Little Nothings, by Julie Mayhew

This gripping thriller had me hooked from the first few pages… If you’re looking for a happy book about the joys of female friendship and motherhood, then step away from this book!

Little Nothings is told from Liv’s viewpoint and tells the tale of Liv and her close friends, Beth and Binnie. This book is loaded with drama and tension, and it explores the different personality traits of the characters over the perfect summer holiday, with flashbacks to help build a real history of each relationship. We switch between a life changing trip to the idyllic Greek Isles, and how these group of friends came together…

The three ladies began their friendship whilst attending a baby and toddler group and bonded over a feeling of not belonging within the cliques of their group. Alongside their children and partners, these women form a tight friendship, riding the waves of the ups and downs of life together. 

Then, along comes Ange: a competitive, wealthy, and fascinating character who completely takes over as Queen Bee and really shakes the group up! Ange appears to have it all, yet somehow seems very insecure. As Beth and Binnie fight to keep up with Ange and her aspirations - like bigger houses, better restaurants, and expensive wardrobes - Liv is gradually edged out, unable to keep up with expensive habits. 

As we continue to follow the group’s holiday, orchestrated by Ange, we start to see just how true the saying ‘keep your friends close & your enemies closer’ can be.

I felt I could really relate to all of these women but Liv especially. She is very complex and has always struggled with making friends, but she feels ever so ‘normal’ to me as a reader and always says what a lot of us are thinking! Beth and Binnie, however, are more happy-go-lucky, and very likeable. I felt very sorry for Liv at times, and it was hard to read, but I couldn’t help but fly through this book!

Thrillers aren’t the normal genre I would pick; however, this story was intriguing, thought provoking, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only regret is that I wish I hadn’t raced to the end of the book. The ending was underwhelming and felt slightly rushed after all of the suspense and drama that continues to build throughout the book. Little Nothings is an ideal summer read but I imagine it would be just as enjoyable in the winter months, dreaming of the summer sun in Corfu.

Julie Mayhew has written several other books, plays, and TV dramas, and I will certainly be looking forward to trying another one.

- Kate @kate.silverton / @the.lockdown.mumma

Hardback, £14.99

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The Paper Palace, by Miranda Cowley Heller

This is such a beautiful book; a remarkable debut by Miranda Cowley Heller. It tells the story of Elle Bishop and the many secrets she has been forced to keep throughout her life.

The novel is set in Cape Cod, where the Paper Palace is found. The Paper Palace is in fact, a group of ramshackle buildings, built decades earlier by Elle's grandfather. It is so named as the walls are covered in paper.  It is a place that Elle and her family escape to each year; a sanctuary that offers beauty, peace, and tranquillity to Elle. It serves as her retreat from the deepest, darkest secrets she keeps.

I was immediately drawn into the plot line. I wanted to know more about Elle, whose turbulent life history will unfold before our very eyes over 24 hours and fifty years. We meet Elle as a child, a teen and as an adult, and slowly, Miranda Heller's exquisite writing uncovers a story of a troubled family, peeling back the layers, revealing devastating and dark secrets. 

When we first meet Elle, she rises early one morning to take a swim in the pond, upon which the Paper Palace sits. She has done this swim many times before, both alone and with family and friends. But this morning she's preoccupied. As Elle dives into the water, she is recalling the events of the night before - her passionate encounter with Jonas, her oldest friend and confidant, even though her husband Peter and family were just inside. 

The author takes us on an amazing journey through time, contrasting the present day with memories of the past, and the love that exists between childhood friends, Elle and Jonas.  Spanning decades, this book takes us all the way back to Elle’s grandmother, her troubled relationships, and the impact it had upon Elle's mother, and how she consequently parented her daughters, Elle and Anna.

The book is simply brilliant. The writing is extraordinary, demonstrating a quiet authority and power, which completely penetrated my soul.  It elegantly builds a picture of Elle’s life, and allows us to completely understand her. I can't recall a character that as compelling; one I felt I got to know.

This book is definitely amongst the best I have read so far this year.  It is stunning, and will appeal to those who enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing.  Dive right in and you'll be mesmerised by the spell this book casts.  It is a masterpiece.

- Milly

Paperback, £8.99. Find it in the Fiction section.

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Acts of Service, by Lilian Fishman

 Acts of Service is a novel set in Brooklyn, New York, centring around Eve, a New Yorker in her twenties who is finding her own sense of sexual freedom and queer identity. This was a fascinating book, exploring a variety of somewhat philosophical themes, from sexual identity and exploration to the ideas surrounding personal freedom. Amid a landscape of polyamory, Fishman unpicks the intricacies of sexuality and the interplay of power and dominance – does one need to be dominant to feel powerful? 

Being on the autistic spectrum myself, I find human sexual behaviour both foreign and intriguing. Hence the decision to pick up this book – a unique genre/ topic to me. I did enjoy the book, as my interest was sustained by the slightly unusual narrative style where the story unfolds within a very small geographical space, namely a few bedrooms and coffee shops. Yet Fishman purposefully uses this set-up to create room for the human physical intimacies to inspire the very story itself. Thus, reinforcing the power of body language as a powerful method of communication.

