Narrative theme: identity / belonging

Book Synopsis''A compelling, powerful portrait of a terrible endurance. Terrific'' The TimesFour months after Pearl Harbor, signs begin appearing up and down the West Coast instructing all persons of Japanese ancestry to report to ''assembly centers''. For one family - reclassified, virtually overnight, as unwelcome enemies - it is the beginning of a nightmare of oppression and alienation that will alter their lives forever.There is the mother, reeling from the order to ''evacuate'', and the daughter, travelling on the long train journey away from freedom. There is the son, who struggles to adapt to their new life in the dust of the Utah desert, and the father, who, after four bitter years in captivity, returns to his family a stranger.Based on a true story, Julie Otsuka''s powerful, deeply humane first novel tells of a forgotten generation who found themselves imprisoned in their own country, and evokes an unjustly overlooked episode in America''s wartime hTrade ReviewA remarkable, beautifully written story of panic, prejudice and shame ... outstandingly accomplished and moving * Sunday Telegraph *An intense jewel of a book written with clarity and beauty * Marie Claire *Vindicates the suffering of the Japanese in America . . . a blistering first novel * The Times Literary Supplement *A compelling, powerful portrait of a terrible endurance. Terrific * The Times *Exceptional * New Yorker *

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Book Synopsis**A BBC BETWEEN THE COVERS BIG JUBILEE READ PICK**''A milestone in the campaign for racial equality'' GuardianIn 1945, Rick Braithwaite, a smart, highly educated ex-RAF pilot, looks for a job in British engineering. He is deeply shocked to realise that, as a black man from British Guiana, no one will employ him because of the colour of his skin. In desperation he turns to teaching, taking a job in a tough East End school, and left to govern a class of unruly teenagers. With no experience or guidance, Braithwaite attempts to instil discipline, confound prejudice and ultimately, to teach.''Moving and inspiring'' New York TimesWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY CARYL PHILLIPSTrade ReviewA book that the reader devours quickly, ponders slowly, and forgets not at all-Moving and inspiring * New York Times *E.R. Braithwaite's postwar novel about a black teacher fighting to win the respect of white pupils in a school in the East End of London is a milestone in the campaign for racial equality * Guardian *It is the noblest, most moving, least sentimental account of life in a modern school and of a teacher's struggles with his pupils and with himself that I have come across -- Michael Croft * Observer *

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Book SynopsisTravis is a full-time audiobook narrator who has lent his voice to hundreds of stories. Before that, he spent decades designing and building video games like Torchlight, Rebel Galaxy, and Fate. Apparently, he now also writes books. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his very patient family and their small, nervous dog. He is the author of Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust.Trade ReviewWhat I love about Travis Baldree is that set against an epic world of adventure, he writes about the small victories that make life worthwhile. Bookshops & Bonedust does this and it is glorious -- Ben Aaronovitch, author of Rivers of LondonIt's the rare prequel that beautifully adds depth, power, and love to the lore. This is a book for those who were once young and pulled between fighting the world with all they had . . . or curling up in a dusty bookshop with a good story -- J. R. Dawson, author of First Bright ThingWell, damn, he’s done it again. Bookshops & Bonedust is hilarious, heartwarming, and wholesome as heck. If you loved the first you’ll almost certainly love this perfectly executed prequel even more, as the stakes are higher and the scones are hotter still! -- Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the WyldAs enchanting a prequel as one could ever desire, Bookshops & Bonedust brings the same humor and heart as its predecessor, and has cemented Travis Baldree as an auto-read author for me. Books, baked goods, and necromancy - what more could you possibly want in a story? -- Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's HeartBookshops & Bonedust is the perfect follow up to Legends & Lattes; it's a pleasure to meet a Younger Viv and watch her grow slowly, stubbornly, into the orc we love so much. Some bittersweetness is inevitable, but Baldree reminds us that the past - even our mistakes - is the fertile soil where we plant the seeds of a beautiful future -- C. L. Clark, author of The UnbrokenMagical and full of heart, Bookshops & Bonedust is every bit as enchanting as its predecessor. Spending more time with Viv was a joy -- Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular WitchesBookshops & Bonedust will resonate with anyone who has ever conflated their worth with their productivity, who has ever worried about being left behind if they take a moment to breathe, who has ever allowed a book to save them from a bad day. Beautifully humane, it is a loving reminder that the best parts of life are what happens between the big moments -- Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothhing But Blackened TeethBookshops & Bonedust is a fabulist's love song to indie booksellers, but much more besides. As with Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree gives us a deeply satisfying fantasy without gore, wonder without dread, and joy for its own sake -- Christopher Buehlman, author of The Blacktongue Thief

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Book Synopsis''Beautifully rendered and instantly captivating. Malinda Lo writes queer desire like no other.'' DIVA MAGAZINE''Lo writes tenderly about the first buds of teenage desire amid a downtown hipster at scene.'' DAILY MAIL''Poignant, vivid and so beautifully written. I adored it.'' LAURA KAYA Scatter of Light is a companion novel to the National Book Awards winner and New York Times bestseller Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and is about how the threads of family, inspiration, art, and identity are woven across generations.Aria Tang West thought she''d be spending one last summer on Martha''s Vineyard with her friends before starting MIT in the fall, where she intends to study astronomy, like her late grandfather. But after topless photos of her are posted online, she''s abruptly uninvited from her friends'' summer homes. Aria''s parents, a writer and opera singer with plans of their

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Book SynopsisPages for You is story of the beginning, blossoming and falling apart of a delirious love affair, by Sylvia Brownrigg.‘A love letter written for a lost lover . . . mesmerizing’ – Helen Dunmore, The TimesWhen Flannery Jansen arrives at university, she is totally unprepared for an encounter that will rock her existence. But when she comes across Anne Arden in a local diner, Flannery falls dramatically and desperately in love.Flannery is quickly embarrassed in the face of the older woman’s poise and sophistication, and under the gaze of those impossible green eyes, but slowly their paths intertwine, and soon Flannery becomes Anne’s eager student in life and love.Trade ReviewA love letter written for a lost lover . . . mesmerizing -- Helen Dunmore * The Times *Candid, fresh and vivid * Sunday Telegraph *Bathed in a joyful, cloistered mood of sensual celebration * New York Times *Exuberant and wistful * TLS *Language is the real object of infatuation here . . . words are as seductive as bodies * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisA haunting and moving debut, The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell is perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding.1830. After a violent storm, a woman is found alone, naked, near death on the Northumberland moors. She has no memory of who she is or how she got there. But she can remember how to help a woman in labour, how to expertly dress a wound and can speak fluent French.With the odds against her – a penniless single woman – she starts to build her life from scratch, using her skills to help other woman around her. She finds a happy place in the world. Until tragedy strikes, and she must run for her life.In London, Dr Borthwick lives a solitary life working as an accoucheur together with his midwife, Mrs Bates, dealing with mothers and babies in both the elegant homes of high society, and alongside a young widow, Eleanor Johnson, volunteering in the slums of the Devil’s Acre. His professional reputation is spotless and he keeps his private life just as clean, isolating himself from any new acquaintances. He is harbouring a dark secret from his past, one that threatens to spill over everything . . .Trade ReviewAmongst the many excellent entries for the Mslexia Novel Prize, this novel really stood out: a gripping and smartly executed double-narrative full of surprises, with something serious to say about women's place in society and the strategies they employ to survive -- Louise Doughty, bestselling author of Apple Tree YardA vivid, engrossing mystery about a woman who can’t remember her own identity but knows with certainty how to deliver babies. The authentic medical details form a compelling picture of the precariousness of life in the mid-nineteenth century, when childbirth could prove fatal for even the fittest of women. I was hooked! -- Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Secret WifeAtmospheric, haunting and intriguing. A compelling and beautifully written debut -- Tracy Rees, bestselling author of Amy Snow and The Rose Garden

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2023AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEARIt’s time to dance, to love, to be free…‘Mesmerising’ BERNARDINE EVARISTO, author of Girl, Woman, Other‘Fabulous’ MAGGIE O'FARRELL, author of Hamnet‘Beautiful’ CALEB AZUMAH NELSON, author of Open WaterYamaye lives for the weekend, when she can go raving with her friends at The Crypt, an underground club on the outskirts of London. Then everything changes. Yamaye meets Moose, who she falls deeply in love with, and who offers her the chance of freedom and escape.After their relationship is brutally cut short, Yamaye goes on a dramatic journey of transformation that leads her to Jamaica, where past and present collide with explosive consequences.***A SUNDAY TIMES BEST NOVEL AND GUARDIAN BEST FICTION BOOK OF 2023***‘A wonderfully literary, musical and original novel about a culture and era that rarely makes the pages of fiction’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT‘Scorching… We follow Yamaye through love, loss and peril, as she chases her dreams and connects with her heritage’ GUARDIAN‘Ambitious, atmospheric… A novel of passion and anger’ SUNDAY TIMES‘A rich and rhythmic story about love and music’ ITrade ReviewRemarkable... In terms of sheer lyrical force it stands head and shoulders above most debuts * Daily Telegraph *I was blown away by Fire Rush - an exceptional and stunningly original novel by a major new writer... Her mesmerising, imaginative and incantatory writing leaves us swaying to the bass of the visceral rhythms she so powerfully describes. By the end of the novel, I felt charged and changed and already longed to reread it -- Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHERFew have channelled so well the skittering beats and transcendent air of dub music as Crooks does in her semi-autobiographical debut... Startlingly vivid reading * Daily Telegraph, *Summer Reads of 2023* *A heady swirl of a novel that pulls the reader in from the first page... A fabulous, absorbing read -- Maggie O'Farrell, author of THE MARRIAGE PORTRAITA window into the dub scene at the time, with rhythmic, lyrical writing and a story about raving, love and the impact of police violence... Both a page turner and a literary novel... Truly remarkable * Vogue *A hypnotic journey into the dub reggae scene * Guardian, *Books of the Year* *This beautiful, sprawling narrative is wrought with an incredible precision and a musicality which carries every sentence. Crooks' novel haunts but make space for hope as well -- Caleb Azumah Nelson, author of OPEN WATERA colourful, immersive debut... Throughout, a passion and anger resound as we gain a glimpse into a rarely observed British subculture * Sunday Times, *Summer Reads of 2023* *A brilliant, exuberant novel. Full of beauty, musicality and feminist power -- Irenosen Okojie, author of NUDIBRANCHA scorching, lyrical debut, soaked in dub reggae * Guardian, *Summer Reads of 2023* *

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER ONE IN A MILLION, THE SPICY NEW ROMCOM FROM BEVERLEY KENDALL, OUT SPRING 2025. A sexy, whip-smart, enemies to lovers romcom that’s fresh and topical, tackling racism and tokenism as experienced by a young Black woman in the cutthroat world of Publicity. 'A funny, satisfying read full of sparkling banter and thoughtful social commentary' Shauna Robinson, author of Must Love Books 'The most delicious blend of a *very* heated novel, the dynamics of an age old and rock-solid friendship, the complexities that come with being a Black woman in any workspace and a romance that could melt any heart. Token had me rapt from the very first page with it’s humour and intelligence - I absolutely adored it'  Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of The Three of Us 'Brimming with angst, banter, and a fiery chemistry' Taj McCoy, author of ZorTrade Review'Token was EVERYTHING and more - the most delicious blend of a *very* heated novel, the dynamics of an age old and rock-solid friendship, the complexities that come with being a Black woman in any workspace and a romance that could melt any heart. But it’s also so much more, with Beverley asking us to reckon with the moral abyss that is being in the public eye and how difficult it can be in both sides of the coin. This book had me rapt from the very first page with it’s humour and intelligence - I absolutely adored it' ORE AGBAJE-WILLIAMS, author of The Three Of Us 'Beverley Kendall masterfully delivers the ABCs of a delectable second chance romance between Kendall and Nate - it’s brimming with angst, banter, and a fiery chemistry. The added dimension of the workplace dramas will strike a chord and keep you guessing' Taj McCoy, author of Zora Books Her Happy Ever After 'A funny, satisfying read full of sparkling banter and thoughtful social commentary. I loved watching Kennedy take the corporate world by storm - and follow her heart along the way' Shauna Robinson, author of Must Love Books'Fresh, sexy and funny' heat Reader Reviews ‘I loved it. The characters were amazing’ ‘Token will definitely make a good book club recommendation, as there is a lot to discuss’ ‘A joy to read. I was totally captivated by the story and the relationship between Kennedy and Nate’ ‘I just couldn’t stop turning the pages’ ‘Completely engrossing’ ‘Token is fantastic, I adored the fake dating trope, but was completely there for Kennedy and Nate, their chemistry was palpable and the spicy scenes were very hot’ 'A fun, sexy romance read with some great female characters and an underlying commentary on some of societies issues of racism and misogyny. The chemistry between Kennedy and her ex was undeniable' 'Tackles some tricky issues whilst still maintaining its appeal as a fun, romantic read. If you like your romances spicy, this is for you. The characters are appealing and engaging, and it has everything you could want from an intelligent romance' 'A sexy and smart novel! The banter between Kennedy and Nate is mesmerising! Issues of racism and sexism are focused on but ultimately the romance took over and I loved it' 'I gulped Token down in just a couple of sittings, I couldn’t read it fast enough! It’s fresh, feisty, and wow, it’s hot! I loved the way the story is told, it’s funny, straight-talking and original. I couldn’t get enough and truly loved it' 'I was hooked from the very first page and just knew that I was going to love the strong and sassy main character, Kennedy. Token is a fresh, modern and powerful novel that completely captivated me from start to finish' 'A really interesting, thought provoking and enjoyable read. It’s part romance, part looking at issues in modern life, specifically around race and gender' 'What a fresh, engaging and brilliant read. I loved Token - a narrative with sharp wit, incisive social comment and an underlying sexiness that makes it a fabulous read... intelligent, entertaining and, for me, quite brilliant' 'I love a romance, and I love it even better if the story has depth. Token delivers on this, and more. Well-paced, beautifully-plotted, written with humour, passion and strength, this story works as a romance and as a social commentary on the world' 'Token is HOT... packed full of chemistry! A great, fun and entertaining read' 'Well written, a mix of romance, current issues, a smattering of spicy sex and a serious look at the behaviours of those who often have the most power. A fascinating and fun look at the world of business in New York' 'Super sharp, I loved that Token couldn’t be pigeonholed - yes there’s a hot romance, but there’s also a focus on diversity... Kennedy is an absolute QUEEN!' 'A clever combination, combining a spicy second chance romance with an underlying exploration of the serious topic of DE&I in the workplace. Perfectly balanced, it makes for a fun and addictive read with a thought-provoking message'

