Welcome to damppebbles and to the resurrection of #R3COMM3ND3D2018!  If you’re new to the blog then let me explain what #R3COMM3ND3D is all about.  If you could pick three absolutely brilliant, must-read books to recommend to others, what would they be? Any genre, any author, traditionally, indie or self-published.  The only catch is they must have been published in 2018.

#R3COMM3ND3D2018 is where I invite bookish types to share three books they love published in 2018.  The series normally runs from 1st November to the end of December but I was unfortunately quite poorly last year so it kind of dwindled out (sorry guys).  But it’s back and in a slightly different format.  My plan (and don’t hold me to this because I am TERRIBLE at hosting regular features on the blog – you’re looking at the proof!) is to post a #R3COMM3ND3D2018 every Monday and Friday for the next 17 weeks which should take us to October.  Just in time to start #R3COMM3ND3D2019 on Friday 1st November – yay!  I’ll get the form ready over the next few days in case anyone is brave enough to pick their three now…

Today I am delighted to welcome the ever so lovely Mary Picken of Live and Deadly to share her three #R3COMM3ND3D2018 choices.  If you’ve not visited Mary’s blog yet then you must, it’s one of my favourites.

Without further ado, here are Mary’s choices…

Putney by Sofka Zinovieff
A beautifully constructed, wholly engrossing, thought-provoking, uncomfortable read.
https://liveanddeadly.net/2018/07/13/putney-by-sofka-zinovieff-sofkazinovieff-philippacotton-bloomsburybooks-putney-bookreview/

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
Intense, propulsive, shocking and teetering throughout on the verge of violence, this is a book that stirred all my emotions as the suspense mounted and the story took on a life of its own.
https://liveanddeadly.net/2018/06/04/us-against-you-by-fredrik-backman-backmanland-michaeljbooks-gabyyoung-usagainstyou/

The Lion Tamer Who Lost by Louise Beech
Moving, honest, heartbreakingly tender, a stand out read.
https://liveanddeadly.net/2018/09/01/the-lion-tamer-who-lost-by-louise-beech-louisewriter-orendabooks-giveaway-theliontamerwholost/

Excellent choices, Mary.  I need to check back through the #R3COMM3ND3D2018 files but I think this is the second or third time The Lion Tamer Who Lost has been selected.

If Mary has managed to tempt you, or if you would like to find out more information about the books she recommends, please see the following links:

| Putney by Sofka Zinovieff | Us Against You by Fredrik Backman | The Lion Tamer Who Lost by Louise Beech |

About Mary:
Book blogger, comms professional and addicted Festival attendee.

Mary’s Social Media Links:
| Live and Deadly | Facebook | Twitter @bethsy | Instagram |

Look out for the #R3COMM3ND3D2019 sign up sheet coming your way soon. If you’re a book blogger, author or you work in publishing then I would love to hear from you!