Reviews of the latest books.

By Laura McCarthy. Throughout the cold nights by the fire, you need a little something to accompany that hot chocolate in hand and nothing could be better than a book which captures the essence of the season. Personally, I’ll be looking forward to kicking things off with The Dead of Winter: The Demons, Witches, and

By Laura McCarthy. Bridges Not Borders is an anthology of South Asian short stories, edited by Wales-based Aiysha Jahan and Susmita Bhattacharya, who lives in Winchester. The aim of the book is to celebrate unity and to act as a megaphone for a variety of voices. Overall, this a truly valuable collection in that it

On Friday 11th November at 6.30pm, October Books will be hosting a talk with renowned historian Alice Hunt.  Hunt will be discussing her new book Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade 1649-1660 with Professor Mark Stoyle of the University of Southampton. Despite spanning only ten years, the 1650s was an incredibly eventful period of British history in

By Laura McCarthy. In October, we revel in the joys of pumpkin carving; autumnal walks on bright, crisp mornings; and, of course, in consuming our favourite Halloween themed media. When it comes to reading, I have some suggestions which I have listed here, organised by “creature” this time around. Fear not (well, maybe a little

By Laura McCarthy. October Books’ open mic poetry evening  is a monthly event, hosted by the Southampton bookshop on the third Friday of every month, with the next being on Friday 18th October. I went along to the September event. So, what can you expect? Initially, I had no idea. I’d never attended an open

By Laura McCarthy. I’m sure some of you will admit to completing personality quizzes in magazines as a child or possibly an online Myers-Briggs questionnaire as an adult. Maybe you enjoy learning what your star sign says about you. Yes, there’s certainly something appealing about the idea of discovering secrets of our inner most selves,

Bridges not Borders: An Anthology of South Asian Writing, edited by Cardiff- based Aiysha Jahan and Susmita Bhattacharya from Winchester is published today (11/9/24).  This anthology of short stories is part of a wider project, Write Beyond Borders, funded by The Arts Council England and AHRC, which seeks to bring together South Asian creative talent

By Laura McCarthy.  Still holding onto summer? Top reading picks for seasonal readers. If you’re anything like me, you enjoy reading books which suit the season. You want a book which you can read in the garden on hot August days or one you can take camping. There’s nothing better than a trip to the

New book The Broken Promise of Infrastructure tackles the divisive cultural politics that have been used to deflect attention away from Britain’s failing infrastructure, from Brexit through to the ‘levelling up’ agenda. Building on more than a decade of research, this book argues that infrastructure projects are always far more than concrete and steel: they

By Anita Foxall Will Vigar’s new poetry collection, Vague Wisdom, should be top of your shopping list  if you are looking for a good poetry book.  It is rich in images and memories, some borrowed from art and cinema, some very personal. Poetry has always been present in his life, though he states: “There have

By Carolyn Thomas  Woolston-based author Ali Sparkes has written a new play for Radio 4, inspired by the tales of tollbooth workers on Southampton’s Itchen Bridge. Billed as a ‘festive romcom’ starring comedian Shaparak Khorsandi (pictured top with Ali), Tess of the Tollbooth explores the developing relationship between tollbooth worker Tess and a drummer called

By Carolyn Thomas. Southampton-based drama teacher Daisy Harris-Reid, known to her 13.6k Instagram followers as ‘Mum about Town’, has written her first book, a self-help manual for women coping with separation and solo-parenting. The pocket-sized ‘Separation Survival Guide – How to Press the Reset Button’ is based on her own experience and three-year marriage break

By Carolyn Thomas.  Those who find the lead up to Christmas all rather too saccharine may be delighted to lose themselves in the latest collection of creepy tales of terror and paranoia by local author Oli Jacobs. His newest nine short horror stories, wrapped up in a volume called Sertraline Dreams, reveal dark family secrets,

