Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

The author of the National Book Award winning Just Kids takes us all the way back to her childhood, through her development as an artist through to the present day.

Smith’s childhood was one of frequent moves, near Dickensian levels of poverty and a blossoming imagination. Fans will enjoy reading about the years filled in here, not covered in her other writings, but this is also a great read for anyone that enjoys memoirs of interesting and unusual lives, particularly those of an artist. But this isn’t just the story of an artist, but that of a daughter, wife and mother.

Smith’s writing is so accessible that it’s easy to imagine her telling the story from your kitchen table or in a dank and cozy bar somewhere. This is a gift, from a 79 year old still writing with full command of her craft.

Adult Non-Fiction pr8096324

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves

Cleeves launches a new series with a familiar character, Detective Jimmy Perez, who has left Shetland for a new posting in the Orkney Islands.

Why he was hired is beyond me, given the trail of murders that invariably follow in his wake, no matter how windswept, bare and sparsely populated the location. This time, it’s the body of Jimmy’s friend Archie Stout, found in the wake of a violent storm, whose head has been bashed in with a rune covered Neolithic story stone.

Fresh series or not, there is nothing new here, but that’s a large part of the charm of Cleeves’ writing and her legion of fans are sure to be happy that Perez is back on the page.

Adult Fiction pr7958559