In defence of the easy read
I usually pride myself on reading books I consider to be ‘highbrow’: whether it’s novels with deep, subliminal meaning, long, plot-driven fantasies, or something similarly lofty. But I also often find myself reaching for a good old-fashioned palate cleanser. A story that maybe isn’t meant to be pored over and analysed, but instead, casually enjoyed, perhaps on a lazy day in the sun or in quick bursts in between running errands. These are books chosen for their vibe: championing the predictable plot and often just forgettable enough that you can return to them years later and read again. They’re the backbones of holiday rental bookshelves and second-hand bookstores, and, in my opinion, deserve just as much credit as books held in higher literary esteem.
The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer
Comedian Bob Mortimer’s debut novel is as offbeat and dryly funny as you would expect. It follows a man called Gary as he lives what can only be described as a mundane life. While having a pint with his colleague, he meets a woman reading a book called The Satsuma Complex. When his colleague goes missing the next day, Gary decides to track down the woman he has dubbed Satsuma. There’s a lot in this book, from murder to romance, and it’s all delivered with the dry British humour the comedian is known for. It’s quirky, filled with plot twists, and works perfectly as an entertaining escapade. I read it almost entirely in a Customs queue at the airport, and if that isn’t the perfect endorsement for an easy read, I don’t know what is.
For me, the most important part of a book of this type is that it has to be a page-turner, and this novel has all the makings of the perfect murder mystery that can be read in one session. There’s something instantly appealing about a locked-island mystery: the limited pool of suspects, knowing that the murderer is among them, all make for a thrilling read and an excellent palate cleanser. It follows the wedding of Jules and Will, who travel with their wedding party to a remote island off the coast of Ireland. I love thrillers where the victim is as much of a mystery as the murderer, and this book offers an excellent alternative to longer, more complex thrillers, making it the perfect easy mystery.
The Dog’s Bollocks by Lynda Renham
This is the quintessential guilty pleasure book, as the title suggests. It’s a romantic comedy with more emphasis on the comedy, and it definitely provides the laughs. It takes the age-old plot of a woman agreeing to pose as the fiancée of a wealthy man, sparking a whirlwind of chaos and hilarity. Complete with a debt-riddled boyfriend, an East End gangster, and an attractive doctor (it is still a romantic comedy after all), it’s a cocktail of misunderstandings and drama, narrated by a very stressed-out, very broke laundrette worker. This book is light-hearted and witty, and the perfect read for when you need a bit of silliness.
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
While described as a romcom meeting a murder mystery, this book has all the makings of an excellent soap opera. Meddy, a photographer for her family’s up-and-coming wedding business, is set up on a blind date by her mother. However, when her date ends up dead, Meddy and her hoard of eccentric aunts are left to dispose of the body. What ensues is chaos, as the family business has its biggest wedding to date in the morning, leaving them no time to hide the body. It’s fast-paced, hilarious, and gloriously over-the-top. Drawing on the author’s Indo-Chinese heritage, the family dynamics are heartfelt and witty, and the titular aunties steal the show with their endearing combination of being both overbearing and sarcastic.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Despite what the title suggests, this non-fiction book is both fascinating and hilarious. It details the history of the human cadaver, from Ancient Egyptian death rituals to early medicine’s learning of human anatomy. It may sound like a macabre subject, but Roach’s sharp wit and irreverent tone make it not only informative but darkly funny. It’s extremely readable: a rare feat for a topic this taboo, and that’s why it’s my non-fiction recommendation for this week.
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