Book news, reviews and recommendations
When I first discovered Elizabeth Strout’s writing, the UK editions of her books came with off-putting, wish-washy covers. Fortunately, they were reissued by another publisher with much more appropriate jackets and Strout became a household literary name. Four of the following five are also by American writers, several likely much better known in the US […]
Five Novels by Underrated Writers I’ve Read Read More »
I’m fortunate to be in a long and happy relationship which is perhaps why I’m drawn to novels about couples who’re are still together after many years. The novels below explore five long relationships, some similar, others very different, all but one with links to a full review. Set in Morecambe, Cath Barton’s In the
Five Books About Long Relationships I’ve Read Read More »
There’s a ‘war and its consequences’ theme running through the first half of June’s second instalment of paperbacks but don’t let that put you off: all four books made it on to my books of 2020 list, beginning with Lisa Evans’ V for Victory which catches up with Vee and Noel, names familiar to readers
Paperbacks to Look Out For in June 2021: Part Two Read More »
Hard as it may seem to credit, it’s already nearly time for the announcement of The Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist: Wednesday, 10th March is the date to add to your jam-packed diary. Only novels written by women in English published between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021 qualify. Over the past few years
My Wishlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 Read More »
The last quarter of the year brought both increasing hopes of a vaccine to liberate us all from Covid’s grip plus the somewhat nervous excitement of an American presidential election together with six more bookish delights for me. September proved to be my best reading month with three treats all from authors whose previous novels
Books of the Year 2020: Part Four Read More »
I’ve long been a fan of Sue Miller’s intelligent, perceptive fiction and was delighted to see a new title from her in the publishing schedules. It seems ages since I reviewed The Arsonist, her last novel. Like all her books, Monogamy inhabits that territory sometimes dubbed ‘women’s fiction’ which seems a shame to me as
Monogamy by Sue Miller: Taking the long view Read More »
Just a one-part new title preview for September despite it being jam-packed with pandemic-postponed books. I’m beginning with one originally slated for much earlier in the year, Megan Hunter’s The Harpy, which I’ve already read. This brief novella is about a couple in the aftermath of infidelity, narrated from the perspective of Lucy whose husband
Books to Look Out for in September 2020 Read More »