Contemporary fiction titles are those which focus on the present or near past. Stories rooted in the current cultural, social, and political landscape which feature characters we can all recognise.
Contemporary Fiction Books
The New York Review of Books, Inc Telluria
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Sourcebooks We Need No Wings
Book SynopsisWe need more novels that deepen our understanding of these later stages of a woman's life and put wings of hope on our hearts. The book soars, her best so far, a transcendent read. Julia Alvarez, internationally bestselling and award-winning authorTo be free, we must learn to fly.Tere Sanchez has always known who she was: a professor, a wife, a mother, and a friend. But when her husband dies unexpectedly, she finds herself completely broken. Taking a leave from the university, Tere hopes that she can mourn her husband and get back on her feet, but instead, she spends a year consumed by grief.Until the day she levitates.Suddenly, Tere''s life is thrown into disarray, and the repeated incidents of levitation not only make her question her sanity, but also put her in danger. She decides she will do anything to stop them. So when she''s reminded that her family is related to the renowned levitating mystic, Saint Teresa of Avila, she leaves the r
£11.69
Blue-Eyed Falcon, LLC Day One: Birth is a Death Sentence
Book Synopsis
£12.00
Constantine Furman Street Walkin' Man
Book Synopsis
£8.56
Csrc Storytelling Shadows Uplifted Volume I: Black Women Authors of
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£20.99
Guernica Editions,Canada The Confessions of Joseph Blanchard
Book SynopsisThe Confessions of Joseph Blanchard is a contemporary story of obsessive love, sexual transgression and tragic loss. Bachelor and professional accountant Joseph Blanchard has led a socially active though emotionally cautious life into his late thirties. When he discovers that his beautiful nineteen-year-old cousin Sophie, a talented concert pianist, is in love with him, he finds he is helpless to resist her youthful charms, and against his better judgment embarks upon a passionate affair. As a safeguard against causing pain to her parents, the two lovers conspire to keep their relationship secret. For a while they are happy. But Sophie's performing career compels her to spend time in the company of other musicians, many of them young men. Consumed by jealousy, Joseph allows rage to seize control, with tragic results. Grieving, he sets about to destroy all evidence of the affair. But when a family secret is exposed, it reveals the past in a new light. In the end, his health in decline and with nothing left but memories, he discloses his secret to a confidant.
£14.96
Guernica Editions,Canada I Met Death Sex Through My Friend Tom Meuley
Book SynopsisIn this dark comedy taking place over twenty-four hours, a blizzard pummels Toronto as a beloved high school teacher coerces his teenage student to assist in his violent suicide forcing the student, his best friend, the friend?s bulimic mom, and a down-low cop to outrun each other, the storm, and the ghosts haunting them. I Met Death & Sex Through My Friend, Tom Meuley is a breathtaking and hilarious novel about the lengths people will take to erase themselves in order to matter.
£17.56
Prompts Gone Wild Young Adult Prompts Gone Wild
Book Synopsis
£7.49
Orion Publishing Co The Letters of Ivor Punch: Winner Of The
Book Synopsis'A truly original and enthralling novel...mischievous, sad, funny and truthful' Stephen Kelman, BOOKER-SHORTLISTED author of PIGEON ENGLISH'Clever, poignant, beautiful ... peopled by a cast of brilliantly off-the-wall characters, and full of keen-eyed observations about life on a remote Scottish island - and, by extension, everywhere. A must-read' Laura Barnett, author of THE VERSIONS OF USWINNER OF THE EDINBURGH BOOK FESTIVAL FIRST BOOK AWARD, from the author also known as The Mull Historical Society.When Fingal McMillan rows out into the Atlantic never to return, his grandson Alexander is left with questions. What really happened to Alexander's mother? Was his grandfather trying to reach The Looming, a rock of local myth? And why have mysterious words appeared on the cliff by the bay?Alexander is not the only local boy whose origins are clouded by mystery - a mystery which stretches back to Victorian times, when a pioneering travel writer alighted on Scottish shores. But will the island give up its secrets? Or will Ivor Punch - the man who links the past to the present - take them to the grave?Trade ReviewA truly original and enthralling novel. Ivor Punch is a magnificent creation and his story is mischievous, sad, funny and truthful -- Stephen Kelman, BOOKER-SHORTLISTED author of PIGEON ENGLISHBeguiling tales built on secrets and sadness, each of them with a keen sense of place * INDEPENDENT *Witty, shocking, curious and wry, it is a multi-faceted novel that delights at every turn... A thing of genius and wonder. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *MacIntyre is a storyteller with a unique imagination and has created a genuinely heartfelt novel with some standout elements of dark comedy * THE LIST *As a songwriter, Colin MacIntyre seems always to have been a natural storyteller. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before he turned his abilities to the longer form of the novel. It is fitting that the man best known as Mull Historical Society has crafted a story to which he has put his own name, yet it is a novel which owes so much to his roots on the island of Mull. Such powerful storytelling resonated strongly with readers at the Book Festival, making Colin a runaway winner in voting for the First Book Award -- Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book FestivalHe writes with a clarity of style * THE SCOTSMAN *We meet a pioneering female writer, two fatherless boys, a man who fell from the sky and, of course, the prolific letter writer Ivor Punch * THE BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *The Punch family history is both fascinating and sad. The book is interesting, funny, has a famous cameo and keeps you reading, and it's only when you reach the end of the final chapter that the Punch family history falls into place... The characters are original, well-written, and it's one of those books you want to re-read after you've finished it -- Judith Griffin * New Books *I raced through this clever, poignant, beautiful book in one sitting. It's peopled by a cast of brilliantly off-the-wall characters, and full of keen-eyed observations about life on a remote Scottish island - and, by extension, everywhere. A must-read. -- Laura Barnett, author of THE VERSIONS OF USThis is a novel packed with funny characters. * iWEEKEND *
£9.49
Poolbeg Press Ltd Tom Crean
Book Synopsis
£7.33
Canongate Books Fup: A Modern Fable
