Audition by Katie Kumara

Audition My Rating: 4.6

Two people meet for lunch in a Manhattan restaurant. She’s an accomplished actress in rehearsals for an upcoming premiere. He’s attractive, troubling, young - young enough to be her son. Who is he to her? And perhaps more intriguingly, who is she to him? 

Told in two distinct parts, Audition unfolds through competing narratives that quietly - and then completely - rewrite your understanding of what you’ve just read. Each section is brilliant on its own, but together they create something even more powerful: a shifting, disorienting exploration of identity and perception.

The novel examines the roles we inhabit every day - partner, parent, creator, muse - and how convincingly we perform them. It asks how much of what we present is truth, and how much is carefully constructed… even to those who believe they know us most intimately.

There’s an undeniable theatrical quality throughout. At times, it feels less like reading a novel and more like watching a screenplay unfold - precise, layered, and quietly unsettling. And that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. 

This is the third book that I have read by Kitamura - all of which were quiet and lyrical so, if you are prepared for nothing to really 'happen' and simply let things unfold, you will enjoy this. I will definitely read more by her.

The McCartney Legacy by Allan Kozinn & Adrian Sinclair

The McCartney Legacy My Rating: 2.0

This book covers Paul McCartney’s life from 1969 to 1973, the years immediately following the breakup of the Beatles - a time when he was reinventing himself both personally and musically. Drawing from hundreds of interviews, extensive research, and previously unseen documents, it offers a detailed look into McCartney’s creative process and personal life after the Beatles.

This was a difficult book to rate. On one hand, by the end, I felt like I truly understood Paul. The portrayal felt balanced, sharing both the strengths and struggles of Paul, Linda, and their life together.

On the other hand, the level of detail - especially around the technical aspects of recording music - became overwhelming. The constant breakdown of how tracks were constructed felt tedious, particularly if you’re not musically inclined. At over 29 hours for the audiobook (and only Part 1), it was a bit much. I don’t think I’ll be continuing on to Part 2.