The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vineyard by Michael Callahan.
In masterfully crafted prose, the much loved author of the Neapolitan Quartet delivers a stunning meditation on motherhood through an English teacher whose holiday encounter with a strange family sets her on a collision course with her own past.
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
A satire of the publishing industry and brazen exploration of cancel culture, Rebecca F Kuang’s literary heist is one the most gripping books of the year.
Green Dot by Madeline Gray
A rollicking summer read. Part Bridget Jones, part Fleabag, Green Dot is funny, fast-paced and witty, with plenty of relatable millennial and Gen Z references (and not to mention a painfully relatable lockdown passage).
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Fleishman Is in Trouble comes a darkly exhilarating novel about an American family and its inheritance - the safety and wealth that they fought for, and their quest to control their legacy.
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
In arresting, masterfully crafted prose, the beloved author of the Neapolitan Quartet delivers a stunning meditation on motherhood through an English teacher whose holiday encounter with a strange family sets her on a collision course with her own past.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
A wonderfully wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew. In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is an incredibly nuanced study of the human journey - the places we visit and the chance encounters that can completely reroute us.
The Summer Pact by Emily Griffin
Another brilliant beach read from Emily Griffin. In the wake of tragedy, a group of friends makes a pact that will cause them to reunite a decade later and embark upon a life-changing adventure inspired by a long-ago promise to turn to one another in times of need.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Profound on the human condition, utterly gripping and peppered with comedy, Murray’s novel is a must-read this year and definitely deserving of it's Booker Prize nomination.
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
Be warned, Catherine Newman’s debut book for adults will make you cry. A tale of female freindship spanning 40 years, from travelling across Europe as Twenty-somethings to bringing up children and the breakdown of a marriage. A diagnosis of terminal cancer brings everything into focus and a commitment to make the most of every moment they have left together. Tragi but also life affirming and a homage to female friendships. Full of warmth and laughter through tears.
The List by Yomi Adegoke
A very of-the-moment premised, Podcaster Michael and journalist Ola are a young couple on the cusp of marriage when their world is blown apart by allegations of abuse made against Michael online in 'The List'. From the book that everyone was talking about last year, Slay In Your Lane, author Yomi Adegoke’s debut novel is so applauded that an HBO TV adaptation is already in the works.
Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan
A vast state-of-the-nation novel that jumps between characters and social worlds, the book’s near-700 pages contain Dukes and Duchesses, drill groups, refugees, journalists, students and more – painting a vivid picture of our post-pandemic, post-Brexit times.
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
A historical tome that is more memorable and engaging than any before. A love story set against the tragedies of war, Winn’s rousing writing transports you to the trenches, where an entire generation of lost men are brought to vivid life – the characters will linger with you, long after the final page.
