Reading Matters (week 049) 02 December 2025

When a pet dies, many of us are inconsolable. No wonder, writes trends analyst, author and futurist Dion Chang in A Pawfect Life (Macmillan) for we have lost a family member. Our dogs and cats are a continual presence in our lives, for they don’t go to work, school, shopping, restaurants etc; they greet us with joy, cuddle up when we’re down, don’t judge us.

Dion, now a death doula specialising in pet bereavement, writes about declining birth rates, fur babies, an exploding international pet goodies and services industry. In some countries prams for pets outsell those for human babies. Delightful, insightful, necessary.

Who’d have thought there’s an art to spending money? Morgan Housel, who’s sold eight million copies of his, The Psychology of Money asks if money can buy happiness in The Art of Spending Money (PRH/Harriman House). He answers with a resounding yes and proceeds to write about simple choices for a richer life.

He even has an intriguing chapter, How to be Miserable Spending your Money. Fascinating.

Harlan Coben one of my favourite authors, has joined forces with Reese Witherspoon, actress, author, producer, in Gone Before Goodbye (PRH). Maggie, a renowned army combat surgeon has lost nearly everything in life when she’s invited to operate on a wealthy, mysterious man.

Only someone with her skills can do it. She accepts with unimaginable consequences. Thrilling.

Reading Matters with Sue Grant-Marshall