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Book SynopsisThree decades after her pioneering anthology, Daughters of Africa, Margaret Busby curates an extraordinary collection of contemporary writing by 200 women writers of African descent, including Zadie Smith, Bernardine Evaristo and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. A glorious portrayal of the richness and range of African women''s voices, this major international book brings together their achievements across a wealth of genres. From Antigua to Zimbabwe and Angola to the USA, overlooked artists of the past join key figures, popular contemporaries and emerging writers in paying tribute to the heritage that unites them, the strong links that endure from generation to generation, and their common obstacles around issues of race, gender and class.Bold and insightful, brilliant in its intimacy and universality, this landmark anthology honours the talents of African daughters and the inspiring legacy that connects them-and all of us.The New Daughters of AfricaDiane AbbottYassmin Abdel-MagiedLeila AboulelaAyobami AdebayoSade AdeniranChimamanda Ngozi AdichieZoe AdjonyohPatience AgbabiAgnès AgbotonCandace AllenLisa Allen-AgostiniEllah Wakatama AllfreyAndaiyeHarriet AnenaJoan Anim-AddoMonica Arac de NyekoYemisi AribisalaYolanda Arroyo PizarroAmma AsanteMichelle AsantewaNana Asma''uSefi AttaAyesha Harruna AttahGabeba BaderoonYaba BadoeYvonne Bailey-SmithDoreen BainganaEllen Banda-AakuAngela BarryMildred K. BaryaJackee Budesta BatandaSimi BedfordLinda BellosJay BernardMarion BethelAma BineyJacqueline BishopMalorie BlackmanTanella BoniMalika BookerNana Ekua Brew-HammondBeverley BryanAkosua BusiaCandice Carty-WilliamsRutendo ChabikwaBarbara Chase-RiboudPanashe ChigumadziGabrielle CivilMaxine Beneba ClarkeAngela CobbinahCarolyn CooperJuanita CoxMeta Davis CumberbatchPatricia CumperStella DadzieYrsa Daley-WardNana-Ama DanquahEdwidge DanticatNadia DavidsTjawangwa DemaYvonne Denis RosarioAnni DomingoNah DoveEdwige-Renée DroCamille T. DungyAnaïs DuplanReni Eddo-LodgeAida EdemariamEsi EdugyanSummer EdwardYvvette EdwardsZena EdwardsSafia ElhilloZetta ElliottNawal El SaadawiDiana EvansBernardine EvaristoEve L. EwingDeise Faria NunesDiana FerrusNikky FinneyAminatta FornaIfeona FulaniVangile GantshoRoxane GayDanielle Legros GeorgesPatricia Glinton-MeicholasHawa Jande GolakaiWangui wa GoroBonnie GreerJane Ulysses GrellRachel Eliza GriffithsCarmen Harriszakia henderson-brownJoanne C. HillhouseAfua HirschZita HolbourneNalo HopkinsonRashidah IsmailiNaomi JacksonSandra Jackson-OpokuDelia Jarrett-MacauleyMargo JeffersonBarbara JenkinsCatherine JohnsonEthel Irene KabwatoElizabeth KeckleyFatimah KelleherDonika KellyAdrienne KennedySusan Nalugwa KiguliRosamond S. KingDonu KogbaraLauri KubuitsileGoretti KyomuhendoBeatrice LamwakaPatrice LawrenceAndrea LevyLesley LokkoKaren LordKaren Ládípò ManyikaRos MartinLebogang MashileIsabella MatambanadzoNomaVenda MathianeImbolo MbueMaaza MengisteArthenia Bates MillicanBridget MinamoreNadifa MohamedNatalia MolebatsiWame MolefheAja MonetSisonke MsimangBlessing MusaririGlaydah NamukasaMarie NDiayeJuliana Makuchi Nfah-AbbenyiWanjiku wa NgugiKetty NivyabandiElizabeth NunezSelina NwuluTrifonia Melibea ObonoNana Oforiatta AyimIrenosen OkojieNnedi OkoraforJuliane Okot BitekChinelo OkparantaYewande OmotosoMakena OnjerikaChibundu OnuzoTess OnwuemeYvonne Adhiambo OwuorLouisa Adjoa ParkerDjaimilia Pereira de AlmeidaAlake PilgrimWinsome PinnockHannah Azieb PoolOlúmìdé Pópó?láClaudia RankineH. Cordelia RaySarah Parker RemondFlorida Ruffin RidleyZandria F. RobinsonZuleica Romay GuerraAndrea Rosario-GborieLeone RossJosephine St. Pierre RuffinMinna SalamiMarina Salandy-BrownSapphireNoo Saro-WiwaTaiye SelasiNamwali SerpellKadija SesayClaire ShepherdVerene A. ShepherdWarsan ShireLola ShoneyinDorothea SmarttZadie SmithAdeola SolankeCelia SorhaindoAttillah SpringerAndrea StuartSuAndiValerie Joan TagwiraJennifer TeegeJean évenetNatasha TretheweyNovuyo Rosa TshumaHilda J. TwongyeirweChika UnigweYvonne VeraPhillippa Yaa de VilliersKit de WaalElizabeth Walcott-HackshawEffie Waller SmithRebecca WalkerAyeta Anne WangusaZukiswa WannerJesmyn WardVerna Allette WilkinsCharlotte WilliamsSue Woodford-HollickMakhosazana XabaTiphanie YaniqueTrade ReviewBusby opens the door wide and allows her readers to witness the conversations that have occurred between black women writers, conversations about culture, love, inheritance and more, without mediation from the powerful institutions of publishing and academia. The effect is marvellous. It is also necessary -- Imani Perry * Financial Times *An incredible introduction to black women's writing from around the world -- Bernardine EvaristoThis remarkable book constitutes a powerful affirmation of literary achievement, demonstrating that contemporary black women writers are part of a vital and extensive tradition * Times Literary Supplement *New Daughters of Africa is a beautiful, essential anthology. It is both long-awaited and urgently needed; it recognises the individual voices and interwoven histories of every facet of womanhood -- Preti TanejaNew Daughters of Africa is indispensable because African voices have been silenced or diminished throughout history, and women's voices even more so * The Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisThis classic story of Anne of Green Gables follows Anne, a spirited orphan, as she uses her imagination and love of reading to become the heart of her new community.

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Book SynopsisReturn to the sensational standout TikTok series, The Royals, in this third instalment, Twisted Palace. From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She''s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he''ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.They may be right.With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and R

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Book SynopsisTHE SPECIAL 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER ‘Devastating’ Daily Telegraph ‘Heartbreaking’ The Times ‘Unforgettable’ Isabel Allende ‘Haunting’ Independent Afghanistan, 1975: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

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Book SynopsisJama is a clever and sensitive young Maasai girl who likes elephants better than people.She decides to escape the classroom gossip about the new boy, Leku, by going to the watering hole outside her village. There, she befriends a baby elephant that she names Mbegu.When Mbegu's mother, frightened by poachers, stampedes, Jama and Mbegu are blamed for two deaths - one elephant and one human. Now Leku, whose mysterious and imposing father is the head ranger at the conservancy, may be their only lifeline.A beautiful, heart-pounding story of a girl, an elephant, and their life-changing friendship.

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Book SynopsisEmmy is her own worst enemy. So why does she fancy someone who looks like her? Overthinker and recent drama school graduate Emmy Clooney (no relation) will do anything to be successful, despite the lack of roles for queer actors. But in the audition room for what should be her big break, Emmy collides with rising star, Mae Jones. Mae is the same casting type as Emmy (‘Short-haired Lesbian’), so they’ll always be fighting for the same parts. Unfortunately, Mae is also very talented, very charismatic, and very hot... She’s Emmy’s type in every way. When their opposite personalities clash, Emmy and Mae begin a fierce competition to be the best gay in showbiz. But if they’re cast in the same play, will they find a way to act nicely – or take their rivalry to the next stage? ‘Extremely fun’ - Kate Davies 'The world needs more queer frivolity and more genuinely funny books like this' - Bethany RutterTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR MY OWN WORST ENEMY: ‘I adored this novel about love and belonging and fancying your sexy pirate co-star... Whip smart, wickedly funny and so much fun’ Laura Kay ‘Witty and heartfelt, with lashings of chemistry and dialogue that shines’ Lex Croucher ‘The world needs more queer frivolity. Lily Lindon has such a light, witty touch and such an acute understanding of love and relationships’ Bethany Rutter ‘Life-affirming and joyful, with a hilarious and loveable heroine’ Hannah Dolby ‘I loved, loved, loved it... Lily Lindon’s warmth and irrepressible sense of humour shines through on each page’ Emma Hughes ‘A clever reworking of the conventions of the rom com... It’s cupcake cute and really quite joyous’ Matt Cain ‘Tender, uplifting and laugh-out-loud funny’ Taylor Cole ‘Expect horny romps and big feelings as Emmy and Mae fight it out’ Lizzie Huxley-Jones 'EXTREMELY FUN - if anyone is in need of a funny, charming queer rom com set in the world of acting (yes please) with TWO BUTCH LESBIANS as the romantic leads (YES PLEASE), this is the book for you.' Kate Davies

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Book SynopsisAn Irish Times Book of the Year An electrifying descent from loneliness and grief into obsessive, all-consuming love, by an Italian literary star. ‘When Xu bites me, when she has me in her teeth, naked and bad on top of me, everything is good.’ In a skyscraper apartment overlooking Shanghai’s blue-tinged, pulsating nightlife and filled with rotting food, two women swallow little yellow pills that will make all things dangerous feel safe. They’re both running from a turbulent past. In abandoned factories and dilapidated slaughterhouses, Xu pushes Ruben to extremes of pleasure and pain that she has never experienced before, to a place where language breaks down and passion becomes consumption. Blue Hunger asks how we create our identities and how we escape them; it is a fever-dream of a novel, visionary and uncanny, that demolishes all taboos and wisely explores, in a wildly imaginative language, the twisted peaks of loss and desire.Trade Review‘I thoroughly recommend Blue Hunger by Italian novelist Viola Di Grado, translated by Jamie Richards. Di Grado’s prose is clean, efficient, and devastating as she explores queer love, displacement, and grief against the backdrop of Shanghai.’ -- Martin Doyle * The Irish Times *‘To read Blue Hunger is to enter a dreamlike state, guided by irresistible, evocative writing, immaculate details, and vivid emotions dripping with desire. Viola Di Grado offers us a brilliant, highly immersive story about the need to consume and be consumed, love, messiness, and the power of language. Blue Hunger is a wholly compelling piece of art, and Viola Di Grado is a genius.’ -- Jami Attenberg, author of The Middlesteins‘Viola Di Grado is, most importantly, a powerful and original writer; the fact that she also writes, movingly and with complexity, about members of the LGBT population, renders her work all the more singular.’ -- Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours‘Blue Hunger is a devastating study of the ways in which grief renders everything, even the self, foreign. A gorgeous grotesquerie of lust and despair backdropped by the writhing rhythms of Shanghai.’ -- Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch‘Di Grado is a real writer, so everything under the spell of her words is vibrant and evocative. Blue Hunger, a prose poem and a fearless descent into language and the realm of meanings, is about our experience in the acidic lights of the contemporary world.’ -- FIlippo La Porta * La Repubblica *‘Sticky, neon, and electric, Blue Hunger drips with desire, danger, and hunger in myriad forms.’ -- Jessica Andrews, author of Saltwater‘Blue Hunger’s is a disorientating world made strange by grief — a world where words have lost their meaning, and identity fragments. In luminous and startling prose, Viola Di Grado lays bare the risk inherent in human relationships, the capacity we have to inflict and enjoy pain as well as pleasure, and the disassembling power of grief. Bold and addictive, this is a carnal, sensual, drug-and-sex-infused trip of a novel. -- Imogen Crimp, author of A Very Nice Girl‘Blue Hunger is a most vibrant novel about lust: beautifully written and full of sensuous images, Viola Di Grado’s book is a powerful literary journey into food and sex and the city. In depicting the constant foreignness of falling in love, Di Grado reveals herself as a true master of style.’ -- Claudia Durastanti, author of Strangers I Know and Cleopatra Goes to Prison’Haunting … An erotic and disturbing depiction of the effects of grief.’ * Kirkus Reviews *’Readers will be fascinated by the novel’s scenery, psychological acuity … Queerness, grief, isolation, dependence, and love merge in this novel of geographically-based healing and descent.’ * Booklist *‘Blue Hunger is a breezy yet dizzying fever-dream of a read. The narrator’s voice is deceptively quiet. The book feels like it has a flame lighting it from underneath. It moves with a steady, compact agility, like a ship gesturing towards a mid-sea battle … The final scene is a spectacular feat, managing to be both unexpected, and exquisitely tender.’ -- Jessie Tu * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘The language of Blue Hunger has a tour de force energy … Di Grado’s prose is exhilaratingly dynamic, made up of fragmented paragraphs that look and sound like prose poetry and that use poetic language in surprising and edgy ways. The translator, Jamie Richards, has done an excellent job in keeping up … Although Blue Hunger reads as an exercise in style, there is also substance here, particularly when it comes to the self-destructiveness so often bound up with what we call love.’ -- Maria Takolander * The Saturday Paper *‘A sensuous and biting account … It’s worth indulging in this visceral story.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Italian author Viola Di Grado simulates the fever dreamlike state of an all-consuming love.’ * RUSSH *‘It’s lush, dreamlike, and once started, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.’ -- Terri Schlichenmeyer * Los Angeles Blade *‘[T]his short but electrifying book captures the life of a young Italian woman in Shanghai as she finds herself captivated by a beautiful, enigmatic woman named Xu … Blue Hunger goes on to explore identity in a writhing blend of lust and pain … Her strength as a writer lies in the layers of metaphors that weave into a narrative fabric thick with intertwined meaning … [A] dizzying, intricate study of grief, displacement, obsession and desire under the glittering veneer of Shanghai.’ -- Fruzsina Gál * Aniko Press *‘Translated by Jamie Richards, the writing is simply gorgeous, luring the reader in even as the plot takes some decidedly visceral turns … It’s a fever-dream of a novel, a breathless, erotic, and often uncomfortable examination of what grief, loneliness, and a desperate search for answers can do … its combination of rich, evocative writing, and oft unsettling content makes it near impossible to look away from the page.’ -- Jodie Sloan * The AU Review *Praise for Hollow Heart: ‘A danse macabre for the millenials … In Hollow Heart, Di Grado elegantly and playfully thematises the emptiness of unquestioned vessels of meaning (which is to say, words) with the story of a girl who has taken her own life before she has even really lived it.’ * LA Review of Books *Praise for Hollow Heart: ‘The writing is pristine. Each sentence lures us further into the flies and blood-filled spirals of Di Grado’s dreamworld and, most importantly, we are willing to follow her.’ * The Independent *Praise for 70% Acrylic 30% Wool: ‘Viola Di Grado’s charming prose romps through chthonic worlds of nibbling insects, ammoniac seepage, and shattering depression, using language that is both glib and scrumptious.’ * Music & Literature *Praise for 70% Acrylic 30% Wool: ‘[Di Grado’s] black comedy, pungent metaphors, and controlled ambiguity announce the arrival of a considerable talent.’ * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisThe sensational debut novel about love, friendship and finding happiness in the most unexpected places.  'It's as fun as it is thoughtful: a tender and generous novel about finding your people, getting vulnerable, and celebrating every joy - big or small.' Buzzfeed 'Elvin James Mensah's Small Joys is breathtaking and heartrending, by turns hilarious and devastating and surprising and wild. Mensah's prose makes the intangible deft and tremendous — from the balm of friendship, to the beauty of queerness, and the all-encompassing elixir of community. Tender, thrilling, and honest; Small Joys is a beam of light.' Bryan Washington, author of Memorial 'A beautiful, moving story of love, male intimacy, chosen family and finding self worth.' Paul Mendez, author of Rainbow Milk ‘I adored Sma

