Book news, reviews and recommendations
Another year, another Booker Prize longlist in the offing although this year has been far from normal both in the book world and beyond with titles bouncing around the publishing schedules like tennis balls thanks to the pandemic. I’d half expected a postponement of the longlist announcement but the Booker brigade seem to be sticking […]
My 2020 Booker Wish List Read More »
I’m beginning the first all-American instalment of August’s two-parter paperback preview with a book that was a standout for me in 2019. Bryan Washington’s Lot comes billed as a collection of short stories – some snapshots, others much longer – but for me it read like a fragmentary novella. Through it runs the story of
Paperbacks to Look Out for in August 2020: Part One Read More »
The first batch of August’s new titles began with a book by a favourite author of mine as does this second, although I got off to a slow start with his writing. After being a wee bit underwhelmed by Donal Ryan’s The Thing About December, I loved From a Low and Quiet Sea and All
Books to Look Out for in August 2020: Part Two Read More »
Publishing schedules are beginning to look much more tempting now that the worst of the pandemic-related slippage has worked its way through, at least let’s hope so. I like to kick off proceedings with a title that made my heart sing when I spotted it and this time it’s Sarah Moss’ Summerwater. From Names for
Books to Look Out for in August 2020: Part One Read More »
This second instalment of July paperbacks is a bit of a mixed bunch, two of which I’ve already read although I’ll begin with one that I haven’t. Anne Catherine Bomann’s Agatha sees a 71-year-old psychiatrist with no family or friends eagerly anticipating retirement when a young German woman walks into his clinic and demands an
Paperbacks to Look Out For in July 2020: Part Two Read More »
July’s paperback publishing schedules are looking a little more tempting than previous few months’ did, so depleted by cuts and postponements. I’m relieved not to be a magazine reviews editor these days, suddenly faced with all that white space opening up. They, along with publicists, must have been tearing their hair out. This month, I’m
Paperbacks to Look Out For in July 2020: Part One Read More »
Unlike the first, this second instalment of July’s preview begins with a book by a lesser known author, Robbie Arnott’s The Rain Heron, which I’ve already read. Set some time after a military coup against the backdrop of a world beset by weather extremes, Arnott’s beautifully expressed novel explores themes of love, redemption and hope
Books to Look Out For in July 2020: Part Two Read More »
Several titles are having their second outing here thanks to pandemic-related postponements, but not the book I’m most eagerly anticipating which was originally to be published in May. I remember rattling through Curtis Sittenfeld’s riveting fictionalised biography of Laura Bush, American Wife, one holiday in North Norfolk over a decade ago. I was delighted, then,
Books to Look Out For in July 2020: Part One Read More »
June’s paperback publishing schedules are in a rather sorry state, thanks to the cuts and postponements brought about by Covid-19. I’m left with just four in my sights, the first of which I’ve already read. Emma Forrest’s Royals is about a working-class Jewish boy drawn into the orbit of a poor little rich girl, set
Paperbacks to Look Out For in June 2020 Read More »
June is usually the month when publishers present us with a plethora of summer reading designed to keep us entertained by the pool, although there’s not much chance of that this year unless you have your own. Not my kind of novel, on the whole, but Rebecca Kauffman’s The House on Fripp Island might be
Books to Look Out For in June 2020 Read More »
Just as May’s new title schedules suffered a wave of cuts and postponements so, too, have its paperback publications. I’ve read only one of those that have survived the chop, some of which look more enticing than others. I’ll begin with Dominic Smith’s The Electric Hotel which takes its readers to Paris, New Jersey and
Paperbacks to Look Out For in May 2020 Read More »