Book SynopsisThere's Grandaddy Jake Santee, 99 years old, an unreformed gambler, cranky reprobate and fierce opponent of the work ethic. Thanks to his home-distilled hooch, Ol' Death Whisper, he reckons he's in with good shot at immortality. And then there's Tiny, adopted at the age of four by Grandaddy Jake, a giant young man as gentle as Jake is belligerent. And then there's Fup, an uncompromising twenty-pound mallard, partial to a drink herself, whose unique presence transforms the Santee household. Hilarious, heartwarming and magical, Fup is a contemporary fable that inspires an almost evangelical fervour in all who read it. It is a work of enormous originality with a giant heart.Trade ReviewI was a "wilderness educator" back in Texas in the mid-eighties . . . At night I used to read these tough, streetwise kids to sleep - Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, and a fable called Fup by Jim Dodge. They loved Fup in particular, a fable about a duck . . . I still hear from these kids - they're all over the country now and generally they're out of trouble, except for the fact that they might be reading Fup to their kids -- Colum McCann * * Paris Review * *A fairytale ending worthy of Oscar Wilde * * Sunday Telegraph * *You'll love it * * Independent on Sunday * *Short, sharp and wickedly funny * * Elle * *Delightful and constantly surprising. Jim Dodge has produced something rare: a fairy tale that is wonderfully down to earth. * * Daily Telegraph * *A short, masterful and unusual fable. * * The Times * *This novel is fupped uck. * * The Times * *Stupendous. It is a jewel, a gem, a diamond in the cesspool of life. * * San Francisco Chronicle * *A timeless fable that is vibrant, vital, poetic and full of humanity, this is a short but perfectly formed work that you can come back to again and again. * * Waterstone's Books Quarterly * *If you fell in love with Babe then you'll love Fup. Simple, touching and refreshingly short * * The Face * *A pint-sized powerpack of a novel. It's got everything * * Big Issue * *Fup shows Jim Dodge to be one of the most original literary voices * * Elle * *
£9.49
Canongate Books The Howling Miller
Book SynopsisWhen Gunnar Huttunen turns up in a small village to restore its run-down mill, its inhabitants are wary. Gunnar is big. He's a bit odd. And, strangest of all, he howls wildly at night. If Gunnar is different, then he must be mad, the villagers decide. Hounded from his home, he must find a way to survive the wilds of nature and the greater savagery of civilization. The Howling Miller is a dark fairytale of community, conformity and our place in the world.Trade ReviewA gem of a novel * * New York Times * *Profound . . . Paasilinna's singular vision of freedom and persecution proves beguiling * * Guardian * *Part myth, part fable and part novel - a form that has a funny way of bypassing the head and directly affecting the animal instincts * * Los Angeles Times * *A literary folk tale . . . Extraordinary * * Times Literary Supplement * *It's a riotous novel, full of deadpan humour told in a comic style that, as the opening paragraph suggests, comes across like a fable * * booklit.com * *
£999.99
Vintage Publishing Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You
Book SynopsisA remarkable early collection of stories by Alice Munro, the bestselling author of Dear Life, and one of the greatest fiction writers of our time.‘Alice Munro’s stories are miraculous’ Sunday Times ‘No one else can – or should be allowed to – write like the great Alice Munro’ Julian Barnes ‘She sets down the pains and pleasures of living in a spare, singing prose, not a word wasted’ Daily Telegraph ‘Read not more than one of her stories a day, and allow them to work their spell: they are made to last’ Observer ‘She's the most savage writer I've ever read, also the most tender, the most honest, the most perceptive’ Jeffrey EugenidesTrade ReviewShe sets down the pains and pleasures of living in a spare, singing prose, not a word wasted * Daily Telegraph *Munro is so good one gropes for superlatives * Daily Telegraph *Alice Munro has a strong claim to being the best fiction writer now working in North America -- Jonathan FranzenAlice Munro is among the major writers of English fiction of our time -- Margaret Atwood
£9.49
Vintage Canada Binge
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Headline Publishing Group One Love
Book SynopsisTwo men. Twenty years of friendship. One love.''Lovely, funny, kind and truthful . . . I was expecting a simple will-they-won''t-they, but it''s wiser than that . . . challenging who we are, and why, and how we can change'' Russell T. Davies''A great eye-opening and heart-warming read'' Fabulous''A rich, funny, poignant and unflinchingly honest portrayal of friendship, love and everything in between'' Ruth Hogan---2002Danny arrives at Manchester University determined not to hide from the world any longer. This is the year his life will begin. He locks eyes with a handsome stranger across the hall at the Freshers'' Fair. It starts with a wink and soon Danny and Guy are best friends. 2022Now, both single for the first time in years, Danny and Guy return to the confetti-covered streets of the Gay Village for Manchester Pride.After years of shared adventures Trade ReviewRich, poignant, funny and unflinchingly honest . . . a glorious, heart-warming and thought-provoking read -- Ruth HoganA warm, nostalgic and intimate portrayal of the complexities of friendship, and the changing face of being gay and staying strong in a world that's learning to accept us, but still doesn't always understand us -- Justin MyersSincere, moving and authentic . . . I loved, loved, loved this book -- Julietta HendersonA triumph. Brave and honest, beautiful and funny . . . I learned so much from reading this. I loved the relationship between Danny and Guy and all its complications -- Alexandra PotterOne Love is an epic tale of love and friendship, packed with warmth, wit and wisdom . . . an absolute joy to read -- Laura PearsonWhat a wonderful book . . . a heartwarming, nostalgia-inducing tale of friendship and love that puts a huge smile on your face -- Laura PriceUnfolding over a twenty-year period and bookended by two Gay Pride events in Manchester . . . the result is touching, funny, poignant and brilliant -- Mary GabrielA beautiful, deeply human exploration of the blurred lines between love and friendship that exist in the queer community, with a tender understanding that the most important love of all can be the love and forgiveness we hold for ourselves -- Steven RowleyA fresh, heart-warming spin on the gay romcom which explores love beyond the best friend/boyfriend binary. I loved it -- Paul BurstonUtterly absorbing and affecting. Matt Cain is one of the most entertaining and illuminating writers out there -- Bryony GordonMore than its incredible characterisation, One Love is a heart-warming study of love, friendship and growing up * My Weekly *If you're looking for something uplifting to kick off your reading list in 2024, this might just be the one for you . . . absorbing, moving and poignant, this is a story of friendship and love that you won't to miss * Glamour *This gay love story pulls hard on the heart strings * Sunday Post *Compassionate, funny, insightful -- Lorraine KellyPraise for Matt Cain: A bucket of joy * Glamour *A big warm hug of a novel * Heat *Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism -- Russell T. DaviesI ADORED this book, it's so uplifting, original and funny * Daily Mail *Will put a smile on everyone's face -- Michael BallUtterly joyful - you will smile your way through this * Sun *Brilliant . . . [I] recommend to all! -- Matt LucasA total triumph. Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once -- Laura KayThe uplifting book we all need to read right now * Bella *
£17.00
Ultimo Press The Lovers: SHORTLISTED FOR THE MILES FRANKLIN
