The Ambitious, The Nostalgic & The Charming

 

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unleashed - James Haskell, Mike Tindall & Alex Payne

After recently attending a live show and having a vicariously rugby orientated job, I felt more of an intrigue than I potentially would have to read this. But I’m thrilled that I did. It is a riotous locker-room confessional with heart, “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unleashed” is a hilarious, no-holds-barred romp through the bruises, banter, and bizarre brilliance of rugby life—on and off the pitch. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when three rugby legends are let loose with a publishing deal and zero editorial restraint, this book is your answer and it’s every bit as chaotic, charming, and cheeky as you’d expect.

The book opens with a disclaimer from Owen Farrell: “I want absolutely nothing to do with this book.” That sets the tone perfectly. What follows is a whirlwind of outrageous anecdotes, behind-the-scenes tour tales, and self-deprecating reflections that make you laugh, wince, and occasionally question the sanity of professional athletes.

What makes the book more than just a collection of locker-room laughs is its genuine camaraderie.These three aren’t just co-hosts—they’re mates who’ve shared triumphs, disasters, and the kind of tour stories that usually stay buried in group chats. Their chemistry is palpable, and the book reads like a pub conversation you wish you were part of. Stylistically, it’s loose, fast-paced, and unapologetically laddish. But beneath the bravado, there’s a surprising amount of heart. The authors reflect on the pressures of elite sport, the transition to life after rugby, and the importance of friendship and mental health. It’s not preachy—it’s just honest, and that makes it resonate.

It’s topical, pragmatic and unpredictable. I’m embarrassed to admit, that when I’ve met Hask, I’ve judged him unfairly, just as people have done to me. You cannot be everything to everyone, all of the time. Knowing somebody is an honour, not a right. It strikes a great balance of chaos and charm, and it proves that sometimes the best stories aren’t about the game—they’re about the players.

 

A Splintering - Dur Aziz Amna

Dur e Aziz Amna’s novel, A Splintering, is a searing, unsentimental exploration of ambition, class, and desire set against the backdrop of early 2000s Pakistan. With a protagonist who refuses to be tethered by nostalgia or tradition, Amna crafts a narrative that is both intoxicating and unsettling. 

At the heart of the novel is Tara, a married teacher and mother from Rawalpindi, whose yearning for a better life propels her into a risky double existence. Her internal world is electric—charged with a hunger for beauty, freedom, and financial security. Tara’s longing is not romanticized; it’s gritty and raw. The narrative unfolds with high stakes, teasing dark deeds in a prologue that only later reveals the full extent of Tara’s choices. Her journey from a harsh rural upbringing under a violent brother and an unsatisfying arranged marriage to a precarious urban life is gripping and bleak. Amna doesn’t offer easy redemption or moral clarity—just the relentless pursuit of more.

A Splintering is a rare novel that dares to ask: what if women wanted more—not just safety or love, but power, beauty, and escape? Tara’s story is not about arriving at a destination but about the feverish sprint toward it. Amna’s prose is sharp, her insights unflinching, and her protagonist intoxicatingly unforgettable.

l found the morality journey so intriguing. I weirdly loved how Unsentimental and Unapologetic Tara was. I was hooked by the hauntingly honest narrative immediately and Fascinated by the cultural machinations.

 

My Ex-Husband’s Ex-Husband - Rachel Cohn and Melissa de la Cruz

Rachel Cohn and Melissa de la Cruz’s My Ex-Husband’s Ex-Husband is a genre-blending gem that combines the sharpness of contemporary fiction with the warmth of holiday storytelling that explores the tangled webs of friendship, love, and forgiveness through a delightfully unconventional premise.

The novel centers on Audrey and Ian, former best friends turned romantic rivals—who both married and divorced the same man. Their shared past is messy, painful, and unresolved. But when Audrey’s daughter announces her Christmas wedding in Vienna, the city where their love triangle first unfolded, the two are forced into an uneasy reunion.

What begins as a reluctant truce quickly turns into a joint mission: their mutual ex has vanished, and only Audrey and Ian can track him down. This setup is more than just a quirky plot device—it’s a clever way to explore precarious emotional entanglements and the way unresolved relationships echo through decades, and how time can both heal and harden.

Stylistically, Cohn and de la Cruz balance humor and heartache with finesse. It is cleverly nuanced and intricately thought out with special little asides that made it charming. The dialogue sparkles, especially in scenes where Audrey and Ian confront their past with biting honesty. Yet beneath the snark lies a deep yearning—for closure, for connection, and for the kind of friendship that survives even the most absurd betrayals.

 

The Strange House And The Midnight Adventure - Raymond Briggs

Raymond Briggs, best known for The Snowman and Father Christmas, returns to the spotlight with The Strange House, a beautifully reissued edition from Manderley Press that pairs two of his earliest children's stories—The Strange House and Midnight Adventure—in one elegant volume. Set in post-war Wimbledon, South London, The Strange House follows two boys, Tim and Gerry, who stumble upon a mysterious tunnel on a golf course that leads to a seemingly abandoned house. What begins as innocent curiosity quickly turns eerie when they spot a ghostly face behind a boarded-up window. The story is steeped in local lore, with identifiable landmarks that root the tale in real geography, adding a layer of authenticity and intrigue.

Briggs’ original black-and-white illustrations—120 in total—are lovingly reproduced in this edition, capturing the mood and mystery of the story with his signature charm. The book is introduced by Chris Riddell, a former student of Briggs and a celebrated illustrator in his own right, whose tribute adds emotional depth and historical context.

This reissue is more than a nostalgic revival—it’s a tribute to Briggs’ legacy. Published after his passing in 2022, the book supports charities close to his heart, including Rethink Mental Illness, Blood Cancer UK, and Parkinson’s UK. It’s a poignant reminder of the personal struggles behind the whimsical worlds he created. 

Whether you're a lifelong fan of Briggs or discovering his work for the first time, The Strange House is a captivating blend of childhood adventure, subtle horror, and heartfelt nostalgia. It’s a perfect gift book—wrapped in candy-striped paper and accompanied by a bespoke bookmark—that invites readers young and old to explore the shadows of memory and imagination.

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