A further question Fishman explores is the definition of love. Juxtaposing romantic love and its accompanying emotions, many of which we may see in the public sphere, with intimate love, a more private affair, where hidden desires and sexual fires are unearthed, along with emotions of passion, desire, and lust. Fishman prompts the reader to consider if both romance and intimacy can be considered under this umbrella of love. 

By featuring such weighty topics, Fishman creates a subtly philosophical landscape, using the central characters of Eve, Nathan and Olivia as a vehicle from which to consider wider ideas such as dual identity and the varying personas people portray within public and personal spaces. As someone who finds vulnerability and human behaviour challenging, it was even more interesting to read about how the trio of main characters each deciphered their partners’ attitudes and level of confidence through the feeling of their body. 

My one criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed and disconnected to the main story line. I felt Fishman was trying to increase the tempo near the end by including a slight plot twist and subversion of expectations, yet I don’t feel she fully integrated this into the prior storyline, resulting in a slightly disjointed ending. Regardless, this was certainly not a regrettable read, since it is important to bring to light the topic of vulnerability, as I believe it is a gift to find someone with whom you can feel free with and take down all personal defences. This may be easier said than done, but not out of the realm of possibility…

- Scarlett

Paperback, £13.99.

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Not Exactly What I Had in Mind, by Kate Brook

When reading this book, you will get to know Hazel, a hugely relatable character for anyone single in their 30s. Her story will have you laughing with her; wanting to hug her and, at some points, wanting to scream at her that she can’t see what is right there in front of her! But most of all, due to the beautiful way that Kate Brook has portrayed her lead character, you will find yourself just wanting to meet Hazel for a coffee and talk days away like she’s your best friend.

Along with Hazel, you meet one of her housemates, Alfie, and Hazel’s sister and her wife. This delightful blend of characters are all on their own journeys, and it’s fascinating to see them intertwine throughout the story. Between the four of them they manage to navigate themselves into and out of situations that are portrayed by the author very gently and honestly, exposing some of the challenges of modern relationships, as well as the sheer joy that can be found in them!

While reading this book, I thought I knew where the story was heading, but as soon as I settled into the ebb and flow of it all, along came a plot twist to head it in a different direction (‘well... that wasn’t what I had in mind’ ... I kept saying to myself!)

Some quite challenging subjects are taken on in this book: sexuality, fertility issues, abusive relationships, modern family set ups, and the financial burden that is adulthood. Each of these topics is addressed in a very real, honest, and careful way, sprinkling over them the right amount of humour to capture the journey of the characters in a way that you can’t help but love them. 

The blurb on the back of the book says it is ‘painfully relatable’ and I can’t tell you how true this is. It is a real eyeopener to adulthood in 2022 and I think I would struggle to find anyone in their 20s, 30s, or 40s who couldn’t relate to an element in this book.

I absolutely devoured this book in a matter of days, and I have now begun the grieving process that you go through when you read a great book and you start to miss it. Missing the characters, wishing the story was real, and wanting to read it all over again just so you can remain in Hazel’s world for a little bit longer.  

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

- Nicola

Hardback, £14.99. Find it in the fiction section or order here!

Ordinary Monsters, by JM Miro

Ordinary Monsters by JM Miro was an intense however extremely enjoyable read with a whopping total 672 pages, holding a gripping and very well written story line. 

This is a new series about a group of children called Talents who are different and out of the ordinary when it comes to the rest of the world. The first book specifically follows two young boys: Marlowe and Charlie, and their journey to the Cairndale Institute. Here, a corrupt older Talent, Henry Berghast looks after and helps train younger Talents from across the world. However, not all is as it seems when it comes to Marlowe’s talent, and Henry has a big secret he is trying to protect. 

Throughout the book you meet characters you grow to love, like Alice Quicke, a young woman who was brought in to help locate young talents - including Marlowe and Charlie - and Agent Frank Coulton, an agent for Cairndale who actually suggested Alice for the job. You also come face to face with Jacob Marber, an older talent who was turned to the dark side by our antagonist, the Drughr. It is up to the children and everyone at Cairndale to protect a precious artefact and to work out who the real villain is. 

This story is a Victorian sci-fi and is written extremely well. JM Miro has been able to merge two worlds that shouldn’t necessarily pair well together perfectly. The Victorian era focuses mainly across America, London, and Edinburgh, and the descriptions paint a clear picture in your head of the picturesque views in Edinburgh and the dark and dingy alleys in London. However, he has managed to add a dystopian vibe to the writing which opened up even more doorways for the story to unfold. It created settings and descriptions of the unknown creatures that became ever more eerie. 

In the past I have read a handful of books with multiple narrators, and I never had many issues, but at the beginning of this book I found myself finding it slightly more difficult to read. Just as I would get totally invested in one story line and the chapter was reaching a climax, it would end, and the next chapter would be a different story line and I would have to start the whole process again! But when the story lines all merged together, I found it all fit together perfectly and I didn’t encounter any more issues like that. 

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a historical read with a sci-fi twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think the series overall has an immense amount of potential. Once past the narrative issues early on, it was a seamless and easy read. The style was beautiful and was a merge of poetry and fiction (in my opinion anyway) and JM Miro really made you love the characters. I cannot wait for the release of the rest of the series over the next few years and I am interested to read more of JM Miro’s work. 