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE MILES FRANKLIN LITERARY AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE PRIME MINISTER'S LITERARY AWARD FOR FICTION SHORTLISTED FOR THE VICTORIAN PREMIER’S AWARD FOR FICTION ‘her writing is poetic and reverential. The author’s understanding of love, romance and of responsibility runs deep.’ – Books + PublishingWhat happens when we become used to each other, when we become bored, when we anticipate each other’s moods like the seasons cycled in a day? What happens when you are tired of me and I tire of you? Every couple has a story. How they met, how they fell in love – their ups, their downs. What made them want to be in each other's arms day and night. The struggle of family expectations. The need to please each other, the desire to go their separate ways. It is about the private universe between two people as they try to hold to each other despite the barriers of geography, culture and class. Every couple has a beginning, a middle, and maybe an end. The Lovers is an enchanting fable that explores the light and dark of a relationship – a love distilled down to its barest form. You might think you know this story. Maybe you do. PRAISE FOR THE LOVERS ‘Sometimes, Kassab shows us, love can be another word for cruelty. Sometimes the stories we hide behind reveal our deepest truths.’ - Sydney Morning Herald ‘Beautifully told in Yumna Kassab's poetic prose, The Lovers is both the story of the tumultuous relationship between Amir and Jamila and an exploration of class, culture and the complex nature of love.’ - Sunday Life ‘The delicate power that fables hold – their universality, while retaining their specificity – is captured in The Lovers. Ultimately, Kassab’s novel rests on the premise of the ‘impossibility of language, of being able to ever understand someone else.’’ - Artshub ‘a raw, haunting and honest look at love, relationships, and the moments that break us.’ - MamamiaPRAISE FOR YUMNA KASSAB ‘the real deal’ – Favel Parrett, author of Past The Shallows ‘rare it is to read a voice as crisp and authentic as Kassab’ – Zoya Patel, author of No Country Woman ‘Kassab creates an eerie sense of place as the reader is drawn into myriad perspectives and geographies. Without doubt Australiana is an unnerving contribution to contemporary novel writing in this continent.’ – Books + Publishing on Australiana ‘The unadorned style and unobtrusive realism of this book mask, at first, how experimental and original it is in other ways’ – Sydney Morning Herald on The House Of Youssef ‘Kassab’s prose is unsparing and frank yet unstinting’ – Australian Book Review on The House Of YoussefTrade Review‘her writing is poetic and reverential. The author’s understanding of love, romance and of responsibility runs deep.’ * Books + Publishing *‘Sometimes, Kassab shows us, love can be another word for cruelty. Sometimes the stories we hide behind reveal our deepest truths.’ * Sydney Morning Herald *‘a raw, haunting and honest look at love, relationships, and the moments that break us.’ * Mamamia *‘The delicate power that fables hold – their universality, while retaining their specificity – is captured in The Lovers. Ultimately, Kassab’s novel rests on the premise of the ‘impossibility of language, of being able to ever understand someone else.’’ * Artshub *‘Beautifully told in Yumna Kassab's poetic prose, The Lovers is both the story of the tumultuous relationship between Amir and Jamila and an exploration of class, culture and the complex nature of love.’ * Sunday Life *
£8.54
Fantom Films Limited Children of the Stones
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Pan Macmillan Mrs Porter Calling
Book SynopsisAJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire, England. Her debut novel, Dear Mrs Bird, was a Sunday Times and international bestseller and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards Debut of the Year and the Historical Writers' Association Debut Crown for best historical debut. Mrs Porter Calling is the third novel in The Emmy Lake Chronicles.Trade ReviewAJ Pearce has created a great boo-hiss villainess in Mrs Porter for her third Emmy Lake book . . . This is at heart a cosy, jolly diversion in the best Joyce Grenfell tradition. * The Times *I raced through Mrs Porter Calling, it is just brilliant, so utterly charming and uplifting . . . all I want is for Emmy and Bunty to be my friends! -- Jill Mansell, author of Promise Me[A] charming, comforting book, which never shies away from the horrors and the losses of the war. -- Sarra Manning * Red *AJ Pearce has not lost her touch. Mrs Porter Calling is a winning combination of warmth, humour and a compelling story of the power of friendship. This book really is a joy. -- Katie Fforde, author of One Enchanted EveningA pleasure you’d be daft to deny yourself . . . Pearce has hit on a winning blend of irrepressible fizz and poignant period charm. * Mail on Sunday *Heartbreaking yet feel-good, we loved it. * Woman & Home *. . . beautifully warm and genuine, and with just enough jeopardy to make this wonderful read all the more satisfying. Sheer perfection. * Heat *The third book in the Emmy Lake Chronicles series, which started with Dear Mrs Bird, is a ray of sunshine. * Good Housekeeping *Being on Team Emmy makes you feel like you are part of her tight circle of friends. * The Lady *Both hilarious and heart-wrenchingly sad, this charming book is an utter delight. * Heat *If ever there was a book to cheer a heart, it’s Mrs Porter Calling. Touching, beyond charming, meticulously researched and full of the best one-liners, it is playful, perky, poignant and perfect. I love, love, LOVED it. -- Milly JohnsonA beautiful story of love and friendship. -- Jo Thomas, author of Retreat to the Spanish SunAJ’s writing just goes from strength to strength and I can’t wait for her next one - such a poignantly happy ending to a perfect book! -- Catherine Jones, author of Fates and Fortunes in Little WoodfordHumorous and sharp, poignant and profound, it is a book that will stay in my heart and on my shelf, and I suspect will become a very battered comfort-read, to be returned to whenever my spirit needs a lift or I need a good old sob. -- Iona Grey, author of The Glittering HourA book to sink into. With Emmy and Bunty by your side you know you are in safe hands. Smashing! -- Sally Page, author of The Book of BeginningsWonderful . . . I loved Mrs Porter Calling. I cheered for Emmy, I laughed and cried with her - I was with her every step of the way. In a series bursting with warmth and compassion, I think this book might be the best yet. -- Shelley Harris, author of JubileeThis is such a wonderful, touching, funny, gorgeous book. I couldn’t put it down. I honestly think the books are getting better each time, which is so amazing. -- Anne Booth, author of Small MiraclesI loved AJ Pearce's previous novels in the series, Dear Mrs Bird and Yours Cheerfully but I have to say Mrs Porter Calling is absolutely glorious. So spectacularly joyful, uplifting and just the treat I needed. I found I couldn't wait to get back to it once I'd started - I absolutely loved it.' -- Tracy Rees, author of The ElopementEmmy Lake is back in the popular wartime series - and we couldn't be more thrilled . . . Heartbreaking yet feel-good and thoroughly enjoyable, we loved it. -- Zoe West * Woman's Weekly *Clear a space on the shelf reserved for your favorite comfort books. Mrs. Porter Calling is the rare novel that manages to be deep as it is delightful. Funny, endearing, heartbreaking, and uplifting — it’s a thoroughly entrancing story about friendship, work, and finding the best in life, even during the worst of times. -- Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie AffairWith quirky, lovable characters, this story is moving, humorous and utterly uplifting! * Candis *Fizzing with charm, warmth and plenty of humour this is a delight to read – and the sad moments are all the more impactful and poignant when set against the backdrop of such simple joy. * My Weekly Special *I’ve loved all of the books in the fabulous series and this one is a true delight – full of joy and memorable characters. A superb read, I love the camaraderie between Emmy and her friends. I can’t wait to read more about Emmy Lake – hopefully she’ll be reunited with the lovely Charles soon! -- Top Review in My WeeklyThe third instalment in this heartwarming series. * Best *Heartbreaking, yet feel-good and very enjoyable. * Woman *The third book in the Emmy Lake Chronicles delivers once again, and is full of laughter and tears. * The Sun *