Perry’s Art Supplies, Southampton, hosts a book signing event featuring two notable local authors, Kathryn Malcolm, author of “The Shadow of the Scholar,” and Connor Irving, author of “The Salt of Angels Book 1: Pillars of Cloud” on Saturday (November 4). The event promises an engaging Q&A session, book signings, and an opportunity to explore

This autumn you can join author Carole Burns at Southampton independent book shop, October Books in Portswood, for the launch of her debut novel, The Same Country, about race and racism in America.‘The Same Country is an electric, emotionally charged novel: it seethes with its own energy. Pick it up, and you won’t want to

By books editor Carolyn Thomas. Images by Jasmine Joynson. In just a few years Totton-born children’s author and illustrator Kim Hillyard has cornered the market in life-enhancing stories featuring quirky animal heroes.  So far she’s featured a fly, a hamster, and a mammoth in her beautifully illustrated stories for children under five. Her first three

by Anita Foxall. Author Nicola Paull launched her book Own Your Story at October Books in Portswood, Southampton, last night (July 29) in a cozy inviting event, where all attending were encouraged to mingle and chat. I had the pleasure of meeting Nicola, who was incredibly friendly and warm, as well as some of her

Prize-winning writer Ali Sparkes, author of the celebrated Shapeshifter series, as well as other popular children’s and young people’s books including Frozen in Time, Wishful Thinking and Destination Earth, is going on a tour of Hampshire Libraries. The Southampton born and based writer, who has written more than 50 children’s books as well as works

Southampton author Nicola Paull launches her self-empowerment book ‘Own Your Story’, written to inspire and encourage anyone who is looking for a fresh holistic approach in their lives next weekend. It’s packed with tools and techniques to help people change their habits and lose negative beliefs to become the best possible version of themselves. The

By books editor Carolyn Thomas.  As the long summer holidays approach, parents all over Southampton will be juggling jobs and other commitments while keeping their children entertained.  So it seems a good time for some reading recommendations!  Not only is time with a book immensely enjoyable – when it’s the right book of course  – 

Southampton-based author Yarrow Townsend has been shortlisted for a prestigious children’s book award. The Branford Boase Award acknowledges particular talent among debut children’s writers alongside the hard work of their editors.  Yarrow’s book, The Map of Leaves, has been shortlisted for the award, alongside six others.  Yarrow said: “To be shortlisted among six books, out of

Which Charles Dickens novel is your favourite?  That’s the question which set In Common writer Nick Mabey on a two-year reading mission. Finding himself unable to answer because he hadn’t read any Dickens, Nick became aware of this gap in his literary knowledge and resolved there and then to put things right.  But he didn’t

To celebrate the release of ‘City of Stolen Magic’ by Southampton’s own Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, independent book store October Books is organising apay it forward book scheme to gift copies of the book to local school children. An organiser of the scheme explained: “We’re super excited here at October Books for the publication of ‘City

by Carolyn Thomas.  Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookshop and get yourself a copy of Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s just won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for fiction – and other literary awards surely won’t be far behind as the novel has already become a best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic.  The

by Charlie Hislop. A new Isabel Allende novel is always something to look forward to, and Violeta is no exception. It is the life story of a 100 year old woman in Chile. Set against a century of the country’s turbulent history, carefully described, its impacts are woven directly into Violeta’s story. The book is

by Carolyn Thomas.  This month In Common books editor Carolyn Thomas celebrates World Book Night.   It’s World Book Night on 23 April – an annual celebration of reading for pleasure, honouring books, and the difference they make to our wellbeing. Organised by The Reading Agency, a national charity that promotes reading, the whole country

by Carolyn Thomas. This empowering read encourages mothers to jettison the guilt and self-sacrifice so often associated with modern parenting and to put their own mental and physical welfare needs front and centre.  As author Poppy O’Neill puts it, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ – meaning that no one can have the energy

by Carolyn Thomas. As we celebrate Mother’s Day in the UK this month I started thinking  about the vast range of mother characters in literature. From the 19th century’s loving and capable ‘Marmee’ in Little Women, through to the resourceful and resilient 21st century ‘Ma’, held captive with her son in Room, literature offers up

by poetry editor Anita Foxall. Toy Fights, a Boyhood is the wonderful memoir by poet Don Paterson. However, straight at the beginning, we are warned not to expect poetry, as this book stops where the poetry begins. However, widely aware poetry cannot be omitted from his life, Patterson brought it up in the beginning to

by Carolyn Thomas. Every year thousands of people travel to places associated with the authors they love. The link can be that it’s the place where a writer was born, lived, died, or set their novels. But does seeing a writing desk or following the route taken by a fictional character really bring us closer

by Carolyn Thomas.  This occasional In Common series introduces authors with a connection to Southampton or  Hampshire – they may have been brought up here, or live here now, or use the area as a setting for their work. Kicking things off is Tamar Hodes, currently living in Bassett, Southampton, whose bohemian childhood on the

by Tamar Hodes. Love among the Branches, by Southampton author Tamar Hodes, was originally commissioned for Radio 4 back in 1999. Look out for an author profile on In Common, coming soon. Richard stood at the open door, planks of timber stacked at his side like skis. “I’ve come to build the treehouse,” he said.

by Carolyn Thomas. Calling all bookworms! Been tucked up reading under cosy blankets during a cold January? It’s time to venture out.  As February brings us some more light and a hint of spring, it’s a great time to get back out, not least for a rummage through all the books in the charity shops

by Anita Foxall. Poet Stella Davis returned to Southampton for the launch of her new poetry collection Lunch on a Green Ledge on the 28th of January at October Books.  Born and raised in the South of England, and an alumni of the University of Southampton, Stella Davis has had a very prolific career in

by Carolyn Thomas. January is a tricky month.  As well as being dark and dank, it’s a period of reflection and resolution at a time when many of us are feeling less than positive and energetic post-Christmas.  This paradox could well be down to the fact that the month is named after Janus, the Roman

by Carolyn Thomas. While my Christmas ‘to-do’ list is probably much like anyone else’s, I do have one particular and selfish tradition of my own which is to buy myself a book. This is, after all, the season of goodwill to everyone – so why shouldn’t I include myself in that? The ‘tradition’ harks back

by Carolyn Thomas. Since ruining my eyesight by reading under the covers as a 10-year-old wielding a torch, I’ve loved books. I can’t really remember a time when there wasn’t a pile of TBRs (to be read) next to my bed – although the topics and authors have naturally changed considerably over the years.  I

reviewed by Martin Brisland. Churches are time capsules containing many graves, artefacts and curiosities that act as a window on the people and events of the past. Following a career in academia John Vigar worked for the Churches Conservation Trust and he is a Trustee of a national charity, The Friends of Friendless Churches. John

by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. From the opening, I threw myself into this new children’s book by first-time author, Yarrow Townsend, a writer with strong family and personal connections to Southampton and the New Forest. Though I do already have a love of fantasy stories, they have to be innovative and the characters believable. Here there was

by Charlie Hislop. ‘And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul’ is the inscription at the front of Martin Brisland’s new book ‘Secret New Forest’. I go to the New Forest sometimes, cycle about, have a walk, stop for a beer, or show it to friends. It’s a nice

by Chris Richards. It is estimated that 5000 adults in Southampton are unable to read. A newly launched charity, Read Easy Southampton are offering the opportunity to change that with free, confidential, and local support to all who want to learn. Read Easy Southampton links adults of any age or circumstance, who wish to learn

reviewed by Chris Richards. Rosie Wilby writes The Breakup Monologues like a letter to a close friend who must get caught up on all the news.  Contextualised with discussions and questions asked of knowledgeable friends and acquaintances about why experiences during changing relationships are so important and rewarding to Rosie, and everyone else. Caught between

reviewed by Chris Richards. This book is a wonderful portal for children to melt away to elsewhere. Eliza Wren and the Multicoloured Peacock is Jennifer Paul’s debut novel. She is both author and illustrator of a children’s story written with clear morals, particularly the importance of self-belief and benevolence in leadership. The writing is clear

reviewed by Chris Richards. Breathless, frustrated, then ultimately a release. Christopher Boon’s fiction debut is an Epic in fewer than 350 pages. The protagonist’s father has terminal cancer, this alongside relationships new and old, all examine dependency, solitude and indecisiveness as main themes. Not for the faint of heart but truly an immersive experience. The

reviewed by Andrew Godsell. As a relaxed reader, it often takes me several weeks to read a book. Occasionally however, I am gripped; such was the case with Mrs England. The 424 pages were consumed in just nine days! It is one of the most atmospheric, and amazing, novels I can recall reading. Stacey Halls

by Sally Churchward. Artist, poet, musician, father, husband, son and friend, Greg Gilbert died from cancer on Thursday. As a local journalist, Sally Churchward followed his career – from being the lead singer of Southampton indie band Delays through his being an emerging and then celebrated artist and poet, with numerous interviews  in the city’s

Imagine you clear out your mother’s garage and in an old rusty trunk, you find a 60-year-old manuscript. As you begin to read it, you realise it’s a story written by your father about his exciting childhood on the Isle of Wight. This is what happened to Charles Lansley in 2013. He was so fascinated

Southampton author Jan Carr, has launched a Kickstarter project to print 1000 paperback copies of The Wonder Girls Resist. The Basque Children’s camp, at North Stoneham, was where Southampton welcomed and cared for nearly 4,000 child refugees of the Spanish Civil war. It is the backdrop for the novel, set in 1937, just before the

Reviewed by Chris Richards. Carolyn Ruffles has done it again! The Vanishing Encore is a worthy addition to the romantic thriller genre. Not too heavy or taxing with the right balance of mystery, thrilling twists and romance with heart warming characterisation, desperation, desire, and gentle comedy. The protagonist, Lily Nichol has grown to adulthood under

Reviewed by Andrew Godsell. Arundhati Roy (born 1961) became an international sensation with the publication of The God of Small Things, her debut novel, in 1997. The book won the Booker Prize, received rave media reviews (thirty of which, from various newspapers and magazines, are quoted in the copy before me), but has divided opinion. Many

reviewed by Chris Richards. Three generations of women eventually find love is unconditional through scandal, murder, and realising what they deserve in life. We are presented; five women, the men that surround them for better and worse, three murders, one scandalous affair, and a few STDs for good measure. This is a story with domestic

reviewed by Chris Richards. Excellent Choice: Essays on Trying to be Good in a Horrible World written by Grant Sharkey This is not a book I’d have picked up and read had I not been asked to review it. I may not have read past the first few pages without the obligation of presenting an

reviewed by Chris Richards. Knocking on the Wall is the author’s recollections of childhood trauma, a lifetime of reactive, destructive behaviour, followed by reconciliation and reflection.  Peppered through the book are poems written in close regard of times in Trevor Swistchew’s life as he grew up in Scotland.  I worried about taking on this book

reviewed by Chris Richards. For a book that’s a pretty standard length and steers widely around fantasy territory there is genuinely nothing standard about Ryan Dennis’s debut novel. The Beasts They Turned Away has a forensic insight with an intangible tractor beam of intrigue on every page. An aging Irish dairy farmer, the inexplicable guardian

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This book gives a factual account by Aleaxandra Fuller of her life growing up in southern Africa. At the start of the story, Alexandra has flown from Wyoming, where she has lived since 1994, to Budapest in order to be at the bedside of her father who is dying. Her mother

reviewed by Frances Churchward. The Pact We Made is the author’s first novel . The story is told by Dahlia, the younger daughter of  well-off Kuwaiti parents. Dahlia is approaching her thirtieth birthday and her mother is anxious that she should marry as she fears that Dahlia is in danger of being left permanently on

reviewed by Frances Churchward. Hollow in the Land is a collection of short stories about life in a Lancashire valley. All of the tales are narrated in the first person and include stories about a range of people.  The actual settings for most of the stories are within the valley but the action sometimes takes

Reviewed by Frances Churchward. This is a story about a fourteen year old girl named Ro who lives with her single mother, Bonnie. Bonnie, who appears to be unconcerned about her daughter’s wellbeing, neglects Ro. Bonnie  is a hoarder so that the house is filled with paper to the point that it is impossible to

reviewed by Andrew Godsell. Patti Smith has long been one of the most original women in rock music, appearing on the scene with her debut album, Horses, way back in 1975. Smith’s records have often included poetic pieces, and she has complemented them with the publication of several books of poetry and short stories. In

reviewed by Frances Churchward. Let me say right at the outset that I detested this book. With most books, I find that I am able to struggle through to the end even if I am not greatly enjoying it. However, with this book,it disgusted me and I had to give up halfway through as I

By Charlie Hislop and Sarah Phoenix. ‘Where are we going?’ is the most gorgeous children’s book by Southampton’s self-esteem champion Vie Portland!  It’s all about imagination and adventure, which all of us love… It just happens that the main character is disabled. This book is so important because rather than focusing on the disability itself

reviewed by Will Vigar. Every now and again, a book comes along that, once finished, you put down, take a deep breath and think “What the *bleep* have I just read?” This isn’t a bad thing. The premise of Wilthaven is classic: other dimensions and realities rub against ours, and sometimes objects or people break

reviewed by Charlie Hislop. Can you do jazz without sound? Hot Jazz Special comes very close. In sketches, painting, words, and colours it captures all the excitement; the buzz, the characters, and the clubs. Featuring jazz greats like Billie Holliday, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and more while mixing song lyrics with pen pictures. It references

Tales from Our Living Room: The Children’s Isolation Book Project written by The Children of Hampshire, edited and compiled by Juliette Jones. reviewed by Chris Richards. 2020 has brought the words ‘uncertainty’ and ‘unprecedented’ into daily conversation and if you don’t hear at least one of these in a 24-hour period then you’re taking isolation

reviewed by Chris Richards. Childish Spirits is a perfect steppingstone for preteens and young teens to widen their genre knowhow. It is written for young readers but has every appearance of a classic ghost story without ever becoming uncomfortably frightening. It is creepy and mysterious and horrible at times, but never too scary. In this

Southampton’s independent radical bookshop, October Books, is hosting local author Craig Jordan-Baker to talk about his darkly comedic debut novel The Naucillans. You can read a review of the novel here. The event will take place on Thursday, September 24, at 7pm, via Zoom. Register via Eventbrite to attend. Welcome to the world of The Nacullians,

reviewed by Will Vigar. The Guilty Die Twice was a frustrating read. This is partly because the genre – Legal Drama – is not one I particularly enjoy. I’ve never really got on with the Grisham’s of this world. Give me a police procedural and I’m happy, but from the legal perspective? I just zone

reviewed by Chris Richards. It is difficult to explain the complex positive emotional regard I have for this darkly humorous book without it being lost in cliché. I love this family like I love my own. A love that is ugly, disjointed, comfortable, unconditional and reserved for those who mutually know and are known. Craig

reviewed by Will Vigar. Being an adult with no kids, buying a book like ‘The Floor is Lava’ seems an odd choice. I mean, it’s games right? Playing? Adults don’t play! Not true. I love board games and have a wall full of them, but sometimes you just need something that’s not as serious as