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Book SynopsisIdentity in the Covid-19 Years explores the how the COVID-19 pandemic has been represented in media, communication and culture, and the role these changes have played in renewing how we understand identity, engage in social belonging and relate ethically to each other and the world. This book explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how we perform our identities, engage in social belonging, and communicate with each other. Understanding the onset of the pandemic as a moment experienced as cultural rupture, Cover provides a framework for understanding how selfhood, belonging, relationships and perceptions of time and space have undergone a disruption that not only is damaging to continuity and stability but also provides positive value through renewal and the re-making of the self and ways of living ethically. Drawing on philosophic, media and cultural studies approaches, this book describes how networks of mutual care and global interdependeTrade ReviewHow do we make sense of the individual and global trauma caused by COVID? Cover frames the pandemic by wrestling sense out of the inchoate panic, offering a major, wholistic cultural analysis of the pandemic and its enduring effects. In addressing the structural and discursive truths that the pandemic has exposed, he is also mindful of the personal devastation that COVID has wrought. COVID changed our social ecology, and we need a reckoning. Start here. * Sally Munt, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Politics, University of Sussex, UK *Drawing on philosophic, media, and cultural studies approaches, this book describes how networks of mutual care and global interdependency have been powerfully drawn out by the experience of the pandemic, yet also disavowed in some settings in favor of a problem individualism and sustained inequalities. * Chris Beasley, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Adelaide, Australia *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction: Stories of Rupture and Resilience in a Pandemic 1 Media Discourses of Coronavirus: From Health Advisory to Conspiracy 2 Apocalyptic Fictions as a Roadmap for Crisis 3 Disrupted Identity: The Self in a Time of Radical Cultural Change, Anxiety, and Crisis 4 Disrupted Mobility: Lockdowns, Borders, and Movement 5 Disrupted Exposure: Ethics and the Face of the Other in the Time of Masks 6 Disrupted Touch: Hands, Bodies, and Social Distancing 7 Disrupted Corporealities: Vaccination and Anti-vaxxers 8 Disrupted Futurity: Mourning the Self and the Other Conclusion: COVID Futures: Ethical Care in Interdependency References Index

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Book SynopsisA haunting and moving historical fiction, The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell is perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding.1838. After a violent storm, a woman is found alone, naked and near death, on the Northumberland moors. She has no memory of who she is or how she got there. But she can remember how to help a woman in labour and how to expertly dress a wound, and can speak fluent French. With the odds against her, a penniless single woman, she starts to build her life from scratch, using her skills to help other women around her. She finds a happy place in the world. Until tragedy strikes, and she must run for her life . . .In London, Dr Borthwick lives a solitary life working as an accoucheur dealing with mothers and babies in the elegant homes of high society together with his midwife, and volunteering in the slums of the Devil’s Acre alongside a young widow, Eleanor Johnson. His professional reputation is spotless and he keeps his private life just as clean, isolating himself from any new acquaintances. But he is harbouring a dark secret from his past – one that threatens to spill over everything.Trade ReviewAmongst the many excellent entries for the Mslexia Novel Prize, this novel really stood out: a gripping and smartly executed double narrative full of surprises, with something serious to say about women's place in society and the strategies they employ to survive. -- Louise Doughty, bestselling author of Apple Tree YardA vivid, engrossing mystery about a woman who can’t remember her own identity but knows with certainty how to deliver babies. The authentic medical details form a compelling picture of the precariousness of life in the mid 19th century, when childbirth could prove fatal for even the fittest of women. I was hooked! -- Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Secret WifeAtmospheric, haunting and intriguing. A compelling and beautifully written debut. -- Tracy Rees, bestselling author of Amy Snow and The Rose Garden

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Book SynopsisThroughout her short but brilliant literary career, Nell Larsen wrote piercing dramas about the black middle class that featured sensitive, spirited heroines struggling to find a place where they belong. Passing is a disturbing story about the unravelling lives of two childhood friends, one of whom turns her back on her past and marries a white racist. Just as disquieting is the portrait in Quicksand of biracial Helga Crane, who is unable to escape her loneliness no matter where and with whom she lives. Race and marriage offer few securities here or in the other stories in this compulsively readable collection, rich in psychological complexities and imbued with a vibrant sense of place - be it 1920s Harlem, Chicago, or Copenhagen.

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Book SynopsisA stunning, multi-perspective epic about class division, the contraints of gender roles, and the history of India. After living in the US for years, Maneka Roy returns home to India to mourn the loss of her mother and finds herself in a new world. The booming city of Hrishipur where her father now lives is nothing like the part of the country where she grew up, and the more she sees of this new, sparkling city, the more she learns that nothing — and no one — here is as it appears. Ultimately, it will take an unexpected tragic event for Maneka and those around her to finally understand just how fragile life is in this city built on aspirations. Written from the perspectives of ten different characters, Oindrila Mukherjee’s incisive debut novel explores class divisions, gender roles, and stories of survival within a society that is constantly changing and becoming increasingly Americanised. It’s a story about India today, and people impacted by globalisation everywhere: a tale of ambition, longing, and bitter loss that asks what it really costs to try to build a dream. Trade Review‘The Dream Builders is a novel of epic proportions that follows Maneka Roy and those around her as they each ponder the power of forgiveness and learn none of them can wield that power without first forgiving the self. Oindrila Mukherjee allows full life for these characters who are often real enough to remind us of ourselves, even as they betray one another … even as they betray themselves. This is a lovely debut.’ -- Jericho Brown, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Tradition‘Oindrila Mukherjee’s The Dream Builders is such an impressive feat of storytelling, a novel that examines the constraints of class, of gender, of history, while showcasing the sheer expansiveness of the endeavour, skillfully shifting the point of view amongst a group of characters who each demand a claim on the story. It’s a marvel of a structure, built by a great talent.’ -- Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here‘Mukherjee has written a funny, moving, and often deliciously cynical novel about the illusive ideal we sometimes call the New India. Written from almost every angle imaginable, the novel demonstrates how each of us might be a hero in our own narratives while being the potential villain in someone else’s.’ -- Tiphanie Yanique, author of Monster in the Middle‘A multitude of voices and visions — arresting, wrenching, desiring — come together to create an astonishing, and astonishingly accurate, portrait of contemporary India. Oindrila Mukherjee has done a superb job.’ -- Chitra Divakaruni, bestselling author of The Mistress of Spices‘The Dream Builders showcases a vibrant cast of characters whose complex lives are a testament to India’s astonishing diversity. Oindrila Mukherjee has written a soulful novel that’ll break your heart with its truth.’ -- Samrat Upadhyay, author of Mad Country‘A sweeping debut … [Mukherjee] does a great job capturing the setting and exploring the fateful power dynamics … a penetrating look at the fast-growing country’s shaky facade.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Epic … A promising first novel.’ * Booklist *‘Losses great and small haunt the denizens of a glittering new city in India … Mukherjee artfully demonstrates that even a new civilisation can have its discontents.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘Sweeping.’ -- Foreword Reviews, starred review‘Reminds me of a Robert Altman film … You’ll want more of every single character.’ * Good Morning America *‘A winning tale … with sensitivity, beauty and depth … that derives its heat and heart from its characters’ humanity.’ * Star Tribune *‘A kaleidoscope of characters narrates this story of tragedy and grief. Mukherjee understands how to make characters leap off the page.’ * Debutiful *‘Mukherjee’s writing style is refreshingly direct … keeping you tethered to a strong narrative thread while the perspective shifts and glides … [The Dream Builders is] funny, deep, challenging and heartfelt all at once.’ * Better Reading *‘With themes of class, gender and globalisation, this compelling debut by Oindrila Mukherjee pairs incisive social commentary with a memorable cast of diverse characters.’ * The Herald Sun *‘In this astonishing debut, Oindrila Mukherjee tells a grand tale of class, gender and globalisation. This is a character-driven story of India today, masterfully told through ten alternating perspectives. While the perspective constantly shifts, you never feel lost or disoriented. Achieving this sense of ease within such an ambitious and innovative narrative structure reveals Mukherjee’s true talent.’ -- Cheryl Akle * The Australian *

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Book SynopsisA young man arrives in a small town, hoping to leave his past behind him, but when he takes a job in a peculiar old shop, and meets a lonely single mother, everything changes … with devastating consequences. A chillingly hypnotic gothic thriller and a mesmerising study of identity and obsession. ‘This chilling gothic tale explores the dark corners of identity … beautifully written and a real page-turner' C J Cooke 'Dark, lyrical and intriguing' Fiona Cummins ‘Like Stephen King on crack … the most accomplished book I’ve read this year. Dark, gothic as hell, and genuinely scary’ M W Craven 'Eerily atmospheric, with brilliant characterisation … really gets under your skin' Culturefly –––––––––––––––––––––––––––Fear blisters through this town like a fever… When Teddy Colne arrives in the small town of Rye, he believes he will be able to settle down and leave his past behind him. Little does he know that fear blisters through the streets like a fever. The locals tell him to stay away from an establishment known only as Berry & Vincent, that those who rub too closely to its proprietor risk a bad end. Despite their warnings, Teddy is desperate to understand why Rye has come to fear this one man, and to see what really hides behind the doors of his shop. Ada moved to Rye with her young son to escape a damaged childhood and years of never fitting in, but she’s lonely, and ostracised by the community. Ada is ripe for affection and friendship, and everyone knows it. As old secrets bleed out into this town, so too will a mystery about a family who vanished fifty years earlier, and a community living on a knife edge. Teddy looks for answers, thinking he is safe, but some truths are better left undisturbed, and his past will find him here, just as it has always found him before. And before long, it will find Ada too. –––––––––––––––––––––– ‘An utterly chilling psychological horror of modern-day witchcraft, possession, murder and madness’ Essie Fox ‘Compelling and dark – draws you in from the very first page’ Heather Darwent ‘Twisted, toxic and deeply dark, this gives off Needful Things vibes – and that ending is just *perfect*’ Lisa Hall ‘This book sucks you in from the first spine-tingling chapter and weaves a dark, twisted and compelling sense of foreboding' Claire AllanWhat readers are saying… ***** ‘I’m shook. This book is a force … a masterpiece’ ‘An ending that left me slightly dumbstruck’ ‘As delightful as it is dark, with beautiful turns of phrase that can be at once both buttery soft and sharp as a knife’ ‘Intense, creepy and utterly chilling’ ‘A story that will creep under your skin and leave you desperately unnerved' ‘Startling and incredibly intense’ ‘Exactly what I look for in a gothic thriller!’ ‘Deliciously dark’ ‘It shook me to the core’ ‘Dark, chilling, with a touch of genius’ ‘Twisted and unnerving’ ‘Beautiful and lyrical prose brings the setting to life and creates a pulsing tension’ ‘This book creeps up on you…’ ‘Captivating and claustrophobic’

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Book SynopsisA gloriously sunny book of family secrets, lost loves and self-discovery, One Summer in Crete by Nadia Marks is an engrossing holiday read.‘If you don’t think you’re about to get to Crete this is the next best thing . . . we’ve never needed books of this kind more’ – Vanessa FeltzCalli’s world has fallen apart – her relationship is suddenly over and her chances of starting a family are gone. So when she’s sent to write a magazine article about the Greek island of Ikaria, it seems the perfect escape.Travelling to Crete, where her family is from, Calli soon realizes there is more to discover than paradise beaches and friendly locals. When her aunt Froso begins to share the story of her own teenage heartache, will the love, betrayal and revenge she reveals change Calli’s life forever?Travel further with Secrets Under the Sun and Between the Orange Groves by Nadia Marks.Trade ReviewMy book of the year. An utterly gripping story of love and family secrets -- Vanessa Feltz on Among the Lemon TreesA sparkling summer read -- Woman magazine on Secrets Under the SunAn atmospheric and emotion-packed sunshine odyssey . . . The perfect travelling companion for this year’s holiday season -- Lancashire Evening Post on Secrets Under the Sun

