Secret Book Swap | No. 13 - Currie March 2026
Books We Swapped:
Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell
Ten years after her daughter’s disappearance, Laurel’s life is still shaped by grief and unanswered questions. When she meets a charming man whose young daughter bears an uncanny resemblance to her missing child, long-buried secrets begin to surface in this tense, emotionally driven mystery.
A Heart That Works – Rob Delaney
Written after the death of his young son, Delaney’s memoir is raw, devastating and unexpectedly tender. With honesty and flashes of humour, he reflects on grief, love and the impossibility of making sense of loss.
When a military deployment turns a family’s life upside down, a couple must nMatrix – Lauren Groffavigate separation, trauma and the strain of war on their relationship. Emotional and compelling, this novel explores love, sacrifice and the long road back to each other.
When a man discovers he can travel through time by following the flow of rivers, what begins as curiosity turns into a dangerous obsession. As timelines shift and consequences ripple outward, this inventive, fast-paced novel explores love, loss and the fragile threads holding reality together.
Just Another Missing Person – Gillian McAllister
A routine missing persons case spirals into something far more complex when a detective is forced into an impossible choice. Twisty and fast-paced, this thriller explores how far someone will go to protect the people they love.
Matrix – Lauren Groff
Inspired by the life of a medieval nun, this richly imagined novel follows Marie de France as she transforms a struggling abbey into a powerful community. Lush and atmospheric, it’s a story of ambition, faith and female autonomy.Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver
A modern reimagining of David Copperfield, set in rural Appalachia, following a boy navigating poverty, addiction and survival. Fierce, compassionate and unforgettable, it captures both hardship and resilience with extraordinary depth.House of Earth and Blood – Sarah J. Maas
When a brutal murder shakes a magical city, half-Fae Bryce Quinlan teams up with a fallen angel to uncover the truth. Packed with action, romance and intricate world-building, this is an immersive urban fantasy full of danger and heart.In Her Shoes – Jennifer Weiner
Two very different sisters—one impulsive, one responsible—are forced to confront their strained relationship and shared past. Warm, funny and heartfelt, this novel explores family, identity and the complicated bonds between sisters.My Favourite Mistake – Marian Keyes
Returning to familiar territory, Keyes blends humour and emotional depth as her protagonist navigates past regrets, relationships and self-discovery. Honest and uplifting, it’s a story about second chances and learning to move forward.Burial Rites – Hannah Kent
Based on a true story, this haunting novel follows a woman awaiting execution in 19th-century Iceland. Stark and beautifully written, it explores guilt, isolation and the human need to be understood before the end.
Our Guest , Alex Howard
Alex is a writer and poet based in Edinburgh, best known for his Library Cat series, inspired by a philosophical feline. The original book became an international success and was followed by The Ghost Cat and The Ship’s Cat. His poetry and essays have appeared in The London Magazine, New Writing Scotland, and Gutter.
Alex also works with Capital Theatres as Creative Projects Coordinator and editor of DementiArts magazine.
The Library Cat Series
Library Cat, the resident cat of the University of Edinburgh’s Main Library, is not like other cats. He is a thinking cat, with a canny glint in his eye and an unrelenting interest in books.
This is his story. Join him as he ventures from his favourite turquoise chair into the wider world, meeting cousins Biblio Chat and Saaf Landan Tom, encountering the elusive Puddle Cat, and facing the terrifying Black Dog.
Part whimsy, part philosophical tale, it follows his search for meaning—and what he discovers about humans along the way.
The Library Cat book has since been followed up by The Ghost Cat and The Ship’s Cat
Banned Book Reading
March, our banned book section turned closer to home (again), looking at a recent case in Greater Manchester where over 130 titles were removed from a secondary school library.
It began with a single title, Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates (founder of the Everyday Sexism Project), being removed on request of the Headteacher and quickly escalated into a much wider removal of books, including titles like The Black Flamingo and Heartstopper, as well as a graphic adaptation of 1984. These weren’t obscure or fringe reads, but books many young people use to better understand themselves and the world around them.
We also spoke about the impact on the school librarian, who had added the original book following safeguarding training. She was investigated, reported to the local authority, and told she could be considered a safeguarding risk. The process was described as prolonged and deeply stressful, with concerns raised that it could affect her career. She ultimately resigned.
It left us thinking about who gets to decide what’s appropriate to read — and what happens when those decisions are made quickly, or without transparency.
If you’d like to read more about the case, you can do so via the link below to the original article on Index on Censorship:
Join us at future secret book swaps: