We know that it’s nearly October and before long you’ll be thinking pumpkins and fireworks but, if there are two things we love at Lovereading (apart from “reading” … obviously) it’s having something to look forward to and feeling ahead of the game…
Stunning new novels from established stars coming soon as well as newish kids on the block – read an exclusive extract while you’re waiting and why not pre-order from your local bookshop if you simply can’t wait for us to post it.
After You by Jojo Moyes – The unplanned but much hoped for sequel to
Me Before You and an author at the very height of her extraordinary talent.
Out 24 September. And
Get Even by Martina Cole – Gangland murders and a woman scorned. Explosive and highly enjoyable read from a queen of the genre.
Out 6 October.
For all you eReaders and ‘tablet-eers’ out there, we’ve refreshed our list of delectable digital offerings for all types of device. Our faves this month are:
How to Get Ahead in Television by Sophie Cousens – Winner of the inaugural Corvus/Lovereading #LoveAtFirstWrite competition. Light-hearted frothy fun. Not to be missed. And
Queen & Country: A Hew Cullan Mystery by Shirley McKay – 16th Century sleuthing sensation! 5th in the series, plunging the reader into stinking streets and candlelit corridors in the last days of Mary Stewart.
The most coveted prize in literature. Well, one of them at least. The annual and hugely anticipated
Man Booker shortlist was announced 15 September. Who will join the honours board of greats that make up former winners? See the hopefuls
here and make up your own mind. The office favourite is the embracing, warm and truthful
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. Watch out for the winner on Tuesday 13 October 2015.
TV historian Simon Schama brings Britain to life through its portraits. Linked to a five-part BBC TV series which begins later this month,
The Face of Britain: The Nation Through its Portraits takes an interestingly personal look at the history of our people through the way they have been portrayed. In the age of the selfie, this is food for reflection on our past, our present and beyond. A stand-out piece of non-fiction this autumn.
These are culinary times. Every day, TV has a new baking, BBQ-ing, veg-growing superstar and home cooking now has Michelin stars attached! What perfect timing for Annie Rigg’s fantastic book:
Gifts from the Kitchen – 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion. Be the envy of your friends and top the charts of thoughtfulness with any one of these sweet and savoury treats for hearth and home.
So, that book you like is finished, it’s the last one in the series AND it’s by your favourite author. Fret not. Let
us guide you to other authors you’ll love. It’s not cheating. It’s broadening your horizons.
| If you liked Paula Hawkin’s The Girl on the Train you’ll love The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne. |
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If you like Sebastian Barry you’ll love A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale. |
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The quest for eternal life, a tale of alchemy and skulduggery in the thirteenth century … Fans of Kate Mosse who are looking for a reading group selection should look no further than
The Raven’s Head by Karen Maitland. Mixing historical fiction, horror and a hint of the supernatural the book was loved by our Reader Reviewers … ‘
a corker of a thriller’ … ‘
A magical, spellbinding and sinister tale’ … ‘
chilling, dark, mysterious and utterly absorbing’.
Find out more about our Reading Group selections.
In the crime and sci-fi genres, there’s no greater recommendation than our resident guru
Maxim Jakubowski. Google him. It’s a riveting read in itself! This month, ‘MJ’ has whittled down the reams of murder, mystery, wonder, romance, love and death that land on his desk at this time of year, to pick out these two September stars. Just for you:
The Girl with the Deep Blue Eyes by Lawrence Block – A honey-trap murder romp. Addictive and seductive and not a read for the morally enraged. And
The House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard – Imaginative and original futuristic fantasy tale of destruction, brutality, angels, magicians, evil and death in a dystopian Parisian landscape.
Author,
John Donoghue’s emotive novel set between 1935 and 1962 is a sweeping tale of forgiveness, redemption, honour, cruelty and guilt. Its premise (of two former Nazis meeting a Jew in a chess tournament in Amsterdam), although fiction, has an air of documentary lending it a searing authenticity. Shifting between time zones, Donoghue allows the reader to put together the pieces of a terrible and incredible history.
It’s a unique piece of work, much acclaimed by our Reader Reviewers.
See more here.
As part of the refresh of our
Evergreens category this month, we are featuring George Orwell’s timeless cautionary tale
Animal Farm, where absolute power corrupts absolutely. Also, Tad Williams’s
Tailchaser’s Song – first published in 1985. It’s an extraordinary novel and an epic of high fantasy and grand adventure in which gods walk amongst their people, and where even very small creatures can change the world. See these and the whole category
here.
Unmissable Books and Debuts of the Month
Our Books of the Month are always worth a ‘look see’ and two office favourites are the MEGA Book of the Month
Lost & Found by Brooke Davis that one of our Reader Reviewers described as ‘
Quirky, interesting and real, a great little read!’ And fans of Jack Reacher need to read the intriguing thriller
Solomon Creed by Simon Toyne. One of our Reader Reviewers said
‘A cracking read. I was gripped from page one’.
And don’t forget to check out some really special debuts this month – there’s nothing better than discovering an exciting new author ahead of the crowd. A particular office favourite this month is
The Serpent Papers, with echoes of Dan Brown and Kate Mosse: with our Reader Reviewers saying of it
‘Complex, assured, this is a masterful page turner’. AND ‘Not for the faint-hearted or those seeking a quick thrill, this is properly a grown-up literary mystery’.
Why not celebrate National Poetry Day with a rhythmic foray into our
Poetry Category? It’s an accessible and soul enhancing collection of some of the best poetry in the world. New to the category, and our top tips this month, are
Desert Songs of the Night, an illuminating journey through 1500 years of Arabic poetry and prose. And coming out on 8 October,
We British: The Poetry of a People by Andrew Marr. More than just an anthology, rather a history of Britain told through its poetry.
Banned Books Week 27 Sep – 3 Oct. We believe that freedom of expression is a basic human right. These are the books that they didn’t want you to read. They are testament to the victory of right over wrong and the unquenchable thirst of the human spirit for knowledge and truth. As Margaret Mead said: “
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” See our definitive guide Pt1
here and Pt 2
here.
At this year’s HARROGATE HISTORY FESTIVAL (22-25 October) we are delighted to be sponsoring the
New Blood event on Saturday 24 October, featuring 5 nominees for the Debut Crown Award for best first historical novel. We have 3 pairs of tickets to be won.
To enter our prize draw click here.
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