Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell, Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia. (Janet Wallach, 1996)

Gertrude Bell (1868—1926) explored, mapped, and excavated the world of the Arabs. Recruited by British intelligence during World War I, she played a crucial role in obtaining the loyalty of Arab leaders, and her connections and information provided the brains to match T. E. Lawrence's brawn. After the war, she played a major role in creating the modern Middle East and was, at the time, considered the most powerful woman in the British Empire.

Four stars. Wallach entwines her narration with excerpts from Gertrude's own letters, which really help the reader to get a sense of what she was like. My only criticism is that at times Wallach perhaps embellishes a touch too much in order to set the scene. Overall, a highly readable and informative book on a woman who deserves to be far better known.

Similar book recommendations:
1. Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe (Sarah Gristwood, 2016)
2. A History of Britain in 21 Women (Jenni Murray, 2016)


My Sweet Revenge (Jane Fallon, 2017)

Paula has had Robert's back since they got together as drama students. She gave up her dreams so he could make it. Now he's one of the nation's most popular actors. And Paula's just discovered he's having an affair. She's going to remind Robert just what he's sacrificing. And then she's going to break his heart like he broke hers. It will be her greatest acting role ever.

Four stars. My Sweet Revenge is the perfect escapist novel. It's engaging and witty, and had me hooked, and laughing out loud, from the start. One of many great quotes: "Robert always walks at a pace that suggests he's being followed by something big and scary but doesn't want to alert it to the fact he's trying to get away by actually breaking into a run."

Similar book recommendations:
1. Deal Breaker (Harlan Coben, 1995)
2. Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn, 2012)
3. Partners (Nora Roberts, 1985)


Notes on Blindness: A Journey Through The Dark (John M. Hull, 2017)

Having entirely lost his sight, academic John M. Hull started to make audio diary entries whenever he was struck by a certain event, experience, thought, or dream. The result is this fascinating and thought-provoking book.

Four stars. Notes on Blindness will possibly make you think twice next time you encounter a blind person, remembering Hull's frustration at how sighted people will insist on asking where he is going when he wants to know where he is; it will probably make you laugh, when Hull's son explains to his dad that he needs the light on to be able to see, and cry, when Hull describes his struggle to reconnect with his parents; and it will definitely make you think.

Similar book recommendations:
1. 31 Treats and a Marriage (Lynn Farley-Rose, 2016)
2. Inside the O'Briens (Lisa Genova, 2015)


Conspiracy (S.J. Parris, 2016)

Heretic-turned-spy Giordano Bruno arrives in Paris from London to find a city on the edge of catastrophe. King Henri III lives in fear of a coup by the Duke of Guise and his fanatical Catholic League, and another massacre on the streets. When Bruno’s old rival, Father Paul Lefèvre is found murdered, Bruno is drawn into a dangerous web of religious politics and court intrigue. And watching over his shoulder is the King’s mother, Catherine de Medici, with her harem of beautiful spies. When murder strikes at the heart of the Palace, Bruno finds himself on the trail of a killer who is protecting a terrible secret. With the royal houses of France and England under threat, Bruno must expose the truth – or be silenced for good…

I'm still reading this one, so watch this space!


What have you read this month? And what do you think of my month's reading? Let me know either in the comments below, or via Twitter!