Stories of success by people with learning disabilities – in their own words. Edited by Saba Salman. reviewed by Chris Richards. As the strapline tells us, success is the inspiration for the essays. How they found it, what it means to them, and what influence their success has on society. There are nine in total,

reviewed by Chris Richards. Junglenomics is a non-fiction text on Ecosystem Economics. For those with a fervent interest in correcting climate change, natural conservation on a global scale, or capitalism in a sustainable world this will contribute to your library. It is thorough and supports an ambitious but potentially attainable prospect for our future. Written

reviewed by Martin Brisland. Over 60 successful years as a professional in show business including a Guinness Book of World Records appearance is hard to overestimate. David St John has taken the opportunity to reminisce about his early days when the rock ‘n roll phenomenon changed many young lives. This is a superb, life affirming read.

by Frances Churchward. Sarah Horsfall is a Southampton mother with two children who attend a local primary school. She has recently produced a series of books, The Owlbert Series, published by Tricorn Books written in rhyme, for primary aged children. Sarah explains why she decided to write the books: “There have been several times during my time

reviewed by Chris Richards. Whether you believe in fairies or not this book needs to be on your summer wish list. Set in and around Southampton and more particularly by the Hamble River, we the locals are sure to recognise much of the scenery in the story. Izzie and Robin meet back in the mid-eighties

reviewed by Chris Richards. A View from the Bridge: A Collection of Southampton Stories written by Scam Likely is a collection of short stories all based in Southampton. Scam Likely is a penname and their true identity is currently a closely guarded secret. No matter, we have their work to admire until fame calls them

reviewed by Chris Richards. The Magical Bookshop was originally published in Germany last year as Der zauberhafte Wunschbuchladen. The translation is by Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp and will be released next month, in July 2020. Both editions have beautifully charming and sympathetic illustrations by Florentine Prechtel. Clara Jacobsen is a quiet girl who seeks solace and

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This book tells the story of the Greenwood family who have just won £17.8 million on the lottery. Initially, long standing friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes, claim shares in the win as they assert that they have always been part of a syndicate. However, Lexi and Jake Greenwood contend that

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This book is the story of a young girl, Romilly, who lives in a ramshackle house with her father. Before moving to this house Romilly, from the age of four, and her father led a nomadic life, at one point as part of a travelling circus. They move into this house,

reviewed by Chris Richards. In Beneath a Polish Sky we see three lives change in one night. It is a story with emotional intelligence, compassion, and a strong moral compass. The three main characters come together in a hotel in Poland each from a distinct background. Harry Graves is a young British man starting out

reviewed by Chris Richards. Abductions, stalkers, and lies, Oh My! This story has what it takes to keep you interested until the very last word. It’s a flawless balance of mystery and romance, flanked by tense frustration and charming wit. I found myself rolling my eyes occasionally at the protagonist’s naivety, but it felt complicit

reviewed by Chris Richards. Ben and the Bug is the second book in the Split Perspectivz series by Natalie Reeves-Billing with illustrations by Lisa Williams. This story artfully describes the circumstances of COVID-19 to young children without fudging the facts. There have been many child-friendly approaches doing the rounds on social media to explain the

reviewed by Chris Richards. This is the first of a new, incredibly special series of children books called the Monstrous Me Collection written by Liverpool based author Natalie Reeves-Billing and illustrated by Lisa Williams. I read this with my children (5 & 8) in week 5 of the Lockdown. At its launch it’s marketed as

reviewed by Charlie Hislop. It was one of those moments, not unlike Wikileaks and Chelsea Manning, or the Panama Papers, when the sordid workings of the powerful are laid bare for everyone to see. In the case of Edward Snowden and the US National Security Agency, it was the exposure of how the US government

EDITED: New deadline, updated to state 1st June 2020. by Chris Richards. May Day! May Day! Juliette Jones: Editorial Services are compiling a book of stories written by our children and the closing date is approaching fast! Juliette Jones is a wonderful woman with a name reminiscent of a Marvel superhero! Working from home while

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This novel is set in Trinidad and has three protagonists; Betty, a single mother, Solo, her teenage son who grows into a young man over the course of the story, and Mr Chetan who is Betty’s long term lodger. Each character tells their story from their own point of view as

reviewed by Richard Jones. For a man who loves maritime history, I didn’t know much about the Mayflower until recently save for the basic facts. I was delighted to finally get a chance to read about this important period of history that is arguably, a household name. Picking up The Mayflower Missing I was intrigued

reviewed by Will Vigar. Even a seasoned comic fan like myself can get a little disillusioned with comics from time to time. As much as I love the recent spate of Superhero movies, modern comics fans are quite likely to have never picked up an actual comic book or graphic novel. Captain America, Thor and

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This work of non fiction is written by Sophie Walker, the feminist activist and founder of  the Women’s Equality Party. Walker considers that activism is needed today perhaps more than ever, in these times of populism and austerity. Her five rules, which set out how to incorporate activism into our lives,

Reviewed by Frances Churchward. Notes from an Apocalypse is a work of non-fiction from prize-winning author Mark O’Connell. It begins with O’Connell reflecting on the depression that he suffered and which had, as it root cause, his consuming apprehension of imminent catastrophe largely relating to climate change. After reading the introduction, I wasn’t sure I

reviewed by Chris Richards. I like this book; I think if you like police procedurals, whodunnits and murder mysteries of the digestible, moreish ilk then you’ll like it too. It opens with a chilly, neurotic prologue. It reads as a fly on the wall account of the murder report. But we’re not on a wall.

reviewed by Frances Churchward. Robert Webb will be familiar to many as one half of Mitchell and Webb and, perhaps even more so, as Jeremy in PeepShow. Come Again is his first novel. His previous book, How Not To Be A Boy, Webb’s first foray into book writing, was autobiographical.  Initially, I was pleased to

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This is Amaka’s first novel and is somewhat unusual because it is narrated by the spirit of a slave woman, taken from Africa, who managed to escape from the plantation, where she had been a slave over two hundred years ago and who has been searching for her descendants ever since

by Sarah Groszewski. Martin Brisland is a highly experienced, qualified local tour guide and founder of See Southampton, so it stands to reason that his latest book, A-Z of Southampton Places-People-History is full of interesting and little-known facts. There seems to be a booming market for local history and local interest writing.  I admit to

reviewed by Frances Churchward. The title of this book is the title of a painting by John Singer Sargent, painted in 1881, of Samuel Pozzi.  This is a non-fiction history book set during the time of “La Belle Epoque” and draws a very colourful, and not necessarily flattering, picture of many of the characters who

reviewed by Frances Churchward. This is a very short novel totalling 132 pages and the action takes place during the course of one evening during the winter months in Norway. Jon, who will be nine years old the next day, has been accidently locked out of his house by his mother, Vibeke,  who believes that

reviewed by Frances Churchward. When I first read the blurb inside the cover of this book, I must admit felt somewhat reluctant to read it. The book, amongst other things, charts the author’s progress of motor neurone disease and his experience of living with the disease and moving towards his own death. I am by

reviewed by Georgina Lippiett. The Wonder Girls is a fast-paced, full-hearted, total romp of an adventure. The story takes place in England in 1936 and is set against a backdrop of the rise of fascist ideals. The Blackshirts are marching the streets, unrest is in the air and if you’re a young girl without parents,

by Chris Richards. Shirley Library, Southampton are Winners of the Best Library Display of the Booker Prize Short List 2019. “The hardest thing to source were the rubber ducks!” says Fran Simonis, who along with colleague Cath Brear of Shirley Library, Southampton, set up the winning display. The competition is managed by The Reading Agency,

reviewed by Dan O’Farrell. All sensible people care about climate change. We are all worried about it. But are we really worried? Do we actually believe it? This is the central question around which Jonathan Safran Foer’s new non-fiction book revolves. Using examples and anecdotes from both world history and his own family history, Foer

