Book news, reviews and recommendations
It’s almost longlist time for the Women’s Prize for Fiction although it hardly seems five minutes since the last one. Wednesday March 4th is the date to add your diary. Only novels written by women in English published between April 1st, 2025, and March 31st, 2026, qualify. I’ve followed the same format as previous years, […]
My Women’s Prize for Fiction 2026 Wish List Read More »
I read Jenny Mustard’s debut, Okay Days, back in 2023. Unflashy, perceptive and absorbing, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable novel which made me happy to put up my hand when What a Time to be Alive popped up on NetGalley. A coming-of-age story, it follows Sickan who’s changed her name from Siv hoping to reinvent herself
What a Time to Be Alive by Jenny Mustard: A quietly accomplished, coming-of-age novel Read More »
There’s a coming-of-age theme running through the first few titles in April’s second fiction preview beginning with Seán Hewitt’s Open, Heaven which sees a deep bond form between two teenage boys. James is eager to begin his life away from the expectations of his family and the small village in which he lives. Luke has
Books to Look Out For in April 2025: Part Two Read More »
June’s turned out to be an excellent month for paperback goodies: two favourites from last year in the first instalment, followed by two in this one which only failed to make it on to my books of the year list for fear of trying readers’ patience at its length. Jenny Mustard’s Okay Days follows Sam
Paperbacks to Look Out For in June 2024: Part Two 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 »
I was looking for something undemanding when I spotted Jenny Mustard’s debut, praised to the skies by Rowan Hisayo Buchannan whose fiction I’ve very much enjoyed. That lowkey but attractive cover also swayed me a little. Okay Days follows Sam and Lucas, both in their late twenties, over a year beginning at the party at
Okay Days by Jenny Mustard: ‘Would you like to dance?’ Read More »
This second instalment of July’s new fiction has more chunksters than usual beginning with one I wasn’t sure I’d read. Despite feeling somewhat disappointed by Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again, Yes I put my hand up for The Half Moon mostly because of that cover. Set in a small New York town, it follows the
Books to Look Out For Out for in July 2023: Part Two Read More »