The Book Edit
Welcome to The Book Edit — my little corner of The Everyday Edit dedicated to all things books.
I wasn’t always much of a reader, but somewhere along the way I discovered just how much I love getting lost in a good story. These days, I’m always looking for my next book to add to the pile, and this page is where I’ll share the ones that have kept me turning the pages.
Each month, I’ll feature a Book of the Month — one book that has stood out to me and deserves a spot on your reading list. I’ll also share my best reads and personal recommendations, from books I couldn’t put down to the ones that stayed with me long after I finished them.
And because there’s always room for another book (even when my TBR pile says otherwise!), you’ll also find my TBR Pile — a list of books I’m hoping to read next. Have a book you think I absolutely need to read? I’d love to hear from you! Send me your recommendations by email, and you might just see your suggestion make its way onto my TBR pile.
Books to Look Out For
Harry’s Grail by A. B. Patterson is the third novel in the Harry Kenmare crime series, following private investigator Harry Kenmare on a dark and dangerous quest for revenge. From the jungles of Laos to the corrupt underbelly of Sydney, Harry and his team encounter crooked cops, dangerous criminals and powerful figures hiding disturbing secrets. Packed with crime, corruption and gritty action, this is a hard-boiled crime thriller for readers who enjoy their stories dark, daring and unapologetically intense.
Explore The Harry Kenmare Series
Harry’s World
A. B. Patterson (2015)
Meet Harry Kenmare, a cynical, unconventional private investigator who operates in the seedy underbelly of Sydney. Taking on cases involving the city's powerful and corrupt, Harry navigates a world of crime, vice and hypocrisy while pursuing his own version of justice. A gritty introduction to a flawed detective who refuses to play by the rules.
2. Harry’s Quest
A. B. Patterson · 2018
In the second instalment, Harry Kenmare continues his relentless pursuit of revenge against those responsible for the horrific loss of his daughter, Orla. With a team of trusted allies by his side, Harry takes on Sydney's corrupt elite while confronting the darker side of power, privilege and human nature. A hard-boiled crime thriller filled with danger, vengeance and morally complicated characters.
My reading journey
As a self-proclaimed book hater, I decided in 2023 that I wanted to change that. I challenged myself to start reading and set what I thought was a pretty ambitious goal: 12 books by the end of the year.
My very first book was I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. And somehow, that one book turned into 26 books in 2023.
In 2024, I managed to read 15 books, but in 2025 I definitely fell off the reading wagon, finishing only four books for the entire year.
By 2026, I realised I wanted to get back into the habit. Reading had become something I genuinely enjoyed, and I missed having that little escape in my day. For me, reading isn't just about finishing books or reaching a yearly goal. It's a chance to slow down, self-regulate, switch off from the real world and get completely lost in a story for a while.
So, I decided I needed a little motivation to get back into the swing of things.
Enter: my Kindle Paperwhite.
And honestly? It has been a game changer.
It's made reading so much easier to fit into my everyday life, whether I'm curled up on the couch, having a quiet afternoon coffee or reading before bed. Slowly but surely, I've found my reading rhythm again.
And now, here I am in September 2026 and I'm already onto my 11th book of the year.
It's not quite my 2023 record of 26 books, but I'm pretty proud of getting back to something that makes me happy.
I also use Goodreads and StoryGraph to keep track of what I'm reading, my progress, my TBR and all those books I inevitably add despite knowing I already have plenty waiting to be read.
Book of the month
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Book of the month .
Beautiful Ugly
At a Glance:
Author: Alice Feeney
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Mystery
Pages: 352
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ / 5
Beautiful Ugly is a dark and twisty psychological thriller that explores marriage, grief, obsession and revenge. The story follows Grady Green, a successful author whose wife, Abby, disappears one night while driving home. A year later, Grady is struggling with grief, insomnia and writer's block, so he retreats to a remote Scottish island in the hope of finding some inspiration and getting his life back on track.
Perfect for: Readers who love unreliable narrators, creepy settings, missing-person mysteries and plenty of twists.
My TBR pile