reviewed by Sarah Groszewski. A story worthy of Halloween, the book is an unusual and atmospheric, twisted fairy-tale for adults with a liking for eerie horror and fantasy. Laird Hunt’s seventh novel is a contemporary fairy-tale that follows a young Puritan woman’s journey as she sets off into a forest to pick berries. Under the

reviewed by Frances Churchward. The latest book from award-winning Attica Locke is set mostly in Texas shortly after Trump’s election to the presidency. Immediately following the election there appears to be a rise in the activities of the far right. In East Texas, a nine year old boy has gone missing. The boy is the

reviewed by Frances Churchward. The Burning Land is George Alagiah’s first novel. Alagiah is, of course, well known as a presenter of BBC news. Before becoming a news presenter, he worked as a foreign correspondent for the BBC during which time he covered several major conflicts and he has previously published two works of non-fiction.

reviewed by Chris Richards. Exciting and satisfying, Richard M Jones presents an adjacent history beginning back over 200 years ago, showing the ripples of choices and snap judgements made down the years in his new fiction novel Austen Secret.  This is the second adventure with Sidney, Ali and Gemma as its lead treasure hunters, following

reviewed by Frances Churchward. Laura Lippman’s latest novel is set in 1960s USA, in times when many women were expected to stay at home and look after house, husband and children.  It was also a time of huge racial discrimination, when attacks on Negro women attracted little attention from the police, newspapers or the public. 

by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. A first of its kind, this collection of writing by Arab women journalists is both challenging and thought-provoking. It’s not comfortable reading but it’s well worth picking up, because it totally delivers. The nineteen essays cover an enormous range – from Lina Attalah’s “On a belated encounter with gender” which tenderly examines

by Alex Thurley-Ratcliff. “Should we believe in God? Do we need God in order to explain the existence of the universe? Do we need God in order to be good?” asks the back cover blurb on Richard Dawkins latest book. Dawkins does not just return a list of answers to these standard questions in Outgrowing

Reviewed by Sally Churchward. I defy anyone to read even the cover of Claire McGlasson’s debut novel, and not be intrigued.  “This is the Garden of Eden. Hidden in plain sight. It was here in Bedford all along. Welcome to the Panacea Society, a terribly English cult.” McGlasson’s work of fiction is expertly constructed, based

reviewed by Chris Richards. John Sellars’ Lessons in Stoicism is a slim volume introducing Stoicism to a new audience; inspiring readers to become followers. Any and all readers will find wisdom and tangible pathways to contentedness in some form. Like many of the best ideas and wisdom, once found these ideas are obvious, innate and

reviewed by Chris Richards. This history book is about the RMS Titanic and its links to Bridlington in Yorkshire. The tone is sensitive and celebratory of the people who made history over the last hundred years. Richard M Jones was an eleven-year-old boy when his enthusiasm for the Titanic story was sparked. The book is

reviewed by Will Vigar. To my shame, Naguib Mahfouz is not a name I knew before receiving his book ‘The Quarter’. When you consider that he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988, this oversight seems all the more shameful. But rather than descend into a Catholic guilt spiral and spending the rest of

reviewed by Georgina Lippiett. Dead Popular is a Young Adult novel set in Mount Norton School, one of the most expensive boarding schools in the country. With its coastal setting and state-of-the-art facilities, the students are entitled, confident and guaranteed to succeed. It’s the beginning of term and Kate Lynette Jordan-Ferreira is the newly appointed

Reviewed by Chris Richards  You don’t read this story. You feel it. Luan Goldie’s Nightingale Point is visceral, not cerebral. It is powerful, engaging, important, and at times painful. A tale of chances, chaos, and consequences. There are criticisms that can be made but, ultimately, it is perfectly imperfect. Nightingale Point is inspired by a

by Sally Churchward. For the staff and volunteers at October Books, there is delicious irony in the fact that the building in which the radical bookshop is now based used to house a bank. “I love it, it’s so ironic,” exclaims volunteer Glyn Oliver, who has been helping with fixing up the new venue, around