The Mess We’re In by Annie Macmanus
It's the turn of the millennium and, landing in London with nothing but her CD collection and demo tape, Orla Quinn moves into a squalid Kilburn house with her best mate and a band called Shiva.
Orla wants to make music, but juggling two jobs and partying every night isn't helping. Back in Ireland her parents' marriage has crumbled, she's not speaking to her father, and her mother and sister are drinking too much.
This immersive tale of music, messiness, and coming-of-age, perfectly captures post millennium London’s overwhelming rhythm and heart with irresistible momentum.
