So what am I reading, now that the seven tomes of Potter are all back on the shelf for another year or two?

Well, my cousin Amanda has sent me her book to read … one author to another, you know. She has read part of my book (well, she may have read more if she has downloaded it, but I know I didn’t get very far sending her my unpublished work in instalments.) But now it’s my turn to return the favour.

It’s going really well. You know how sometimes you read something written by somebody you know, and you think “F*ck me, I’d never have thought they’d write something like this!” Well, that’s kind of how I feel about this particular piece of work.

I’ve always regarded Cousin A as rather a genteel creature but this novel is really earthy, full of everyday detail of the sort that would make your maiden aunt blush. There are descriptions that I know I shied away from making in my own work, and the brilliant thing is it’s showing me exactly what I may be missing by being too nervous.

So not only am I enjoying a gripping read (I’m only a little way in so lots more delicious misbehaviour to enjoy yet), but I’m also honing my own way of looking at prose. Which is just as well, as I start to flesh out the bones of my own next novel.

Thanks Julia!