Book news, reviews and recommendations
This is a first for me: a two-part what-I-did-on-my holidays piece. Our city and lakeside stays were so different I couldn’t fit them comfortably into one post, at least, that’s my excuse We’d booked a holiday in Italy just a few weeks before Covid knocked the world for six in February 2020, finally making it […]
Seven days in the Italian Lakes, Four Days in Milan and Four Books: Part One Read More »
I wasn’t at all sure I’d read Michael Arditti’s The Young Pretender but when I tweeted its arrival several people including Linda Grant and Amanda Craig sang its praises to the skies which persuaded me to give it a try and I’m glad they did. Subtitled ‘The Dramatic Return of Master Betty’, Arditti’s novella is
The Young Pretender by Michael Arditti: ‘I shall surely die if I may not be a player’ Read More »
Whereas I’d read all the books in the first part of May’s paperback preview, I’ve only managed two in the second, starting with Joan Silber’s Secrets of Happiness which begins with the sudden revelation of the second family of an apparently happily married man. Ethan and Allyson took their parents’ happiness for granted until the
Paperbacks to Look Out For in May 2022: Part Two Read More »
I’m always pleased when a book’s title and cover suit it as well as Chloë Ashby’s do for Wet Paint. Both were what made me put up my hand for a proof, intrigued by that title, which turns out to be a neat metaphor, and the jacket which suits its narrator perfectly. Ashby’s debut is
Wet Paint by Chloë Ashby: ‘I’m fine’ Read More »
A year ago I reviewed Louise Kennedy’s The End of the World is a Cul de Sac which taxed my usual picking of favourites short story review tactic because, without exception, they were all excellent. I was delighted, then, when her first novel, Trespasses, popped through my letter box. Set in early ‘70s County Down
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy: The personal and the political Read More »
With the exception of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, I’m not such an avid follower of literary prizes as I once was although I can’t seem to resist speculating about the Booker. That said, this year’s shortlist is making me think I need to keep an eye on the Rathbones Folio Prize, two titles from
Paperbacks to Look Out For in May 2022: Part One Read More »
It was its cover that attracted me to Ellen Hawley’s Other People Manage. A bit Anne Tylerish, I thought, suggesting a novel about the ordinary everyday with a cast of characters you might recognise and a good dollop of insight. I wasn’t far wrong but there’s also a story behind Hawley’s book, sent unsolicited to
Other People Manage by Ellen Hawley: Finding a way to carry on Read More »
It’s unlikely that readers won’t already know about Booker Prize-winning Douglas Stuart’s new novel. Young Mungo has been all over my Twitter timeline for months. Despite the usual reservations about second novels, I was champing at the bit for a copy then circled around it in the same way I did with Shuggie Bain, suspecting
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart: ‘He had so little to fear now’ Read More »
Back in 2018, I was sent a beautifully jacketed novella with an interesting premise. The press release included a puff from Jon McGregor which swung it for me. Its pared back, evocative description of the Spanish landscape and fable like story landed Luis Carrasco’s El Hacho on my books of the year list. His second
Ghosts of Spring by Luis Carrasco: Homelessness and hope Read More »
I’d not been to Manchester since I can’t remember when but I do recall going to a Rock Against Racism gig there which tells British readers of a certain age something. It was soon clear that the derelict, grimy city of those days had been replaced by a prosperous shiny updated version, at least in
Four Days in Manchester and Half a Book Read More »
Back from Manchester (more of which next week) with a rare thing for me: a review of a book whose author approached me directly. I tend to politely turn these down to avoid any disappointment or awkwardness but I liked the sound of Clare O’Dea’s Voting Day which follows four women over the course of
Voting Day by Clare O’Dea: The importance of having your say Read More »