- Phoebe

Hardback, £17.99.

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Researching Local History: Your Guide to the Sources, by Stuart A. Raymond

This book is going to cost me so much money! No, not the price of the book (which is very good value indeed, given current book prices), but many of the other books and journals that Raymond mentions. I was unaware of several of the journals and I also now have a long shopping list of books. To be fair, though, several of the journals he mentions make older issues freely available online.

If you are really interested in researching history yourself, rather than reading stuff written by others, this book is invaluable. Before finishing Chapter 2, I was weeping with joy because I’d bookmarked a website containing stuff I’d previously been told wasn’t available online. (Private Bills of Parliament authorising the construction of railways in the 1800s, since you ask!) By the end of the book, I had many more bookmarked sites. Stuart Raymond has been studying local history for over 50 years and REALLY knows his sources. 

The book is structured well, with chapters covering a wide range of aspects of historical research. The chapter, “Preliminaries to Research” tells the reader where to find sources about sources. That is, it suggests bibliographies, websites, specialist libraries and societies that can provide lists of sources for your chosen topic. The Museum of English Rural Life was a new one for me. That one chapter contains references to:

100+ Webpages

50+ Books

10 journal articles

“People and Population” doesn’t just mention the usual suspects such as the births, marriages and deaths registers, but also sites like www.histpop.org that give summary reports based upon census information. Several chapters refer the reader to articles in scholarly journals such as the Agricultural History Review, where the issues from 1953-2018 are freely available online.

The chapters inevitably overlap. The Domesday Book, for example, appears several times. That’s understandable: it tells us who lived somewhere and what they did; what the land was used for; how much it was worth; etc. Initially, I was a little impatient with the numerous references to the National Archives guides but then I realised that Raymond’s one line reference to a well-written comprehensive 2–3-page guide prevents his book being much, much longer and more expensive. Thank you, Mr Raymond!

Do I have any quibbles? Yes – and you will share this first one... There’s not enough about MY area of research. I guess it depends upon your chosen area of research. I’m interested in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, so all the references to muster rolls and manorial court records won’t help me. I wanted more about municipal records of Urban District Councils, for example. However, it is highly unreasonable to expect an author to deliver a general guide that greatly assists everyone and also gives huge detail about every specialist area. As the introduction warns, “In a book of this length, it is not possible to deal with all the sources and topics that might be of interest to local historians. Nor is it possible to provide the detail that might be thought desirable.”

Secondly, a book published in 2022 probably ought to refer to GIS databases such as ukdataservice.ac.uk. And thirdly, although Raymond rightly mentions the excellent British Newspaper Archive, he doesn’t warn the reader about the often-appalling quality of the OCRed text that often thwarts searches for specific phrases.

I cannot believe how useful this book is and I’m about to recommend it to everyone on my MA degree course. Thank you, Pen and Sword, for sending me an early copy to review – and thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr Raymond for writing this book.

- Colin

Hardback, £16.99.

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Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt

Set in Sowell Bay, Washington, we begin our story with a diary-like entry from Marcellus, who just so happens to be an octopus. Marcellus has been living as an exhibit in the Sowell Bay Aquarium since his capture, and he's not exactly happy about it. A little way in though, during one of his 'adventures', he meets elderly cleaning lady, Tova, and the two form a sort of friendship.

Tova tragically lost her son over 30 years ago, and more recently lost her husband to cancer. She cleans the Aquarium to keep busy, but she is still haunted by the unanswered what-ifs surrounding the death of her son. Marcellus puts two and two together and tries desperately to communicate the truth to Tova, and we meet a new face in town also looking for some truths of his own. 

This is a cosy armchair mystery (without a great deal of mystery) that is easy to read and an easy narrative to keep up with. If you're feeling burned out lately, this may be the escapism read for you! I love the unique relationship between Tova and Marcellus, and the crochety voice Marcellus is given throughout the tale. The plot is quite predictable but it's a heartwarming read, with little quirks to the characters throughout. I think I would have loved more of Marcellus (or possibly even all Marcellus!) as he's such a unique voice and perfectly written as an octopus.

The ending doesn't quite tie up all the loose ends, which I actually really like in a story - a little ambiguity keeps the mind ticking! Although I liked the arc of the story I felt some of the details were quite random and unnecessary, and sometimes brought me out of the world of Sowell Bay while I tried to figure out why it was important to know the details of cleaning day when we're in the middle of an argument. The plot itself was quite clichéd - losing phones to give an excuse for an argument, an imminent move to create urgency, a disgruntled teenage son sabotaging his mother's date etc... But on the whole an enjoyable read, and a chance to escape into another world for a little while. A definite 'beach read'! 

- Emma

@emma.greenwood

Hardback, £14.99.

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"The Three Books that Kept Me Going through Lockdown" - Olivia Lawton

Escaping into a good book has perhaps never been quite as needed as during the past two years. The Evening Standard reported that sales of fiction grew by 16% in 2020 due to the Covid lockdowns. And sales of physical books are continuing to rise. 

I don’t know about anyone else, but I have read more than ever since the pandemic hit. 

For many of us, the habit of reading is one that falls by the wayside once we enter the world of work, and in recent years people have found themselves more and more drawn to smartphones and screens instead of reading books. Social media has replaced the go-to distraction of a book when standing in line for coffee, taking a journey, or waiting for your train to pull into the station.   

But then we entered lockdown. We suddenly had spare time to turn to books – the perfect form of indoor entertainment. We stayed at home to be safe. And living in such uncertain times had many of us feeling a little anxious or discombobulated. 

As an avid reader already, my suggestion to friends and family during this unpredictable time was to turn to books. Especially fiction. Many of us love to read fiction but find it difficult to put time into this valuable and relaxing activity. Reading can deepen your emotional intelligence and empathy and allow your mind to rest. It can also be a wonderful form of escapism. 

As you can imagine, I read my way through lots of great titles during the lockdowns, but there were several books that really stood out to me during this time:

The Giver of Stars, by JoJo Moyes (Historical Fiction)

Inspired by a true story, The Giver of Stars is an incredibly moving historical fiction novel. Did you know Eleanor Roosevelt started a traveling library program, and many women answered the call to become traveling librarians? These women travelled on horseback to bring books to those living in rural areas, which was especially important for women and children unable to get to a library or without access to books otherwise. 

The story centres mainly around Alice and Margery. Alice is an English woman who is quite restless and not understood by her family, so she impulsively jumps at the chance of marrying an American man, hoping this will give her the opportunity for new adventures. Sadly, Alice’s marriage is not what she hoped it to be, and she soon finds herself feeling very unhappy. When Alice begins volunteering to help with the travelling library, run by Margery, she relishes in the freedom it brings her. I particularly enjoyed how the author explored Alice’s love of nature, as she and the other women deliver books packed in saddle bags, in all kinds of weather, winding their way through dark forests and along remote mountain trails. 

Despite their various backgrounds and issues at home, the women become a family providing encouragement and support, not only to one another but also to every household they visit to share books and they share the joy of reading with so many different people.  

I knew very little of the WPA library but love that I learned more about it from reading this novel. The strength and fortitude these ladies showed is incredible, and the main characters in the book reflect this with their hard work, strength of character, and loyalty to one another.

Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman (Non-Fiction)

It’s a belief that unites the left and right, psychologists and philosophers, writers and historians. It drives the headlines that surround us and the laws that touch our lives. From Machiavelli to Hobbes, Freud to Dawkins, the roots of this belief have sunk deep into Western thought. Human beings, we’re taught, are by nature selfish, and governed by self-interest.

Humankind makes a new argument: that it is realistic, as well as revolutionary, to assume that people are good. The instinct to cooperate rather than compete, trust rather than distrust, has an evolutionary basis that goes right back to the beginning of our species. Thinking the worst of others not only affects how we regard other people, but our politics and economics too.

Bergman challenges our often-cynical view of humanity. To back up his theory, he re-examines some very well-known events in history and suggests that the key facts may have been altered to fit a narrative which shows humans in a very negative light. 

This was such a timely read for me during the first lockdown, in times when we so importantly needed to unite and work together. It is an extraordinary, uplifting history of human capacity for kindness. 

Humankind really is a wonderful read - accessible and full of great stories. In a world of cynicism, a little positivity goes a long way!

The Priory of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (Fantasy)

The Priory of The Orange Tree is a stand-alone high fantasy epic, led by an impressive cast of memorable female characters. I was truly blown away with how the author so effortlessly built a fantasy world that has a vast history of politics and religious clashes. The book is an engrossing fantasy set in a world that is both like and unlike our own. 

With a length of over 800 pages, this novel might seem a little daunting to many readers, but the story pacing is fantastic and there’s never a dull moment. From the very start I was gripped by the writing and desperate to see where the next chapter would lead. It was a joy to escape into this fantasy world and leave all thoughts of the pandemic behind for a while. 

The sheer scope of the story is out of this world - brimming with detail and ideas, and bursting with various characters types, languages, and perspectives. Although this is a single novel, it really feels like several books stitched together. It’s an addictive read, and I loved all the elements of feminism featured throughout the book. 

The Priory of The Orange Tree absolutely works on its own, but I was sad to reach the end. Fortunately, there is more to come! Samantha Shannon has now revealed there is a new sequel on the way.  A Day of Fallen Night will return readers to the world of The Priory of the Orange Tree in January 2023. I can’t wait!

It’s been wonderful to see so many people rediscovering their love of reading – a sentiment which I know is shared by the lovely booksellers at Westbourne. The family-owned independent bookshop is a must-visit anytime I find myself in the area, whether it’s to buy, browse, or simply just to pop in for a chat. I’ll often get some really wonderful recommendations or share thoughts on a current read with whoever is behind the till!

I have chosen to feature only these select few titles from my Quarantine reading because the complete list would be far too long to include here! Perhaps you can have a think about what your reading highlights of the pandemic have been…maybe you’ll share my difficulty in trying to narrow down to just one or two? In times of difficulty and lockdown boredom, I’m so pleased I was able to find solace from reality in the pages of fiction. I hope many of you feel the same. 