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2023AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEARIt’s time to dance, to love, to be free…‘Mesmerising’ BERNARDINE EVARISTO, author of Girl, Woman, Other‘Fabulous’ MAGGIE O'FARRELL, author of Hamnet‘Beautiful’ CALEB AZUMAH NELSON, author of Open WaterYamaye lives for the weekend, when she can go raving with her friends at The Crypt, an underground club on the outskirts of London. Then everything changes. Yamaye meets Moose, who she falls deeply in love with, and who offers her the chance of freedom and escape.After their relationship is brutally cut short, Yamaye goes on a dramatic journey of transformation that leads her to Jamaica, where past and present collide with explosive consequences.***A SUNDAY TIMES BEST NOVEL AND GUARDIAN BEST FICTION BOOK OF 2023***‘A wonderfully literary, musical and original novel about a culture and era that rarely makes the pages of fiction’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT‘Scorching… We follow Yamaye through love, loss and peril, as she chases her dreams and connects with her heritage’ GUARDIAN‘Ambitious, atmospheric… A novel of passion and anger’ SUNDAY TIMES‘A rich and rhythmic story about love and music’ ITrade ReviewRemarkable... In terms of sheer lyrical force it stands head and shoulders above most debuts * Daily Telegraph *I was blown away by Fire Rush - an exceptional and stunningly original novel by a major new writer... Her mesmerising, imaginative and incantatory writing leaves us swaying to the bass of the visceral rhythms she so powerfully describes. By the end of the novel, I felt charged and changed and already longed to reread it -- Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHERFew have channelled so well the skittering beats and transcendent air of dub music as Crooks does in her semi-autobiographical debut... Startlingly vivid reading * Daily Telegraph, *Summer Reads of 2023* *A heady swirl of a novel that pulls the reader in from the first page... A fabulous, absorbing read -- Maggie O'Farrell, author of THE MARRIAGE PORTRAITA window into the dub scene at the time, with rhythmic, lyrical writing and a story about raving, love and the impact of police violence... Both a page turner and a literary novel... Truly remarkable * Vogue *

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Book Synopsis'A debut collection of such precocity and aplomb that it stands comparison to the likes of Junot Díaz and Bryan Washington' Observer 'Moving, truthful, straight from the heart' Neel Mukherjee 'These are excellent stories, told with skill and verve' Jon McGregor Here, beneath the planes circling Heathrow, various lives connect. Priti speaks English and her nani Punjabi. Without Priti's mum around they struggle to make a shared language. Not far away, Chetan and Aanshi's relationship shifts when a woman leaves her car in their drive but never returns to collect it. Gujan's baba steps out of his flat above the chicken shop for the first time in years to take his grandson on a bicycle tour of the old and changed neighbourhood. And returning home after dropping out of university, Lata grapples with a secret about her estranged family friend, now a chart-topping rapper in a crisis of confidence. Mapping an area of West London, these stories chart a wider narrative about the movement of multiple generations of immigrants. In acts of startling imagination, Gurnaik Johal's debut brings together the past and the present, the local and the global, to show the surprising ways we come together.Trade ReviewMoving, truthful, straight from the heart (and a very capacious heart too), the stories in WE MOVE announce the arrival of a promising young writer we will be talking about for years to come. Gurnaik Johal, welcome. * Neel Mukherjee *Delicate, controlled and moving portraits of the strange, poignant dislocation wrought by both distance and proximity * Colin Barrett *A stunning collection * Evening Standard *A whole universe of lives intricately connected and woven together in a way that is wholly surprising and unobvious * Huma Qureshi, author of Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love *An assured and profoundly humane collection, rich in character and story * Jo Lloyd, author of The Earth, Thy Great Exchequer, Ready Lies *'These are excellent stories, told with skill and verve. Gurnaik Johal has a sharp eye for details, an ear for the gaps and evasions in real dialogue, and a heart for the hopes and regrets that carry us through our lives. But most of all, he has the instincts of a storyteller, and in We Move he has put those instincts to great effect' * Jon McGregor *Deft and defiant. These stories are told with real heart and dazzling speed * John Patrick McHugh, author of Pure Gold *With this beautiful, kaleidoscopic, moving, staggeringly full-of-life debut collection of stories, Gurnaik Johal has catapulted himself into the front rank of the chroniclers of the country we live in. You don't know Britain until you've read We Move * Rahul Raina, author of How to Kidnap the Rich *Conversational, brimful of beautifully observed descriptions of the sights and sounds of this world. * Daily Mail *To describe Johal as a writer to watch would be true but misleading, implying that we need to wait for better things to come. Better to say that he's a writer to read now. -- John Self * Observer *

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Book SynopsisBy the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in LiteratureThe elegance and control of Gurnah''s writing, and his understanding of how quietly and slowly and repeatedly a heart can break, make this a deeply rewarding novel' Kamila Shamsie, Guardian ________________________For seven-year-old Salim, the pillars upholding his small universe his indifferent father, his adored uncle, his treasured books, the daily routines of government school and Koran lessons seem unshakeable.But it is the 1970s, and the winds of change are blowing through Zanzibar: suddenly Salim's father is gone, and the island convulses with violence and corruption the wake of a revolution. It will only be years later, making his way through an alien and hostile London, that Salim will begin to understand the shame and exploitation festering at the heart of his family's history. ________________________Riveting The measured elegance of Gurnah'sTrade Review[A] captivating storyteller, with a voice both lyrical and mordant, and an oeuvre haunted by memory and loss. His intricate novels of arrival and departure … reveal, with flashes of acerbic humour, the lingering ties that bind continents, and how competing versions of history collide * Guardian *Gurnah is a master storyteller -- Aminatta Forna * Financial Times *Gurnah writes with wonderful insight about family relationships and he folds in the layers of history with elegance and warmth * The Times *Exile has given Gurnah a perspective on the “balance between things” that is astonishing, superb * Observer *Gurnah etches with biting incisiveness the experiences of immigrants exposed to contempt, hostility or patronising indifference on their arrival in Britain * Spectator *Gurnah writes with quiet humour and great affection about pre-revolutionary Zanzibar and its people … Gurnah writes beautifully, with the satisfying assurance of someone who knows how to achieve his effects without undue fuss but with absolute precision * Daily Telegraph *Gurnah evokes his world in poetic prose which is pure and lucid * Guardian *His prose is elegant and evocative * Mail on Sunday *Gurnah has laid powerful imaginative claim to the eastern seaboard of Africa * Independent *Gravel Heart is one of the beautiful novels that lingers in the mind long after reading. Gurnah writes about the clash of worlds with such pathos and elegance. -- Amanda ForemanGlittering...Each work is different from the last, yet they build into a powerfully evocative oeuvre that keeps coming back to the same questions, in spare, graceful prose, about the ties that bind and the ties that fray -- Judith Woods * Daily Telegraph *Entertainingly intertwines migration and a tale of family drama ... Gurnah has rightly been praised for his masterful storytelling ... An emotive tale about betrayal, families and the East African diaspora -- Theresa Munoz * Sunday Herald *A colourful tale of lie in a Zanzibar village, where passions and politics reshape a family ... Expect echoes of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure -- Jeffery Burke * Mail on Sunday *Throughout, the elegance and control of Gurnah’s writing, and his understanding of how quietly and slowly and repeatedly a heart can break, make this a deeply rewarding novel * Guardian *The measured elegance of Gurnah’s prose renders his protagonist in a manner almost uncannily real … Gurnah’s portrayal of student immigrant life in Britain is pleasingly deliberate and precise, and also riveting … Even the minor characters in this novel have richly imagined histories that inflect their smallest interactions – one of the loveliest pleasures of this book, and a choice that makes its world exceptionally full * New York Times *A poignant, understated and frequently moving novel * Herald *

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Book Synopsis ''A work of extraordinary depth; people are going to be unpicking the secrets of Tremaine for years to come'' Richard Swan, Sunday Times bestselling authorAll legends are born of truths. And just as much lies. These are mine. Judge me for what you will. But you will hear my story first.I buried the village of Ampur under a mountain of ice and snow. Then I killed their god. I''ve stolen old magics and been cursed for it. I started a war with those that walked before mankind and lost the princess I loved, and wanted to save. I''ve called lightning and bound fire. I am legend. And I am a monster.My name is Ari.And this is the story of how I let loose the first evil.Thus begins the tale of a storyteller and a singer on the run and hoping to find obscurity in a tavern bar. But the sins of their past aren''t forgotten, and neither are their enemies. Their old lives are catching up swiftly and it could cost themTrade ReviewR.R. Virdi's The First Binding is engrossing and beautiful, joyous and painful -- always entertaining, sometimes profound. This book makes me remember why I love epic fantasy * Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author *Crafted with patience, passion and, most importantly, tremendous love. Read R.R. Virdi * Jim Butcher, New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files *R.R. Virdi spins a very personal epic fantasy about the consequences of our actions and the nature of heroism. Rich world-building, plenty of action, and devious twists abound. Very highly recommended * Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author *An epic like no other - grand, sweeping, dramatic, a love letter to fantasy burning with the dust and heat and mythos of South Asia. It reads like magic and tastes like saffron * Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, Washington Post bestselling author of The Salvage Crew *If you loved The Name of the Wind and The Lies of Locke Lamora, this is your next reading addiction * Dyrk Ashton, author of the Paternus Trilogy *The First Binding is epic fantasy at its finest -- an homage to storytelling and legend, richly told and endlessly engaging. Complex and luxuriant, this is an emotional, multifaceted gem of a book that examines the twists and turns a story takes on its journey from the truth * Andrea Stewart, critically acclaimed author of The Bone Shard Emperor *If you're a fan of The Kingkiller Chronicle, like me . . . well, The First Binding is for you . . . It is a novel about coming-of-age, found family, kindness, empathy, storytelling, magic, truth, and lies . . . [it's] the first volume in a new magnificent and ambitious high fantasy series to obsess over * Novel Notions *Lavish in detail, a saga colourfully flavoured with the mythos of India, R.R. Virdi's The First Binding is a fantasy debut recommended for the exceptional promise that The Name of the Wind enthusiasts have been pining to discover and read * Janny Wurts, author of The Wars of Light and Shadow *A work of extraordinary depth; readers will be unpicking the secrets of Tremaine for years to come * Richard Swan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Justice of Kings *An ode to storytelling, complete with a rich mythology, turbulent adventures, and a flawed hero you'll root for * Kirkus *The First Binding is, at its core, a coming-of-age/underdog story with the found family and pet companion trope (and LOTS more)! . . . a new favourite of mine * Library of a Viking *The First Binding is a masterpiece of epic fantasy storytelling * Michael Mammay, author of The Planetside series *The pattern woven by the recurring elements is beguiling. You'll want to sit down with this Storyteller again * SFX *I have read many good books this year, but The First Binding climbed incredibly quickly to the top and currently has wiped out every other amazing book I have read * Moon Kestrel *An unforgettable, magical tale . . . A beautifully told story from start to finish, this is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you finish reading * The Bibliophile Chronicles *One of my top reads this year. It celebrates storytelling, is written in lyrical prose, and contains elements that are immersed in South Asian mythos and culture * Fantasy Book Critic *I recommend The First Binding to every epic fantasy fan . . . in a decade it'll be remembered as one of the cornerstones of this genre * Books in Blankets *An immense achievement, and deserves a place on any epic fantasy reader's shelf beside the other greats of the genre. It's a mesmerizing love letter to stories, to the South Asian culture and history that inspired it, and to the fantasy genre as a whole * winteriscoming.net *This is a SPECTACULAR book, deep and rich and intense. It takes my breath away * Faith Hunter, New York Times bestselling author *There is little else out there to rival The First Binding. It is an entire mythos and world, epic fantasy and autobiography, a comprehensive retelling of one man's life * The Wall Street Journal *A work of staggering ambition born out of a fathoms-deep love for epic fantasy, The First Binding marks the arrival of an author and protagonist who are both trickster heroes on a multi-layered legendary journey * Samit Basu, author of The City Inside *Lyrical and enchanting. A new star has risen in the firmament of epic fantasy * D.J. Butler, Dragon Award-winning author of Witchy Eye *Filled with astute nods to South Asian lore, The First Binding is a classic in every way: layered, nuanced, and luxurious. A story that forces you to examine reality and truth, and the power of legends themselves * Kritika H. Rao, author of The Surviving Sky *A mysterious odyssey through the ancient legends and culture of South Asia that weaves an enchanting tale of theatre, thievery and richly fleshed binding-magic. The story within story unravels like a Matryoshka doll and each discovery pulses with music and wonder and sometimes, even deceit. The Old Gods will be pleased with this marathon of lyrical prose. Perfect for history-mythology geeks * Gourav Mohanty, author of Sons of Darkness *Imagine a magical story that's like a harmonious song with many enchanting layers, bringing to life cultures and myths rarely explored before. It's as if the music of the tale resonates deeply within, creating a beautiful and legendary experience. Tales of Tremaine weaves a melody of heroism, love, and tragedy, echoing the captivating performances of music, storytelling, and theater. If you have a heart for exquisitely composed fantasy, this is a must-read symphony of words * Dominick Sanchez, Grammy Award Winner *A world as deep as it is broad. Virdi's love for fantasy and history both shines through on every page * Christopher Ruocchio, internationally award-winning author of The Sun Eater *

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Book SynopsisRudy Waltz hasn't had it easy. After accidentally committing manslaughter at the age of twelve, the traumas life continued to throw at him seemed almost inconsequential.Trade Review‘The master at his quirky, provocative best.’ Cosmopolitan ‘Vonnegut is George Orwell, Dr. Caligari and Flash Gordon compounded into one writer … a zany but moral mad scientist.’ Time

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Book SynopsisPure romance magic' Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The UnhoneymoonersJoyful thoughtful and real' Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling authorWhat if her Hollywood job turns into her Hollywood ending?***Since a crushing breakup three years ago, Nina Rice has written romance, friends, her dreams of scriptwriting for TV, and even L.A. proper out of her life. Instead, she's safely out in the suburbs in her aunt's condo working her talent agency job from home, managing celebrity email accounts, and certain that's plenty of writingand plotfor her life. But a surprise meeting called by Ari Fox, a young actress on everyone's radar, stirs up all kinds of feelings Nina thought she'd deleted for goodAri is sexy, out and proud, and a serious control freak, according to Nina's boss. She has her own ideas about how Nina should handle her emailsand about getting to know her ghostwriter. When she tells Nina she should be writing again, Nina suddenly finds it less scary t

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Book SynopsisWhat would you do if you suddenly and unexpectedly inherited 17million? This is what happens to Andy Larkham, recently jilted lover, and resentfully underpaid publishing minion. Arriving late to the funeral of his favourite schoolteacher, he ends up in the wrong chapel with one other mourner, too embarrassed to leave. Pressured to sign the register, little does he realise what effect that signature will have upon his life.The extraordinary story that follows tells of one man''s failed love, the temptations of unanticipated wealth, the secrets of damaged families and the price of being true to oneself. It is a romance for our times.Trade ReviewOne of our best and truest novelists * The Times *Enviably good -- Louis de Bernières * Sunday Times *Thoughtful and beautifully observed... Never predictable, this novel combines a remarkable narrative force with the lightest of touches. A book to savour and pass on * The Economist *Utterly absorbing and enjoyable...a romance which moves with assurance from wild improbability to a reconciliation with things as they may truly be * Scotsman *Completely riveting and very funny indeed. Shakespeare at his empathetic best, as he mines the fragile seam of our desire to be loved for who we are * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER SOON TO BE A TV SERIES STARRING GEMMA ARTERTON AND RUPERT EVERETT''Simply unputdownable'' Guardian''Hilarious'' Daily Telegraph''Highly entertaining'' Sunday Times _________________Make them laugh, and they''re yours forever . . .Barbara Parker is Miss Blackpool of 1964, but she doesn''t want to be a beauty queen. She wants to make people laugh.So she leaves her hometown behind, takes herself to London, and overnight she becomes the lead in a new BBC comedy, Sophie Straw: charming, gorgeous, destined to win the nation''s hearts.Funny Girl is the story of a smash-hit TV show and the people behind the scenes. But when life starts imitating art, they all face a choice. How long can they keep going before it''s time to change the channel? ______________''Warm, funny, touching . . . winningly perceptive about human relationshiTrade ReviewSo simple, so easy to read and yet so sensitive and profound at the same time. This is a world that feels real and one you don't want to leave * Independent on Sunday *Like all Hornby's best work, it is both hugely enjoyable and deceptively artful * Spectator *Everything Hornby writes is addictively readable and clever, but with Funny Girl he has surpassed himself * Red *Hornby's sunniest novel * Metro *

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Book Synopsis''Original, tender, thoughtful and true'' Reese Witherspoon''Part tender coming of age story, part electrifying tale of political awakening, part heartfelt love letter to Deaf culture, True Biz is a wholly a wonder'' Celeste NgNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - REESE''S BOOK CLUB PICK - A ''tender, beautiful and radiantly outraged'' (The New York Times Book Review) novel that follows a year of seismic romantic, political, and familial shifts for a teacher and her students at a boarding school for the deaf, from the acclaimed author of Girl at War.True biz (adj./exclamation; American Sign Language): really, seriously, definitely, real-talkTrue biz? The students at the River Valley School for the Deaf just want to hook up, pass their history finals, and have politicians, doctors, and their parents stop telling them what to do with their bodies. This revelatory novel plunges readers into the halls of a residential school for the deaf, where they''ll meet Charlie, a rebellious transfer student who''s never met another deaf person before; Austin, the school''s golden boy, whose world is rocked when his baby sister is born hearing; and February, the headmistress, who is fighting to keep her school open and her marriage intact, but might not be able to do both. As a series of crises both personal and political threaten to unravel each of them, Charlie, Austin, and February find their lives inextricable from one another - and changed forever.This is a story of sign language and lip-reading, disability and civil rights, isolation and injustice, first love and loss, and, above all, great persistence, daring, and joy. Absorbing and assured, idiosyncratic and relatable, this is an unforgettable journey into the Deaf community and a universal celebration of human connection.Trade ReviewGoodness, I can't even begin to put into words all the feelings this book provoked!...An eye-opening and heartfelt story about human connection and the beauty and adversity woven into the deaf community and culture. It is both an educational and electrifying peek into a family's life as they fight to forge connections even as the outside world threatens to close the door on them. I loved this story so much, it is not one to miss * Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club April ’22 Pick) *Tender, beautiful and radiantly outraged...True Biz is moving, fast-paced and spirited... Novic, who is deaf and spent time at deaf schools researching the novel, makes an urgent and heartfelt case for the schools' importance in providing language access, and in nurturing community and a sense of self. Great stories create empathy and awareness more effectively than facts do, and this important novel should - true biz - change minds and transform the conversation. * Maile Meloy, New York Times Book Review *For those who loved the Oscar-winning film CODA, a boarding school for deaf students is the setting for a kaleidoscope of experience * Washington Post *Part tender coming of age story, part electrifying tale of political awakening, part heartfelt love letter to Deaf culture, True Biz is a wholly a wonder. Sara Novic examines the ways language can include, exclude, or help forge an identity - as well as what it means to carve out a place for yourself in a world that sees you as other * Celeste Ng *I fell in love with Sara Novic's True Biz from the first page: delicate, nuanced, playful, and at the same time sweeping in its ideas and reach, this book is a literary novel that is a page turner with a vision which will speak to many a reader in our times and beyond. Sara Novic is one of the best writers of my generation - not just *the* novelist of Deaf culture, but of human nature writ large. Do yourself a favor and get this book- it is inimitable * Ilya Kaminsky, author of Deaf Republic and Dancing in Odessa *I loved True Biz, it's warm, complex and compelling. Of course I love the way it provides a window into a culture that will be unfamiliar to many of us, but what really marks it out is its humanity and intelligence - the threads of coming-of-age, birth, death, and all the rites of passage are interwoven brilliantly, surrounding a core of passion for justice and equality.' * Bridget Collins *This is my favorite kind of novel, fascinating and smart and brimming with contrasts. It's a coming-of-age story but also one of anarchy and protest. It's about the ways communities are bound but also the ways they bind. It's about belonging versus conforming, individual strength alongside solidarity. I laughed. I learned. I entered a world I knew too little about, at once different from mine and of course the same. I will be recommending this book to absolutely everyone * Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is and One Two Three *Reading True Biz was a transformative experience - it's as important a book as I've read in years. I was in awe of the care and love and hard-won wisdom that went into the writing of it. Sara Novic is the real deal * Jami Attenberg, author of All This Could Be Yours *True Biz is exquisitely crafted and absolutely riveting * Vendela Vida, author of We Run the Tides *Sara Novic's gifts for character, story, and language are evident from the first page. True Biz feels like the discovery of a new written form, a love letter to language itself * Liz Moore, New York Times bestselling author of Long Bright River *Rollicking, immersive, and boldly, exquisitely felt, True Biz delves into the deepest questions about community, communication, and collective action, inviting the reader into a world of language made new * Alexandra Kleeman, author of Something New Under the Sun *An electrifying narrativeset at a present-day boarding school for Deaf high school students, where they find love and friendship and battle a series of injustices...With complex characters seething with rage against the injustices they face, and an immersive and novel treatment of Charlie's experience learning ASL, Novic offers an unforgettable homage to resilience. This is brilliant * Publishers Weekly starred review *

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Book Synopsis'Sparkling... funny, it is also cutting, a nearly forensic study of family conflict... both compulsively readable and thought-provoking.' New York TimesThe Oppenheimer triplets have been reared with every advantage: wealth, education, and the determined attention of at least one of their parents. But they have been desperate to escape each other ever since they were born.Now, on the verge of their departure for college and so close to their long-coveted freedom, the triplets are forced to contend with an unexpected complication: a fourth Oppenheimer sibling has just been born. What has possessed their parents to make such an unfathomable decision? The triplets can't begin to imagine the the power this little latecomer is about to exert - nor just how destructive she'll be to their plans . . .'Korelitz draws us in again, this time with her ease, grace and wit, in a satisfying novel that spans generations, lives, and fates.' Meg WTrade Review'Remarkable.' - Stephen King, on The Plot'It keeps you guessing and wondering, and also keeps you thinking. ' - TheNew York Times Book Review, on The Plot

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Book Synopsis The Nommo Award Winner.The Nebula Award Finalist.The World Fantasy Award Finalist.The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria, featuring Yoruba gods liberating an artefact from the depths of the British Museum. Shigidi is a disgruntled nightmare god in the Orisha spirit company, reluctantly answering the prayers of his few remaining believers to satisfy the demands of the company board. When he meets Nneoma, a sort-of succubus with a long and secretive past, everything changes.Together, they attempt to break free of their constraints and live on their owns terms. But the elder gods have other plans for Shigidi, and the Orisha Spirit Company is not so easy to leave. The chairman has a final job for Shigidi and Nneoma, one that will take them to the very heart of the British Museum.From the boisterous streets of Lagos to the rooftop bars Trade ReviewFast and sharp as talons, Shigidi is a high-stakes art heist love story with Nigerian gods and demons and some Succession-level corporate politics and Alan Moore-ish deep dives into occult lore and mythologies. If you thought Killmonger was right or loved American Gods and Akata Witch, this one is very much for you * Lauren Beukes *A high octane thriller that is simply unputdownable. Talabi deftly weaves different mythos spanning centuries across continents and borders to create a truly fantastical story. Gods, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and prestige within an all too human story. This remarkable debut rocked my world * T.L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead *Shigidi is a richly written story of love between immortals, a high stakes supernatural heist, and a sweeping adventure across time, space, and perhaps realms of existence. This is godpunk, done with style. And I'm absolutely here for it! * P. Djeli Clark, Nebula Award-winning author of Master of Djinn *For those who feel as if they've been waiting years for a novel by Wole Talabi, Shigidi surpasses expectations. It's fast-paced and fun, clever and beautiful. Filled with characters you want to spend time with in a world that is fresh and exciting. * Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two *Shigidi is a tale that will excite any lover of contemporary African fantasy. What better thrill than two globetrotting, timetrotting, worldtrotting beings caught between a love story, a heist and a ghastly contract with a spirit company? Talabi's imagination, already obvious in previous works, shines through, offering us a world of deities and monstrosities trading in belief and supplication. An innovative addition to the godpunk roster-if you loved David Mogo, you'll love this! * Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of the Nameless Republic trilogy *A heist caper with sex, violence, and superpowers popping off every technicolor page . . . Readers are in for a rollicking thrill ride * Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) *A captivating and entertaining story of a nightmare god and his succubus lover, Nneoma, pulling a heist across two worlds * Lightspeed Magazine *Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon is an explosion made of other explosions. As soon as I read the opening-taut, rollicking, rooted in physicality and emotion-I was charmed. This book is incantation, a sorcerous working that bound me to its story and drew me along as it sped toward its destination. Wole Talabi is a brilliant short fiction writer, and now he is revealed as a brilliant novelist, as well * Alex Jennings, author of The Ballad of Perilous Graves *[A] delightfully entertaining novel . . . a defiantly ambitious work . . . [and] also an action-packed thrill ride . . . Talabi's snarky narration keeps the tone light, while leaving room for a sweet love story * The Washington Post *Talabi keeps in balance his kinetic mix of noir heist fiction, erotic romance, political intrigue, and supernatural fireworks without distracting too much from the genuinely affecting relationship between Nneoma and Shigidi, who are a pair we wouldn't mind seeing again, and won't forget anytime soon * Locus *Talabi weaves a high-stakes, fast-paced tale of corporate greed, an interdimensional heist, and warring deities entrenched in Yoruba culture. Perfect for fans of the Ocean's film franchise and Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora (2006), this book will have readers holding their breath as Shigidi and Nneoma try to accomplish the impossible * Booklist *A smart, sexy, postcolonial book about two freelance gods running from their past and stealing from the British Museum. I had so much fun with these characters and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Perfect for fans of American Gods * Thomas D. Lee, Sunday Times bestselling author of Perilous Times *[A] debut fantasy novel that's everything at once: love story, adventure story, spirit world story . . . Talabi excites the reader with the beauty of his language * Aurealis *Complex, entertaining, and absolutely *fun* - and beyond that, heartwarming in its characters and in its conclusions. A story which left me wanting to believe in it * Genevieve Cogman, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Invisible Library series *Pure post-colonial magic and huge, heisty fun * Daily Mail *The universe is anchored in African beliefs, but with a global perspective and modern twists * SFX, 5* *Exuberant writing and ebullient imagination made this a lot of fun * K.J. Charles *A thoroughly entertaining read which balances a confident sense of its Nigerian identity with an awareness of contemporary fantasy * ParSec Magazine *A vivid, entertaining tale of love, power and revenge * The Guardian *Wole Talabi treats his readers to a journey steeped in mysticism... The book draws on centuries of African history and legends, as well as Nigeria's modern colonial past * Geek Dad *

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Book SynopsisFOR FANS OF SARAH MOSS, EMMA STONEX AND MAGGIE O''FARRELL or fans of Sarah Moss, Emma Stonex and Maggie O''Farrell''A bold, magical story'' JO BROWNING WROE, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Terrible Kindness''A majestic work of the imagination . . . I woke up thinking about it'' ROSIE ANDREWS, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Leviathan''An atmospheric tale, shot through with folklore. The writing shimmers'' KATE SAWYER, Costa shortlisted author of The Stranding___THE ISLANDERS SAY IT''S CURSED. BUT THAT''S ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE STORY . . .They say the Hollow Sea is cursed. A wild expanse separating the remote islands of St Hía, not even the locals brave its treacherous waters.But new arrival Scottie feels a pull she can''t ignore. Because behind the curse is the legend of Thordis: a woman whose story feels eerily familiar. No one knows what became oTrade ReviewA bold, magical story about the letting go of long-held hope and building a different future -- Jo Browning Wroe, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Terrible KindnessDeftly structured and set against a wild, myth-inspired backdrop, the novel explores grief and violence, freedom and redemption. It's a majestic work of the imagination, with writing that shimmers before the reader, underpinned by a howling, fearless story. I loved it and woke up thinking about it -- Rosie Andrews, Sunday Times bestselling author of The LeviathanAn atmospheric tale shot through with folklore. Annie Kirby's writing shimmers as she weaves together the threads of Scottie's forgotten past and her journey to face a future where she won't be the mother she always hoped to be. Beautiful & hopeful -- Kate Sawyer, Costa-shortlised author of The StrandingA beautifully written, heart-rending atmospheric novel of finding what makes one whole -- Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom SpringThis mesmerising tale has just the right amount of folklore to be magical * Good Housekeeping *An incredibly beautiful story, shot through with shimmering myth, sorrow and hope -- Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated ChildOne of those rare novels that combines a page-turning story with language to savour. A beguiling and beautiful tale about motherhood, nature and art, The Hollow Sea celebrates the many different ways we might create and nurture. -- Emma Sweeney, author of Owl Song at DawnA thoughtful, beautiful gem of a story and I loved it -- Rebecca F. John, Costa-shortlisted author of The Haunting of Henry TwistA stunning debut, part myth and part touching story of infertility and motherhood. I was swept away on a stormy sea and didn't want it to end. Delicious storytelling -- Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed GirlA poetic tale * Prima *In The Hollow Sea, Annie Kirby has taken the external societal shaming and internal lived reality of involuntarily childless women and transformed them into an extraordinarily lyrical story. This book insinuated itself into my soul like a poem; whilst taking my mind on a mythical, allegorical adventure that lingers in my subconscious like a painting. Whether you are a parent or non-parent, this extraordinary novel will drench you in beauty. I adored it. -- Jody Day, author of Living the Life Unexpected and founder of Gateway WomenA real beauty. A magical story of one woman's infertility combined with a mythical sea world. Beautiful -- Laura Price, author of Single Bald FemaleBeautifully written with a hint of mythology and well-drawn characters, this is a captivating story of love and loss that will stay with you * Candis *An absolutely beautiful story of love, loss, family and motherhood. Told in interweaving strands, it follows the story of Scottie whose mysterious past haunts her, and whose own struggles to become a mother is slowly destroying her . . . I read this book in just two sittings, the lyrical prose pulled me in and held me captivated, and my heart wept and sang in equal measure. Truly stunning -- Louise Morrish, author of Operation MoonlightAnnie Kirby writes so beautifully about place, I felt I was there with her on the islands, watching the waves. I love how she weaves together myth and reality, and found her portrayal of Scottie and Jasminder's thwarted attempts to have children very moving -- Sarah Butler, author of Before The FireThe Hollow Sea elegantly interweaves the stories of two women haunted by hope and loss. Eloquent and moving, with a touch of folklore, this is a beautiful, hopeful tale -- Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning WomenHeart-wrenching, haunting, and ultimately hopeful too. Extraordinary. Beautiful, thought-provoking and woven through with folklore and myth, an utterly absorbing read that will touch your heart. Magnificent. Unforgettable. -- Liz Hyder, author of The GiftsFiercely original . . . a really powerful, provocative and original debut -- Natasha Solomons, author of I, Mona LisaAn exquisitely-crafted novel about heritage, folklore and the persistent roar of unfulfilled dreams. When I finished it, I felt like I'd emerged from the sea, dripping with salt and tangled in kelp. Dizzyingly brilliant -- Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's DaughterA Coast 'Book of the Month' * - *Incredibly atmospheric and multifaceted * Culturefly *

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Book SynopsisA propulsive and dazzling debut novel set against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and one Chinese girl fighting to claim her place''An engulfing, bighearted and heartbreaking novel'' ANN PATCHETT, author of Women''s Prize longlisted The Dutch House''A sweeping adventure of identity, love and belonging'' C PAM ZHANG, Man Booker longlisted author of How Much of These Hills are Gold''An impressive and original debut'' THE SUNDAY TIMES__________Daiyu was named after a ghost . . .Little Daiyu is twelve when her parents disappear. So she runs, disguising herself as a boy, to sweep the steps of Master Wang''s calligraphy school in Zhifu.But this is just the beginning of a journey that sends her across an ocean to San Francisco and the lawless American west.Kidnapped. Trafficked. Betrayed.Prize virgin in a brothel.Passion. Revenge. FreedTrade ReviewAn engulfing, bighearted and heartbreaking novel. Illuminates shocking injustices, making us stop and consider how many survive to this day -- Ann Patchett, author of Women's Prize longlisted The Dutch HouseAn impressive and original debut * THE SUNDAY TIMES *A sweeping adventure of identity, love and belonging -- C Pam Zhang, Man Booker longlisted author of How Much of These Hills are GoldBrilliant and devastating. Four Treasures of the Sky tells the story of Daiyu, who is brought to America against her will and forced to hide who she is even as she grows into her true self. Weaving together myth and history, Zhang's work is both timeless and utterly necessary right now. -- Anna North, author of the New York Times bestseller OutlawedAn instant and necessary classic, easily among the best novels of this past decade. The story lingers long after its final pages -- T Kira Madden, author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless GirlsAn astonishing novel propelled by private and public histories, rich with reflections on self-making, moral calling, great love, and profound injustice -- Megha Majumdar, author of A BurningThis unforgettable novel dazzles. An exhilarating rush of character, history and storytelling -- Kali Fajardo-Anstine, US National Book Award finalist author of Sabrina & CorinaBrings alive a heroine for the ages, an indomitable teenage girl whose relentless spirit and self-reinvention carries this story. Daiyu is sure to take her place in the canon of great Western heroines next to True Grit's Mattie Ross -- Juliet Grames, author of The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella FortunaThis book is haunting, luscious and precise - it's historical fiction as we most want and need it to be. Four Treasures of the Sky paints a neglected chapter in history with sharp and devastating brushstrokes -- Julia Fine, author of The Upstairs HouseA lyrical and sweeping Bildungsroman, fierce and moving * Publishers Weekly, starred review *A book to sit alongside Yaa Gyasi's Homecoming and Anna North's Outlawed, this is a powerful tale of reclamation, spun with soul by a remarkable new talent * Lauren Puckett, Shelf Awareness *

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Book Synopsis''One of his generation''s most gifted writers.'' New York Times''An amazingly perceptive novel.'' San Francisco Chronicle''Fascinating... lingers in the mind'' New York Times Book ReviewOwen and Rose are facing serious challenges to their married life of routine and monotony as New York City grows and changes around them. They spend most Sundays apart; while Rose buries herself in crosswords and newspapers, Owen visits gay porn theaters.But when they discover they may lose their apartment and their son, prompted by his new relationship, reveals his homosexuality, their lives cannot continue as they were. Owen and Rose are forced to confront not only their son's revelation but also Owen's latent homosexuality. Poignant and lingering, this is a tale of love and relationships, secrets and unspoken desires.Trade ReviewAn amazingly perceptive novel. * San Francisco Chronicle *One of his generation's most gifted writers. * New York Times *Fascinating... lingers in the mind * New York Times Book Review *

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Book Synopsis Shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2018 One of Financial Times'' Best Books of 2017 ''SEA OF RUST is a 40-megaton cruise missile of a novel - it''ll blow you away and lay waste to your heart . . . visceral, relentless, breathtaking'' Joe Hill, Sunday Times bestselling author ************An action-packed post-apocalyptic thriller from the screenwriter of Marvel''s DOCTOR STRANGEHUMANKIND IS EXTINCT.Wiped out in a global uprising by the very machines made to serve them. Now the world is controlled by OWIs - vast mainframes that have assimilated the minds of millions of robots. But not all robots are willing to cede their individuality, and Brittle is one of the holdouts. After a near-deadly encounter with another AI, Brittle is forced to seek sanctuary in a city under siege by an OWI. Critically damaged, Brittle must evade capture long enough to find the essential rare parts tTrade ReviewRead it for the Mad Max style robot on robot action and the full on nature of the story, stay for sense of loss, the gorgeous prose and the unforgettable yet somehow re-affirming bleakness. Recommended. * STARBURST MAGAZINE *Sea of Rust is modern, smart fiction that belies it's majesty with a light touch. One of the science fiction books you should read this year. * SF BOOK *Like a mecha Mad Max, Sea of Rust follows a band of misfits fighting to survive against a scorched, barren landscape. Drawing on Western and war movie traditions, with a philosophical heart that asks big questions about life, death, and the soul, this is accomplished, technically complex scifi. * SFX MAGAZINE *The novel does not stint on action and violence, but what lingers in the mind are its brutal vision of a world cannibalising itself and the poignant questions it raises about soul and sentience. * FINANCIAL TIMES *The book itself is a delightful patchwork of the familiar: the author skilfully blends Asimov (with an interesting twist on the laws of robotics), the Borg from Star Trek, Terminator and even a generous slice of Alice in Wonderland for good measure. These are themes we are familiar with, but arranged in such a way that we can never be quite sure what is going to happen next. I read Sea of Rust in a single day, which is testimony to just how engaging the storyline was. * THE BOOK BAG *A very exciting page-turner. * FORBIDDEN PLANET *Think WALL-E meets MAD MAX in this rumbumptious but also empathetic turbo-charged tale... Wonderfully evocative, a minor masterpiece and certainly quite different from anything else you've read for a long time. * CRIME TIME *Like an AI-centred, desert-bound twist on Children of Men, this is a sensitive and smart novel that surprises you with its depth of feeling. * SCIFINOW *

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Book SynopsisComing to Netflix! Nella Larsen’s Passing is a distinctive and revealing novel about racial identity, now a critically acclaimed film adaptation by Rebecca Hall, starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga and Alexander Skarsgård.Irene Redfield, married to a successful physician, enjoys a comfortable life in Harlem, New York. Reluctantly, she renews her friendship with old school friend, Clare Kendry. Clare, who like Irene is light skinned, ‘passes’ as white and is married to a racist white man who has no idea about Clare’s racial heritage. Clare is very persuasive and Irene, despite misgivings, can’t resist letting her back into her world. As tensions mount between friends and between couples, this taut and mesmerizing narrative spins towards an unexpected end.This edition of Passing features an introduction by writer and academic, Christa Holm Vogelius.Trade ReviewA fascinating inquiry into the nature of race (and a window into the Harlem Renaissance) catalyzed by a chance meeting between two childhood friends. A page-turning classic. -- Jennifer EganA tragic story rooted in inescapable facts of American life . . . Passing is the work of a highly talented and thoughtful writer -- Richard Bernstein * The New York Times *A short, easy, engaging read . . . as much as it is a revealing cultural study of the 1920s, is also incredibly relevant today. -- Lexi Nisita * Refinery 29 *A bitter, brave and astonishingly modern book. -- Tim Robey * Telegraph *Much-loved and much-studied . . . The dynamic between the pair [Irene and Clare] is dramatically limitless, an awkward, complex friendship between two women of colour both trying to survive at a time when their country is against them. -- Benjamin Lee * Guardian *Perhaps as much as anything, Passing is about victimhood, and the twisted way we sometimes claim to be the injured party to avoid the unsavory truth that some hurt is self-inflicted. -- Jessica Kiang * Variety *Passing asks who is allowed in certain spaces (and who is the gatekeeper of those spaces), and what happens when people are ejected from them, either by their own free will or an outside force . . . Larsen never set out to deliver answers; just rich, searching stories rounded in real experience. -- Kate Erbland * IndieWire *I was astounded by how haunted I was by Nella Larsen’s words and world, I truly couldn’t shake either. -- Tessa Thompson * Los Angeles Times *

