@bookishbeck.bsky.social
Sending out my prediction/wish into the ether for THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans to win the Women's Prize for Fiction tonight. It was an utter delight to read, especially for a Marylander. (I've read 4.5 of 6 on the shortlist: couldn't get through Flashlight; haven't got hold of Dominion yet.)
Pasg Hapus i chi gyd! Happy Easter to you all! ‘Easter. I approach…’ - #RSThomas (Uncollected Poems, @BloodaxeBooks)
Not sure why, but my 2016 review of The Essex Serpent seems to have gone 'viral' on Goodreads, picking up an additional 120 likes over the past couple of weeks. www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It's been a wet Shiny Tuesday, cheer yourself up with @bookishbeck.bsky.social reviewing Rachel Joyce's latest, now in paperback. shinynewbooks.co.uk/the-homemade...
The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce
Review by Rebecca Foster If, like me, you’ve been following Rachel Joyce’s career ever since her 2012 debut, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I have good news to impart: The Homemade
shinynewbooks.co.uk
These novels by literary lions share themes of ageing, loss, and memory, as well as a wry and gently melancholy tone. (I’ve read 23 books by Julian Barnes, a favourite author of mine since my twenties, whereas Stewart O’Nan was new to me.) Reviewed on my blog today: bookishbeck.com/2026/01/29/j...
January Releases by Julian Barnes and Stewart O’Nan
These two novels by literary lions (of the UK and USA, respectively) share themes of ageing, loss, and memory, as well as a wry and gently melancholy tone. I’ve read 23 books by Julian Barnes, some…
bookishbeck.com
I finally took the plunge and deactivated my X account. The problem is that I always forget to come here, and when I do I don't find much in the way of community or interaction...
On this day in 1963, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath was first published. Today we are delighted to share a new cover look for this iconic novel, referencing its original Faber cover by Shirley Tucker (pictured in black and white). Design by Sophie Harris, Faber Design.
Hilarious review request via Instagram DM today: "The book (in brief) is a 36 page book that follow a character learning the lessons of a philosophy I created around the concept of honesty from a wise man on a train." 😂 I also liked the greeting: "Hi mate I will get straight to the point."
Annoyed with everyone/everything atm, so it was lovely to get this: "just wanted to say how delighted all at the Press were ... That line about 'Poles of loss and abundance' is so perfect. So grateful for the time and attention that you all gave to the book!" www.shelf-awareness.com/sar-issue.ht...
Shelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, October 10, 2025
shelf-awareness.com
Many thanks to @commapress.bsky.social for the review copy of The BBC National Short Story Award 2025 anthology. I managed to read it before last night's awards announcement and thoroughly enjoyed it (even though my prediction was far wrong!) bookishbeck.com/2025/09/30/t...
The BBC National Short Story Award 2025 Anthology
UPDATE: The winner was … the story I enjoyed the least. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that Colwill Brown has a distinctive voice. Another quick contribution to #ShortStorySeptember. I was deligh…
bookishbeck.com
Next month we're off to Berlin (and Lübeck) for the first time. I'm sure many of you will have been to the city and loved it, so do share your ideas for what we must see, do and eat!
UK readers: Buy ANY book 15-17 August, and you could win a £250 Bookshop.org digital gift card! Every sale supports independent bookshops: uk.bookshop.org/lists/win-a-...
Amazing to see Peggy Seeger on her farewell tour yesterday. She's one of my heroes, still sharp as a tack at 89. Traditionals, classics ("I'm Gonna Be an Engineer"), and lots from her last album. Also a bawdy anti-Trump ditty! Her new version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" had me in tears.
Post-it note left as a place-marker at p. 38 in a copy of White Teeth donated to the Little Free Library: "Morning gorgeous :) Gone out for a walk -- should be around 40 mins. I love you very much, Ellie ❤️❤️ xxxxxxxxxx" I love these little glimpses into other lives!
It's been such a joy being part of the judging process for the McKitterick Prize over the past four years. Check out our amazing 2025 shortlist! 👇
The Society of Authors@societyofauthors.bsky.social · last yr.We are thrilled to announce the shortlisted authors for the McKitterick Prize, sponsored by Hawthornden Foundation and awarded for a first novel by a writer over 40. Join us on 18 June at Southwark Cathedral to hear the winner. #SoAwards 🧵
What a novelty to get caught in the rain on my afternoon walk! I wasn't expecting to get soaked, however 😆
Looking forward to this one already!
Elliott & Thompson@eandtbooks.bsky.social · last yr.We are so happy to announce @beewyld.bsky.social's upcoming book The Apothecary by the Sea, a lyrical, tender story of Victoria’s creation of a wild apothecary garden on the northern Scottish archipelago of Orkney. 🌊 Read the story @bookbrunch.bsky.social: www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article...
It's been an honour and a pleasure to be involved in judging the McKitterick Prize again this year!
The Society of Authors@societyofauthors.bsky.social · last yr.‘Inspiring, intimidating and inviting in equal measure’ – SoA Awards 2025 judges announced. Read the breadth of our prizes & scholarships here -
A terrific #bookpost day! Thank you to @canongate.co.uk for a finished copy of NATURE'S GENIUS by David Farrier (out on 8 May), whose Footprints was one of my top reads of 2020. Plus my Bookshop order of STAG DANCE by Torrey Peters @serpents-tail.bsky.social arrived -- solidarity with trans women!
Many thanks to @eandtbooks.bsky.social for a finished copy of CHINESE PARENTS DON'T SAY I LOVE YOU by Candice Chung, coming out on 24 April. I can't resist a food memoir (or "foodoir")! #bookpost
Thank you to @sceptrebooks.bsky.social for a proof copy of Dream State by Eric Puchner. I've been hearing great things about this one since its U.S. release (it's an Oprah's Book Club selection!). It's published in the UK on 8 May. #bookpost
Thank you to @faberbooks.bsky.social for a copy of That Broke into Shining Crystals by Richard Scott. I loved his earlier poetry collection, Soho. This is out on 22 April and I'm looking forward to reading it soon! #bookpost
Thank you to @yalebooks.bsky.social for a review copy of Museum Visits by Éric Chevillard (translated by Daniel Levin Becker). I'm looking forward to catching up on this intriguing collection of micro-essays. #bookpost
Many thanks to @atlanticbooks.bsky.social for a copy of Find Me As the Creature I Am by Emily Jungmin Yoon. I've been hearing great things about this poetry collection (released in the USA last year) and I look forward to reviewing it at its 3 April publication date. #bookpost
"Whether in Ludlow or Venice, Spence crystallizes moments from the ongoingness of grief, drawing images from the natural world" 🌊 ~ Rebecca Foster Buy 'Daughter of the Sun' by Rachel Spence: buff.ly/u823krz
Our local Jackdaw roost, quite recently formed on the same island the neighbourhood Magpies use, where 5 Little Egrets also roosted earlier in the winter. With bonus duelling Cetti's warblers.
Excellent #bookpost yesterday from @eandtbooks.bsky.social! Mother Animal by @helenjukes.bsky.social is out on the 27th and I am already stuck in for #readindies. Lifelines by @julianhoffman.bsky.social comes out on 15 May. Both were on my Most Anticipated list for the first half of the year.
Many thanks to Kate Green at @picadorbooks.bsky.social for a proof copy of Emma Donoghue's new novel, coming out on 20 March. THE PARIS EXPRESS is based on the true story of an 1895 train disaster. #bookpost