 

Just a quick note about me - My name is Olivia, and I am a self-confessed book addict. Through social media, I share my love of literature and enjoy reviewing, promoting, and of course reading as many books as possible! If you use Instagram, I’d love you to drop in and say hello on my account @BookramblingsbyOlivia, or alternatively you can find me at www.bookramblingsbyolivia.com. I’m excited to be teaming up with Westbourne bookshop who have kindly invited me to contribute this article for their website. Thanks so much for reading.

Nightcrawling, by Leila Mottley

Nightcrawling is Leila Mottley’s debut novel and it’s an eye-opening read. She took inspiration from a high-profile case that took place in Oakland, California, which involved the sexual exploitation of many young girls by various members of the police department.

It tells the story of 17-year-old Kiara, who lives with her brother Marcus. Her brother Marcus is unemployed, trying and failing at making it big in the music industry. But with the risk of eviction from the ironically named Regal-Hi looming over their heads, Kiara is forced to take it upon herself to find work. From there, she stumbles into sex work. We learn about the hardships and abuse that she and her family go through in the impoverished part of Oakland.

This is an extremely difficult read due to the details of sexual abuse throughout. Leila’s extremely descriptive and almost poetic writing style imprints these images of abuse on your mind. However, the prose also helps to soften the extremely dark story. I didn’t personally enjoy the writing style but understand that it comes from Leila’s roots of writing poetry.

Leila does a great job developing the complex relationships that Kiara has with her best friend, brother, parents, and even her neighbours’ ten-year-old son, which is particularly heart-warming. She takes him in when he’s abandoned by his mother and cares for him so deeply - it’s very touching. But these relationships are strained as we see how Kiara is forced to take difficult decisions that ultimately lead to her abuse. It’s very bittersweet at times.

This novel helped me learn more about the struggles that many people in sex work go through, both in Oakland and in other communities, and I appreciate the way Leila tells the story without sugar-coating it. It was an extremely raw but refreshing approach.

In summary, this was a very difficult read but also gave an incredible insight into the daily battles that people in poverty and in sex work face. I would avoid reading it if you do have triggers with regards to sexual abuse and exploitation. It was well written, especially considering that Leila started writing the novel when she was only seventeen years old! Leila is an amazing young talent, and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.

Rating: 3/5

-Maisie

Hardback, £16.99.

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Andreina Cordani's 5 Upcoming Young Adult Titles to Look Forward to This Year!

Local author of "Dead Lucky," Andreina Cordani previews some hotly anticipated fiction for young adults.

Since my first book was published last year, I’ve probably spent every penny I’ve earned from sales buying young adult fiction. I’m completely hooked – YA books are provocative, diverse, imaginative, and the stories often shift the way you see the world. I also love watching the characters grow and figure out who they are and what they want from life – often while fighting monsters, solving crimes, or dealing with horrendous family issues. I’ve been lucky enough to get an early glimpse at some of the releases lined up for Summer and Autumn 2022 and there’s some amazing stories coming our way – time to get your pre-orders in!

1. Twice Hexed, by Julia Tuffs 

In this sequel to Hexed, newbie witch Jessie Jones is feeling hopeful – she’s settled on the Isle of Wight, made friends, and challenged the toxic masculinity culture in her class – but then a new witchy pupil joins her school, and stirs up trouble. The blend of supernatural strangeness and teenage reality (exams, annoying boys, periods) is spot-on. The story is fast-paced, and the comic timing is impeccable.
(Orion Children’s Books – out 23rd June)

2. The King Is Dead, by Benjamin Dean 

What better way to celebrate this Jubilee year than with this twisty tale of royal intrigue? When Prince James’ father dies suddenly, he becomes the first Black king at 17 years old, with all the privilege and problems that entails. Then his boyfriend goes missing, and when royal gossip is leaked to the public, James starts to suspect he can’t trust anyone around him…

(Simon & Schuster – out 7th July)

3. Tag, You’re Dead, by Kathryn Foxfield 

A teen celebrity challenges his followers to an overnight city-wide game of tag – the prize is instant fame as one of his live-in crew. Fans rush out into the night to track each other down – some are in it for the fun, but a few are driven by something darker: obsession and revenge… Chilling, gripping, full of creepy moments and jump-scares, this is one of those up-all-night reads.
(Scholastic – out 7th July)

4. Infamous, by Lex Croucher 

Take Bridgerton and add in a big dash of Sex Education and you’ll have Lex Croucher’s irresistible Regency story. Edith ‘Eddie’ Miller and her friend Rose are both debutantes – Rose is set on finding an eligible husband, but all Eddie wants to do is blossom as a writer. And a trip to a debauched poet’s country house could provide the inspiration she needs… A great reminder that the process of growing up, making mistakes, and figuring out who we are really hasn’t changed much over the centuries.