£15.29
Pan Macmillan The Women Could Fly
Book SynopsisMegan Giddings is an assistant professor at Michigan State University and affiliate faculty at Antioch University's low-residency MFA. Her first novel, Lakewood, was one of New York Magazine's top ten books of 2020, an NPR Best Book of 2020, a Michigan Notable book for 2021, a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards, and was a finalist for an LA Times Book Prize in the Ray Bradbury Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Speculative category. Megan's writing has received funding and support from the Barbara Deming Foundation and Hedgebrook. The Women Could Fly is Megan's latest spellbinding novel.Trade ReviewFor fans of Margaret Atwood * Elle Magazine *Thoughtful novel, written in a wry, magical realist tone reminiscent of Kelly Link and Carmen Maria Machado * Guardian *Megan Giddings's prose is brimming with wonder. The Women Could Fly is a candid appraisal of grief, inheritance, and the merits of unruliness. * Raven Leilani, Bestselling author of Luster *This novel put me in the mind of the works of Margaret Atwood. An extraordinary concept * Platinum *It can be tempting to read The Women Could Fly, which comes in the shadow of the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and call the book timely. But the relationship at the heart of this novel — between Jo and her mercurial mother — is much closer to timeless. * The New York Times *Perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Power, The Women Could Fly is a feminist dystopia set in a world where witches are real and young women – in particular, young Black women – are closely monitored for signs of magic and regularly put on trial for witchcraft. * Stylist *The Women Could Fly is an absolute triumph. Giddings conjures up a world that feels familiar, despite the increasingly creepy hints of dystopia. And along the way, she shows what the anti-witch crusaders really fear most: our ability to create a better world if we work together. * Washington Post *The Women Could Fly is one of the most exhilarating and fulfilling books I've read in years. It's wildly imaginative, funny, deep, radical, and full of suspense. I read it in one giant gulp of pleasure. Megan Giddings is truly a remarkable writer. * Jamie Attenberg, author of The Middlesteins *Profound, daring, wondrous, and utterly original. A feminist dystopian epic about a world where women’s life choices are policed and female power and autonomy are the most dangerous forces of all, Megan Giddings’ The Women Could Fly offers a hypnotic blend of enchantment and outrage. I could not love this novel more. * Jessamine Chan, author of The School for Good Mothers *The Women Could Fly lifts the veil of this world to show, amid the old grief and injustice, a glimmer of necessary magic. This is a gem of a book about womanhood, lineage, and defiance. * C Pam Zhang, author of How Much of These Hills Is Gold *The Women Could Fly drew me in immediately with its balance of humour and pain, magic and familiarity, and the unforgettable characters who are the novel’s beating heart. Reading this book is like putting on an old winter coat and discovering a magical talisman in the pocket: it’s full of warmth, comfort, and a whole new world of possibility. Megan Giddings is an exquisite novelist, and a writer to watch. * Adrienne Celt, author of End of the World House *Born of a radical imagination and executed with piercing elegance and skill, The Women Could Fly recalls legendary works of dystopian fiction but casts a spell all its own. Giddings is a rare and utterly original voice bridging the speculative and the all-too-real. * Alexandra Kleeman, author of Something New Under the Sun *Equal parts magic and revelatory. * LitHub on The Women Could Fly in LitHub's Most Anticipated Books of 2022 *Megan Giddings has a knack for taking her readers on a wild, suspenseful and thrilling ride. With descriptive setting and peculiar character development, I'm sure this novel is about to give us Dune meets The Salem Witch Trials realness. * Buzzfeed on The Women Could Fly *A book with echoes of Octavia Butler and Shirley Jackson. * Electric Lit on The Women Could Fly *Megan Giddings is a young writer to watch. * Kirkus Reviews *A dynamite story of a Black woman’s resistance in an oppressive dystopia . . . Giddings ingeniously blends her harrowing parable of an all-powerful patriarchy with insights into racial imbalances . . . This is brilliant. * Publishers Weekly *In Megan Giddings’ tightly wound supernatural dystopia . . . a book about witches, The Women Could Fly feels pretty gritty and grounded, and has plenty to say about the regular old dystopia we’re stuck in. * The Philadelphia Inqirer *Buzzes with hot-button issues * Daily Mail *The language and world-building are beautifully executed, rewriting our assumptions of witchcraft . . . I found myself hoping for more stories set in this universe — a coven’s worth, if you will . . . we could all use a little magic right now. * Boston Globe *
£15.29
Pan Macmillan The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone
Book SynopsisWith a love story at its heart, The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone weaves multiple periods and perspectives into a charming, magical story about a mystical dolls' house. A beautiful, unforgettable mystery from debut author Audrey Burges.Once upon a time there was a house . . . From her attic in the Arizona mountains, thirty-four year-old recluse Myra Malone blogs about a miniature mansion – a dolls' house – which captivates thousands of readers worldwide. Myra herself is tethered to the Mansion by a strange magic she can’t understand - there are rooms that appear and disappear overnight, music that plays in its corridors.Across the country, Alex Rakes, the thirty-four year-old heir of a furniture business, encounters two Mansion fans trying to recreate a room from her stories. Alex is shocked to recognize his own bedroom in minute scale.The Mansion is his family’s home, handed down from the grandmTrade ReviewLively, stylish, and full of heart. The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is decorated with gorgeous wordsmithery and magical trimmings, and I loved every minute spent inside. -- Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Other Birds[It is] a mystical, poignant tale about loneliness, loss and love. * Woman's Own *The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone is a mystery, a family drama and a love story, with a touch of the paranormal adding an extra thread of curiosity to the intergenerational tale. * Culturefly *At its beautifully oh-so different heart, The Minuscule Mansion is a fabulously warming feel-good debut novel. The magic realism of this story adds strength and vibrancy, I had absolutely no hesitation in falling headlong into this tale . . . a quirky and joy filled read we recommend with heart and soul. * LoveReading.com *A cosy, old-fashioned yet highly original romance to bring a bit of sunshine into these grey, sodden 'summer' days. -- Anne Cunningham * Meath Chronicle *Absolutely charming and haunting in equal measures, a beautifully written love story -- Taleen Voskuni, author of Sorry, BroA generous, big-hearted reprieve from our ever-more-troubling reality; a modern fairy tale . . . Audrey Burges is a storyteller of warmth, wit, and stunning originality. -- Katie Gutierrez, bestselling author of More Than You'll Ever KnowA refreshing and unique entry into the genre of mystical realism. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen and for all book lovers searching for a fantastic read. -- Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Shop on Royal StreetLove, loss, and loneliness: this book explores it all, with Burges’ characteristic humour and care. -- Rachel Mans McKenny, award-winning author of The Butterfly EffectA poignant, beautiful debut filled with magic, fate and redemption -- Rachel Linden, author of The Magic of Lemon Drop PieThis well-written novel with heart-warming characters is perfect for fans of magical realism by the likes of Sarah Addison Allen and Isabel Allende. * Library Journal *Sparkling and unforgettable * The Nerd Daily *Burges creates a magical, unique world, and her characters are incredibly lovable . . . Perfect for readers who long to escape into a world of magic and romance. * Kirkus *This creative, engaging debut weaves together an unusual family legacy, a romance between two lonely souls, and a touch of magic . . . * Booklist *Charmingly combines threads of magic, whimsy, romance, grief and loss in a debut novel of great feeling . . . This captivating novel of miniature furniture and big themes braids strong friendships, romance, family ties and the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone. * Shelf Awareness *Audrey Burges’ bewitching tale reminds us that we all need a refuge from the real world sometimes. * WI Life *
£17.09
Pan Macmillan The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone
Book SynopsisAudrey Burges writes novels, humour, satire and essays in Richmond, Virginia. She has stories published in McSweeney's, Cease, Cows, Into the Void, Human Parts, Empty Mirror, The Belladonna, Slackjaw, and Points in Case. When Audrey isn't writing, she's being tolerated by her two rambunctious children and very patient husband.Trade ReviewLively, stylish, and full of heart. The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is decorated with gorgeous wordsmithery and magical trimmings, and I loved every minute spent inside. -- Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Other Birds[It is] a mystical, poignant tale about loneliness, loss and love. * Woman's Own *The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone is a mystery, a family drama and a love story, with a touch of the paranormal adding an extra thread of curiosity to the intergenerational tale. * Culturefly *At its beautifully oh-so different heart, The Minuscule Mansion is a fabulously warming feel-good debut novel. The magic realism of this story adds strength and vibrancy, I had absolutely no hesitation in falling headlong into this tale . . . a quirky and joy filled read we recommend with heart and soul. * LoveReading.com *A cosy, old-fashioned yet highly original romance to bring a bit of sunshine into these grey, sodden 'summer' days. -- Anne Cunningham * Meath Chronicle *Absolutely charming and haunting in equal measures, a beautifully written love story -- Taleen Voskuni, author of Sorry, BroA generous, big-hearted reprieve from our ever-more-troubling reality; a modern fairy tale . . . Audrey Burges is a storyteller of warmth, wit, and stunning originality. -- Katie Gutierrez, bestselling author of More Than You'll Ever KnowA refreshing and unique entry into the genre of mystical realism. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen and for all book lovers searching for a fantastic read. -- Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Shop on Royal StreetLove, loss, and loneliness: this book explores it all, with Burges’ characteristic humour and care. -- Rachel Mans McKenny, award-winning author of The Butterfly EffectA poignant, beautiful debut filled with magic, fate and redemption -- Rachel Linden, author of The Magic of Lemon Drop PieThis well-written novel with heart-warming characters is perfect for fans of magical realism by the likes of Sarah Addison Allen and Isabel Allende. * Library Journal *Sparkling and unforgettable * The Nerd Daily *Burges creates a magical, unique world, and her characters are incredibly lovable . . . Perfect for readers who long to escape into a world of magic and romance. * Kirkus *Audrey Burges’ bewitching tale reminds us that we all need a refuge from the real world sometimes. * WI Life *This creative, engaging debut weaves together an unusual family legacy, a romance between two lonely souls, and a touch of magic . . . * Booklist *Charmingly combines threads of magic, whimsy, romance, grief and loss in a debut novel of great feeling . . . This captivating novel of miniature furniture and big themes braids strong friendships, romance, family ties and the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone. * Shelf Awareness *
£10.44
Pan Macmillan Bonding
Book SynopsisMariel Franklin lives and works in London. She has a MA in English from Edinburgh University and later went on to study Fine Art at Goldsmiths. After graduating, she spent several years working as a data manager in the tech industry. Bonding is her first book.
£15.29
Pan Macmillan The Sparsholt Affair
Book Synopsis'Call Me By Your Name meets Evelyn Waugh in a gorgeous novel about the generations-long aftershocks of a youthful tryst' — EsquireFrom the winner of the Man Booker Prize, a masterly novel that spans seven transformative decades as it plumbs the complex relationships of a remarkable family.In October 1940, the handsome young David Sparsholt arrives in Oxford. A keen athlete and oarsman, he at first seems unaware of the effect he has on others – particularly on the lonely and romantic Evert Dax, son of a celebrated novelist and destined to become a writer himself. While the Blitz rages in London, Oxford exists at a strange remove: an ephemeral, uncertain place, in which nightly blackouts conceal secret liaisons. Over the course of one momentous term, David and Evert forge an unlikely friendship that will colour their lives for decades to come . . .Alan Hollinghurst’s sweeping novel evokes the intimate relationshipsTrade ReviewHollinghurst is a master storyteller ... thrilling in the rather awful way that the best Victorian novels are, so that one finds oneself galloping somewhat shamefacedly through the pages in order to discover what happens next. -- John BanvilleHollinghurst can make language do what he wants . . . It makes a lot of contemporary fiction seem thin and underachieving. * Evening Standard *Dazzlingly good: the best new novel I’ve read this year. Once again, Hollinghurst is both utterly sumptuous and utterly precise * Spectator *Mr. Hollinghurst's great gift as a novelist is for social satire as sharp and transparent as glass, catching his quarry from an angle just an inch to the left of the view they themselves would catch in the mantelpiece mirror. * The New York Observer *Alan Hollinghurst’s The Sparsholt Affair is startling, radical, embedded in tradition but entirely new in final effect – the novel that other novelists were all talking about this year. -- Philip Hensher * Guardian *A sweeping and intimate masterpiece, full of sensual pleasures and observational wisdom -- Geoff Dyer * Guardian *Thrillingly stylish and gripping -- Alex Preston * Guardian *But for narrative ambition and sheer comic joy, by far the best thing I’ve read this year . . . A novel with brains and heart and balls — the kind you find yourself wanting to read at two speeds at once: very quickly, so that you can get on to the next page, and very slowly, so that you can linger over each beautifully crafted sentence. He’s a writer who makes every word sing -- Robert Douglas-Fairhurst * Spectator *Audacious, ambitious . . . an absorbingly complex novel reaching across seven decades . . . Hollinghurst's prose delights * The Times, Saturday Review *Beautiful; moving . . . he writes with subtlety and sympathy; wisdom and understanding * New York Times *A highlight of Hollinghurst’s career, and one of the best books of the year . . . a true master * Independent *My favourite living novelist -- Charlotte Mendelson * Guardian *Richly textured and alive with ironic wit . . . An ambitious novel of family, sexuality and art * The Sunday Times *Captures the changing nature of the homosexual experience as the country moves from shame and criminality to openness [and] dating apps * The Times *Alluring, virtuosic, cinematic . . . The traditional novel form seems as pleasurable and humanly true as ever in his hands * New Yorker *Deeply pleasurable . . . written with poise, lucidity and pathos * Harper's *A wonder, full of wit and tenderness . . . there is no better stylist alive [than] Hollinghurst * Slate *Perhaps Hollinghurst’s most beautiful novel yet—a book full of glorious sentences by the greatest prose stylist writing in English today . . . An unashamedly readable novel, undoubtedly the work of a master * The Observer *It’s not often that readers see such a fundamental rethinking of what fiction can do, and rarer still that the result is such a joy -- Philip Hensher * Spectator *The immense assurance of the writing, the deep knowledge of the settings and periods in which the story unfolds, the mingling of cruel humour and lyrical tenderness, the insatiable interest in human desire from its most refined to its most brutally carnal, grip you as tightly as any thriller * The Guardian *A novelist with a particular genius for inhabiting the past [and] an extraordinary gift for the condensing and enriching detail . . . Ravishing -- Adam Mars-Jones * LRB *Breathtaking . . . the novel chronicles a handful of queer friendships–the way they bent and twisted and sometimes even shattered, the reverberations of each affecting generation after generation of queer people who came after them * Lit Hub *
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Pan Macmillan Mothers and Sons
Book SynopsisColm Tóibín was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of numerous novels, including The Master, Brooklyn, and The Magician, and two collections of stories. He has been three times shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In 2021, he was awarded the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Tóibín was appointed the Laureate for Irish Fiction 2022-2024.
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Blackwater Lightship
Book SynopsisColm Tóibín was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of numerous novels, including The Master, Brooklyn, and The Magician, and two collections of stories. He has been three times shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In 2021, he was awarded the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Tóibín was appointed the Laureate for Irish Fiction 2022-2024.
£9.49
Pan Macmillan Toibin C Heather Blazing
Book SynopsisColm Tóibín was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of numerous novels, including The Master, Brooklyn and The Magician, and two collections of stories. He has been three times shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In 2021, he was awarded the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Tóibín was appointed the Laureate for Irish Fiction 20222024.
£9.49
Pan Macmillan They Dream In Gold
Book SynopsisMai Sennaar is a writer, playwright and filmmaker. She lives between Baltimore and Dakar, and she speaks French and Wolof. They Dream in Gold is her debut novel.
£15.29
Pan Macmillan Anyones Ghost
Book Synopsis'This new novel is a real heart-squeezer. Beautiful, one of a kind and perfectly titled' - Matt Berninger of The National'An overwhelmingly beautiful love story. This book will make you cry' – Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Everything is Illuminated 'Genuinely powerful' - The Irish TimesA gorgeous modern love story about the lives that change us, and the loves that haunt us. Set over twenty years, August Thompson's debut Anyone’s Ghost will break your heart.It took three car crashes to kill Jake.The lonely life of fifteen-year-old Theron David Alden is transformed when he meets Jake. Older, cooler, more confident and startlingly beautiful, Jake likes the same bands, the same drugs, and has the same drive to oblivion.Over the course of two decades, Theron and Jake get high, drift apart, and are brought hurtling back together, until a final c
£15.29
Pan Macmillan Trumpet
Book Synopsis*Winner of the Guardian Fiction Prize*‘Rich, taut and compelling’ – Melvyn Bragg, The Guardian‘An accomplished display of vocal versatility’ – The Literary ReviewThe death of legendary jazz trumpeter Joss Moody exposes an extraordinary secret. Unknown to all but his wife Millie, Joss was a woman living as a man. The discovery is most devastating for their adopted son, Colman, whose bewildered fury brings the press to the doorstep and sends his grieving mother to the sanctuary of a remote Scottish village.Part of the Picador Collection, Trumpet by Jackie Kay is a starkly beautiful modern classic about the lengths to which people will go for love. It is a moving story of a shared life founded on an intricate lie, of loving deception and lasting devotion, and of the intimate workings of the human heart.‘Kay carefully registers the technical difficulties of transgendere
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Pan Macmillan Where There Was Fire
Book SynopsisJohn Manuel Arias is a queer, Costa Rican American poet and writer. He has lived in Washington, DC; Brooklyn, New York; and in San José, Costa Rica, with his grandmother and four ghosts. Where There Was Fire is his first novel.
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Pan Macmillan Tales from the Cafe
Book Synopsis
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Pan Macmillan My Three Dogs
Book SynopsisMy Three Dogs is a charming new novel from the number one bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose, about humankind's most loyal friend, and a wonderful adventure of love and finding home.
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Pan Macmillan The Whittiers
Book SynopsisThe Whittiers is a heartwarming story about the importance of family, home and being true to yourself, from billion-copy bestseller Danielle Steel.Home is where the heart is . . . Connie and Preston Whittier raised their six children in a once-grand Manhattan mansion. With the kids now grown-up, the family home remains somewhere they all love to return to. But on Connie and Preston’s annual skiing holiday in Europe, an avalanche hits their resort, resulting in unspeakable tragedy.Struggling to process their loss, each member of the Whittier family must also face their own personal struggles. Lyle is successful, but has an unhappy marriage, and Gloria is a genius on Wall Street but deeply lonely. Twins Caroline and Charlie work all hours on their growing fashion brand, but have no time to enjoy life. Benjie has personal challenges and requires additional support, and rebellious Annabelle has fallen in with a bad crowd.With
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Headline Publishing Group Late Bloomer
Book SynopsisMazey Eddings'' signature sparkling voice shines through in this sexy, sapphic, opposites-attract romance!''A magnificent story about queer joy, queer love, and the power of queer community . . . this book is a must-read'' ALISON COCHRUNWinning the lottery ruined Opal Devlin''s life. She may have been able to leave her dead-end job, but now she''s getting endlessly bombarded with people knocking at her door for a handout . . . and she can''t seem to stop saying yes.Opal realises she has a chance to follow her own dreams, and decides to spend almost all her new money on a failing flower farm in North Carolina where she can start her painting business. But her plans for isolation soon go hopelessly awry when an angry (albeit gorgeous) Pepper Boden is waiting for her at her new farm. Pepper states that she''s the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms, and she isn''t moving out.There''s not much else they can do except stri
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Headline Publishing Group The Rule Book
Book SynopsisCollege sweethearts meet again years later, in this highly anticipated sequel to the viral TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet!''Adams dazzles . . . a saucy second-chance rom-com'' Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW ''The Rule Book did not disappoint. . . Their banter, the quirkiness, the iou he keeps GAHHH. I could keep going on for how much I loved this'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''I knew I would be obsessed with this book, but truly this one blew me away. I swear, Sarah''s writing just keeps getting better and better'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''This book was such a fun ride. I loved Derek and Nora''s story. It was a joy to see them process through their individual challenges and insecurities, grow, and ultimately reconnect. It was so so sweet. Sarah Adams just keeps getting better!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''This was by far one of the funniest and exciting sports romance books I''ve read. I literally loved everything about it'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐..................Nora Mackenzie''s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn''t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it''s come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he''s holding a grudge. Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he''ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora''s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved-she won''t quit easily. Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group The Lonely Hearts Quiz League
Book Synopsis FALL IN LOVE WITH FOUR STRANGERS WHO MIGHT JUST FIND LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP WHERE THEY LEAST EXPECT IT... ''Full of heart'' LUCY GILMORE''The cast is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it'' CLARE SWATMAN''A heartwarming tale of friendship'' JOSIE LLOYD----------When Bryony, Harry and Jaime step into the Five Bells, each has their own motive for being drawn into the warm glow of the pub. Harry, recently single, can''t face his silent flat. Jaime, new to London with her boyfriend, longs to find a fun crowd. And Bryony is trying to locate the promising young woman she was, before a positive pregnancy test set her life on a different course.When they spot the advert to join a quiz team and enter a tournament, each signs up, unaware that the organiser, Donna, has her own reason to avoid thinking about home.After a few evenings, the stran
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Headline Publishing Group Home Again for Christmas
Book SynopsisTwo fierce rivals. One Christmas truce?''I really loved this book'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''This book is a treat'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''A perfect story to come home to'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''One of my favourites'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐____________Lexie is always on the move, but there is one constant in her life - her ''wish jar''; the childhood tradition from home that she couldn''t leave behind.When Lexie''s estranged dad dies, she is shocked to learn that she has inherited half of his travel company in Bath. Her dad''s will stipulates that she must work with Theo, her handsome but bad tempered business partner, for a year.Once the year is over, Lexie intends to leave. But a work trip to sizzling Spain reveals a chemistry between Lexie and Theo that is impossible to deny. Will Lexie find a reason to stay in one place? Will she discover the secret her father kept from her, and finally learn the meaning of home?''Page-turning. A must-read'' SUE MOORCROFT*Home Again for Christmas is published under the title A Winter Wish in the US*____________Your favourite authors all love Emily Stone''s books:''A gorgeous, festive, romantic read. Highly recommend!'' SOPHIE COUSENS''A life-affirming story that will wrap around you like a hug in any season'' JOSIE SILVER''Tender and gorgeously romantic. I LOVED it!'' CATHY BRAMLEY''Romantic and full of warmth'' SARAH MORGAN
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Headline Publishing Group Hot Hex Boyfriend
Book Synopsis''Carly Bloom makes magic with this bewitching rom-com'' PIPPA GRANTPractical Magic meets The Ex Hex in this steamy rom-com set in a small town full of quirky characters, perfect for fans of Erin Sterling, Sarah Hawley and Lana Harper. ??Something witchy this way comes . . . ??__________________________Delia Merriweather does not believe in magic. Not even a little. As a child, Delia Merriweather believed with all her heart that she was a witch. Because all Merriweather women are witches. There''s just one problem: none of them have any magic. As an adult, Delia no longer believes magic even exists. But, when she somehow accidentally breaks a hex and restores her family''s powers, she''s forced to accept a new reality: she is a witch. And maybe that''s why the crushingly handsome guy next door has been looking at her like he''s expecting her to fly off on a broomstick, cackling into the night. Just when Max thinks he''s done keeping an eye on the bumbling, magic-less Merriweather women, he suddenly finds himself forced to help his neighbours learn to control their new magic before they out witches everywhere. And despite Delia''s open suspicion of him, Max just can''t tell whether his growing feelings for Delia are real, or if he''s come under the spell of the most (cluelessly) powerful witch he''s ever known. One thing''s for certain: Delia''s life is suddenly looking pretty magical . . .?
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Headline Publishing Group All I Want is You
Book SynopsisA delightful, cosy, enemies-to-lovers Christmas rom-com from the author of Just My Type and Right on Cue.
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Headline Publishing Group A Lion Among Men
Book SynopsisThe global bestseller that inspired the hit musical phenomenon.The third book in Gregory Maguire''s Wicked Years series - inspiration for the major movie and record-breaking box office sensation.**Book 3 in a new collector''s edition of the WICKED YEARS quartet, with stunning ''vintage'' variant cover artwork**As civil war looms in Oz, an ancient and tetchy oracle named Yackle prepares for death. Before she can return to dust, however, the Cowardly Lion arrives seeking information about Elphaba Thropp, who defended him when he was a cub. Elphaba, the woman who became the Wicked Witch of the West. But Yackle, who once predicted the Witch''s greatness, demands some answers of her own.As the armies of the Emerald City approach, so begins a battle of wits between adversaries. What does the Lion know of the Witch''s boy, Liir? And what of the Grimmerie, the magic book that vanished as quickly as Elphaba?Fall under the WICKED spell this year...''Another masterpiece!''''A series you need to read'' ''Gregory Maguire has spun an incredible tale''
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Headline Publishing Group Son of a Witch
Book SynopsisThe global bestselling series that inspired the hit musical phenomenon.The sequel to Wicked - now a major movie and record-breaking box office sensation.**Book 2 in a new collector''s edition of the WICKED YEARS quartet, with stunning ''vintage'' variant cover artwork**On the night the Witch dies, nobody really notices the boy hiding in the shadows of the castle.Ten years later, in the land of Oz, the young man Liir is discovered bruised, comatose and left for dead. At the Cloister of Saint Glinda, he is tended to by a silent novice called Candle who wills him back to life with her musical gifts.What dark force left Liir in this condition? Could he be the son of the Wicked Witch of the West? He has her broom and her cape - but what of Elphaba''s powers?And now that Oz is under new and dangerous management, can Liir keep his head down long enough to grow up?Fall under the WICKED spell this year . . .''Even more wicked than Wicked!''''So full of action and adventure''''You''ve got to read this!''
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Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Seven Solitudes of Lorsa Lopez
Book SynopsisSony Labou Tansi''s surreal portrait of a despised and incompetent regime is a biting, burlesque fable, incisive in its description of postcolonial life.History has been silenced in this modern African state: only the voices of the dead cry out for justice. It is a cry answered by Estina Bronzario, the Woman of Bronze, determined to act against the political and moral corruption of male-dominated society.Murders escalate, crowds ebb and flow, and the years roll by. But all the while, the police never come... ''Central Africa''s greatest writer.'' New York Times''No greater genius than Sony Lab''ou Tansi.'' Independent''Sublimely surreal allegory... Tansi [is] one of Africa''s important voices.'' Publishers WeeklyTrade ReviewCentral Africa's greatest writer * New York Times *No greater genius than Sony Labou Tansi * Independent *Sublimely surreal allegory... Tansi [is] one of Africa's important voices * Publishers Weekly *
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Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hill of Fools
Book SynopsisSet during apartheid in rural South Africa, Hill of Fools tells a classic tale of forbidden love and tragedy as two rival families fight over ancient feuds.Although arranged to marry one of the most powerful men in her village, Zuziwe falls deeply in love with a young warrior across the river, Bhuqa. A leading fighter in his own village, Bhuqa is caught between his love for Zuziwe and the long-standing grudge that their families have inherited a rivalry so old that no one remembers how it began. As peace negotiations between the two tribes crumble, Zuziwe and Bhuqa''s hopes for a future together fall further and further away while violence threatens to ruin everything they hold dear.Hill of Fools is a heartfelt portrayal of tribalism in South Africa, rich with Xhosa idioms and age-old traditions. R.L. Peteni weaves together an unforgettable tale of two lovers doomed by past prejudice.Trade ReviewA book that must be read. * Daily Dispatch *Tribal tragedy of love. * Rand Daily Mail *
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar
Book SynopsisWinner of the 1991 Commonwealth Writers'' Prize. Syl Cheney-Coker''s acclaimed debut novel, The Last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar traces the history of a nation''s rise and fall, as prophesied by an ancient sorcerer.A military general sits in one of Malagueta''s prison cells, awaiting his execution. He has just failed to overthrow the government. In the same land, over two centuries ago, the wife of a formerly enslaved man takes her first steps towards freedom.From the creation of Malagueta to its devastating fall, Alusine Dunbar, the wizened old diviner, has prophesied it all. And what he sees, he calls a tragedy.One of Sierra Leone's most renowned novelists and poets, Sly Cheney-Coker creates a world teeming with magical realism as he paints the journey from precolonial Africa to its shaky independence.Trade Review[A] passionate epic history of the small town of Malagueta on the Atlantic coast of Africa. * Publishers Weekly *
£17.09
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Upon This Mountain
Book SynopsisIn this coming-of-age story, Timothy Wangusa tells the tale of a young boy struggling to reconcile between his Christian beliefs and his village''s ancient traditions. Upon this Mountain captures a time of profound religious change and colonialism in rural Uganda.Mwambu, a schoolboy living in eastern Uganda, is certain that if heaven is anywhere, it must be at the highest peak of their village''s mountain so he is shocked to discover that his father has never tried to reach it. While on a quest to climb to the top, Mwambu finds himself on a journey of self-realisation, confronted with the contradictions of his childhood. As the values of Christianity collide with the traditions of his ancestors, the path to adulthood becomes increasingly treacherous...
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Suns of Independence
Book SynopsisAhmadou Kourouma''s award winning novel, The Suns of Independence is one of the great classics of Francophone African literature, capturing the dreams and struggles of a newly independent nation.Fama is the last of an ancient line of Dumbuya princes who, before the Europeans came, reigned undisputed over the Malinke tribe. Yet even after independence, Fama is forced to beg for his place amongst the bureaucratic elite. Meanwhile, his wife, Salimata, is desperately attempting to save the Dumbuya legacy from extinction.Beyond the gripping political intrigue, Ahmadou Kourouma weaves together an in-depth tapestry of Malinke culture, blending the everyday experience of 1960s postcolonial life with age-old myths and traditions.''Perhaps the most remarkable African novelist writing in French.'' GuardianTrade ReviewPerhaps the most remarkable African novelist writing in French. * Guardian *The best-known African writer in France. * Independent *One of the few post-colonial African writers with an international reputation. * The Times *
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Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Lost Cause
Book SynopsisThirty years from now and the effects of climate change are overwhelming the planet but so are the global efforts to combat it.For young Americans a generation from now, climate change isn't controversial, it's a fact of life.But there are still those Americans who cling to their red trucker caps, their anger, their nostalgia for the golden age of assault rifles. Their alternative' news sources reassure them their resentment is right and pure and climate change' is a con.They're your grandfather, your uncle, your great-aunt. They're not going anywhere. And they're armed to the teeth.
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Fool Me Once
Book Synopsis''A simmering slow burn bursting with banter This is a romance for anyone who's ever felt too messy to be loved.'' ROSIE DANAN, author of The RoommateIn this fierce and funny battle of the exes, Ashley Winstead''s Fool Me Once explores the chaos of wanting something you used to have.Lee Stone is a twenty-first-century woman: she kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company (that's better than Tesla, thank you), and after work she is ''Stoner'', drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed...That's because Lee's learned one big lesson: never trust love. Four major heartbreaks set her straight, particularly grad-school boyfriend Ben Laderman who wasn't actually cheating, but she could have sworn he was, so she reciprocated in kind.Then Ben shows up five years later as a policy expert for the Texas governor, just as Lee is trTrade Review“A hilariously sharp-tongued romance with an unforgettable, unapologetic heroine. Fool Me Once is a breath of fresh air!” * Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk *“A love story for every truly hot mess… A romance with bite, wit, and heart.” * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *“A simmering slow burn bursting with banter, Fool Me Once has all the raunch, humor, and charm of a Judd Apatow movie but with the kind of flawed, dynamic heroine rom-com fans have been waiting for. This is a romance for anyone who’s ever felt too messy to be loved.” * Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate *“I absolutely love a messy heroine; throw in political schemes and off-the-charts chemistry, and Fool Me Once delivers a wild, sexy ride from start to finish!” * Trish Doller, author of Float Plan *“Fresh, funny, and chaotically wonderful, Fool Me Once had me hooked from the very first page! Winstead weaves an undeniably sexy tale of will-they/won’t-they that is sure to be a phenomenal addition to every rom-com lover’s library.” * Kate Bromley, author of Talk Bookish to Me *“Sparks fly and laughs abound as Winstead rides the line between enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance tropes. Readers will want to snap this up.” * Publishers Weekly *
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