Did you know that former spook and celebrated spy writer, Ian Fleming was born in the merry month of May? A man whose word was quite literally his Bond. (Ahem).
Well, you have our word this month that, as summer shimmers tantalisingly on the horizon, we’ll bring you the very best recommendations for that next great escape between the covers. (Oh, James!) Read on for more…
A burgeoning bookshelf in bright, brilliant, blossomy bloom this month! If you don’t find something here that you like, we’ll eat our bonnets. Try our top picks:
When I Was Invisible by Dorothy Koomson – ‘There are pieces of us hidden between the lines of Koomson’s stories; that’s what makes them so beautiful, and so tragic.’ (Lovereading Reader Reviewer).
The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver – Stunning new novel from Orange Prize-winning author of We Need to Talk About Kevin. Sharp, searing, psychological family drama in the wake of a global financial crisis.
The Girls by Lisa Jewell – Captivating, deeply dark and tensely gripping family tale about friendship, trust and the complex structure of family life.
The French Lesson by Hallie Rubenhold – Fans of
The Scandalous Lady W will lap up this bawdy period romp set against the ever-present danger of the French Revolution. Espionage, passion, danger and plenty of dry humour.
The votes are in for our May Poll and these are the best first novels around right now. We especially love:
Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley – Amusing, penetrating and cringe-making take on modern life through a unique correspondence.
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley – Costa First Novel winner 2015. ‘… strange and mysterious, funny, sad and frightening … a story that will appeal to all sorts of different readers and should be top of everyone’s reading pile.’ (Lovereading Reader Reviewer ).
At University, getting a ‘Desmond’ meant a middle of the road degree score (2:2 – get it?). Not for first time novelists it doesn’t. This highly prized award, given in the name of charismatic and legendary literary agent,
Desmond Elliott, offers a substantial reward for a first-time novelist and carries on the great man’s own work in supporting and encouraging new writing and we salute it! Below is the recently announced shortlist with a winner coming in late June.
| The House at the Edge of the World by Julia Rochester. A wonderfully unconventional read, where a mystery waiting to be solved shelters behind a penetrating and wryly emotional family tale. |
The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney. A quite simply sensational debut, one that reaches into the beastly heart of prostitution, drugs, and violence, and makes it very very human. |
Mrs Engels by Gavin McCrea. A stimulating and rather glorious peek at the life of Lizzie Burns, who lived alongside and supported the two men who founded Marxism. |
  |
 |
 |
There are some great books waiting in the wings… but you can start reading them now with our exclusive pre-publication Opening Extracts. We especially love
Remember My Name by Abbey Clancy – A light, flirty down-to-earth tale of the price of fame. There are more to choose from on the shelf below.
Journalist turned author,
Mark Douglas-Home was deported from his native South Africa for speaking out against apartheid and has a unique and searingly real voice in the world of the mystery thriller. His truly wave-making thriller series has spanned oceans following the submersive adventures of ocean-going detective Cal McGill.
The first two books:
The Sea Detective and
The Woman Who Walked into the Sea were met with high acclaim and his new one, out later this month
The Malice of Waves, is a churning, tidal, tour de force that will have you gripping the deck rails on the hunt for a missing boy from a close-knit community.
Discover more…
For someone who professes to lead an uncomplicated life,
Louise Candlish is a master at writing about human beings facing dramatic dilemmas. With themes of betrayal, forgiveness, marriage and infidelity, relationships, deception and trust, her elegantly written novels sit on your shoulder long after the final page. Her latest title,
The Swimming Pool, is a tense, creepy and intriguing novel that delves into the depths of obsession. Loved by our Reader Reviewers (‘gripping’, ‘thoroughly enjoyable’, ‘enthralling’) you can find it
here, along with all her other darkly human tales.
Specialist foster-carer, Casey Watson, has welcomed many troubled children into her home. It’s a full time labour of love. Gruelling yet rewarding. Somehow she has found time to translate her experiences into heartbreaking real-life stories. These are the stories of her own life and those of the children she’s helped. Much like those of fellow foster-carer-turned-author,
Cathy Glass, they are true stories that read like family drama. Stories that must be told.
Mummy’s Little Soldier is the latest in the absorbing series of true stories. Find it and all of her other titles
here.
P.S. This month also look out for the
Wodehouse Prize shortlist, the
Baileys Prize shortlist and finally the
winner of the Wellcome Book Prize. You will find them all in our
Book Awards category.
Comments (0)
Leave A Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.