(Zaffre – out 21st July)

5. Big Bad Me, by Aislinn O’Loughlinn (Cover in progress!)

Evie thinks life is pretty dull, living with her mum and sister Kate, taking home-made medication for her ‘rare form of diabetes.’ But then her mother vanishes, and Evie discovers that her diabetes is actually a more lunar-related, wolf-based condition. Plunged into the supernatural world Evie tries to track down her mum while hiding at a small-town B&B – where the owners have secrets of their own. This book is so much fun – the author twists the supernatural tropes we all know and love, creating tense action and laugh-out-loud moments.
(Little Island Books – out 13th October)

Andreina Cordani's YA novel is a thriller set in the world of influencers.
A gripping and shocking read! Order it now!

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Don't Look Now, by Daphne Du Maurier - A Short Story!

About a week ago a regular customer recommend I watch the 1970’s film “Don’t Look Now”. After a little research I found it was based on a short story by one of my favourite authors, Daphne Du Maurier, and of course, I had to read it first! I had been warned that reading it would spoil the ending. But oh boy, it definitely did not ruin it. 

Daphne beautifully sets the scene and characters in an instant. A sceptical husband and his anxious, grieving wife on holiday in Venice. They are there to recover some semblance of a normal relationship after losing their daughter. There is subtle humour in the way Du Maurier describes the old familiar feel of the relationship, and later when she shows the husbands shortening of temper as the holiday is gradually ruined by a couple of clairvoyant Scots. Seemingly without effort Du Maurier creates tension and weaves important little details into this intriguing tale of 50 short pages. I was paying close attention to detail, having been sold the story on the promise of a whopper of a plot twist but I was still left stunned.

No, I’m not going to give it away! You have to read it for yourself.

- Anara

Hardback, £14.99. Find it in the short stories & poetry section!

The Girls I've Been, by Tess Sharpe

Oooooh, I'm glad I impulse bought this one!

Ever since she was old enough to say her name, Nora has been given a new one by her mother. She created a new person for Nora to become five times throughout the first sixteen years of her life. First, there was Rebecca. Then Samantha. And then Haley. Katie. And finally Ashley.

Her mother took on new names too. Why? Because she was a con artist. She targeted dangerous men, forced her way into their hearts, made her child do her bidding, and when they just started to get comfortable, her mother stole their mark's fortune and ran off into the night, dragging along whichever daughter she had created that day... month... year...

But that's all in the past. Her mother is in prison, Nora chose this name herself, and she's safe with her sister. Well, almost. But what are the odds of being held at gun point at a bank robbery with your new girlfriend and ex-boyfriend?

Surely zero, right?

Wrong.

This is a gripping read. I love when a narrative plays with timelines, and we get multiples of stories progressing side-by-side, building just the right amount of tension and suspense. Each of Nora's past selves builds a deeper and more desperate picture of who she is, and to see her in so much danger in the present tense, even when she's away from a life of swindling and deception, feels tragic. I felt a distinct urge to protect her, and to hurt any person who threatened her safety.

Our narrator is a criminal, but a reluctant one. A manipulated one. But not naïve. Oh, no. Nora knows her way around a man with a gun. We get to see how Nora uses her dangerous past; her different identities to get through this harrowing experience. And it's dark to see someone who has experienced so much pain, utilise the skills that she never should have learned in the first place. 

Just a fabulous and innovative story. Incredible characters with nuanced and beautiful connections. A true testament to the strength that comes with trauma, and that you shouldn't mess with savvy teenagers!

- Sian

CW: abuse, violence, manipulation, CPTSD, anxiety

The Swimmers, by Julia Otsuka

This is the first novel of Julie Otsuka’s that I have read, and it won't be the last. It is a stunning masterpiece about ageing, memory, and the experiences that shape a life.

The story begins with a group of swimmers who all belong to the same community pool. Each member of the group has their own story to tell, but it's Alice who becomes obsessed with a mysterious crack that appears at the bottom of the swimming pool. Some of the group are curious; others start to panic, believing this could be the end of the swimming adventures they all so enjoy.

It's towards the end of this story that Julia Otsuka's writing takes on such beauty, tenderness, and heartbreak, as Alice struggles to hold onto her sense of self. She feels she is still here, but she's viewed differently by her husband, her daughter, her friends.

Dive in and read this wonderfully heartbreaking but life-affirming book. We can all learn about the importance and value of life, being who we are meant to be. Otsuka's writing is a delight to discover, and one should savour every poetic word. You will not be disappointed.

- Milly

Hardback, £12.99. Find it in the Fiction section!

Worn, by Sofi Thanhauser

This book confronts us with the awful realities of the textile industry, uncovering a world where the people who make our clothes now are seldom paid what they deserve and are often harmed by the industry. The book has sections on linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, and wool. As Sofi explains, “… the history and reportage [this book] contains is weighted towards understanding the U.S.’s role in building a global garment trade that touches every corner of the world.” Although it's definitely U.S.-centric, part of the section on wool describes the author’s visit to Woolfest in Cumbria one year.

This is not a light read. Although the narrative is mostly about Thanhauser’s visits to factories; people’s homes; and workplaces, it is very fact-heavy and depressing reading. Cotton uses 8,500 litres of water to make 1Kg but wheat only needs 900 litres. About 24 per cent of the world’s insecticide is used for cotton farming, polluting water supplies. A pair of jeans uses 20,000 litres of water – the amount that could be used to grow the wheat needed to bake a loaf of bread every week for a year.

