Whale Harbour by Mary Beth Keane. The eleven Joyce brothers live in a remote part of Ireland where, after losing their mother, their unreliable father remarries which accelerates their understanding that they’ll all eventually become part of the diaspora, leaving for opportunities elsewhere. When his time comes, in the upheaval of a move from Connemara to Montana, Macdara breaks a promise which will haunt him and nine of his brothers for the rest of their lives. I loved this - it’s wonderful.

Nothing to Lose by Nix Adams. The author was living in Australia when her young son died, which sent her into a spiral of grief and despair which took years to climb out of. Nix descended into drugs and crime and did a stint in a Melbourne prison which was where her recovery started and has gone on to demonstrate incredible strength and commitment, regaining custody of her other children and building a new life back home in Aotearoa. She began posting snippets of her life on social media which has grown to have millions of followers, and the kindness and support of all those strangers helped to turn her life around. She was the winner of this year’s Celebrity Treasure Island and her extraordinary story is both deeply affecting, and inspirational.

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