (publishing 28 September) .

Teen Advisory Board member Tahlia Malojer is reading The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk

This week I read The Other Side of Perfect. It’s a young adult novel about a Japanese-American ballerina who breaks her leg dancing, meaning she is unable to do pointe anymore and pursue her dream of dancing professionally.

Throughout the novel, she reflects on her experiences and realises how racist the the ballet community can be, whilst also learning how to find meaning in life without dance. I absolutely loved this novel! It was humorous, lighthearted, diverse, and just simply beautiful!