It's unlikely that anyone looking for cheap clothing on the UK high streets has any idea of the human activity (and suffering and exploitation). It might also be unlikely that they care.

- Colin

Hardback, £20. Find it in the History section!

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel

From her position on stage, eight-year-old Kirsten witnesses the death of a Hollywood icon during his performance as King Lear at a Toronto theatre. That same evening a deadly flu virus arrives in the city, and within days the world as we know it has collapsed. Twenty years later, Kirsten is herself an actor, touring Shakespeare with the Travelling Symphony, crossing dangerous territory to bring theatre and music to communities of survivors.

This could easily have been written during the first lockdown of 2020 but was actually published six years earlier, and other than the virulence of the disease and the vast death toll, nothing in here feels exaggerated. The reactions of the protagonists and the world around them feel very real, even down to the bulk-buying of toilet paper in an early chapter.

But this isn’t really a book about a virus, or even about the end of the world. It’s a book about human connection, even where that connection is tangential, and about the importance of the things ‘beyond survival’ that bind us together. While the narrative arcs back and forth between characters, times and places both pre- and post-pandemic, the connections are subtly and sometimes surprisingly revealed.

It's a tribute to the quality of the storytelling here that I have continued to think about elements of the story in the weeks since reading it. This is not a happy book, but it is gently reassuring, and it repeatedly reminds us that ‘Survival is Insufficient’. Being human is not merely about existing and procreating, but also, and more importantly, it’s about memory, connection, the things we carry with us and the things we leave behind.

- Paul

Paperback, £9.99. Find it in the fiction section!

Tipping the Velvet, by Sarah Waters

Purchased from Gay's the Word; the most fantastic all-LGBTQIA+ bookshop in Bloomsbury, London. Upon standing in front of the storefront, I declared to my friend: "I am in search of historical gays!" I wanted a story of incognito queers from decades; heck, CENTURIES passed. I wanted androgyny and bravery and a total disregard for strict social codes.

Oooooh boy, did Sarah Waters come THROUGH!

Tipping the Velvet follows Nancy Astley, as she falls in love with a performer at the music halls, Kitty Butler. Kitty dresses as a man in her act, and Nancy is completely enthralled by it all. Things escalate quickly and, after moving to London with Kitty, she finds that things aren't as simple as falling in love and building a life when you're both women. Nancy finds herself tumbling all over London, trying to find herself with one foot in one world, and one in another.

Nancy sees it all: cross-dressing, prostitution, rags and riches, sex, androgyny, homophobia, ostracisation, heartbreak, familial bonds - both blood and chosen - acceptance, social change... her world is a chaotic blur of over ground and underground cultures battling it out. Not once does Nancy even consider re-joining the straight-laced (pardon the pun) life she was born into, and she is heroic in her efforts to stand proudly and independently in her resolve. I admire her courage and tenacity; though I cringe at her greed and shallowness.

She is by no means a diamond in the rough, but is as scuffed and filthy as the rest of the world. And that's how she gripped me! She didn't necessarily deserve stability, sanctuary, and security any more than any other character in this book, so I just had to know whether or not she found it!

This book has a message of forgiveness; of personal growth, and understanding when to let go. It reminds us that we can build communities around us that make us feel whole and safe. As a queer individual, this is especially powerful, and I implore anyone who identifies under the LGBT+ umbrella to read this book! But no one under 18... it's a little graphic at times!

A new firm favourite; one of the best books I've read in YEARS!

- Sian

Paperback, £8.99. Find it in the fiction section!

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie

In this Agatha Christie masterpiece, first published in 1926, the great detective Poirot has retired to King's Abbot, home of an old friend of his, the wealthy Roger Ackroyd. Despite hoping to remain anonymous, Poirot's peace is shattered when Ackroyd is murdered.

Dr Sheppard was at Ackroyd's house the night of the murder, and over the course of the investigation, he appears as Poirot's sidekick, since Hastings has married and is now living in Argentina.

The narrative is told from Dr Sheppard’s point of view as he documents the investigation, the sparks of genius from Poirot, and his famous little grey cells. As Hastings did before him, Sheppard gives insight into the workings of Poirot's analytical mind, as well as throwing light on the nuances of the suspects. Whilst Poirot sees them as pieces of the puzzle, Sheppard reveals them as people who are as flawed, as they are good.

Between the murder and the big reveal, the plot contains Agatha Christie's famous twists and turns. There are plenty of red herrings and many interpretations of the facts presented. This book is famous for its unusual and, at the time, innovative, ground-breaking ending. It is the kind of book you want to go back and read again once the killer has been revealed, to see if the clues do in fact, fit the revelation.

Christie's book are timeless, satisfying the need for a great whodunnit, as successfully as they did on first publication. Her ability to write twisting plots and multi-layered characters still captures the imagination of generation after generation.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was voted the best novel ever by the British Crime Writers Association in 2013. It would be a crime not to read it! It is my favourite of all the brilliant novels Agatha Christie wrote and is a treat for fans of this genre.

- Milly

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Our narrator - and only redeemable character - Nick moves into a small rented home, next door to an almost constant party. He discovers that somehow he knows the mysterious Gatsby, who hosts the parties in his mansion. 

