Books we swapped:
My Sister, the Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
Korede has always been the practical one in her family, especially when it comes to cleaning up after her younger sister, Ayoola, who has a rather alarming habit of killing her boyfriends. But when Ayoola sets her sights on the doctor Korede secretly loves, she faces an impossible choice between protecting her sister and saving the man she cares about. A darkly funny thriller about family loyalty, jealousy and murder.
The Thirteenth Tale – Diane Setterfield
Margaret Lea, a biographer who works in her father's bookshop, receives an unexpected invitation from the famous but mysterious novelist Vida Winter. Now elderly and unwell, Vida wants to reveal the truth about her extraordinary past, including the secrets surrounding the abandoned Angelfield House and the troubled family who once lived there. But as Margaret begins to unravel the story, she discovers that some of its secrets may be closer to home than she imagined. A wonderfully atmospheric gothic mystery filled with family secrets, ghosts and the magic of storytelling.
An exclusive wedding on a remote island off the Irish coast brings together a glamorous bride and groom, their friends and family, and a collection of guests with plenty of secrets. But as the celebrations get underway, old resentments and hidden jealousies begin to surface. When one of the guests is found dead and a storm leaves everyone trapped on the island, it becomes clear that almost anyone could have a motive. A gripping, multi-perspective murder mystery where nobody is quite as innocent as they seem.
In 1911, inside a psychiatric institution in Yorkshire, patients are kept apart by strict rules and thick walls. But every Friday, men and women are allowed to come together in the magnificent ballroom, where John and Ella meet and form an unexpected connection. As their relationship develops, the novel explores the lives of those confined within the institution, the treatment of mental illness and the devastating consequences of a society that decides who is considered sane. A moving historical novel about love, freedom and the power of hope.
Black Butterflies – Priscilla Morris
Sarajevo, spring 1992. As violence spreads through the city, artist and teacher Zora sends her husband, daughter and elderly mother to safety in England, but chooses to remain behind, believing the conflict will soon pass. As Sarajevo falls under siege, she watches the city and the life she loves being destroyed, while finding strength in her art and the friendships around her. Inspired by real accounts of the Siege of Sarajevo, this is a powerful story of resilience, loss and hope in the midst of war.
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
Tova Sullivan works nights cleaning the local aquarium, where she forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a rather grumpy giant Pacific octopus. Still grieving the mysterious disappearance of her teenage son more than thirty years earlier, Tova has settled into a quiet routine, but Marcellus has been observing far more than anyone realises. With his remarkable intelligence and a little help from an unexpected new arrival, he may finally be able to uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago. A charming, funny and deeply touching story about friendship, family and second chances.
At What Point – Caitlin O'Ryan
A collection of poetry from actor and poet Caitlin O'Ryan, exploring the questions, uncertainties and contradictions that shape modern life. With honesty, vulnerability and wit, these poems challenge the things we've come to accept, encourage us to look more closely at ourselves and remind us that we're not alone in trying to make sense of the world. Featuring her viral poem At What Point, this is an emotionally engaging collection that invites readers to question, reflect and connect.
Wild Dark Shore – Charlotte McConaghy
On a remote island near Antarctica, Dominic Salt and his three children are the last caretakers of a vast seed bank, protecting the world's precious plant life as rising seas threaten their home. Their isolated existence is interrupted when a mysterious woman named Rowan washes ashore during a violent storm. As the family takes her in, relationships begin to shift and long-buried secrets emerge. With danger gathering around them, they must decide who they can trust and what they are willing to risk to protect the things they love. An atmospheric novel about family, survival and our relationship with the natural world.
The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
Between life and death lies a mysterious library containing an infinite number of books, each representing a different version of a life Nora Seed could have lived. Given the chance to revisit the choices she regrets and experience the paths she never took, Nora begins exploring the possibilities of what might have been. But as she discovers that even seemingly perfect lives come with their own challenges, she must work out what truly makes a life worth living. A thoughtful and uplifting novel about regret, possibility and finding reasons to keep going
Guest writer, Gillian Lee Gibson
Gillian began her writing career with two romantic comedies. She has since published her first crime thriller, Dark Angel and is currently working on the psychological thriller Shore Gulls.
Gillian has taught Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies and currently works as a Psychologist. She brings her knowledge and experience of these areas to her work, producing writing that demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature.
Dark Angel
A brutal murder shatters the sanctity of a chapel and sets Detective Sergeant Liza Jones on a relentless pursuit for the truth.
Haunted by her own demons and partnered with the secretive Detective InspectorJack Dixon, Liza must navigate a labyrinth of secrets, lies, and the chilling possibility that the monster they seek may be hiding in plain sight.
Dark Angel is a gripping tale of obsession, morality, and the darkness that dwells within us all.
Banned Book Reading
This month, our banned book talk explored an area of book banning and removal we hadn’t spoken about before, the use of artificial intelligence to help decide which books should be removed from school libraries and classrooms.
We talked about reports from PEN America and the Houston Chronicle in both 2025 and 2026, about how schools have been using AI to assess books against new legislation.
In some cases, AI has recommended removal based on previous bans, misunderstood content or even invented material that wasn't actually in the books.
One example from 2025 was The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen, an award-winning young adult novel about the Holocaust. It was caught up in an AI-assisted review at a Texas school district and temporarily suspended from classroom teaching before being reinstated.
We read an extract from the novel, reflecting on the importance of remembering history and the irony of a book about prejudice and persecution being caught up in an automated screening process.
We discussed the various problems with allowing AI to influence decisions about what children can read, particularly when it can misunderstand context or get things completely wrong and once again, we asked: who gets to decide what we're allowed to read?
Only this time we had to add in an additional follow up question - how do we ensure we don’t lose human judgement in those decisions?
Join us at future secret book swaps: