Book news, reviews and recommendations
May’s second preview begins with the first standalone novel in some time from an author whose series are beloved by many. Spanning several years either side of the 2024 presidential election, Elizabeth Strout’s The Things We Never Say follows a high school history teacher, a favourite of both students and staff. Apparently happily married to […]
Books to Look Out For in May 2026: Part Two Read More »
I reviewed Ben Lerner’s novella 10:04 here over a decade ago, commenting on its many-layered interconnections, impossible to encapsulate in a short post. Since then, I’ve read Leaving the Atocha Station which brought him a great deal of acclaim although, for me, it didn’t match 10.04. Divided into three parts, Transcription is another brief novel
Transcription by Ben Lerner: A characteristically discursive novella Read More »
Neil Tully’s The Visit is the first book I’ve read published by Bonnier Books’s Dublin-based imprint, Eriu. Given that it was launched in 2022, I’ve no idea how I’ve managed to overlook it but I’m looking forward to exploring more of its output if Tully’s debut is a typical sample. Set in in June 1963,
The Visit by Neil Tully: ‘Brilliant and intriguing’ Read More »
Lots of new fiction to look out for in May including several by favourite authors beginning with Claire Fuller’s Hunger and Thirst which follows a group of young people who come together in the ‘80s. Sixteen-year-old Ursula’s social worker finds her a job in the post room of an art college where she meets Sue
Books to Look Out For in May 2026: Part One Read More »
Six Degrees of Separation is a meme hosted by Kate over at Books Are My Favourite and Best. It works like this: each month a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six others to form a chain. A book doesn’t need to be connected to all the titles on the list,
This is the latest in a series of occasional posts featuring books I read years ago about which I was wildly enthusiastic at the time, wanting to press a copy in as many hands as I could. I read Julie Orringer’s The Invisible Bridge after travelling a little in central and eastern Europe, falling in
Blasts from the Past: The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer (2010) Read More »
I was doubtful about the premise of Kenan Orhan’s The Renovation but sufficiently intrigued to give it a try. Dilara has commissioned some work on her ensuite bathroom now that her father has moved in with her and her husband. Her builders have been fiercely protective of their work, not allowing her to view it
The Renovation by Kenan Orhan: Exile and memory Read More »
I’m a great fan of Irish writing but it seems to me that Irish women, in particular, have been excelling themselves over the past few years. Here are five favourites each with a link to a review on this blog. I’m sure there’ll be more to follow. Sheila Armstrong’s first novel, Falling Animals, lived up
Five Novels by Irish Women I’ve Read Read More »
Unsurprisingly, I jumped at the chance to review Colm Tóibín’s The News from Dublin when it was offered particularly as it’s published in Cathy’s Reading Ireland Month over at 746 Books. The nine stories comprising the collection range from Ireland to Argentina, Spain to Texas, spanning the early twentieth century to the present day. As
The News from Dublin by Colm Toibin: No duds here Read More »
Eliana Ramage’s debut, To the Moon and Back, is quite a doorstopper but I was looking for some thing to take my mind off the state of the world so quit my dithering and jumped in. It follows Steph who becomes fixated on becoming an astronaut as a young child, determined to become the first
To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage: Knowing who you are Read More »
I’ve read just two from this second April paperback instalment beginning with Megan Hunter’s Days of Light which tells the story of Ivy, the daughter of a bohemian family, through six pivotal days in her life beginning with Easter Sunday in 1938 which ends in tragedy. At a funeral, two weeks later she finds solace
Paperbacks to Look Out For in April 2026: Part Two Read More »