Book news, reviews and recommendations
A disappointing October paperback preview, just enough to fill one post beginning with the latest from an author whose previous novel was a surprise hit for me. I enjoyed Hiroko Oyamada’s Weasels in the Attic ending my review saying that I was keen to explore more of her writing. Originally published in Japan in 2013, […]
Paperbacks to Look Out For in October 2024 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 »
Much of October was taken up with a rail jaunt around Central Europe, our first since covid struck. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Such an interesting part of the world; definitely worth exploring further. Despite less reading time than usual, two books stand out, the first of which is Jhumpa Lahiri’s exquisite short story collection Roman
Books of Year 2023: Part Four Read More »
I loved Bryan Washington’s Lot and Memorial, both written with empathy and a wonderful fluency which made Family Meal a dead cert for me. While Lot was particularly striking in its evocation of Houston, Memorial’s loving descriptions of food and cooking stood out vividly. Unsurprisingly, there’s more of that in Family Meal which sees Cam
Family Meal by Bryan Washington: ‘Love is a tangible thing’ Read More »
Eye-catching titles are thin on the ground for October although there are two strikingly good books and a few more for which I have high hopes. I’m not sure about Sandra Newman’s Julia which comes billed as a feminist reworking of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, a bold, confident idea likely to meet with a degree
Books to Look Out For in October 2023 Read More »