Book news, reviews and recommendations
I’ve read all the titles in this first instalment of March paperbacks beginning with a 2024 favourite: Carys Davies’s Clear, set in 1843. Having impoverished himself and his wife by resigning his living to become a minister in the newly formed Free Church of Scotland, John Ferguson reluctantly accepts a lucrative offer preparing the clearance […]
Paperbacks to Look Out For in March 2025: Part One Read More »
Last year I managed to keep my books of the year to a mere twenty and felt very pleased with myself. This year, much to my surprise, I’ve done the same. Perhaps I’ve finally learnt some self-restraint. As with previous years, I have four posts planned, each roughly equivalent to a calendar quarter. Set in
Books of the Year 2024: Part One Read More »
Not my favourite prize but I can’t resist putting together a wish list for the Booker, perhaps because I know very few will be fulfilled but I’m keen to give some more neglected titles an airing. To be eligible for the prize all books must be published in the UK between 1st October 2023 and
My 2024 Booker Wish List Read More »
It’s been well over three years since The Mission House was published, perhaps an indication of the care and attention paid in writing Carys Davies’ latest brief, vivid novella. Clear is set in 1843 against the backdrop of two massive upheavals in Scottish history: the continuing, brutal clearance of its estates by voraciously greedy landlords
Clear by Carys Davies: A love story Read More »
It’s Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist time again. Tuesday, 5th March is the date to add your diary should you be as keen on this particular prize as I am. Only novels written by women in English published between April 1st 2023 and March 31st 2024 qualify. I’m not in the business of predictions –
My Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 Wish List Read More »
Part two of March’s preview begins with a novel I hope to see on a multitude of awards lists. Carys Davies’ Clear is set in 1843 against the backdrop of two massive upheavals in Scottish history: the continuing, brutal clearance of its estates by voraciously greedy landlords and the formation of the Free Church of
Books to Look Out For in March 2024: Part Two Read More »
A multitude of paperback goodies to look out for this June, several of which fell foul of the pandemic-induced schedule changes that have bedevilled both authors and publishers for well over a year, including the paperback edition of Emma Forrest’s Royals delayed since June 2020. Forrest’s novel is about a working-class Jewish boy drawn into
Paperbacks to Look Out For in June 2021: Part One Read More »
Carys Davies’ name will be known to many readers, I’m sure. Her elegantly slim debut, West, was much acclaimed when it was published in 2018. The story of a man so obsessed by reports of ancient bones found in a Kentucky swamp that he leaves his young daughter to fend for herself, it’s very different
The Mission House by Carys Davies: ‘Both strange and familiar’ 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 »
I’m delighted to tell you that whereas there were just a few brand spanking new titles that took my fancy for April, it’s choc-a-bloc with tasty-looking paperbacks most of which I’ve yet to read. I’ll begin with one that I have: David Chariandy’s Brother, an eloquent story of grief and loss set against a backdrop
Paperbacks to Look Out for in April 2019: Part One Read More »