CONTEMPORARY By Sara Lawrence for the Daily Mail Published: 17:38 EDT, 17 August 2023 | Updated: 17:38 EDT, 17 August 2023 e-mail View comments CONTEMPORARY SEEING OTHER PEOPLE This funny, clever and addictive novel set in Sydney stars sisters Eleanor and Charlie by Diana Reid (Ultimo Press £16.99, 304pp) This funny, clever and addictive novel set in Sydney stars sisters Eleanor and Charlie as the world emerges from the Covid lockdowns. Methodical, reserved Eleanor is a business analyst, while creative, impulsive Charlie is an actress. Despite their vast differences, they have always been each other's fiercest supporter. When they both fall in love with the same magnetic woman, theatre director Helen, they are forced to think seriously about their sisterhood for the first time. It quickly becomes apparent that, no matter how close or self-aware they are, the feelings thrown up by this current love triangle cannot be contained. As the narrative proceeds, their bond is stretched almost to breaking point. It's beautifully written and particularly wonderful on complicated family dynamics, love, desire and loyalty. I was hooked from the start and raced through to the end. Kim is an Australian living in Berlin who wants to write a novel. However, she’s not sure she’s very good at writing SAD GIRL NOVEL by Pip Finkemeyer (Hodder & Stoughton £18.99, 320pp) Kim is an Australian living in Berlin who wants to write a novel. However, she's not sure she's very good at writing and spends more time thinking about it than doing it, despite having taken a year off from work to focus on her creative dream. When she meets hotshot literary agent Matthew, she uses her obsession with him to fuel her ambition, but still can't seem to find her purpose or get any words down on paper. Full of neuroses already, the more she invests in her fantasies about this emotionally unavailable, handsome man, the crazier and more worthless she feels. Kim leans on her best friend Bel, who's just had a baby with an anonymous sperm donor, and her therapist, Debbie, who doesn't seem very professional and with whom she has endless imaginary conversations. The twisty, interior-focussed narrative mimics the roller-coaster experiences of a twenty-something trying to find out who she is and what she wants. Brilliant. After a bad fall in which she fractured her hip, Tessa's son insists she either sells up or gets someone in to help around the house THE LODGERS by Eithne Shortall (Corvus £14.99, 464pp) After a bad fall in which she fractured her hip, Tessa's son insists she either sells up or gets someone in to help around the house. Tessa is approaching 70, but refuses to leave her beloved but rambling home. As a compromise, she agrees to take in two lodgers. Prickly Conn is grieving and also hiding a secret, which means he goes out every night but refuses to say where. Chloe turns up to deliver a parcel and ends up being offered a room. She's running away from home and her mother, but keeps the reasons why to herself. Chloe and Conn dislike each other intensely, but relations improve when the housemates band together in an attempt to save the community centre. Tessa has worked there for years and there's no way she's going to give in without a fight. Heart-warming. Share or comment on this article: CONTEMPORARY e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . Submit Comment Clear Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. No Yes Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy . More top stories