Oksanen’s writing sizzles – as you read you will revel in beautiful turns of phrase and be pulled deep inside the devastating story, desperate to know what happens next.

Anna North, author of this weeks recommended Book Club title The Life and Death of Sophie Stark, has written a piece for our blog: What Publishing a Novel Taught Me About Life

Sophie Stark is a deliciously flawed, extraordinary female character. You will find yourself falling for her, whilst condemning her behaviour – which is a heady mix.

Our literary round-up of the last seven days

Vassem Khan has shared an essay with us entitled: "India, crime and a baby elephant who loves chocolate – a winning combination!"

Take your seats on a Mumbai Mystery Tour

Lissa Evans traces the origins of her dazzling, tragi-comic blitz-era novel

Described as One Day meets Life After Life, this is a sharply original novel that spins three spiralling alternatives from small variances in the way two students meet.

Our second Waterstones Book Club title of the year, The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, is already an international bestseller. It tells the story of a heart-broken bookseller who makes a journey in his bookshop-barge all the way from Paris to Provence.

Our literary round up of the last seven days.

Our first Waterstones Book Club title of the year, Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller, is a mix of enchanting prose, suspense and domestic drama that will break your heart.

Read an extract from Anne Tyler's Baileys Prize shortlisted novel, A Spool of Blue Thread