Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

When you leave Ireland aged 22 to spend your parents' money, it's called a gap year. When Ava leaves Ireland aged 22 to make her own money, she's not sure what to call it, but it involves:

• A badly-paid job in Hong Kong, teaching English grammar to rich children;
• Julian, who likes to spend money on Ava and lets her move into his guest room;
• Edith, who Ava meets while Julian is out of town and actually listens to her when she talks;
• Money, love, cynicism, unspoken feelings and unlikely connections.

Exciting times ensue.

Our favourite quote: 'I wanted to explain that to Edith: that holding Julian's hand was like holding a museum pass, and holding hers was like holding a grenade.'

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