Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James

Ever had a friend who seems to be everything to you – companion, supporter  encourager? And even though they may not be perfect, you still love them because they love you with all your imperfections? Well that was Alice – a great friend but with some strange personality traits.

But Katherine likes her – she needs friends when she moves to Sydney to live with her aunt after shocking events have happened in her family. It’s just that as the story progresses, Katherine begins to doubt that the pluses are more than the minuses in her relationship with Alice.

It’s great to see a book set in Sydney. Katherine’s parents seem very realistic and Alice’s ability to twist most people around her little finger is almost scary to watch.

The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar

Apart from loving Umrigar’s writing (I’ve read everything she has put out), I find books about India fascinating – maybe because part of me wants to go there but finds it “safer” via books. The basic story is told in the cover blurb – Frank and Ellie who were the perfect couple – in love and with a gorgeous boy – who find that the loss of a child can either make or break a couple.

We are taken into the hearts and minds of these two people to see how they have coped with the situation. Ellie decides to move on with life, while Frank can’t until he finds a “replacement” for their son. Moving to India to work for a company which could be seen as an exploiter of the indigenous people, doesn’t help their situation.

My only concern is the structure – would be interested to know what others think. Why not do a straight chronological narrative? Why cut the narrative to go back in time to catch up to the present, considering that we knew most of it already.

Get ready for lots of twists, turns and surprises.

The Worst Thing She Ever Did by Alice Kuipers

It takes a while until you know what happened to Sophie over the previous summer. The diary entries feed you bits of information until you understand the whole heartwrenching story.

It’s hard to imagine how Sophie and her mother could manage life after what they have been through – but I’m not going to tell you what happened. Read it – you will be enthralled.