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Book Synopsis'A blazing mystery . . . tremendous' Guardian'Moving and masterful' Daily Mail'Masterful storytelling' Washington Post'Brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable. It is marvellous' Ann Patchett'Remarkable' Harper'sA MASTERFUL NOVEL BY THE PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE NIGHT GUEST AND THE HIGH PLACES, AN EPIC TALE OF UNSETTLEMENT, HISTORY, MYTH, LOVE AND ART.In September 1883, a small town in the South Australian outback huddles under strange, vivid sunsets. Six-year-old Denny Wallace has gone missing during a dust storm, and the entire community is caught up in the search for him. As they scour the desert and mountains for the lost child, the residents of Fairly - newlyweds, landowners, farmers, mothers, artists, Indigenous trackers, cameleers, children, schoolteachers, widows, maids, policemen - confront their relationships with each other and with the ancient landscape they inhabit. The colonial Australia of The Sun Walks Down is unfamiliar, multicultural, and noisy with opinions, arguments, longings and terrors. It's haunted by many gods - the sun among them, rising and falling on each day in which Denny could be found, or lost forever.'McFarlane's treatment of the dust storm has a simple Steinbeckian majesty . . . Her prose is full of detail, comparable to Claire Keegan's keen-eyed novellas, Foster and Small Things Like These' Sunday Times'A thrilling success . . . full of mystery and wonder' Wall Street Journal'Fiona McFarlane's last book was scintillating. The Sun Walks Down is even better' Sarah Moss'Gorgeous storytelling and superb characters . . . magnificent' Michelle de Kretser'I can't think of another writer working today who I admire more' Kevin Powers'Gloriously orchestrated . . . kaleidoscopic in the Victorian tradition, as much a portrait of a community as Middlemarch . . . McFarlane knows what she's doing, and she does it exceptionally well' Irish TimesTrade ReviewA blazing mystery set in the colonial outback . . . The writing is tremendous . . . This is a beguiling novel, not just of ideas about history and place but of fiercely beautiful translations -- Elizabeth Lowry * Guardian *A sensitive, slow-burn panorama of society in colonial Australia. Moving persuasively between a vast, impressively diverse array of characters, young and old, incoming and indigenous, privileged and deprived, she lets us listen in on their private (often competing) hopes and desires as the community pulls together to hunt for the boy. The result is moving and masterful - rich slices of life made vivid by the old-fashioned nitty-gritty of flesh-and blood character-making -- Anthony Cummins * Daily Mail *Ambitious . . . McFarlane amplifies her theme in ways that are often touching and ingenious . . . its style is at once spare and attentive to detail, and Fiona McFarlane has a sharp eye for historical injustices -- Andrew Motion * Times Literary Supplement *A thrilling success . . . A novel full of mystery and wonder * Wall Street Journal *Gloriously orchestrated . . . kaleidoscopic . . . This book earns its place by the simultaneous seriousness and playfulness of its commitment to all the voices in the contested times and spaces of its setting. McFarlane knows what she's doing, and she does it exceptionally well -- Sarah Moss * Irish Times *This novel is also made hypnotic by its wonderfully atmospheric dreaminess -- Andrew Martin * Mail on Sunday *McFarlane's treatment of the dust storm has a simple Steinbeckian majesty . . . Her prose is full of detail, comparable to Claire Keegan's keen-eyed novellas, Foster and Small Things Like These -- Claire Lowdon * Sunday Times *Ambitious . . . McFarlane's figures emerge in intricate detail, defined by their petty desires, their moral imperfections, and their relationship both to the cataclysm of colonization and to the grandiosity of the landscape and the sun * New Yorker *In precise, often glorious prose, the novel affords each character, including little Denny, a rich interiority, even as the landscape itself - a terrain layered with significance and myth for aboriginal peoples, while for Europeans "civilization" there appears thin - provokes awe . . . With this remarkable novel, McFarlane establishes her place in the firmament of Australian letters, reworking and expanding the imaginary of its early years -- Claire Messud * Harper's *Fiona McFarlane's last book was scintillating. The Sun Walks Down is even better. It's compelling: old-fashioned in all the best ways, historically sensitive, generous in storytelling and yet modern and sharp -- Sarah Moss, author of SUMMERWATERThe Sun Walks Down is the book I'm always longing to find: brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable. It is marvellous. I loved it from start to finish -- Ann Patchett, author of THE DUTCH HOUSEGorgeous storytelling and superb characters are among the glories of The Sun Walks Down. Fiona McFarlane is an extraordinary writer, one of the best working today. Her magnificent reworking of the lost child story showcases the profound understanding she brings to people, places and the past. I lived in this wise, majestic novel for days and never wanted it to end -- Michelle de Kretser, author of SCARY MONSTERSAn exceptional, multi-layered historical novel with a beautifully styled plot. The power with which Fiona McFarlane evokes the place and time is extraordinary - a gorgeously written book -- Evie Wyld, author of THE BASS ROCKQuite simply, the best novel I've ever read about 19th-century Australia. A tense search for a lost child unfolds with rising dread against a landscape of harsh and radiant beauty, amid lives as tangled as barbed wire -- Geraldine Brooks, author of HORSEThe Sun Walks Down is a revelation. McFarlane places her lens first over the disappearance of a small boy in the Australian Outback and zooms out, weaving the stories of the people involved in the search for him into a tapestry as richly imagined and fully realized as anything I've read in recent memory. Her sentences fit together with the beauty of fine carpentry, and with them she's constructed a novel that calls to my mind no less than Patrick White's The Tree of Man. I can't think of another writer working today who I admire more -- Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDSMesmerising . . . It's a story with the quality of a myth or fable, that somehow manages to seem both restrained and infinite at once. And if that's all sounding a bit hoity-toity, be assured it's an engrossing mystery * Sydney Morning Herald *An extraordinary work of fiction that I have no doubt will become a classic of Australian literature -- Emily Bitto, author of THE STRAYSThis tale of a farming community's search for a missing child offers intimate human drama, ruminations on the intersections of art and life, and a sweeping, still relevant view of race and class in Australia . . . A masterpiece of riveting storytelling * Kirkus *Taut, rich, intelligent and mesmerizing * ABC News *The Sun Walks Down is a brilliant, intimate epic, a book about a family and also about history that is full of heart and heat. Fiona McFarlane's ear for the gurgles and clamor and hidden symphonies of her characters' souls is flawless; the way their lives intertwine is propulsive, heartbreaking. She is, simply, one of the best writers around -- Elizabeth McCracken, author of THE HERO OF THIS BOOKWith a child missing in remote Australia, this may sound like any recent 'outback noir' thriller - but McFarlane's beautifully written second novel has much more in common with Lanny by Max Porter or Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor: all vibrant, otherworldly stories of a small community in flux, discombobulated by a singular tragedy * Guardian Australia *The Sun Walks Down is that rare kind of novel, where there is something to enjoy and admire on every page. McFarlane's elegant, sharply observed prose beautifully conjures an unforgettable time and place -- Carys Davies, author of THE MISSION HOUSEMasterful storytelling . . . Tension mounts every time tragedy looms or disaster strikes. We read on with queasy dread when the spotlight falls on frightened and exhausted Denny . . . But we also read on captivated by the novel's beautiful prose and polyphonic voices, and marveling at both its epic scope and rare intimacy * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisA letter writing workshop. Five strangers. Countless secrets bursting in between the pages.When French bookseller Esther loses her father, she decides to place an ad in a newspaper, inviting struggling readers to join her secret letter writing workshop.To Esther's surprise, applications pile in by the dozens - and before long, an elderly lady, a disillusioned businessman, a disheartened couple and an awkward teenager find themselves sharing stories, seeking advice, and forging new friendships.As Esther's students uncover the hopes, dreams and fears that were hiding behind the pen, Esther, too, finds herself thrown into a new world full of unexpected adventures.

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Book Synopsis'A subversive debut... Her spiky prose style provocatively undercuts received narratives about the "American dream" from the immigrant's perspective' Guardian'Unforgettable... Rarely does a book sharpen how you see the world around you, but American Fever does just that. It dazzled me on every page' Julie Buntin, author of Marlena*The winner of an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature*On a year-long exchange programme in rural Oregon, sixteen-year-old Hira must swap Kashmiri chai for volleyball practice and understand why everyone around her seems to dislike Obama. An unforgettably witty narrator, Hira finds herself stuck between worlds. The experience is memorable for reasons both good and bad; a first kiss, new friends, racism, Islamophobia, homesickness. Along the way Hira starts to feel increasingly unwell until she begins coughing up blood, and receives a diagnosis of tuberculosis, pushing her into quarantine and turning her newly-established world upside down.'Marks the debut of a thrilling new global voice' Peter Ho Davies'Completely engrossing . . . Amna's prose moves along quickly and Hira's appraisal of the people and places she encounters is sharp and untarnished by tact' DawnTrade ReviewA subversive debut . . . It is the sharpness, and surprise . . . that makes Dur e Aziz Amna's coming-of-age, coming-to-America debut novel stand out . . . The highly quotable Hira is a force to be reckoned with. Her spiky prose style provocatively undercuts received narratives about the 'American dream' from the immigrant's perspective. -- Sana Goyal * Guardian *What comes sharply into focus in this beautifully written debut, is that we can never leave the past behind -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *American Fever is the unforgettable story of a teenage girl in a year of transformation. Dur e Aziz Amna navigates the choppy waters of adolescence with blistering insight and humour, and exquisitely captures the way we can long for home while yearning to escape it. Rarely does a book sharpen how you see the world around you, but American Fever does just that. It dazzled me on every page. * Julie Buntin, author of Marlena *"The one thing I shouldn't ever do was take an American's word on America." Good point: take Dur e Aziz Amna's word instead. In this sharply observed twist on the classic coming-to-America story, we find an America recognizable in all its generosity, cruelty, and sometimes-well-intentioned bumbling. And we find a brilliant exploration of the sacred, scary moment when a girl comes into the wider world. * Benjamin Moser, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of Sontag: Her Life and Work *Brave, tender-hearted, and painfully bittersweet, American Fever is a sharply observed debut that announces Dur e Aziz Amna as a brilliant new voice. * Fatima Farheen Mirza, author of A Place for Us *In American Fever, Dur e Aziz Amna gives us an unforgettable South Asian protagonist - clever, clear-spoken, equal parts brash and vulnerable - navigating the mores of illness, separation and small-town America. Charming, fearless and politically aware, American Fever is a novel that will stay with you for a long time. * Sarah Thankam Mathews *American Fever is an extraordinarily assured and gripping debut. The intelligence, humour and longing of Hira's voice, as she negotiates what it means to belong to a place, will certainly stay with me * Aysegül Savas *Hira's is a voice I won't soon forget; her biting intelligence, her irreverence, and her wit blazes through this riveting, brilliant novel which stuns in its insights, its sensitive understanding of the complexities of identity, of what home means, and what it means to exist within a globalized world. A searing debut. * Aamina Ahmad, author of The Return of Faraz Ali *A poetic, memorable novel. I loved it. Hira is a marvellous creation - American Fever marks the arrival of a hugely promising writer. * Mirza Waheed *A loving and unflinching exploration of home and homeland, the ways they make and unmake us, how they feed us and also eat away our insides. Amna's crystalline prose reflects and refracts, dazzles and captivates. * Nawaaz Ahmed, author of 'Radiant Fugitives', finalist for the PEN-Faulkner Award *American Fever is a fresh, fierce bildungsroman - a story of homesickness and adolescent ache, not to mention a biting meta-commentary on what we expect from immigrant narratives. It's a relief to witness America as Hira does, seeing it clearly as an absurd, flawed nation that is all too often, as Hira says, a concept on whose behalf immigrants are unreasonably asked to testify. * Sanjena Sathian, author of GOLD DIGGERS *American Fever is a beautifully written book . . . Hira [is] a narrator whose insight and skepticism is addictive . . . Excellent * Tribune Magazine *Hira is a compelling, emotionally astute narrator . . . Hira's freshness in the way she assesses the world and herself while skewering the inconsistencies of those around her makes for a layered read . . . Amna's debut novel showcases her adeptness in tackling some of the big migration questions of home and identity within the context of her insightful young protagonist's complex experiences * Booklist *This is a funny and affecting novel, understated but powerful, a wonderful new spin on the coming-of-age story. A smart, charming debut. * Kirkus Reviews *An utterly hypnotic, witty and brilliant novel about young Hira's journey across two oceans... Dur E Aziz Amna's virtuosic way with language kept me enthralled the whole way through. This book is a necessary next-leveling of diasporic consciousness, the unraveling of borders between homeland and newfound home that happens inside of us. * Tanaïs, author of IN SENSORIUM *American Fever is an exhilarating juxtaposition of discovery and nostalgia. With great humour and fine attentiveness, Dur e Aziz Amna captures the feverish excitement and confusion of America from the point of view of a young outsider, questioning our assumptions about relationships, politics, food, clothes, illness, grief and beyond. It's a fast-paced yet contemplative story of malaise and opportunity, intercultural (mis)understanding, and transgenerational debt. Every page is filled with the zest of life that makes you want more. * Kit Fan, author of DIAMOND HILL *Fierce, razor-sharp, poignant, and rendered with fiery wit and deep empathy for human foibles, American Fever is a powerful tale of exile, identity, and belonging in our complex world. * Vikram Paralkar, author of NIGHT THEATER *A gripping debut on a journey that so many young people embark on but very little is written about with such audacity, skill and compassion. The narrative toggle between teenage and adult Hira adds depth to an already evocative book. * Zeba Talkhani *Gorgeous... Amna is a bold storyteller skilled at blending character, plot, and the kind of existential crises that keep us up at night. Her debut novel, American Fever-as propulsive as it is lyrical, as hilarious as it is sobering-is, above all, an irresistible read from an impressive new literary voice. * Michigan Quarterly Review *Completely engrossing . . . Amna's prose moves along quickly and Hira's appraisal of the people and places she encounters is sharp and untarnished by tact. At times, her wit and judgement land like the crack of a whip and leave you both laughing and uncomfortable. -- Mariam Tareen * Dawn *When I finished reading the novel, I was filled with gratitude for finding this brilliant voice from our country at the start of her career . . . Dur e Aziz Amna is a writer that every Pakistani should be reading. * The News *Prose that dances with charge and potency . . . American Fever firmly puts Amna on the literary map as a sharp young voice to look out for. Its striking cast of characters, both Pakistani and American, stand out in their pugnacious individuality, and its potent themes are woven through the story with genuine subtlety -- Anandi Mishra * Los Angeles Review of Books *