I know this story is meant to be a renowned romance but I just can't believe Gatsby's claim of true love. I did not see any depth of feeling: merely Gatsby’s obsession with a woman he once dated. I feel the reality of it is that Gatsby was a poor man who latched on to the idea of wealth, which seems to have gotten mixed up with his feelings for Daisy, who is herself superficial and frivolous. Gatsby is so completely enamoured by their glamor and beauty, that he forgets about substance. And in order to win her he must prove himself to her. He must prove “new money” is as good; as influential as “old money”. This is the difference between Gatsby and the Bucanans.

The Bucanans and their friends seem to simply sit around drinking and using other people for their entertainment. All the characters are deplorable, which I can stand in some literature (I’m looking at you Cathy and Heathcliff!) when there is more to the love connection than admiration for looks or the way a woman carries herself. I could find no redeeming features or motives in this crowd. It ultimately shows the influence and power behind old money, and the horrible truth: people with money and social power get away with murder.

I feel like Fitzgerald was a little lazy with his conveniently connected but unconnected characters and their placements, e.g. Nick conveniently moving in next door to Gatsby, and his previous separate connections with both Daisy and Gatsby.

Generally, I love classic fiction, but I did not get on well with Fitzgerald. I found this classic hard to get into, with Fitzgerald’s writing style being a little too poetic and vague to really get my teeth into. The characters were unlovable and flimsy. I would recommend that anyone wanting to be introduced to classics choose something else.

- Anara

Paperback, £6.99. Find it in the Classics section!

The Georgians, by Penelope J. Corfield

This book left me stunned. How can one person, even an Emeritus Professor like Corfield, know so much about so many topics – and have the skill to fit them together in this highly, highly readable Rubik’s cube? She admits in the introduction that the book has taken many years to complete and I can believe it. I have seldom read a book that covers so much so well.

The book comprises five parts:
I. The Georgian Debating an Age of Change
II. The Georgians Experiencing Change in Daily Life
III. The Georgians Ruling and Resisting
IV. The Georgians in Social Ferment
V. The Georgians Viewed Long

Oh, and approximately sixty pages of erudite endnotes.

 As can be deduced from that structure, Corfield shows us how things changed over the long eighteenth century, illustrating points with the stories of individuals; citing books; and at the end of each chapter, suggesting further reading; a list of places to visit in person or online; and even a Youtube performance of The Rivals. She makes the point that Georgians were aware of change, and were keen to share their views about it, for better or worse. Corfield goes back to sources and debunks several myths.

Based upon Corfield’s book, my belief is that the reason it’s so interesting to look back and study the Georgian Age was because, as she states, the numbers of both men and women who were literate and numerate overtook – for the first time in Britain’s history – the numbers of the illiterate and innumerate. That increase in people who COULD write, translated into an increase in the numbers who DID write – and hence we have so much more evidence of contemporary thoughts and beliefs than we do for previous ages.

But it is such a comprehensive book and so well argued that you might have a different view – and so might I, the next time I read it. And I shall re-read it, probably several times – and certainly keep it as my “go to” reference book for ALL aspects of life from the 1690s to the 1830s.

- Colin

Hardback, £25. Find it in the history section!

Flush, by Virginia Woolf

Anyone who's visited the store with their perfect pooch in tow can testify to the fact that I am a passionate advocate for dogs. As a cause, it is my number one! More dogs, fewer humans, that's what I always say! AND more books about dogs. 

Virginia Woolf, the icon that she is, wrote a book about a dog. A real dog! Elizabeth Bennett Browning's dog, whose name was Flush. The perfect cocker spaniel; a beautiful soul, a wonderful companion. This books lends itself both as a biography for Flush, but also for Elizabeth Bennett Browning, albeit with a lot of creative liberties taken, of course. We see her life progress, only as it comes to affect Flush: how much attention he's getting, what sort of walks he's been on. It's such a charming concept, and it was lovely read over Christmas... for the most part.

Poor Flush, as dogs usually are, was merely swept up in the lives of the humans around him. I felt sorry for Flush for a sizeable chunk of this book. It transpires that Elizabeth had what we would now recognise to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. And since she spent most of her time alone in her bedroom, resting, so did Flush. The poor little tyke, for years, merely sat on the sofa beside her. As a dog owner myself, I couldn't imagine condemning any dog to this docile life, let alone a spaniel! Have you ever met a spaniel? They're mental! And this is just the beginnings of the stresses and traumas that Flush endures throughout the course of his life.

During troubling times for Flush, the book became very difficult to read. The vivid description from his point of view was disarming and upsetting, to say the least. I found myself furious with the humans who left sweet Flush to his fate. It was quite grounding to see our actions through the eyes of an innocent and loyal animal, and reminded me how wholly they rely on us for their happiness and health.

This book was surprisingly well fleshed out, considering the narrator is a spaniel, and it was just nice to allow myself to be swept up in the story, and not question its accuracy too much. It was both a lovely and a haunting read for a dog-lover. Only proceed if you can keep your furry little friend close by for quick squeezes and snuggles when things get tough for Flush!

- Sian

Paperback, £2. Find it in the classics section!