What are you reading? "We Spread" by Lain Raid

 Noelia's contribution

The Book

I'm torn between recommending We Spread by Iain Reid or not.

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The novel follows Penny, an elderly woman who lives alone in her apartment, surrounded by countless handwritten notes that help her remember what she is increasingly forgetting. After an accident, she is moved to a care home, setting the stage for a story that is as unsettling as it is thought-provoking.

The novel is divided into three parts. The first was, without a doubt, my favourite. Reid gives Penny the space to reflect on her youth, her marriage, and the life she has lived, while gradually revealing the extent of her cognitive decline. It's clear that she needs help, yet she fiercely resists the idea of losing her independence. These opening chapters are both moving and deeply human.

The second part explores an especially sensitive subject: the experience of being uprooted because of dementia. Reid brilliantly captures the confusion, fear, and grief of being forced to leave behind the home that holds a lifetime of memories in exchange for an unfamiliar place where others insist you'll be better cared for. Through Penny's eyes, the care home feels alien, even threatening. Everyday routines become oppressive, the constant supervision feels suffocating, and strange events begin to unfold that she cannot make sense of. At the same time, she forms unexpected friendships, leading to thoughtful conversations about life, time, memory, and what gives our existence meaning. This section was easily the highlight of the novel for me.

Unfortunately, the third part didn't work nearly as well. It tries to sustain the novel's growing sense of mystery and unease, but the suspense gradually loses its impact, and I found the ending far more predictable than I had hoped. Rather than deepening the story's emotional core, the narrative leans more heavily into psychological horror, and for me, it never fully succeeds.

Overall, We Spread offers a compelling and deeply empathetic portrayal of dementia from the perspective of the person experiencing it. Its greatest strength lies in showing how frightening and disorienting it is to lose not only your memories, but also your home, your independence, and your sense of self. While the novel occasionally loses its way in its attempt to become a work of psychological horror, it remains an insightful and emotionally resonant exploration of ageing, memory, and identity.

The Author

Simon & Schuster - Ian Reid

Iain Reid is a Canadian novelist, screenwriter, and former journalist best known for blending psychological suspense with literary fiction. Before turning to novels, he worked as a columnist and nonfiction writer, experiences that sharpened his keen observational style and interest in the complexities of human behavior.

He made his fiction debut with I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2016), an acclaimed psychological novel that was later adapted into a film by director Charlie Kaufman. Reid followed it with Foe (2018), a haunting exploration of identity, relationships, and technology, which was also adapted for the screen. With We Spread (2022), he shifted his focus to aging, memory, and dementia, crafting a deeply unsettling novel that examines the fragility of perception and the fear of losing one's sense of self.

Across all his work, Reid has established a distinctive voice characterized by sparse, elegant prose, slow-burning psychological tension, and stories that blur the line between reality and imagination, inviting readers to question both the narrator's perspective and their own assumptions.

What are you reading? "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins

 Noelia's contribution

The book

Amazon

I return to the world of The Hunger Games with Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, this time following Haymitch Abernathy twenty-five years before he becomes the mentor we know from the original trilogy.

At first, I expected this book to feel very similar to the previous novels, and in some ways it does. However, Collins introduces new layers that make the story stand out. The novel explores the manipulation of the media in the service of the government, as well as the use of fear and emotional coercion to control the population. These themes feel especially relevant and add depth to the narrative beyond the action and survival elements.

That said, the book is not without its flaws. Some chapters felt slow and, at times, fairly predictable, which affected the pacing for me.

Despite this, I would still recommend it. Beyond expanding the history of Panem and giving me a deeper understanding of Haymitch, the novel raises thought-provoking moral questions about resistance, sacrifice, and the price of fighting against an oppressive regime. One question stayed with me long after I finished the book: how much would you be willing to lose to bring down a dictatorship?

Overall, Sunrise on the Reaping is a worthwhile addition to the series, offering both an engaging story and plenty of food for thought.

The Author

Amazon

Suzanne Collins is an American author best known for writing The Hunger Games series, one of the most successful young adult dystopian franchises of all time. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a writer for children's television programs. Her books are praised for combining fast-paced storytelling with thought-provoking themes such as war, political oppression, media manipulation, and social inequality. Since the publication of The Hunger Games in 2008, Collins has become one of the most influential contemporary authors in young adult literature.

What are you reading? "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah

 Ana Melendo's contribution

The Book

Amazon

Through this book, we discover the History of South Africa during and just after apartheid. There is also the story of people, so many and so different. And eventually, of some persons leaving around the protagonist, emphasising the figure of the mother.  The book relates very well the complexity of the relations between different communities. 

Through this biography we understand quite well life after the end of apartheid. It’s at the same time a scathing portrait of South Africa and a magnificent story of filial love. And what’s more, it is written in a very clear style.

It would be a pleasure for me to talk about this book if anyone else read it.

And thank you to Marta who recommend it in our last meeting!

Ana Melendo

The Author

Amazon

Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, writer, television host, and political commentator. Born in Johannesburg in 1984 during the apartheid era, he grew up in a society deeply divided by race. His unique background and sharp observational humor helped him build a successful career in stand-up comedy, first in South Africa and later on the international stage.

A major turning point in Noah’s career was the publication of Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood in 2016. The memoir takes its title from the fact that his birth was technically illegal under apartheid laws because his mother was Black and his father was White. The book combines personal stories, humor, and social commentary, earning widespread critical acclaim and becoming an international bestseller.

The success of Born a Crime greatly expanded Noah’s global reputation, establishing him not only as a comedian but also as a respected author and storyteller.

What are you reading? Fifty Words for Rain, by Asha Lemmie

 Noelia's contribution

The Book

Amazon

Fifty Words for Rain, written by Asha Lemmie, is set in Kyoto in 1948. Noriko lives with her mother until one day she is told that she must go and live with her grandmother. The only condition is simple: ‘Promise me. Promise me that you will obey in all things. Do not question. Do not fight. Do not resist’ (Asha Lemmie, 2020, Fifty Words for Rain)

From that moment on, her life changed completely. Forced to live in the attic of the family home, she is kept out of sight and subjected to unusual “beauty” treatments. Her skin is constantly exfoliated in an attempt to lighten it, while her naturally curly hair is straightened to conform to Japanese beauty standards.

This is a compelling novel that explores themes such as racism, abandonment, honour over love, the suppression of critical thinking, and the struggle to define one's identity. People are treated as tools to be controlled, their personal desires sacrificed to protect the family's reputation.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its use of both first-person and third-person narration. Noriko’s story captures the reader’s attention from the very beginning, creating a constant desire to discover what will happen next. The book also encourages reflection throughout. For that reason, it is not a particularly fast read. There are moments when certain passages deserve to be reread, as the author conveys complex ideas with remarkable precision and without relying on excessive description. Another highlight is the number of unexpected twists that genuinely catch the reader by surprise.

As for its weaknesses, some secondary characters could have been developed more fully. By the end of the novel, it is not always clear what happened to them or why they made certain decisions.

Overall, this is a highly recommended book for a reading club. At fewer than 300 pages, it offers plenty to discuss, including motherhood, abandonment, and, above all, love. After all, everyone needs to feel loved, whether by parents, siblings, or a partner.

The Author

Amazon

Asha Lemmie is an American author best known for her debut novel, Fifty Words for Rain, published in 2020. She studied English literature and developed a strong interest in stories that explore identity, family relationships, and cultural heritage. Inspired by her own mixed-race background, Lemmie often writes about characters who struggle to find their place between different cultures. Her work has been praised for its emotional depth, vivid storytelling, and exploration of themes such as belonging, race, and resilience.