Meet our Book Doctor... Susan Lewis, author of The Lost Hours

I sometimes find that the books I read are always set in the USA/UK and written by authors from here as well. How would you recommend expanding my reading horizons and finding books set in and written by authors from different countries? – Alice

Hi Alice, I love that you would like to expand your reading to include books from around the world. I am often drawn to location or a translation so I'm happy to make some recommendations that have worked for me:

Australia: The Dry, The Lost Man & The Survivors by Jane Harper, and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

New Zealand: The Other Girl by C.D. Major.

Italian: Elena Ferrante's The Lying Life of Adults (or any other of her books – they're all excellent).

Russian/French: Suite Francaise (one of my all time favourites) by Irène Némirovsky.

Since my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I am really interested in books that explore dementia, and really want to find something I can relate to. I enjoyed Elizabeth is Missing and Still Alice but I am still searching for more. Do you have any recommendations? – Meghan

Hi Meghan, I think the two you've mentioned are outstanding. Others I can recommend that deal with this subject are Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante, The Wilderness by Samantha Harvey, and my own book, Forgotten.

Can you recommend an author whose work transcends generations? I would love to discover more authors whom my mum, my nanna and I might all like to read. – Toni

Hi Toni, In my opinion, some of the best books that deal with generational stories are by Susan Howatch. The Wheel of Fortune, Cashelmara, Penmarric, and Sins of the Fathers. Also, have you tried The Hardacre Family Saga by C.L. Skelton?

I keep reading crime and thrillers because of the enjoyment of the challenge of working out "whodunit". But I am tired of blood and murder, and would like to discover something challenging for my brain but not violent. I need something uplifting. Thank you. – Craig, age 51

Hi Craig, I know what you mean about having enough of blood and murder – it also bothers me quite a lot that so many victims are female – or perhaps that's because we care more about women :) ). So, why not give one of these a try: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, The Rock by L.J.Ross, or The Holiday by T.M. Logan. And almost anything by Daphne du Maurier.

I would really like some recommendations for books that are uplifting/joyful to help me get through another lockdown. Any recommendations would be gratefully received. – Melanie, age 44

Hi Melanie, I find some of the most uplifting books are those that have taken you on a journey to get there. With that in mind I’d love to recommend my own book, Stolen. Many of Marian Keyes' books are not only uplifting but very funny. I'd also recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan, and The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley.