Humorous fiction

Book SynopsisRuprecht Van Doren is an overweight genius whose hobbies include very difficult maths and the Search of Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. Daniel 'Skippy' Juster is his roommate. In the grand old Dublin institution that is Seabrook College for Boys, nobody pays either of them much attention.Trade ReviewSavagely funny, brimful of wit, energy, poetry and vision, unflaggingly entertaining. A triumph * Sunday Times *One of the most enjoyable, funny and moving reads of this year. A rare tragicomedy that's both genuinely tragic and genuinely comic * Guardian *Darkly comic, dazzles, every line drips ideas for fun. Unputdownably funny, captivating. A masterpiece * Metro *Ambitious, wise, funny, fiercely intelligent. The beauty of this cynical, hopeful, beautifully written book is that it builds a detailed world to explore life, the universe and everything * Sunday Express *Hilarious, heartbreaking, totally engrossing. A triumph * Daily Mail *Novels rarely come as funny and as moving as this utterly brilliant exploration of teenhood and the anticlimax of becoming an adult . . . Skippy Dies is intuitive, truthful and one of the finest comic novels written anywhere. Dies? Never! Skippy lives -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *I loved Skippy Dies . . . three novels fused into one ignited tragicomic tour de force -- Ali Smith * Times Literary Supplement *Skippy Dies is one great high-octane fizz bang of a book -- Patrick McCabe * Irish Times *Extravagantly entertaining * New York Times Book Review *A comic epic. Murray is a brilliant comic writer, but also humane and touching, and he captures the misery and elation, joy and anxiety of teenage life. A brilliant depiction of the heaven and hell of male adolescence -- David Nicholls * Guardian *Murray's writing has earned a place in the contemporary international canon . . . Murray's characters are so three-dimensionally drawn and brought to such vivid life that they may haunt your dreams * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisTHE AWARD-WINNING, MILLION-COPY BESTSELLERA hilarious, lively, moving and compassionate debut about one Ukrainian-British family''s tumultuous relationship and the history they never knew. ''Delightful, funny, touching'' Spectator*****As Romeo and Juliet found to their cost, marriage is never just about two people falling in love, it is about families.Sisters Vera and Nadezhda must aside a lifetime of feuding to save their widowed, tractor-obsessed Ukrainian father from the voluptuous, wealth-obsessed Valentina. With her proclivity for green satin underwear and boil-in-the-bag cuisine, she outmanoeuvres the sisters at every turn. But their campaign to oust Valentina unearths family secrets, uncovers fifty years of European and Ukrainian history, and sends them back to roots they''d much rather forget . . .***** ''Hugely enjoyable . . . yields a golden harvest of family truths'' Daily Telegraph ''Captures the peculiar flavour of Eastern European immigrant life . . . a very rich mixture indeed'' Daily Express''It''s rare to find a first novel that gets so much right . . . Lewycka is a seriously talented comic writer'' Time OutTrade ReviewMore than just a jolly romp with political undertones is the way it captures the peculiar flavour of Eastern European immigrant life ... a very rich mixture indeed, as well as very enjoyable reading The Times A delightful first novel ... an understanding of history, a profundity, and yet a lightness of touch, that are a joy ... funny, touching and completely convincing The Spectator

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Book SynopsisPreorder Mhairi''s new novel YOU BELONG WITH ME coming soon!Two best friends.One missed chance.And a night that changes everything.Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been friends since they were eighteen. Now in their 30s, the four are still as close as ever, Thursday pub quiz night is still sacred, and Eve is still secretly in love with Ed.Maybe Eve should have moved on by now, but she can't stop thinking about what could have been. And she knows Ed sometimes thinks about it too.Then one night, in an instant, all their lives change forever. And, as Eve learns she didn't know her friends as well as she thought, she also discovers she isn't the only person keeping secrets''Brilliant on relationships, friendships and emotions I loved, loved, loved this book' MARIAN KEYESGorgeously romantic, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end' BETH O'LEARYA luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship' JOSIE SILVERDon't miss this hilarious and heaTrade Review‘LAST NIGHT manages to be both genuinely heartbreaking and hilarious – that's how good Mhairi McFarlane is. It's a gorgeously romantic novel, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end’ Beth O’Leary, #1 bestselling author of The Flat Share 'It's a long time since I loved any book as much. She's so BRILLIANT on relationships, friendships and emotions. Her characters are nuanced, convincing and loveable…she deserves massive praise and recognition. I loved, loved, loved this book’ Marian Keyes, #1 bestselling author of Grown-Ups ‘I cannot remember the last book I loved as much! It reminded me of Ralph’s Party, and also felt reminiscent of the friendship group in Bridget Jones. What a luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship’ Josie Silver, #1 bestselling author of One Day in December ‘Mhairi writes absolutely brilliant romantic comedies, I just love her’ Jenny Colgan 'A glorious, heartwrenching story and a beautiful love letter to female friendship' bestselling author Laura Kemp ‘This mixes the author’s trademark humour with gut-punching emotion to create her best book yet’ Fabulous ‘Deliciously barbed banter is what we’ve come to expect from Mhairi McFarlane, but this story also centres on grief and loss with a thoughtful and deceptively light touch’ Red ‘Mhairi McFarlane’s whip-smart romantic comedy is a compelling tale with real emotional depth, moving seamlessly from witty one-liners to serious issues’ Sunday Express ‘An emotional character driven novel that will take you to places you never expected – McFarlane has done it again!’ Woman ‘A real page-turner’ Bella ‘Really rather brilliant’ Best ‘Perfect weekend reading’ New

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Book SynopsisJulia Chapman is the pseudonym of Julia Stagg, who has had five novels, the Fogas Chronicles set in the French Pyrenees, published by Hodder. She is also the author of the Dales Detective series which follows the adventures of Samson O'Brien and Delilah Metcalfe as they solve cases in the Yorkshire Dales.Born with a wanderlust that keeps her moving, Julia has followed her restless feet to Japan, Australia, the USA and France. She spent the majority of that time as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language but also dabbled in bookselling, pawnbroking, waitressing and was once checkout chick of the month' at a supermarket in South Australia. She also ran an auberge in the French Pyrenees for six years with her husband.Having spent many years wandering, she is now glad to call the Yorkshire Dales home. Its distinctive landscape and way of life provide the setting for her latest set of novels, the Dales Detective series.Trade ReviewA classic whodunit set in the spectacular landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, written with affection for the area and its people. A satisfying read riddled with dry Yorkshire humour (and dry-stone walls) -- Cath Staincliffe, author of The Silence Between BreathsGreat fun! -- Carol Drinkwater

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Book Synopsis*** CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUTHOR OF THE YEAR 2022***Penguin Picks are stories you''ll want to read again and again. Beautifully and stylishly designed by a modern artist, they are not only stories you''ll keep coming back to but also books whose looks will never go out of fashion . . . From the bestselling author Marian Keyes, the hilariously heartbreaking Angels follows the tale of the fabulous and uplifting Walsh sister, Maggie . . . ''Though he never said anything, I knew Garv blamed me. And that was OK, because I blamed me too.'' One day Maggie Walsh walks out on her husband of nine years and runs away to Hollywood. There she joins her best friend Emily, who is busily pitching scripts to studios, mixing with movie stars and generally living the heck out of the dream. Maggie should be enjoying herself but she can''t stop thinking about her husband Garv and the liTrade ReviewMaggie Walsh is supposed to be the sensible one - the white sheep of the family. She lives less than a mile from Mum and Dad and married middle-of-the-road Garv. But that is about to change . . .'I'd always lived a fairly blameless life . . . up until the day I left my husband and ran away to Hollywood . . .' * from the publisher's description *Praise for Marian Keyes * - *Brilliantly satisfying, unputdownable * Company *Filled with wonderful warm characters and dialogue that leaps off the pages. Keyes is a superior storyteller * Irish Independent *Gloriously funny * The Sunday Times *A total triumph * Daily Mail *Not only is it a great story with funny, loveable characters, it made me laugh out loud * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisThe irresistible standalone from Sophie Kinsella is a story of love, empowerment and an IOU that changes everything . . .Fixie Farr can't help herself. Straightening a crooked object, removing a barely-there stain, helping out a friend . . . she just has to put things right. It's how she got her nickname, after all. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees, she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her, the computer's owner, Sebastian, scribbles her an IOU - but of course Fixie never intends to call in the favour.That is, until her teenage crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and needs her help - and Fixie turns to Seb. But things don't go according to plan, and now Fixie owes Seb: big time.Soon the pair are caught up in a series of IOUs - from small favours to life-changing debts - and Fixie is torn between the past she's used to and the future she deserves. Does she have the courage to fix things for herself and fight for the life, and love, she really wants? ***** EVERYBODY LOVES SOPHIE KINSELLA: *****'Left me giddy with laughter. I loved it' JOJO MOYES'Life doesn't get much better than a new Sophie Kinsella novel' RED'One of the most relatable books I've read in a long time, I couldn't put it down.' LOUISE PENTLAND (SprinkleofGlitter)OUT NOW the joyful new standalone novel from Sophie Kinsella: LOVE YOUR LIFETrade ReviewI love having the opportunity to escape with a Sophie Kinsella book, and I OWE YOU ONE came just when I needed it. Fixie’s story is one of missed cues, mistakes, and the realization that you can’t fix someone else’s mess until you fix your own — a smart lesson, wrapped in a gem of a novel. * Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A SPARK OF LIGHT and SMALL GREAT THINGS *Compulsively readable . . . I adored it. * Sara Lawrence, Daily Mail *Compulsively readable . . . I adored it. * Sara Lawrence, Daily Mail *This book is a shot of pure joy. * Jenny Colgan *Another clever, witty story of love and empowerment * Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisA delightfully witty and mordant modern classic from Finland: the story of a journalist who befriends an injured hare and embarks into the Finnish wilderness Kaarlo Vatanen is fed up with his life. He's sick of his job, his wife, his urban lifestyle in Helsinki. But all this changes one warm summer's evening, when he encounters an injured hare on a deserted country road. On an impulse he can't fully explain, Vatanen abruptly abandons his car, his home, his wife and his job to chase the hare into the forest. A year of comic misadventures ensues, where Vatanen and his unlikely companion battle through forest fires, pagan sacrifices, military war games and encounters with murderous bears, kept afloat by the help and understanding of other sympathetic free spirits. A much-loved classic in Finland, The Year of the Hare is a freewheeling adventure through the Finnish countryside, and a witty portrayal of one man's long detour from conventional living.Trade Review'No wonder the French have made this book into a cult. Finnish wit as sharp as the Arctic weather' - Mail on Sunday'A change-your-life novel' - New York Magazine'Sums up the Finnish culture and people' - Guardian'A fable of the joys of freedom... The hare proves to be a delightful, undemanding, and loyal companion, who can laugh, listen, and feel embarrassment' - Boston Globe'Paasilinna has been amusing Finns for thirty years and readers in twenty-five languages. He concocts situational comedy highlighted by deadpan, sometimes black humour' - New York Times

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Book SynopsisIt doesn't matter if you're a caveman, a time traveller or a regular person. Sooner or later, someone's going to break your heart. The sketches in Simon Rich's new book are bizarre, funny, and - if you've ever been in love - all too familiar. From the invisible man stalking his ex, to Sherlock Holmes' only blind spot, The Last Girlfriend on Earth is always enchanting, often sweet, though occasionally awkward. Just like love itself. 'The Last Girlfriend On Earthis silly, surreal, sometimes sad and always laugh-out-loud funny. This collection will have you giggling/crying/squirming in recognition, and wondering what exactly Simon Rich has eaten to dream all this stuff up ... pulls off the tough trick of being both heart-warming and hilarious - it's a must-read if you've ever so much as had a crush on someone' Heat 'Pithy, occasionally bonkers' Time Out 'Truly hilarious' Eva Wiseman, ObserverTrade ReviewSimon Rich is outrageously, lavishly gifted -- Caitlin MoranA James Thurber for our times, in Borges' suit wearing Flann O'Brien's hat -- Ian McMillan * BBC Radio 3 The Verb *Brilliant: a kind of modern version of Woody Allen's Without Feathers for anyone who's been in love ... topsy-turvy imaginative, riotously funny, hugely insightful ... Rich has a wisdom about male-female interaction that most have to wait far, far longer than 28 years to gain. -- Tom Cox * Observer *A collection of sweet stories full of whimsical, gently moving tales of love and loss, thwarted come-ons and doomed crushes... Put it in your pocket and take it out whenever you need a five minute break from the tedium of everyday. -- Lynn Enright * The Gloss *Most original and highly amusing. Rich manages to turn the banal into the absurd... hilarious and touching... and impossible to put down. A perfect cheer-up for the romantically challenged! -- Rachel Glover * Image *The Last Girlfriend On Earthis silly, surreal, sometimes sad and always laugh-out-loud funny. This collection will have you giggling/crying/squirming in recognition, and wondering what exactly Simon Rich has eaten to dream all this stuff up ... This collection pulls off the tough trick of being both heart-warming and hilarious -it's a must-read if you've ever so much as had a crush on someone * Heat *Pithy, occasionally bonkers... expect any weeping to be of the laughter-induced variety -- David Clack * Time Out *Truly hilarious -- Observer * Eva Wiseman *There are many episodes to enjoy ... The scenarios are satisfyingly wide-ranging ... an irreverent pleasure. -- Frank Brinkley * Literary Review *A laugh-out-loud collection of short stories about that crazy little thing called love. * Vogue Australia *If you buy only one quirky, surreal collection of comedy short stories about relationships this year, make it Simon Rich's The Last Girlfriend on Earth ... an endlessly inventive, laugh-out-loud book ... It's fairly spooky that Rich, though still in his 20s, has such telling and very humorous insights into the shortcomings and sensitivities of the male psyche ... this is a one-night stand you will definitely want to tell your friends about. * Jewish Chronicle *The Last Girlfriend on Earth had me giggling out loud -- Emma Sells * ELLE *A quirky and amusing collection -- Julian Fleming * Sunday Business Post *The Last Girlfriend on Earth shows off Rich's special talent for finding emotional truth in surreal premises -- Hugh Montgomery * Independent on Sunday *The Last Girlfriend on Earth and Other Love Stories by Simon Rich is my holiday reading recommendation. Read it on the plane with caution - you will laugh so loud people will think you're having some sort of episode. -- Lauren Laverne * ELLE *Rich is arguably the wittiest American humourist of his generation. -- Ryan Gilbey * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThis was one of those books that just keeps giving I cannot explain how much I loved this book It's a thriller, it's about friendships, it's about finding your path, it's a murder mystery, it's just brilliant' Reader review, ?????STUNNING! Feminist writing at its absolute best. 10 stars' Reader review, ?????* * *Nessa: The SeekerJo: The ProtectorHarriett: The PunisherWith newfound powers the time has come to take matters into their own handsWidowed Nessa lives alone in her house near the ocean. In the quiet hours, she hears voices belonging to the dead who will only speak to her.On the cusp of fifty Harriett's marriage and career imploded, but her life is far from over in fact, she's undergone a stunning metamorphosis.Jo spent years at war with her body. The rage that arrived with menopause felt like the last straw until she discovers she's able to channel it.Guided by voices only Nessa can hear, the trio discover the abandoned body of a teenage girl. The police have written off the victim. But the women have not. Their own investigations lead to more bodies, and a world of wealth where the rules don't apply and the realisation that laws are designed to protect villains, not the vulnerable.Now three women will avenge the innocent and punish the guilty. IT'S TIME.* * *Praise for Kirsten Miller A perfect contradiction, existing in the shades of grey that real life is so often painted in A story that's as furious as it is tender' Emily Henry A roar of rage, a pacy page-turner, I loved it with all my broken heart. Read it. You'll love it' Marian KeyesA proper smash-the-patriarchy read with tension and a compelling plot to boot Loved it' Harriet TyceA propulsive plot and characters that roar off the page, this is a novel that's unafraid to take on societal misogyny while being satirical and even funny at the same time' GuardianAn addictive, fast-paced crime novel like nothing you've ever read before' Red magazineTrade Review Praise for THE CHANGE ‘A roar of rage, a pacy page-turner, I loved it with all my broken heart. Read it. You’ll love it’ Marian Keyes ‘I loved this wild mystery about a group of midlife women who have just about had enough. I couldn't put it down’ Erin Kelly ‘The Change is a proper smash-the-patriarchy read with tension and a compelling plot to boot. It gave me the same energy as Lessons in Chemistry, and I take my hat off to Harriett The Punisher and will be taking some life lessons from her. Loved it’ Harriet Tyce ‘Part crime thriller, part extended howl of pure rage, The Change takes a scalpel to the cancer of misogyny that infects every cell of western culture, with biting wit and a burning, righteous anger that never lets up. Powerful and original’ Tammy Cohen ‘A brilliant book. Thrilling, fast paced and original. I couldn’t stop reading’ Sarah Morgan ‘How brilliant to read about strong, fabulous women – this is a great book. The Change will inspire women to feel empowered at a time when they feel their strength is waning – could be a life-changer! Fresh and fabulous, teeming with amazing characters, unputdownable – stays with you long after the last page is turned’ Milly Johnson ‘With a propulsive plot and characters that roar off the page, this is a novel that’s unafraid to take on societal misogyny while being satirical and even funny at the same time’ Guardian ‘[A] bewitching and satisfying mystery and thriller . . . A compelling read’ The Independent ‘I loved this book, in particular its three powerful independent no-nonsense female protagonists . . . A feminist thriller for our times’ Nina Pottell, Prima ‘A revenge fantasy and feminist fist-pump – and a balm for trying times’ Grazia ‘An addictive, fast-paced crime novel like nothing you’ve ever read before’ Red magazine

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Book Synopsis⭐ A REESE''S BOOK CLUB AND TIKTOK BOOK CLUB PICK ⭐''Hilarious, hot and heartfelt'' MEG CABOT''Gorgeously written and heart-meltingly romantic'' BETH O''LEARY''Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important'' MARIAN KEYES__________Sisters, beware the ''Wasteman of Whitewell'' . . .As host of radio show Brown Sugar, Kiki Banjo''s mission is to protect her listeners from heartbreak. Which puts Whitewell College''s newest student, handsome ''player'' Malakai Korede, at the top of her hitlist. But when Kiki''s dream summer internship in New York depends on finding a fresh angle for her radio show, she must make an unlikely bargain with Malakai himself - to put their simmering clashes aside to form a fake relationship, something sweet and spicy enough to win over the whole campus. However, close proximity to the notorious heartbreaker brings everything Kiki thought she knew about heTrade ReviewHoney & Spice is gorgeously written and heart-meltingly romantic. Kiki and Malakai have a rare, extraordinary, sizzling chemistry which has you rooting for their love story from the very first moment they cross paths. A triumph of a novel. * Beth O'Leary *Honey & Spice is unapologetically romantic and really sexy. I could not have loved it more. * Marian Keyes *Kiki compares her feelings for Malakai as like swallowing a star. That's a bit how I felt after reading this messy but joyful book. * The Times *This is a fast-paced commercial novel with a refreshing take on a well-worn concept. Someone should adapt it for the screen. * The Sunday Times *Sparkling and self-assured... Babalola really captures the heady infatuation of first love. * The i Paper *Charming and funny. * The Observer *Bolu is one of the laugh-out-loud funniest and sharpest of writers working today. I fell in love with Kiki and the whole line-up of loveable characters. It's smart, sexy, energetic and sums up the realness of being attracted to someone you didn't necessarily expect. I'm excited for everyone to read this book. * Emma Gannon *This book had me screaming from page one! Bolu understands desire better than anyone else and in Honey & Spice it prickles under every word. This book is so addictive it had me reading it even after I'd got off the bus. * Annie Lord *

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Book SynopsisJohn Scalzi is one of the most popular and acclaimed SF authors to emerge in the last decade. His debut Old Man's War won him science fiction's John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times bestsellers include The Last Colony, Fuzzy Nation, Lock In, and also Redshirts, which won 2013's Hugo Award for Best Novel. Material from his widely read blog Whatever has also earned him two other Hugo Awards. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.Trade ReviewJohn Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today * Joe Hill *Gripping and surpassingly original. It's Starship Troopers without the lectures . . . It's funny, it's sad, and it's true * Cory Doctorow *A fast-paced political thriller laced with observant characterization, great dialogue, and some genuinely original science * Guardian *Clever dialogue, fast-paced story and strong characters * The Times *Top-notch. His combat scenes are blood roiling * Washington Post *Scalzi is one of the slickest writers that SF has ever produced * Wall Street Journal *Astonishingly proficient * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Scalzi's prose harkens back to the Golden Age of science fiction while still remaining fresh and vibrant * Strange Horizons *

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023A BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick 2023'Not since Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger has the rotten core of modern India been exposed in quite such blackly antic fashion as Parini Shroff manages here in this intermittently absurd, feminist revenge caper about a group of snarky, much-abused, predominantly Hindu wives...sheer gutsy verve.' The Times'A darkly funny revenge drama rooted in the reality of rural India . . . [A] vivid, unsentimental story that succeeds in being both satirical and moving.' Guardian'A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women' - New York Times'Mordantly humoured, pacey feminist revenge thriller' - The Sunday Times__________________________________For Geeta, life as a widow is more peaceful than life as a wife...Until the other women in her village decide they want to be widows, too.Geeta is believed to have killed her vanished husband - a rumour she hasn't bothered trying to correct, because a reputation like that can keep a single woman safe in rural India. But when she's approached for help in ridding another wife of her abusive drunk of a husband, her reluctant agreement sets in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of all the women in the village....A darkly irreverent and fresh take on a feminist revenge thriller, perfect for readers of My Sister the Serial Killer, How To Kidnap The Rich and the Sharon Horgan series Bad Sisters.'Tender, unpredictable, brimming with laugh-out-loud moments' Téa Obreht, author of THE TIGER'S WIFE'Original, memorable, and endearing' Charmaine Wilkerson, author of BLACK CAKE'A rollicking mash-up of adventure story, thriller, dark revenge, and comedy' Cristina García, author of DREAMING IN CUBANTrade ReviewNot since Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger has the rotten core of modern India been exposed in quite such blackly antic fashion as Parini Shroff manages here in this intermittently absurd, feminist revenge caper about a group of snarky, much-abused, predominantly Hindu wives...sheer gutsy verve. -- Claire Allfree * The Times *Shroff's debut is a darkly funny revenge drama rooted in the reality of rural India . . . Shroff doesn't pull any punches in this vivid, unsentimental story that succeeds in being both satirical and moving. -- Laura Wilson * Guardian *A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women -- Chandler Baker * New York Times *This funny, feel-good read is a rollicking ride rife with memorable characters involved in ill-fated hijinks. It also serves up commentary on class, power dynamics and the role of women in society, with a feminist history lesson to boot. -- Good Housekeeping * Good Housekeeping *Shroff cleverly considers how women might achieve autonomy within rural India's patriarchal society through shrewd, if complicated, female friendships. -- Washington Post * Washington Post *The Bandit Queens is an original, memorable, and endearing story. At times deeply serious, at times laugh-out-loud funny...a sobering but hopeful exploration of womanhood, social injustices, and second chances. -- Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of BLACK CAKEParini Shroff captures the complexity of female friendship with acuity, wit, and a certain kind of magic irreverence, turning on a dime from humor to horror, horror to heart, and then back again, exhilarating her reader until the very last line. Tender, unpredictable, brimming with laugh-out-loud moments, The Bandit Queens heralds a prodigious and sophisticated literary talent. -- Téa Obreht * Téa Obreht, Orange Prize-winning author of THE TIGER'S WIFE *Parini Shroff's splendid The Bandit Queens is a hilarious romp about serious things - as serious as a novel gets, and as funny, too, with characters who are dear and maddening and indelible and gorgeously drawn. Twisty, compulsive, bold, surprising, moving: it's a wonderful book. -- Elizabeth McCracken * Elizabeth McCracken *Parini Schroff's debut novel, The Bandit Queens, is a rollicking mash-up of adventure story, thriller, dark revenge, and comedy. Rooted in a rural village in India-and led by the pariah widow Geeta, who everyone believes to have killed her husband-a handful of women band together to take back their lives, and take down the patriarchy. An immensely enjoyable read! -- Cristina García, author of Dreaming in Cuban and The Lady Matador’s HotelAn extraordinary caper of a novel. I've never met a character like Geeta...it is dark - but also it's utterly compelling and funny. -- Louise Minchin * Louise Minchin, Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 Judge *This is the best book I've read in a while. THE BANDIT QUEENS is an original, memorable, and endearing story. At times deeply serious, at times laugh-out-loud funny, THE BANDIT QUEENS is a sobering but hopeful exploration of womanhood, social injustices, and second chances in an Indian village. -- Charmaine Wilkerson * Charmaine Wilkerson, author of BLACK CAKE *One of the most talked-about debut novels of the year lives up to the hype and then some. The story of Geetha, a tough-but-wounded young woman in a remote Indian village who, after her abusive husband disappears, gains a reputation as a black widow. These rumors prove somewhat beneficial to Geetha in her desire to be left alone...until other women start approaching her for help in disposing their own shitty husbands. Uproarious, tender, and at times quite harrowing, with razor-sharp dialogue and a truly magnificent cast of characters, The Bandit Queens is a darkly hilarious delight of a novel. -- Dan Sheehan, Book Marks Editor-in-Chief * LitHub *a dark yet uplifting story of village women who fight domestic violence and caste discrimination -- Susan Blumberg-Kason * Asian Review of Books *an audacious high-wire act of a novel that mingles the deadly serious with the highly comic, yet never loses its profound empathy for the women at its heart * Apple Books *Parini Shroff's colourful debut novel, The Bandit Queens, [is] an irreverent and unusual tale of struggle and sisterhood in rural India. -- Radio Times * Radio Times *This mordantly humoured, pacey revenge comedy succeeds in being both feelgood and gleefully nasty, tender and violent. -- Patricia Nicol * The Sunday Times *...a fast-paced, dark comedy of female friendship, revenge, murder and survival. * Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'This story will have you laughing, swooning, & wishing it would never end.' Aimee BrownPoppy Dean lives and breathes romance - in her job at least. As a matchmaker at an elite London agency, she spends her days finding the perfect Mr Right for pretty much everybody but herself.When Tristan Fellows walks into the agency, Poppy knows she’s in for a challenge. A typical bachelor, Tristan has no intention of falling in love, but in order to receive his 30-million-pound inheritance, he must find himself a wife before his 35th birthday.This may be Poppy’s hardest case yet, but even the most arrogant of men can sometimes warm a woman’s heart. And who knows, maybe it’s finally time for Poppy to find her happy ever after too?From the sunny skies of Greece, to the trendy streets of London, to the romantic hills of Scotland, Match Me If You Can is a laugh out loud enemies-to-lovers romance, guaranteed to make you believe in love again!'A delightful romance that left me with a big smile on my face.' Jessica Redland'Well worth a read. 5 lovely sparklers from me!' Julie Houston'A perfect romcom filled with delicious banter, a swoony hero and a classy, confident heroine! A must read for 2023!' Katie Ginger'A brilliantly funny and addictive love story with all the feels and so much more!' Nina Kaye'A cracking romcom, full of laughs and misadventure.' Leonie Mack'Such a heartwarming, uplifting read, full of love, hope, heart, friendship and joy! Thoroughly enjoyed it!' Kim Nash'With smart banter and swoony moments… Sandy Barker gives us another brilliant romcom and joyful read.’ Pernille Hughes‘A wonderfully warm and witty will they/won’t they romance. Match Me If You Can is a perfect romantic read.’ Kathleen Whyman‘Pure escapism. I laughed, I smiled, I swooned. A cracking start to the Ever After Agency series.’ Laura Carter'It's so brilliantly will they, won't they that it really kept me guessing!' Anita Faulkner'I loved this book! An adorable laugh-out-loud romance, that gives all the right tingles and touches the heart.' Ella Hayes

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Book Synopsis''A total triumph'', ''Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once'', ''Highly recommended''*The Independent best ''never-too-late'' story of 2021, and one of the 8 best uplifting books of the year*IS IT EVER TOO LATE TO BE LOVED?''Wonderful . . . An utter treat'' KATE MOSSE''A heartfelt coming-of-age story . . . Remarkable'' LAURIE FRANKEL, New York Times bestselling author ''A heart-warming, joyous love story - original, hopeful and totally charming'' ADELE PARKS ''I loved it! Really heart-warming and joyful, but also so poignant. I cannot recommend this book highly enough'' LORRAINE KELLY''Albert is one of the most endearing characters I''ve met in a long time . . . Proof that it''s never too late to find a happy ending'' Trade ReviewI had to read it in one sitting. I loved it! Really heart-warming and joyful, but also so poignant. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's such a beautifully authentically told story with vivid characters and you will miss them when you reach the end. * LORRAINE KELLY *'A heartfelt coming-of-age story . . . Remarkable' * LAURIE FRANKEL, New York Times bestselling author *'Albert is such an endearing character - flawed, funny and awkward, but completely relatable. I wanted to give him a good shake and then a huge hug. This is a wonderfully warm story that completely drew me in' * RUTH HOGAN *Prepare to fall in love with Albert Entwistle! Touching and tender. * S. J. WATSON *A total triumph . . . Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once * LAURA KAY *Albert is delightful and charming, and the book is too. * JONATHAN HARVEY *A bright, clear, sharply intelligent writer * JENNY COLGAN *'Albert is one of the most endearing characters I've met in a long time . . . Proof that it's never too late to find a happy ending' * SUSAN WIGGS, New York Times bestselling author *Wonderful. Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism. Like the best fiction, it's real; Albert's fears, the sour legacy of his parents, his colleagues' kindness, George flourishing from boy to man . . . It's inventive and fun but, most importantly, true. * RUSSELL T. DAVIES *This rollicking love story entrapped me, chapter by chapter. True in its detail and its scope, it is amusing yet heart-breaking. It will encourage tentative young gay people and reassure their parents. Its passionate declaration? That it's never too late to enjoy being yourself. * IAN McKELLEN *Beautiful . . . You will weep and yet have your heart filled with joy * ARLENE PHILLIPS *Tender, witty, uplifting . . . I love it! * KATE EBERLEN *'What a beautiful, wonderful, life-affirming treat of a book. I challenge you not to fall in love with Albert from the very start! * CHARLIE CONDOU *'Wonderful . . . A love story that will have every reader cheering on Albert from the sidelines. An utter treat' * KATE MOSSE *'Brilliant . . . [I] recommend to all!' * MATT LUCAS *Albert is the most delicious character and you'll be with him every step of the way as he begins to live the life he always should have. * Sun *It'll put a smile on everyone's face. * Michael Ball, Radio 2 *'A charming adventure with love at its heart.' * My Weekly *'A life affirming story of lost love and the reality of being gay in the Seventies.' * That’s Life *'A unique and moving story.' * Candis *Praise for The Madonna Of Bolton:Fabulous! What a treat * Jenny Colgan *A triumphant coming-of-age tale about the power of being true to yourself * Juno Dawson *Beautifully and sharply drawn * SUNDAY TIMES *Gripping, with a huge heart * S J Watson *It's a cracker! * Lorraine Kelly *

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and totally relatable book about the adventures of a single mum, for fans of Catastrophe and Motherland. Readers of Why Mummy Drinks, Unmumsy Mum and The Single Mum's Wish List will love this debut novel from parenting blogger Slummy Single Mummy.'You'll end up warming to Frankie so much that you'll be wishing you could crack open a bottle of prosecco with her in real life!' MIKE GAYLE, bestselling author of The Man I Think I Know________________________________January 3rdJaffa Cakes - 7. Times I was forced to watch a small child do a dance involving a dusty piece of ribbon found under the sofa - 4. Inappropriate thoughts about Zac Efron - undisclosed. Single mum Frankie’s whole life revolves around her kids. But when your toddler has a more active social life, something has to change. Forget ‘me-time’, Frankie would settle for some adult conversation, and watching something other than the Disney channel. The local playgroup may be ruled by Instagram mums with perfect husbands but Frankie accidentally forms a splinter group of single parents. After all, Mummy really needs a playdate of her own. (Now pass the prosecco.)________________________________WHAT READERS ARE SAYING'As a mum of three I could totally relate to this novel on so many levels' - Titian'Hilarious - made me laugh out loud' - Dominique'Lots of funny anecdotes parents will recognise!' - Claire'With shades of Bridget Jones, Frankie stumbles through life as a single mum' - Ann'A very funny and realistic look at motherhood' - KatrinaTrade ReviewThis is both extremely funny and insightful. I loved every page -- KATIE FFORDEA funny, fresh, debut with some real laugh out loud moments and you'll end up warming to single Mum Frankie so much that you'll be wishing you could crack open a bottle of prosecco with her in real life! -- MIKE GAYLEA great-big glorious giggle from start to finish. I loved Jo Middleton's debut and can't wait for the next one -- CHRISSIE MANBY

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Book SynopsisWanted:One (very real) husbandNowhere near perfect but desperately trying his bestTwo years ago, Luc O'Donnell and Oliver Blackwood met, pretended to fall in love, fell in love for real, dealt with heartbreak and disappointment and family and friends...and somehow figured out a way to make it all work.Now it seems like everyone around them is getting married, and Luc's feeling the social pressure to propose. That's what you do when you love someone this desperately, right? But it'll take more than four weddings, a funeral, and a hotly contested rainbow balloon arch to get this semi-disgraced son of former rock stars and his tightly-buttoned-up boyfriend from I don't know what I'm doing to 'I do'.Good thing Oliver is such perfect husband material. "Brilliance on every single page." -Christina Lauren, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, for Boyfriend Material "The apotheosis of the rom-com." -Entertainment Weekly, A+ Review, for Boyfriend Material "Every once in a while you read a book that you want to SCREAM FROM ROOFTOPS about. I'm screaming, people!" -Sonali Dev, award-winning author, for Boyfriend Material "FAKE DATING, REAL FEELINGS, BEST JOKES." -Olivia Waite, award-winning author, for Boyfriend Material "Fresh and vibrant." -Annie Carl, The Neverending Bookshop (Edmonds, WA), for Boyfriend Material

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Book SynopsisA brand-new series perfect for Richard Osman readers and all fans of a page-turning whodunnit.It was meant to be the start of quiet season in the sleepy Cornish village of Seal Bay, but not for sexagenarian librarian and wild swimming enthusiast Morwenna Mutton. Because when a local businessman is found on the beach with a bread knife is his back, bungling police officer DI Rick Tremayne is soon out of his depth. Morwenna knows it’s going to be down to her to crack the case.The list of people the victim upset is long, the evidence is slight, and an arrest illusive. Morwenna has plenty to occupy her time what with ghostly goings-on at the library and skullduggery at her granddaughter’s school, but she could never resist a challenge. And even the most ruthless of murderers should quake at the sight of this amateur sleuth getting on her bike to track them down.If you love Miss Marple and The Thursday Murder Club, then you'll love The Morwenna Mutton mysteries.Readers love Judy Leigh:‘Loved this from cover to cover, pity I can only give this 5 stars as it deserves far more.’‘I loved reading this book, great characters and this author certainly knows how to put a good story together. I'm really looking forward to reading more books by her.’‘This author never disappoints, always a joy to find one of her books which I haven’t read.’‘This book is yet another triumph from an author who never disappoints me, and very much recommended.’

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Book SynopsisFrom the No.1 bestselling author of The Christmas Invitation comes a warm, witty romantic comedy perfect for fans of Katie Fforde The path of true love never runs smooth. But for some, it's one seriously bumpy ride… Josie Gray and her childhood sweetheart Ben Richards always dreamt of living a life of rural bliss. And when Josie inherits her beloved Grandmother's cottage in Neatslake, Lancashire, it seems they might have got just that. Josie throws herself into her wedding cake business, whilst Ben gains increasing acclaim as an artist. The tranquil village turns into a hive of activity when Josie's childhood friend Libby Martin returns to the village, planning a lavish wedding to rival any celeb bash. But amidst all this romance, Josie's fairytale relationship with Ben turns into a nightmare, and she quickly becomes Love's number one cynic – until charming wedding photographer Noah Sephton arrives in Neatslake with a very different outlook on love… Praise for Trisha Ashley: ‘Trisha Ashley writes with remarkable wit and originality – one of the best writers around!’ Katie Fforde ‘Full of down-to-earth humour’ Sophie Kinsella ‘Full of comedy and wit’ CloserTrade ReviewPraise for Trisha Ashley: ‘Trisha Ashley writes with remarkable wit and originality – one of the best writers around!’ Katie Fforde ‘Full of down-to-earth humour.’ Sophie Kinsella ‘Full of comedy and wit.’ Closer

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Book SynopsisNever has DEATH rocked so hard. Terry Pratchett''s phenomenal laugh-out-loud Discworld series returns . . .''If you are unfamiliar with Pratchett''s unique blend of philosophical badinage, you are on the threshold of a mind-expanding opportunity'' Financial TimesOTHER CHILDREN GET GIVEN XYLOPHONES. SUSAN JUST HAD TO ASK HER GRANDFATHER TO TAKE HIS VEST OFF.Yes. There''s a Death in the family.It''s hard to grow up normally when Grandfather rides a white horse and wields a scythe - especially when you have to take over the family business, and everyone mistakes you for the Tooth Fairy. And especially when you have to face the new and addictive music that has entered Discworld.It''s lawless. It changes people.It''s called Music With Rocks In.It''s got a beat and you can dance to it, but...It''s alive.And it won''t fade away.Readers love Soul Music:''A wondTrade ReviewA sequence of unalloyed delight. - GuardianHe is screamingly funny. He is wise. He has style. - Daily TelegraphHis spectacular inventiveness makes the Discworld series one of the perennial joys of modern fiction. - Mail on SundayPratchett has a subject and a style that is very much his own. - Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisHettie and Tilly are invited to host a Christmas Eve murder mystery aboard the Santa Claws Express. No sooner has the train left the station at Mogbury-on-the-Tilt than our two feline detectives are caught up in a murderous family feud between the Shuttles and the Stokers. Is the ghost of Hornby Stoker haunting the line? Are there enough sausage rolls in the Biscuit Jar Buffet? Who will hit the buffers at Hissingford Holt? And will Hettie and Tilly’s Christmas be derailed? Join our tabby heroes as they plough their way through red herrings, hot chestnuts and snowbound platforms in a hunt for a festive fiend who will stop at nothing.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE NO. 2 FELINE DETECTIVE AGENCY ‘The world that Morton has created is irresistible’ Publishers Weekly ‘Original and intriguing… a world without people which cat lovers will enter and enjoy’ P. D. James'I loved it. The whole concept is just so “real”!’ Barbara Erskine‘Mandy Morton’s Feline Detective Agency instigates a new genre, both wonderful and surreal’ Maddy Prior‘Witty and smart. Prepare to be besotted' M.K. Graff‘Mandy Morton’s series is both charming and whimsical’ Barry Forshaw ‘Hettie Bagshot might be a new face at the scene of a crime, but already she could teach most fictional detectives a thing or two’ The Hunts Post

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Book SynopsisYet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants.Trade Review“A romantic comedy delight. If you loved Schitt’s Creek, It Happened One Summer will be your absolute jam.” — Christina Lauren "I put my entire life on hold the moment I opened IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER. I read it in one long, luxurious sitting, reading each page twice, not wanting to miss a moment, and dreading The End. I knew I was reading one of my new favorite books, and I will reread it for years to come, whenever I need a dose of small-town coziness and hard-bodied sea captains. Tessa disarms you with a laugh, heats things up past boiling, and then puts a squeeze inside your heart. The tenderness, vulnerability and heat I am always guaranteed with a Tessa Bailey book are the reasons she is one of my all-time favorite authors." — Sally Thorne "Tessa Bailey writes pure magic! It Happened One Summer has everything you could want in a rom-com—heartwarming romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching hot chemistry between the lovable socialite and sexy ship captain. I absolutely loved it!" — Alexis Daria, bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola "With her singular talent for writing romantic chemistry that is both sparkling sweet and explosively sexy, Tessa Bailey once again delivers—It Happened One Summer is everything I want in a modern romance, with two complicated, appealing leads, a setting that feels lived-in and also fresh, and storytelling you want to sink into even as you can’t stop turning pages. The total package from one of the genre’s very best." — Kate Clayborn, author of Love at First "Fans of 'Schitt’s Creek' will love the premise of Bailey’s latest work... [a] sexy, drama-filled love story. 'It Happened One Summer' is another great beach read. Plus, laying out in the sun is a perfect excuse for the blush-inducing scenes scattered throughout." — USA Today "Schitt's Creek fans, this is the romance read for you." — PopSugar (Best Books of July) "Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com... Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory." — Entertainment Weekly "Bailey strikes rom-com gold in this outstanding tale... [She] is bound to earn new followers with love scenes hot enough to boil water and a hilariously naïve Schitt’s Creek-inspired protagonist who is clearly out of her depth." — Booklist (starred review) "Bailey delivers on her usual trifecta of sharp banter, instant chemistry, and high-heat sex scenes, but they are coupled with intense soul-searching for both Piper and Brendan... Another winning romance from an author at the top of her game." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “When you read a book by Bailey, there are two things you can always count on: sexy, rapid-fire dialogue and scorching love scenes...” — BookPage.com "This fish-out-of-water story features quirky characters in a charming working-class small town and a steamy, feel-good romance between opposites. Schitt’s Creek fans who just wanted to see Alexis get her happy ending will flock to this title." — Library Journal "Steamy, sexy and fun, you’ll want to soar through these pages." — New York Post

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Book Synopsis*** CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUTHOR OF THE YEAR 2022***Discover this hilarious, heart-warming story about how far one woman will go to find herself, from the No. 1 bestselling author of Grown Ups''Keyes writes brilliantly, as always, about love, grief, jealousy and friendship'' Daily Mail''Funny, compassionate, well-observed and irreverent'' Time Out_________Meet Maggie Walsh.Unlike the rest of her family, Maggie has always done everything right. At thirty-three she has a proper job, is happily married to Garv and never puts a foot wrong.So when she makes a break for Hollywood with her best friend, Emily, her family and friends don''t know what to think.In the City of Angels, Maggie gets to do things she''s never done before: mixing with film stars, pitching scripts, partying non-stop.No one ever expected predictable Maggie to do something so unpredictable. And in LA, Maggie can be whoever she wants to be. But sooner or later, Maggie must face the life - and the people - she left behind, and discover whether finding herself, means losing the people she loves . . .Love the Walsh sisters? Don''t miss out on the eagerly awaited sequel to Rachel''s Holiday: AGAIN, RACHEL . . ._________''Witty, wicked, yet moving. A novel to both laugh and cry over'' Ireland on SundayFAMOUS FANS AND WHY THEY LOVE MARIAN KEYES''Marian''s writing is the truth. With big laughs'' Dawn French''A giant of Irish writing'' Naoise Dolan''Will make you laugh and make you cry, but will also reveal the truth of who you really are'' Louise O''Neill''Keyes weaves the joy and pain of life in a unique and magical way'' Cathy Rentzenbrink''One of the most honest writers writing today'' Pandora Sykes''Compassionate, tender, incisive writing'' Lucy Foley''Her talent for tackling serious issues with such humanity and wit is balm for the soul'' Nigella Lawson''Marian Keyes is a brilliant writer. No one is better at making terrifically funny jokes while telling such important, perceptive and agonizing stories of the heart. She is a genius'' Sali Hughes''Irresistible, profound. Keyes''s comic gift is always evident'' Independent''Joyful. Keyes'' clever way with words and extraordinary wit. People stared at me as I laughed to myself'' C.L. Taylor''A born storyteller'' Independent on SundayTrade ReviewMaggie Walsh is supposed to be the sensible one - the white sheep of the family. She lives less than a mile from Mum and Dad and married middle-of-the-road Garv. But that is about to change . . .'I'd always lived a fairly blameless life . . . up until the day I left my husband and ran away to Hollywood . . .' * from the publisher's description *Praise for Marian Keyes * - *Brilliantly satisfying, unputdownable * Company *Filled with wonderful warm characters and dialogue that leaps off the pages. Keyes is a superior storyteller * Irish Independent *Gloriously funny * The Sunday Times *A total triumph * Daily Mail *Not only is it a great story with funny, loveable characters, it made me laugh out loud * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisHard-core, fast paced science fiction, John Scalzi's Zoe's Tale is the fourth in The Old Man's War series. She won't go down without a fight.It's not every day you up sticks and move to another world. But then, Zoë Boutin-Perry's life has never been ordinary. She's the adopted teenage daughter of two former super-soldiers. She's also a holy icon to a race of alien warriors who track her every move. So she's used to the quirks of being a human in space.However, this time something's different. Betrayed by the authorities, Zoë - along with her parents and fellow colonists - finds herself stranded on a deadly pioneer planet. The Colonial Union has also set them up as a target for hostile alien action. Zoë must become a player (and a pawn) in an interstellar battle, which will determine the fate of humanity. Her father's side of this story was told in The Last Colony, bTrade ReviewJohn Scalzi is the most entertaining, accessible writer working in SF today * Joe Hill *Gripping and surpassingly original. It's Starship Troopers without the lectures . . . It's funny, it's sad, and it's true * Cory Doctorow *A fast-paced political thriller laced with observant characterization, great dialogue, and some genuinely original science * Guardian *Clever dialogue, fast-paced story and strong characters * The Times *Top-notch. His combat scenes are blood roiling * Washington Post *Scalzi is one of the slickest writers that SF has ever produced * Wall Street Journal *Astonishingly proficient * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Scalzi's prose harkens back to the Golden Age of science fiction while still remaining fresh and vibrant * Strange Horizons *

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Book SynopsisAn outrageously funny spoof about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot peak, discover this laugh-out-loud cult favourite. Led by the reliably under-insightful Binder, a team of seven British men including Dr Prone (constantly ill); Jungle the route finder (constantly lost), Constant the diplomat (constantly arguing) and 3,000 Yogistani porters, set out to conquer the highest peak in the Himalayas. VINTAGE VOYAGES: A world of journeys, from the tallest mountains to the depths of the mindTrade ReviewWonderful. Rum Doodle does for mountaineering what Three Men in a Boat did for Thames-going or Catch-22 did for the Second World War. It is simply an account of the leader of an expedition up Rum Doodle, a 40,000 and a half foot peak in the Himalayas, in the same way that Scoop is simply a tale about newsgathering in Africa. The tone is nearer to Pooter than anyone else I can think of, but the flavour is all W.E. Bowman's own. * Sunday Times *I just love this book. Everything about it is nearly perfect... hugely enjoyable and brilliantly sustained. * Bill Bryson *Exceedingly funny... as if the hero of Diary of a Nobody had, in a mood of abandon, turned to mountaineering. * Dublin Magazine *it is an epic. It is Homeric. It is inspiring. It is very, very funny... Read it and be moved. * Books of the Month *Amazing...Laugh-out-loud literature -- Tim Key * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFor the sake of women everywhere, Ms Shibata is going to pull off the mother of all deceptions...'Incredibly thought-provoking... you'll love Yagi's writing' STYLISTMs Shibata refuses to clear away the coffee at work one day, because she's pregnant and can't bear the smell. The only thing is . . . Ms Shibata is not pregnant.Being a mother-to-be isn't easy. Ms Shibata has a nine-month ruse to keep up. Before long, it becomes all-absorbing, and with the help of towel-stuffed shirts and a diary app that tracks every stage of her 'pregnancy', the boundary between her lie and her life begins to dissolve.Discover this prizewinning, thrillingly subversive new novel that's perfect for fans of Convenience Store Woman and Breasts and Eggs.'A subversive, surreal read that will strike a cord' RED'One of the most passionate cases I've ever read for female interiority, for women's creative pulse and rich inner life' NEW YORKERTranslated from the Japanese by David Boyd and Lucy NorthTrade ReviewIf you're in the mood for a matter-of-fact and incredibly thought-provoking read, you'll love Yagi's writing. * Stylist *The tension grows along with the comedic details. . . . Diary of a Void starts as stylish satire... but it becomes something even more profound. Always expect the unexpected when you're not expecting. -- Sloane Crosley * Departures *A subversive, surreal read that will strike a cord. * Red Magazine *One of the most passionate cases I've ever read for female interiority, for women's creative pulse and rich inner life. * The New Yorker *Endlessly strange, funny and meaningful... This book is a powerful exploration of what it means to be single and childless, and of the impact of work on our bodies and mental health * Good Housekeeping, *Books of the Year* *Yagi has a light touch for the endless ironies made possible by her premise. There is humor, but also the realization that the alienation of pregnancy and motherhood is no reprieve from the oppressive office culture that inspires Shibata's experiment. -- Lauren Oyler * New York Times Book Review *Delightful . . . Yagi's focus is on how acting pregnant reshapes Shibata's relationship to herself... Yet the book never idealizes pregnancy...We see the difficulty of being a woman with or without a child, and Yagi emphasizes how society makes both roles harder... If you've ever wanted to bite back at a nosy boss, a rude co-worker, an unfair assignment, or the endless list of shoulds we face, then maybe you'll find something to enjoy in Shibata's audacity too. -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan * The Atlantic *One of the most intriguing new novels of the summer. * Independent *Shibata is a modern-day Bartleby. * The Baffler *Darkly funny and surprisingly tender. -- Kirsty Logan, author of THINGS WE SAY IN THE DARKIn Diary of a Void, what begins as a bud of a lie blossoms into a gripping and thought provoking examination of womanhood and motherhood in a patriarchal society. A short read but by no means is this a small story. -- An Yu, author of BRAISED PORKSo tightly written, and so much fun to read. -- Kikuko Tsumura, author of THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS AN EASY JOBComical and tender, absurd, bold and joyful. -- Aysegul Savas, author of WHITE ON WHITEYagi captures Shibata's loneliness and the community she's granted upon 'falling into step' with her married peers in such a keen way that, reading along, you're on pins and needles to discover what will happen... The [fun] premise pays off. -- Eliza Smith * Literary Hub *Riveting and surreal . . . Absurdist, amusing, and clever, the story brings subtlety and tact to its depiction of workplace discrimination-as well as a touch of magic. Readers will eagerly turn the pages all the way to the bold conclusion. * Publishers Weekly *A book that reflects on life, solitude and what it means to be a woman. * Financial Times, *Books of the Year* *A surreal, engrossing meditation on loneliness, womanhood, and what it actually means to have a work-life balance. -- Ruth Murai * Mother Jones *Takes office toxicity and how we cope to new heights. * Fortune *I found myself completely captivated by this novel's unusual and inviting premise and all that it questions and stirs up. -- Aimee Bender, author of THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKEI loved it. It's incredible. Diary of a Void is joyful, exuberant, and triumphant. It made my heart sing. -- Claire Oshetsky, author of CHOUETTEFilled with sly humor and touching intimacy, Diary of a Void builds from its revolutionary premise into a powerfully resonant story of longing and defiance. An absolutely thrilling read - I didn't want to put it down. -- Claire Stanford, author of HAPPY FOR YOUIn this fictional diary of a pregnant woman, it is the real, rather than the made-up, aspects of society, such as single parenting and discrimination against women in the workplace, that are powerfully depicted. -- Kyoko Nakajima, author of THE LITTLE HOUSEYagi artfully blurs the boundary between truth and lies with this riotous solution to women's workplace challenges. * The Washington Post *[A] penetrating look at working life and gender expectations... In a tone perfectly modulated in Boyd and North's translation, Shibata's dry observations and choices are both relatable and humorous...At the heart of the story is Yagi's wry and witty consideration of how one woman, tangled up in a web of deceit, struggles to live a meaningful life through work and her relationships with others. * The Japan Times *Charming and funny * Crack Magazine *

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Book SynopsisTHE HILARIOUS AND BRILLIANT BESTSELLER FROM NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR SOPHIE KINSELLA'Sure to make you laugh out loud' Closer'Hilarious . . . you'll laugh and gasp on every page' Jenny Colgan****Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.OK, so the truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn't really hers.But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren't they?Until her not-so-perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie's hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams - or try to get her job back? Does Demeter - the woman who has everything - actually have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.And what's wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?Everybody loves Sophie Kinsella:'I almost cried with laughter' Daily Mail'Hilarious . . . you'll laugh and gasp on every page' Jenny Colgan'Properly mood-altering . . . funny, fast and farcical. I loved it' Jojo Moyes'A superb tale. Five stars!' HeatPRE-ORDER the hilarious and joyful new romcom from Sophie Kinsella: THE BURNOUTTrade ReviewSophie Kinsella keeps her finger on the cultural pulse, while leaving me giddy with laughter. I loved it. * Jojo Moyes *Life doesn’t get much better than a free Sunday afternoon, some chocolate and stem ginger biccies and a new Sophie Kinsella novel and this standalone looks at what really goes on behind our perfect social media feeds * Sarra Manning, Red magazine *What an absolute treat - sheer joy from start to finish. * Lucy Diamond *Pesky boss, sexy man and plenty of laughs, and you’ve got rom-com excellence. This will be huge in 2017. * Heat *Sure to make you laugh out loud... this book can't fail to lift your mood. * Closer *

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Book Synopsis'Helen Fielding is one of the funniest writers in Britain' Nick Hornby Discover the most recent escapades of Britian's favourite singleton. 8.45 P.M. Realise there have been so many times in my life when have fantasised about going to a scan with Mark or Daniel: just not both at the same time.Before motherhood, before marriage, Bridget, with biological clock ticking very, very loudly, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant at the eleventh hour: a joyful pregnancy which is dominated, however, by a crucial but terribly awkward question - who is the father? Mark Darcy: honourable, decent, notable human rights lawyer? Or Daniel Cleaver: charming, witty, notable fuckwit?9.45 P.M. It's like they're two halves of the perfect man, who'll spend the rest of their lives each wanting to outdo the other one. And now it's all enacting itself in my stomach.In this gloriously funny, touching story of baby-deadline panic, maternal bliss, and social, professional, technological, culinary and childbirth chaos, Bridget Jones - global phenomenon and the world's favourite Singleton - is back with a bump.'Bridget Jones is as relevant and funny today as she has always been...' Evening StandardTrade ReviewA gloriously funny and touching story * Daily Express *Bridget Jones is as relevant and funny today as she has always been... Daniel [Cleaver] is not only alive and shagging, he also has the best lines… Again and again he comes up with smutty one-liners that steal the show * Evening Standard *Fielding’s narrative diverts from the screen version: notably that feckless Daniel Cleaver, the original “fuckwit” in Bridget’s life is, gratifyingly, very much alive and central to the plot of the novel. "VG" * Financial Times *It’s a real fun read. The jokes are great and you find yourself rooting for Bridget and praying she gets the outcome she deserves * The Sun *Before I read this book, I wondered whether there could possibly be anything left to tell. This book is absolutely necessary. At a time when the world seems especially dark and difficult, and sometimes stacked against women, Bridget Jones’s Baby is both a longed for slice of escapism and a real inspiration * The Pool *It’s very, very good… Fielding reminds us once again she’s queen of encapsulating the female experience… Short, pacy and perfect * Press Association *Helen Fielding is one of the funniest writers in Britain and Bridget Jones is a creation of comic genius -- Nick HornbyA brilliant comic creation -- Salman RushdieHow can a reader not love this woman? * New York Times Book Review *Bridget Jones is no mere fictional character, she's the Spirit of the Age * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisThe brand-new, hilarious, feel-good adventure from the internationally bestselling author of The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and DisappearedSweden, late summer of 2011. Self-taught astrophysicist Petra has calculated that the atmosphere will collapse on the 21st of September that year, around 21.20 to be more precise, bringing about the end of times.Armed with this terrible knowledge, Petra meets Johan, a domesday prophet, and Agnes, a widow of 75 who has made bank living a double life on social media as a young influencer. Together, the trio race through Europe as they plan to make the most out of the time they have left, in more ways than one.But of course, things rarely go to plan, even the end of the world

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Book SynopsisRead the seminal bestselling novel that changed the face of British fiction and inspired Danny Boyle's film.'The best book ever written by man or woman... choose sitting oan a couch watching mind-numbing and spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fuckin junk food intae yir mooth.Trade ReviewAbhorrently dark and raw to the core, Trainspotting is an insight into one of life’s many ugly personalities — addiction and the accompanying domino effect of grim inevitabilities… Irvine Welsh’s novel will always be a cult classic. -- Tori Chalmers * Culture Trip *Welsh’s skill as a storyteller is undeniable, bringing both wit and compassion to a grim subject matter. If you liked Danny Boyle’s film adaptation, you’ll love the original. -- Maddy Searle * i *The voice of punk, grown up, grown wiser and grown eloquent * Sunday Times *The best book ever written by man or woman... Deserves to sell more copies than the bible * Rebel Inc *Welsh writes with a skill, wit and compassion that amounts to genius. He is the best thing that has happened to British writing for decades * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisOne of the BBC''s ''100 Novels That Shaped Our World''''My favourite book of all time... it stays with you long after you have read it - for your whole life, in fact'' Billy ConnollyA monument to sloth, rant and contempt, a behemoth of fat, flatulence and furious suspicion of anything modern - this is Ignatius J. Reilly of New Orleans, noble crusader against a world of dunces. The ordinary folk of New Orleans seem to think he is unhinged. Ignatius ignores them, heaving his vast bulk through the city''s fleshpots in a noble crusade against vice, modernity and ignorance. But his momma has a nasty surprise in store for him: Ignatius must get a job. Undaunted, he uses his new-found employment to further his mission - and now he has a pirate costume and a hot-dog cart to do it with...This stunning clothbound edition of John Kennedy Toole''s savagely funny, satirical masterpiece is designed by the acclaimed Coralie-Bickford Smith.''A pungent work of slapstick, satire and intellectual incongruities ... it is nothing less than a grand comic fugue''The New York TimesTrade ReviewMy favourite book of all time. I've read it so many times and I still go back to it today. -- Billy Connolly

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewUtter, utter bliss * Daily Mail *A dazzling comic delight * Fiona Wilson, The Times, Saturday Review *The story's genius lies in its wicked humour, which remains relentlessly uplifting even as the Blitz begin to smash all the hopes of that pre-war arcadia * Olivia Laing, The Guardian *Too spiky and intelligent, I think, to qualify as an altogether cosy read [...] beneath the brittle surface of Mitford's wit there is something infinitely more melancholy at work - something that is apt to snag you and pull you into its dark undertow when you are least expecting it * Zoë Heller, The Telegraph *Nancy Mitford taught the wonderful truth that laughter can see you through the darkest hours of your life * Daily Mail *The Millennial faint-hearted will be appalled by Mitford's depiction of class and gender. But Mitford's triumph is that, as the Radletts live and laugh and cry, we [cry] with them * Julie Parsons, The Irish Times *In her novels Nancy mastered her life, making everyone who was different or difficult into figures of mirth, moving only among the aristocracy, and infusing the world with a spirit of lazy, delightful romance * Natasha Walter, The Independent *Utter, utter bliss * Daily Mail *A dazzling comic delight. * Fiona Wilson, The Times, Saturday Review *

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Book Synopsis''[Amy is] always brilliant'' Ali Hazelwood''If The Proposal and While You Were Sleeping had a baby'' Sarah Adams''I can''t wait for readers to devour it'' B.K. Borison----In a last ditch attempt to rescue her brand from the brink of irrelevance, fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen finds herself in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada. The only thing scarier than nature itself? Burly fisherman Evan Whaler - who single-handedly disproves the theory that canadians are ''nice''.After a boating incident lands Evan in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancee by his welcoming yet quirky family. And, in exchange for Evan''s help with her social media content, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for just. one. week.But reeling in their budding feelings for each other proves more difficult than expected.Is Mel willing to sacrifice her picture-perfect life in the city for a chance at true love in the wild?-----Praise for Amy''s other swoon-worthy rom-coms...''Sparkles with Amy''s signature sweetness and steam'' Carley Fortune, Every Summer After''An outright, unmitigated delight'' Christina Lauren, The Unhoneymooners''Every rom-com reader''s dream'' Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, The Roughest Draft''The tension is chef''s kiss!'' Sarah Adams, When in Rome''A perfect mix of relatable characters, hilarious banter and steam'' Lily Chu, The Stand-InTrade ReviewA small town, a grumpy hero, a fake romance . . . Just gorgeous! -- Beth O'LearyUnapologetically romantic, wonderfully sexy, always brilliant -- Ali Hazelwood on Exes and O’sSparkles with Amy's signature sweetness and steam -- Carley Fortune on Exes and O's

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Book Synopsis'As close to perfect as romantic comedies get' Jenny Colgan'A joyful, hilarious and heart-warming tale of the challenges we face when we sign up to be part of someone else's life' Beth O'LearyThe irresistible standalone novel from No. 1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella.I love you . . . but what if I can't love your life?Ava is sick of online dating. She's always trusted her own instincts over an algorithm, anyway, and she wants a break from it all. So when she signs up to a semi-silent, anonymous writing retreat in glorious Italy, love is the last thing on her mind.Until she meets a handsome stranger. . . All she knows is that he's funny, he's kind and - she soon learns - he's great in bed. He's equally smitten, and after a whirlwind, intoxicating affair, they pledge their love without even knowing each other's real names.But when they return home, reality hits. They're both driven mad by each other's weird quirks and annoying habits, from his eccentric, naked-sauna-loving family to her terribly behaved, shirt-shredding dog. As disaster follows disaster, it seems that while they love each other, they just can't love each other's lives. Can they overcome their differences to find one life, together?***** EVERYBODY LOVES SOPHIE KINSELLA: *****'Left me giddy with laughter. I loved it' JOJO MOYES'Life doesn't get much better than a new Sophie Kinsella novel' RED'Fast, furious and fabulous fun' WOMAN & HOMETrade ReviewSophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors, and Love Your Life might just be her best book yet. It's a joyful, hilarious and heart-warming tale of the challenges we face when we sign up to be part of someone else's life. It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry happy tears - I adored it. * Beth O'Leary *As close to perfect as romantic comedies get. * Jenny Colgan *Kinsella is back with a relatable heroine, lots of laughs and a romance you'll be rooting for . . . A feel-good Christmas treat. * Woman & Home *As warm as the Italian sunshine and full of fun. A fabulous Italian appetiser, like a platter of antipasti, a stunning, satisfying mix of romance and real life; with characters that you will fall in love with, that will leave you smiling with joy. Like a glorious dinner party with friends, it left me feeling happy, warm and staying up far later than I should so as not to miss a thing. I loved it! It left me wanting more! * Jo Thomas *Pre-order this one right now, you won't regret it! * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisRead the hilarious rom-com that inspired the hit new sitcom Not Dead Yet starring Gina Rogriguez (Jane the Virgin), Hannah Simone (New Girl) and Lauren Ash (Superstore). As recommended on Davina McCall's Making the Cut podcast, and perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton, Ruth Jones and Marian Keyes.'The new Bridget Jones' – Celia Walden, Telegraph'Say hello to a book that will have you laughing with every page, whether you're 20, 40 or 80' – HeatA novel for any woman who wonders how the hell she got here, and why life isn't quite how she imagined it was going to be. And who is desperately trying to figure it all out when everyone around them is making gluten-free brownies.Meet Nell. Her life is a mess.In a world of perfect Instagram lives, she feels like a disaster. But when she starts a secret podcast and forms an unlikely friendship with Cricket, an eighty-something widow, things begin to change. Because Nell is determined. This time next year things will be very different. But first, she has a confession . . .Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter will make you laugh, and it might even make you cry. Above all, it will remind you that you're not on your own – we're all in this together.'Brilliant! Laughing out loud' – Emma Gannon, podcaster (Ctrl Alt Delete) and author of Olive'Funny but layered, light-hearted but surprisingly deep' – RedTrade ReviewA funny, feisty tale about the highs and the oh-so-lows of having to start over in your forties with a smart, sassy character at its heart who you'll be cheering on from start to finish. -- Mike Gayle, author of All The Lonely PeopleNell’s journey to mid-life happiness is hilarious, moving and filled with clear-eyed wisdom about what it means to be a woman of any age, proving that the best happy ever afters come when you fall in love with life. -- Lucy Dillon, author of After the Rain and A Hundred Pieces of MeI loved this book so much. It’s very funny and painfully true. Confessions of a Forty-Something F*ck Up is perfect comfort reading for anyone who thinks life isn’t working out as they want it to, whether they’re forty, fourteen or eighty-four. -- Chrissie Manby, author of Three Days in Florence and A Proper Family HolidaySay hello to a book that will have you laughing with every page, whether you're twenty, forty or eighty * Heat *

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Book SynopsisA charming, mind-bending and anarchic book of imagined civilizations''Most cosmic civilizations long for things, in the depths of their souls, they would never openly admit to...''Trurl and Klapaucius are ''constructors'' - they travel around the universe creating machines of astonishing inventiveness and power and visiting a bewildering variety of violent, peculiar and morose civilizations. The Cyberiad is oddly reminiscent of Gulliver''s Travels, The Hitchhiker''s Guide to the Galaxy, The Phantom Tollbooth and Alice in Wonderland. Charming, mind-bending and anarchic, it is perhaps Lem''s greatest work. This edition includes all of Daniel Mroz''s hallucinatory original illustrations.Trade ReviewStanislaw Lem may be the most famous science fiction writer you've never heard of ... [this] collection of stories may go some way to redressing that ... The linguistic inventiveness is extraordinary ... Lem has created a curious world in which robots and rockets rub shoulders with kings, dragons, witches and pirates * Independent on Sunday *A Jorge Luis Borges for the Space Age * New York Times *

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Book Synopsis''Dazzling ingenuity and cleverness'' IndependentThree con artists are on the make, and making millions. There''s Silas, the leader, slick and self-assured; Liz, his glamorous lover; and Bob, the young cockney upstart (who''s also falling for Liz). As this uneasy trio''s swindles take them from New York high-rises to sixties London, corrupt governments to, finally, the ultimate con in the Middle East, will their luck start to run out?''For sheer readability he has no peer'' Evening StandardTrade ReviewFor sheer readability he has no peer. * Evening Standard *Deighton has shown himself to be the most protean of British best-sellers. -- John Sutherland * London Review of Books *What raises Deighton's genre to art is not only his absorbing characters but his metaphoric grace, droll wit, command of technical detail ... and sure sense of place. -- Andy Solomon * Washington Post *

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Book Synopsis'The ultimate in comfort reading' Marian Keyes 'A grown-up book - but not that grown-up' Katy Guest_____________________________________'I expect I shall feel better after tea.'From the moment Jeeves cures Bertie Wooster of a raging hangover with his own concoction of Worcestershire sauce and tomato juice, they become steadfast partners.Whether it is fixing a plan-gone-wrong, or solving his friends' love lives, Jeeves is Bertie's unfaltering aide through a series of entirely self-imposed misadventures.Trade ReviewPure pleasure -- The TimesThe ultimate in comfort reading -- Marian KeyesA grown-up book - but not that grown-up -- Katy GuestI am a huge fan -- Jennifer SaundersIf we're talking about culture that makes people happy, we have to start with the works of P.G. Wodehouse -- BBC CultureTo have one of his books in your hand is to possess by way of a pill that can relieve anxiety, rageiness, or an afternoon-long tendency towards the sour. Paper has rarely been put to better use than printing Wodehouse.Not only the funniest English novelist who ever wrote but one of our finest stylists. His world is perfect, his writing is perfect. What more is there to be said?P. G. Wodehouse is the gold standard of English wit.An incomparable and timeless genius.P. G. Wodehouse should be prescribed to treat depression. Cheaper, more effective than valium and far, far more addictive.P.G. Wodehouse remains the greatest chronicler of a certain kind of Englishness, that no one else has ever captured quite so sharply or with quite so much wit and affection.Wodehouse is a comic master.For as long as I'm immersed in a P. G. Wodehouse book, it's possible to keep the real world at bay and live in a far, far nicer, funnier one where happy endings are the order of the day.I'm a huge fan. Wodehouse writes proper jokes.To dive into a Wodehouse novel is to swim in some of the most elegantly turned phrases in the English language.

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Book Synopsis**FROM ONE OF THE STARS OF BBC'S HIT SERIES MOTHERLAND**'Jackie Clune's writing always make me roar with laughter' NIGELLA LAWSON'A proper twisty turny plot' GRAHAM NORTON'Joyful... Charts lockdown beautifully' LOOSE ENDS'Humorous and hopeful' WOMAN'S WEEKLYLondon, March 2020. Angela is reeling from the sudden death of her husband Robert. As the world hunkers down against the pandemic, she and her two children - home from university - lock down in their grief and remembrance. Except Angela has this gnawing sensation, a tightness in her chest every time she thinks of Robert. He could be harsh, critical, often belittling in front of others. But he did his best - didn't he? He looked after them, even if he did make the decisions and laugh at her small ambitions. Even if he controlled most things in Angela's so-called life.As lockdown drags on with its do-gooder neighbours and their cake-baking and competitive Clapping for Carers, Angela makes a disturbing discovery on Robert's old phone: messages from a woman who clearly had a close relationship with her late husband. Enraged but liberated by the betrayal, Angela starts to reclaim her life.Until she runs into Zana. Zana, who appears to be watching her house. Zana, with her small child in tow. Zana, and her inexplicable connection to Robert...When Angela decides to help Zana she is forced to reframe her outlook, check her privilege and confront how exactly she plans to live the rest of her life. Slowly they build a relationship based on their mutual recognition, and when Zana introduces Angela to her friends at the local homeless mother and child hostel, she discovers a different, more hopeful, kind of family bubble.Wickedly dark but full of heart, this is a story of pulling together and finding love and connection in the most surprising of places.

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Book SynopsisA funny and clever novel about art and reality and the way they imitate each other, from the author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. With an introduction by Mark Lawson.Would-be novelist Fleur Talbot works for the snooty, irascible Sir Quentin Oliver at the Autobiographical Association, whose members are all at work on their memoirs. When her employer gets his hands on Fleur's novel-in-progress, mayhem ensues as its scenes begin coming true... Spark's inimitable style make this literary joyride thoroughly appealing.'The most gloriously entertaining novel since The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.' AN Wilson, Spectator'I read this book in a delirium of delight ... robust and full-bodied, a wise and mature work, and a brilliantly mischievous one.' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewThe most gloriously entertaining novel since THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE * A.N. Wilson, SPECTATOR *I read this book in a delirium of delight...robust and full-bodied, a wise and mature work, and a brilliantly mischievous one * NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW *Unflagging wit and inventiveness * TIME MAGAZINE *This is Muriel Spark in the splendid form of those marvellous and influential novels of her earlier career * THE TIMES *

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Book SynopsisWhen the ambitious but inept clerk Frans Laarmans is offered a job managing an Edam distribution company in Antwerp, he jumps at the chance, despite his professed dislike for cheese in all its forms. He soon finds himself submerged in a bureaucratic nightmare as his complete incompetence becomes apparent. Meanwhile, his offices fill up with a seemingly infinite supply of the distinctive red-skinned cheeses, which he has no idea how to sell. Skewering the pomposity of big business while revealing how an entrepreneurial spirit can often be a mask for buffoonery, Willem Elsschot’s Cheese combines comedy and pathos in its depiction of a man trying to progress beyond his limited skill set. As poignant as it is funny, Cheese will appeal to anyone who has suffered the endless indignities of office life.

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Book Synopsis'Obligatory reading for all parents of teenagers!' NIGELLA LAWSON'Bloody marvellous. Horribly familiar, funny, touching, sad, brutally honest...clutch this book to your stained T-shirt and never let it go.' JO BRAND'Terrific. A remarkable blend of hilarity and heartbreak with a really satisfying plot. Being childless never felt so good.' GRAHAM NORTON'Warm and witty... The competitive mothering, the hell that is other people's children, the fights and accusations of Homeland inquisition all rang deliciously true... a most entertaining read.' KATHY LETTE'Very poignant... A moving read as well as a funny one.' JANE GARVEY 'Honest, hilarious and painful' WOMAN & HOMEWarning!! This novel may lead you to make rash and life-changing decisions!**Probably don't read if you fear you may be ripe for liberation. Or if you sometimes wee when you laugh...First there was Having It All, then there was Bridget Jones' s Diary and I Don't Know How She Does It. Now there is Teenage Punchbag.I'm Just A Teenage Punchbag is a laugh-out-loud, sob-on-the bus journey through the so-called life of a middle-aged woman.Ciara is mother to three ungrateful, entitled teenagers, is married to steady Martin, a man with hairy udders, and is grieving for her mum who now lives in the wardrobe in a cardboard box from the crematorium. She finds solace in her anonymous blog, and in the daily chats she has with her mum's ashes (often the best conversations she has all day.)Despite the menopause, the invisibility of middle age and the daily self-esteem bashings, courtesy of her kids, Ciara manages to navigate the stormy waters of grief and family life - until her mask slips and she is cast out from the family bosom. She embarks on a mission to fulfil her mum's dying wishes to have her remains sprinkled from the top of the Empire State Building, finding company, distraction and - ultimately - herself in the process.If motherhood is a job - who says you can't resign?

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Book SynopsisINTRODUCED BY MAVIS CHEEK''I''m a huge fan of Barbara Pym'' Richard Osman''She is the rarest of treasures; she reminds us of the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life'' Anne TylerTogether yet alone, the Misses Bede occupy the central crossroads of parish life. Harriet, plump, elegant and jolly, likes nothing better than to make a fuss of new curates, secure in the knowledge that Count Ricardo Bianco will propose to her yet again this year. Belinda, meanwhile, has harboured sober feelings of devotion towards Archdeacon Hoccleve for thirty years.Then into their quiet, comfortable lives comes a famous librarian, Nathaniel Mold, and a bishop from Africa, Theodore Grote - who each takes to calling on the sisters for rather more unsettling reasons.''Some Tame Gazelle is my personal favourite for its sparkling high comedy and its treasury of characters . . . [Pym] makes me smile, laugh out loud, consider my own foiblTrade ReviewSome Tame Gazelle is my personal favourite for its sparkling high comedy and its treasury of characters . . . [Pym] makes me smile, laugh out loud, consider my own foibles and fantasies, and, above all, suffer real regret when I reach the final page. Of how many authors can you honestly say that? -- Mavis CheekI'm a huge fan of Barbara Pym -- Richard OsmanShe is the rarest of treasures; she reminds us of the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life -- Anne TylerI'd sooner read a new Barbara Pym than a new Jane Austen -- Philip LarkinA splendid humorous writer -- John Betjeman

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Book Synopsis''So much fun to read'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''I couldn''t put it down!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''I can''t describe how much I loved this book'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''I adore everything about it . . . the perfect blend of mystery and romcom'' ALI HAZELWOOD Single mum and struggling crime writer Finlay Donovan is ready to kill someone by 7.45AM:- Her two-year-old is slathered in maple syrup - Her four-year-old has a new self-inflicted haircut- Her TOTALLY VINDICTIVE ex-husband has fired the nanny without warningBut nothing is going to stop her from making it to lunch with her literary agent. Not even being banned from the restaurant they''re meeting at.When the discussion about Finlay''s latest crime novel is misinterpreted by a woman sitting nearby as the plans of a hit-woman offering up her services, Finlay is finally promised the large sum oTrade ReviewRead in a single night, applauding along the way. For anyone who's ever wished to turn her life around, Finlay Donovan is the master. From failing everything, to succeeding brilliantly, she proves you only need to get mistaken once for a contract killer, to solve all your problems. * Lisa Gardner *Funny and smart, twisty and surprising--Finlay Donovan is a character to root for. This suspenseful romp made me laugh but also kept me on the edge of my seat with its many surprises. I can't wait for the next book! * Megan Miranda *Part comedy of errors, part genuine thriller . . . balancing genre conventions with sly, tongue-in-cheek comments on motherhood and femininity, Cosimano crafts a deliciously twisted tale * Booklist *Fresh, fast-paced, and darkly fun with a deeply flawed but compulsively likeable heroine, FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT is a madcap thriller that will keep you flipping pages long past your bedtime! * Katherine St John *A fun and madcap ride from beginning to end * CultureFly *

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Book SynopsisShe writes with such panache, such extraordinary perception and wit.' Elizabeth DayA forensically brave writer, with a semantic virtuosity rarely equalled.' TelegraphUnmissable.' Marie ClaireHilarious and distressing, entertaining and wise.'' Roddy DoyleA brilliantly funny and sharply observant novel from one of the most acclaimed American writers of her generation.This novel follows the lives of two 11-year-olds intent on escaping childhood. As the strength of their friendship is tested repeatedly, they begin to take their first, exhilarating steps towards adulthood.

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Book SynopsisThe prize-winning, bestselling author of Middle England turns his gaze to one of cinema''s most intriguing figures - famed director of Some Like It Hot, Billy Wilder.***SOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM*** In the summer of 1977, naïve Calista Frangopoulou sets out to venture into the world. On a Greek island that has been turned into a film set, she finds herself working for Billy Wilder, about whom she knows almost nothing. While Calista is thrilled with her new adventure, Wilder himself is living with the realisation that his star may be on the wane. Rebuffed by Hollywood, he has financed his film with German money, and when Calista follows him to Munich, she finds herself joining him on a journey of memory into the dark heart of his family history.At once a tender coming-of-age story and an intimate portrait of a Hollywood icon, Mr Wilder and Me explores the nature of time and fame, of family and the treacherous lure of nostalgia . . .__________ ''Utterly charming, deeply poignant and ultimately uplifting'' Mail on Sunday''Sweeps beautifully from Hollywood to Greece and London'' FT, Best Books of 2020''The dialogue''s sharp, the comic timing excellent'' Sunday TimesWritten with his signature wit, Jonathan Coe''s unmissable new novel, The Proof of My Innocence, is available to order now!Trade ReviewA satisfyingly sweeping novel that still manages to push the form in new directions. As good as anything he's written - a novel to cherish * Observer *Effortlessly pleasurable and deceptively simple. Mr Wilder & Me doesn't lack resonance, yet stays light on its feet. The whole book feels like some marvellous party where you ricochet from one good conversation to another * The Times *A coming of age story which offers a fascinating insight into fame - and the perils of an industry in flux * Daily Telegraph *One of my favourite writers . . . a thoughtful tender read * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisAnd Just Like That... 25 Years of Sex and the CityTHE ORIGINAL BESTSELLING NOVELWildly funny, unexpectedly poignant, wickedly observant, SEX AND THE CITY blazes a glorious, drunken cocktail trail through New York, as Candace Bushnell, columnist and social critic par excellence, trips on her Manolo Blahnik kitten heels from the Baby Doll Lounge to the Bowery Bar. An Armistead Maupin for the real world, she has the gift of assembling a huge and irresistible cast of freaks and wonders, while remaining faithful to her hard core of friends and fans: those glamorous, rebellious, crazy single women, too close to forty, who are trying hard not to turn from the Audrey Hepburn of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY''S into the Glen Close of FATAL ATTRACTION, and are - still - looking for love.''Jane Austen with a martini'' Sunday Telegraph''The book that sparked a cultural phenomenon'' Oprah''Fascinating... hilariousTrade ReviewJane Austen with a martini * Sunday Telegraph *Hilarious... a compulsively readable book, served up in bite-sized chunks of irrepressible irreverence * Marie Claire *Fascinating... hilarious... welcome to the cruel planet that is Manhattan * Los Angeles Times *Bushnell is a deft writer, possessing a sly sense of humor and sharp insight into human behaviour * People *Bushnell's beat is that demi-monde of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and parties where the rich come into contact with the infamous, the famous with the wannabes and the publicity-hungry with the gossip-peddlers * Evening Standard *Intriguing and highly entertaining * Helen Fielding *The book that sparked a cultural phenomenon * Oprah *Bushnell is the modern flame carrier of an established literary tradition: that of American (usually New York) women writers depicting the rigid social and slackening sexual rules of a very particular American (and, again, usually New York) set through a mix of close personal knowledge and fiction... Compared with the hugely popular television series, the book is tough, unapologetic and jittery with anxiety... hilarious, hard-edged, delightful, harsh, elegant and fun * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWith the satirical eye of his science fiction author alter ego Kilgore Trout, the author of Slaughterhouse-Five delivers a classic of modern American literature.Eliot Rosewater, President of the fabulously rich Rosewater Foundation and volunteer firefighter, is tortured by an inheritance he doesn't feel that he deserves. After (unfortunately) developing a social conscience, he sets out on a drunken tour of America, unravelling a little more at every stop until his path crosses with the science-fiction writer Kilgore Trout. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater is one of Kurt Vonnegut's funniest satires, about the pleasures, pains and perversions of people and money, the obsessions of a famous family and the collective madness of a nation.Trade ReviewVonnegut faces up to the less glamorous phenomenon of human mediocrity in this sharp, hilarious, boundlessly humane story. It taught me about compassion and a few things about writing good dialogue -- Michel Faber * Glasgow Herald *Rumbustious stuff... There may be greater novelists than Vonnegut, but there can be a few, if any, with as much good humour and generosity * Guardian *Filled with irony and black humour and a woozy bonhomie * Sunday Times *Wild hilarity * Sunday Telegraph *Extremely funny * Observer *

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Book SynopsisWITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY CATHY RENTZENBRINK 'For as long as I'm immersed in a P.G. Wodehouse book, it's possible to keep the real world at bay and live in a far, far nicer, funnier one' MARIAN KEYES'Sunlit perfection' STEPHEN FRY'Wodehouse is as loved as ever, and his vivid prose style and unique comic invention are major contributions to English fiction' GUARDIANA joyous romp through a year of Wodehouse's most treasured stories, month by month. The ultimate gift for anyone who needs cheering throughout the year. All of his treasured characters are here, Jeeves, Smith and, of course, the Empress of Blandings herself.'Paper has rarely been put to better use' CAITLIN MORAN'Ingenious. Worth reading again and again' SPECTATOR'Incomparable and timeless genius' KATE MOSSE'The funniest writer ever to put words to paper' HUGH LAURIETrade ReviewWodehouse is the greatest comic writer -- Douglas AdamsGloriously funny * The Times *You don't analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour -- Stephen Fry

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