This was one of my course books when I did the IB at college, it would have been 8/9 years ago now that we were reading and analysing it, I didn't know at the time I was dyslexic but I remember how great my world lit teacher was, how patient she was with us. Our class only had 4 people which meant we could really get into the thick of the cultural and historical context of the book, the othering and the pied noir living in french Algieria. I think this was also my first experience of reading a translated novel... Anyway most of this post has nothing to do with the book, which is really good and opened my eyes to a whole part of history I would not have learnt about in my classic British history classes

I just saw a reel on bookstagram from stevejreese where he talks about his three course meal book theory.

His idea is that the best reading life is like a balanced diet and so when choosing what to read, he chooses and entree book, a vegetable book and a dessert book.

🦪Entree = a book with some element that you typically like and has high critical acclaim

🥦Vegetable = a book outside your norm and likely to be challenging

🍦Dessert = a book you’ll devour, no real rules just something you know you’ll love

I loved this and it resonates with me and really articulated how I like to select my upcoming reads! So, my question for all here…what are your latest or coming entree, vegetable and dessert books? Mine are:

🦪Entree: recently finished Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan for the Pride readalong. I love lit fic and this one came with a lot of great reviews (rightfully so!)

🥦Vegetable: recently finished Plumb by Maurice Gee - critically acclaimed and an NZ classic. Definitely outside my regular comfort area, and a slightly challenging read for me. Very glad I did though, it was great!

🍦Dessert: love me some fast paced fantasy, currently reading through the Throne of Glass series