For the Minimalist 🤍
‘The New Me’ by Halle Butler
"Darkly comic and totally unique, The New Me follows misanthropic Millie at her mind-numbingly dull temp job. And that’s it, that’s the book, but boy-oh-boy is it well executed with a clean, sparse writing style–this is definitely not overdone. If you need a good laugh, or indeed if you’ve ever worked a boring office job, then this is a must-read."
For the Maximalist 💥
‘Down The Drain’ by Julia Fox
"You may know Julia Fox from Brat Summer fame (I’m everywhere I’m so Juli-ahhh) or dating Kanye West. But before all that, she was a true ‘it’ girl, terrorizing the streets of New York. Everything in this memoir sounds like a lie, it’s that outrageous. Ms Fox has Lived with a capital L. If you too take life by the knobs (mine are from Plank Hardware, thanks) then give this a read immediately."
For the Detailed DIY-er 🔍
‘Strange Sally Diamond’ by Liz Nugent
“When Sally’s adoptive father dies her whole world unravels. The web of carefully constructed lies that her dad had woven get unpicked in this extremely clever book. It’s a heartwarming book, all the residents of the village neurodivergent Sally lives in show great humanity, while Sally is a sweet and funny protagonist. But there is also a dark mystery at play, and the way all the threads of this story come together is just *chef’s kiss*.”
For the Quick-Fix Hacker 🛠
‘Small Things Like These’ by Claire Keegan
“This book is as small as it is mighty. Clocking in at 128 pages, it’s the equivalent of switching out your cabinet pulls for Plank Hardware: super-quick but makes a huge impact. In 1980s rural Ireland, timber merchant Bill Furlong lives a simple life. He works, he looks after his family, he’s a pillar of the community. But a chance encounter with a girl at a Magdalene laundry forces him to make a choice about the man he wants to be. This book is a true gem.”
For the All-Day Renovator 🏡
‘The Paper Palace’ by Miranda Cowley Heller
"Set over a single July day at Elle’s crumbling family summer house, aptly named the paper palace, we learn that perfect families are often anything but. Elle has just cheated on her loving husband with her oldest family friend Jonas – who she would have been with had a tragic event not changed the trajectory of their lives. This book is proof that life can happen in a building that is falling down around you!"
A huge thanks to Shez for sharing her relatable book recommendations. If you're intrigued by her home, why not browse her interiors account at @chez.shez. Be sure to keep your reading list fresh by following @ladieslitsquad 📚