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Book Synopsis*Winner of the NYPL Young Lions Award**Winner of the CLMP Firecracker Award*Finalist for the NBCC John Leonard PrizeA New York Times Writer to Watch This SummerNamed a Best Book of the Year by Literary Hub and Library JournalIn 1990, three boys are born, unrelated but intertwined by circumstance: Dayo, Iseul and Youssef. They are adopted as infants and live in a shared bedroom perched atop a mosque in Staten Island. The boys are a conspicuous trio: Dayo is of Nigerian origin, Iseul is Korean and Youssef indeterminately Middle Eastern, but they are so close as to be almost inseparable. Nevertheless, Youssef is keeping a secret from his brothers: he has an imaginary double, a familiar who seems absolutely real, a shapeshifting creature he calls Brother. The boys' adoptive father, Imam Salim, is known for his radical sermons extolling the virtues of opting out of Western ideologies. But he is uncharismatic at home, a distant father who spends evenings in his study with whiskey-laced coffee, writing letters to his former compatriots back in Saudi Arabia. Like Youssef, he too has secrets, including the cause of his failing health, the reason for his nighttime excursions from the house and the truth about what happened to the boys' parents. When Imam Salim's path takes him back to Saudi Arabia, the boys will be forced to follow. There they will be captivated by an opulent, almost futuristic world and find traces of their parents' stories. But they will have to change if they want to survive in this new world, and the arrival of a creature as powerful as Brother will not go unnoticed.With stylistic brilliance and intellectual acuity, in Brother Alive Zain Khalid brings characters to vivid life with a bold energy that matches the great themes of his novel - family, capital, power, sexuality and the possibility of reunion for those who are broken.Trade ReviewBeguiling...Khalid's sentences abound with florid, poetic metaphors while maintaining the clipped, declarative tempo of Scripture....a searing collage of the profound and the mundane * New York Times *[An] auspicious debut...Khalid brilliantly reveals new shades of truth from each character's point of view, and perfectly integrates the many ideas about capitalism and religious extremism into an enthralling narrative. It's a tour de force * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *One of the most exciting debuts in recent years...That Khalid executes a novel this intricate, elegant, and compassionate with such masterly prose all but guarantees that this will be one of the finest works of literature this year * Library Journal *This wildly ambitious novel seeks to break new ground in big-issue territory like provenance, race, class, birth and rebirth...that it succeeds in some of its lofty aspirations is impressive. To do so while creating memorable characters is even more of a feat. * Big Issue *Zain Khalid's imagination and talent are a marvel to behold in these pages. Brother Alive bristles with a kinetic, hypnotic energy that also manages to ask profound questions about love, faith, family, and loyalty. Hallucinatory and electrifying, Brother Alive announces the arrival of a writer with an impassioned and fearless vision. -- Maaza Mengiste, author of THE SHADOW KING, shortlisted for the Booker PrizeBrother Alive is a hallucinatory revelation. With beautifully-written prose, characters that truly leap from the pages, and a rendering of love, both familial and romantic, that made my heart ache, Zain Khalid has announced himself as a writer the world needs to sit up and pay attention to. An exquisitely told, breathtaking, revolutionary book, I barely blinked while reading it and was bereft when I finished it. -- Kasim Ali, author of GOOD INTENTIONSA rigorously intelligent, wholly sensitive and quietly rebellious work of art, with prose as profound as it is beautiful. What an inspiring examination of the waywardness of life and the grounding of love this story is. What a wise, thoughtful writer Zain Khalid is. What a gift to humanity this book is. -- Robert Jones, Jr., New York Times-bestselling author of THE PROPHETSBrother Alive is a remarkable work. Zain Khalid creates an immersive world rich in compelling detail. But even more impressively, Khalid achieves a kind of resistance text against our endemic inhumanity. The thrill lies in witnessing such a cogent and powerful intellect tune in to the music of life. An inspiring reminder of the great capacity of novels. -- Sergio de la Pava, author of A NAKED SINGULARITYThis genre-defying novel, and the intelligence, originality, and awareness of the mind that produced it, astonished me. I was reminded of Günter Grass, of Viet Thanh Nguyen. Through the consciousness of an unforgettable narrator, Youssef, Khalid begins by subtly illuminating the contours of a globalized world in which the personal is geopolitical; he ends by turning up the light and refusing to let us look away. -- Vauhini Vara, author of THE IMMORTAL KING RAO

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Book SynopsisA sense of belonging - being liked, understood, accepted for who we are - is vital for our mental health. Whether it is fitting in at school, struggling to connect with colleagues in a new job, or just feeling out of place in our own family, we all, at various stages in our lives, find ourselves questioning our identity. For Dr Holan Liang, one of the UK's foremost psychiatrists, this crisis of identity cuts right to the heart of the modern epidemic of anxiety and depression. In this ground-breaking book, she draws on her own experience as an immigrant to the UK, and on 20 years of caring for patients suffering from a range of mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety to ADHD and anorexia, to explore a radical new perspective on mental health.Warm, wise and full of humanity, A Sense of Belonging will help you to: understand the causes of loneliness, reprioritise the people and things that matter, stop people-pleasing, and learn how to accept yourself in order to find genuine connection.

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Book SynopsisThe thistle plant has a beautiful bloom, but it is protected by sharp barbs and prickly leaves. How many blooms would be plucked if not for those organic fortifications? Thistle, a name she adopts for herself, is an emotionally damaged young woman who experiences abuse, abandonment and loneliness in her childhood. As she attempts to move beyond her traumatic past, Thistle develops complex relationships with two other women, Hilary and Fliss. Set against the social landscape of the 1970s and 80s, this sensitive and considered psychological drama explores themes of friendship, self-discovery and the female experience. As in real life, there is humour and pathos. The novel invites the reader to consider the circumstances which lead its characters to make the decisions that they do and to empathise with their personal conflicts.

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Book SynopsisThe breakout poetry collection by Sunday Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman‘Poetry so alive you want to hold it and protect it’ Malala YousafzaiThe luminous poetry collection captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing. In Call Us What We Carry, Gorman explores history, language, identity, and erasure through an imaginative and intimate collage. Harnessing the collective grief of a global pandemic, these poems shine a light on a moment of reckoning and reveal that Gorman has become our messenger from the past, our voice for the future.‘A new collection full of hope and healing from the young American poet who electrified the world’ Guardian‘Reading these poems, I feel at once haunted, heartened and formidably ministered to’ Tracy K. Smith‘The liberating force of the stories these poems tell about our resilience and survival showcases a powerful griot for our times’ Oprah DailyTrade ReviewHaunting... A soaring sense of history and solidarity pervades Gorman's debut collection... Call Us What We Carry is wide awake to the complex strata of human history and restlessly original in its poetic form... This is poetry rippling with communal recognition and empathy * Guardian *A book of poetry so alive you want to hold it and protect it, to read it all at once, and then immediately read it againPowerful... poignant... tender... Amanda Gorman's debut proves that she is poetry's brightest young thing * Tatler *Between breath, light, water and soil, text messages and letters, and visual formations of ships, whales and flags, Gorman's Call Us What We Carry is an inventive literary resurrection * Daily Mail *Amanda Gorman is a seer, a seeker, a speaker of our most difficult and astonishing truths. Reading these poems, I feel at once haunted, heartened and formidably ministered to

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Book SynopsisA dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis. Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast - again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange - again . . . Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It''s clear from the way he tracks Misery''s every movement that he doesn''t trust her. If only he knew how right he was . . . Because Misery has her o

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Book SynopsisThe phenomenal number one bestseller and a major BBC TV series.A Richard and Judy Book Club Pick. Winner of the Specsavers National Book Award and Waterstones Book of the Year.Beautiful, intoxicating and filled with heart-pounding suspense, Jessie Burton's historical novel set in Amsterdam, The Miniaturist, is a story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution.On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways . . .NeTrade ReviewThe kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading -- S. J. Watson, author of Before I Go to SleepA fabulously gripping read that will appeal to fans of Girl With a Pearl Earring and The Goldfinch, but Burton is a genuinely new voice with her visceral take on sex, race and class . . . Burton writes great complex female characters * Observer *A terrific novel: compelling cast, gripping plot, writing to savour -- Nathan Filer, author of The Shock of the FallA remarkable debut - complex, involving and deeply atmospheric -- Deborah Moggach, author of Tulip FeverThe Miniaturist by Jessie Burton is set in 17th century Amsterdam where a trader presents his new wife Nella with a miniature replica of their home. Its tiny occupants mirror their real-life counterparts and show Nella what grave dangers lie in wait. -- Hot Books of 2014 * Daily Express *Utterly beguiling and impeccably written. I am missing the characters already -- Emylia Hall, author of The Book of SummersA delight on every page, The Miniaturist completely immerses the reader in sumptuous but strict seventeenth-century Amsterdam. Burton's novel is lovingly done, and exquisite to read -- Naomi Wood, author of Mrs. HemingwayUtterly transporting . . . My first instinct on finishing this book was to immediately read it again -- Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites

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Book Synopsis THE BRAND NEW DISNEY+ SERIES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Read the gripping word-of-mouth sensation that''s now a major new series by Oprah Winfrey on Disney+*** SERIES STARS MIA ISAAC, ADRIENNE WARREN, CHIPO CHUNG AND ASHLEY THOMAS ***Everyone wants to discover what they''re made of . . .**Featured on Barack Obama''s Summer Reading List****A Grazia Instagram ''IT'' book to watch out for**''A story as meaningful as it is delicious'' TAYLOR JENKINS REID''A roiling soup of family secrets, big lies [and] great loves'' NEW YORK TIMES''Special, beautifully written. Rich and intoxicating'' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING''Brilliant writing. A stunning book'' PRIMA''EPIC'' GUARDIAN________Eleanor Bennett won''t let her secrets die with her.When Eleanor''s estrangedTrade ReviewUnputdownable. Astonishing. Twists and turns so shocking they will leave your head spinning and your heart aching * Grazia *An extremely assured debut which pulls in threads and echoes from across the Caribbean diaspora to deliver a rich, complex and really satisfying novel -- Alison Finch, BBC Radio 4A delicious novel. The chapters come fast and furious . . . A satisfying literary meal, heralding the arrival of a new novelist to watch * Independent *Black Cake is a beautiful, deeply resonant story of children trying to understand the mother they have lost. Charmaine Wilkerson transports you across the decades and the globe accompanied by complex, wonderfully drawn characters. She has managed to tell a story that is as meaningful as it is delicious. At turns delightfully juicy and then stunningly wise, Black Cake is a winner -- Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones and The SixBlack Cake explores the ways we use meals not just to nourish ourselves but to help tell unspeakable stories. Family, food, festering resentment - you'll find plenty to chew on . . . Wilkerson approaches her plot like a mad chef, grabbing ingredients from all over the world, slicing and dicing with abandon, tossing characters and palm fronds and a few drops of rum into a pot and letting it all come to a simmer . . . A roiling soup of family secrets, big lies, great loves, bright colours and strong smells * New York Times *I was instantly taken in by this multi-generational tale of identity, family, and the lifelong push and pull of home. This novel has a tremendous heart at its centre, and I felt its beat on every page. What an extraordinary debut -- Mary Beth Keane, bestselling author of Ask Again, YesA special, beautifully written novel that's as rich and intoxicating as the Jamaican rum cake of its title * Good Housekeeping *So beautifully written I'm struggling to believe it's a debut. The cake is the glue that holds all the layers together and the scenes are so well drawn I could almost taste the cake, feel the warm sea on my skin. My heart broke and was put back together. Bravo -- Nikki May, author of WahalaI [. . .] was immediately drawn in -- Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry * i *An intricately woven tale that deliciously captures the experience migration, family, love and loss with such empathy and pathos - a book that is both universal and unique. -- Afua HirschI loved the brilliant writing, the characters and the clever and beautiful way the story melded together. A stunning book * Prima, 'BOOK OF THE MONTH' *Wilkerson explores the nuances of racial identity and betrayal in a powerful novel * Vogue *BLACK CAKE has all the ingredients of the tastiest stories: secrets, romance, danger, and a cast of characters so real you want to scream at them one moment and hug them the next. I felt nearly breathless while reading Eleanor's truth - as if I were right there in the room with Byron and Benny, wholly immersed in their mother's tragedies and triumphs -- Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal and NevA stunning page-turner, with characters that felt real and relatable. I can't recommend this book highly enough. An incredible debut -- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely CityBlack Cake took a hold of me from the first page and didn't let go ... A gripping, poignant debut from an important new voice -- Naima Coster, New York Times bestselling author of What’s Mine and YoursA sparkling debut, which examines migration, estrangement and the stories we tell about ourselves * METRO *Included in 'The books we're looking forward to in 2022' * Good Housekeeping *This powerful debut about family and identity, set against a backdrop of Caribbean culture, history and traditions, already has the stamp of approval from Oprah * Heat *A powerful, beautiful debut * Woman's Own *A multi-generational debut generating hype * Grazia *You can't help but fall in love with this book * Stylist *Utterly engrossing and full of twists, Black Cake is absolutely worth the calories * Red *A testimony to how migration, memories and the life decisions of our elders can trickle down the generations and shape us. The careful cultural references to the Caribbean diaspora are deliciously nostalgic - I couldn't get enough! * Good Housekeeping, Books of the Year *A shining family saga . . . Readers will adore this highly accomplished effort from a talented new writer * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *A heartfelt story of loss, lies and reconciliation * Daily Mail *Black Cake is such an engaging novel. The structure works brilliantly with its dual narrative and short, sharp chapters. As I read, I felt like I could taste the sweet and spice of the black cake that links generations of the same family. Wilkerson's Black Cake is filled with secrets, family ties and hidden desires. It is an extremely satisfying read that stays with you long after the final page. As moreish as its title. If you want to be transported, read this book -- Jodie Chapman, author of Another LifeA family drama meets murdery mystery * Sunday Times *The perfect recipe for an epic family drama . . . Feuds, grief, and a murder make Charmaine Wilkerson's Black Cake unputdownable * Grazia Book Club Online *One of the most feverishly anticipated debuts of the year * Daily Mail *A delicious and gripping tale that sweeps the reader across decades and continents * Guardian *I really savoured this rich, layered family saga ... Charmaine's writing is subtle and lyrical, pulling you into a powerful story of secrets, roots and identity. The flavour of it will linger long after you've finished -- Beth Morrey, bestselling author of Saving MissyAn extraordinary debut * Hello! *A sweeping story, with Wilkerson masterfully bringing together all the different threads, making social history the backbone of everything * Independent *Completely blew me away ... I loved the brilliant writing, the characters and the clever and beautiful way the story melded together ... this is a stunning book * Red, Book of the Month *Delving into ideas around identity, familial bonds and lifelong secrets, Black Cake looks to be a wildly moreish page-turner * Refinery29 *Touching on racism and acceptance, betrayal and loyalty, this emotional, heartfelt debut explores the meaning of home and the family that define it * Daily Express *A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson weaves social history into the backbone of the story, in a way that's nothing short of masterful * Courier *This emotional, heartfelt debut explores the meaning of home and the family that define it * Sunday Express *A skilful debut about family secrets - and food * i news *A wonderful immersive experience * Daily Mail *A beautiful read - a real pageturner * Women's Hour, BBC Radio 4 *A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson weaves social history into the backbone of the story, in a way that's nothing short of masterful. * Herald *A resonant story of identity, family and the meaning of home * Mail on Sunday *A delight to read, each page of Black Cake is more interesting than the last. Wilkerson masterfully weaves social history into the backbone of the story * Press Association *Prepare to be hooked * The Handbook *Impressive * Evening Standard *A rich story around immigration and identity ... the novel beautifully captures the struggles of family and identity and the liberation that comes from those struggles * Irish TImes *Engrossing . . . Wilkerson's brilliant descriptions are positively sumptuous for the mind's eye * Heromag *An incredible family saga spanning 60 years, jumping across continents and time, forming a multi-layered book about secrets and inheritance * Guardian.com *A delicious and gripping tale that sweeps the reader across decades and continents, turning everything the siblings think they know about themselves and their family on its head' -- Jyoti Patel, Guardian

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