In an alternate 1979 England, 3 triplets live in a secluded children’s home. They receive various medical treatments; we soon suspect that nefarious experiments are happening. I enjoyed this engaging story; how far are we complicit when we ignore /allow harm to those constructed as ‘others’? 💙📚🖋️

Dilara, her husband, & her Alzheimer’s stricken father are Turkish exiles in Italy. Her renovated bathroom turns into a prison cell, in a real prison in Turkey. Intriguing and often moving Kafkaesque examination of exile, yearning, memory, politics, loss & belonging. Booker Prize Longlisted 💙📚🖋️

A YA thriller set in the future, in a deep sea mining & research facility. I’m afraid I didn’t finish this book, which is most unusual for me. I guess I’m not the target audience. But I am looking forward to 3 new YA/older children’s books coming out soon, from great authors I love… 💙📚

There are some great reads here. I loved last year’s winners, Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton and The Lie of the Land by @guyshrubsole.bsky.social 💙📚💡

The Wainwright Prizes@wainwrightprize.bsky.social · last wk.

2 stacks. 28 extraordinary books. 1 shared purpose: to help us better understand the world around us. From explorations of changing climate to stories of wildlife, landscapes & people, this year's #WainwrightPrize longlists celebrate the very best in environmental storytelling. wainwrightprize.com

This is a fantastic review, and I agree with every word. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the movie when I saw it last week. Emily Wilson’s is my favourite translation, and I’m recommending it for the introduction as much as the poem itself. I’m a complicated woman.

London Review of Books@lrb.co.uk · last wk.

‘Nolan has read at least the first line of my translation of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘥𝘺𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘺 into iambic pentameter. In one interview, he cited my version of it: “Tell me about a complicated man.” But I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script.’ New, by Emily Wilson www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

17-year-old Milde lives in The Outskirts. As a child, she & others were rounded up by soldiers, taken from their homes in The City, and dumped there. After she takes violent action against the oppressive regime, she is caught, tortured & killed - or maybe sent into space. Moving and strange. 💙📚🖋️

When he was Children’s Laureate, @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social visited lots of schools and met lots of children. Here he reports back, with reflections from his past, linking classic children’s books to important social issues (austerity, poverty, screen time etc). Lesson: read stories to kids!

I didn’t re-read the whole Odyssey this week, but I did read the 90 page introduction by @emilyrcwilson.bsky.social to her excellent translation. It’s effectively a very interesting and insightful short book in its own right; the perfect accompaniment to that new film, which I did enjoy. 💙📚

Experienced nurse Valerie goes missing while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Game Warden Lt. Bev is in charge of the search; Lena investigates online from her retirement community. A gripping story about how we care for one another, with strong, competent female characters doing their best. 💙📚⚡️

So, have you seen Nolan's The Odyssey yet? And did you think "wow, there are loads of interesting and badass women in this tale but I wish we knew their stories"? We got you... #SFF #GreekMythology #Odyssey

I really liked this thought-provoking book about the reality of AI in society by @doctorow.pluralistic.net and will be recommending it to lots of people (starting with my 20-yr-old nephew). As much about economics and power as tech; not didactic, actually changed my mind on, eg, copyright. 💙📚💡

A tragedy has struck the eldest daughter of the Sharaf family. Gradually we build a picture of what may have happened, by hearing from other members of the Afghan community in the US, and others. Riveting thriller-like exploration of racism, Islamophobia & gender expectations. Recommend. 💙📚🖋️

Interesting and accessible introduction to UK law. Author visits various courts (Magistrates, County, Tribunals etc) and reports what she sees. I liked the real and engaging cases used to illustrate how the courts work. Good, reliable explanations from a seasoned expert & great communicator. 💙📚💡

I loved getting absorbed in this grand, sweeping, family epic, centred on the mapping of an Irish peninsula in the 2nd half of the C19th. The nature & character descriptions are great; my favourite part was the plot, which is compelling and informative about history. Another triumph for her. 💙📚🖋️

Do you like books? Do you like queer history? Do you like bookshops? If the answer to any of those questions was YES, and you're anywhere near Bristol on 3/8, come along to this event with me and the incomparable @ajwestauthor.bsky.social at @bookhaus.bsky.social Booking link in bio!

I loved getting absorbed in this grand, sweeping, family epic, centred on the mapping of an Irish peninsula in the 2nd half of the C19th. The nature & character descriptions are great; my favourite part was the plot, which is compelling and informative about history. Another triumph for her. 💙📚🖋️

Here’s a lovely little book of Frida Kahlo’s art and words from her diaries and letters. If you’re not a Frida Kahlo fan (I am!), then you’ve surely got a friend who is. This would make an ideal gift. Pocket-sized, the pictures are good quality for the size and price. 💙📚💡

My canna has flowered. Lovely.

Yoohee opens a plant shop in a quiet suburb. She loves plants, and they thrive under her care. Men who harm women - not so much! But they do make excellent fertiliser, so she wields her shovel in support of local women and girls. I enjoyed this subtle Korean thriller. UK publ. 30 July 💙📚⚡️

I was very moved by this excellent and original novel set in a California day centre for disabled adults. We hear from different staff and clients, including Walter who is autistic and non-speaking, like the author. The characters and setting are vivid and unforgettable. Highly recommend! 💙📚🖋️

A popular novel by a bestselling author, about lesbian astronauts in training at NASA in the 1980s. It felt more like a Hollywood movie than a novel, in both the plot structure and the characters. I read this for book club; I’ll be interested to hear what everyone else thinks about it. 💙📚

I quite enjoyed this above-average whodunnit set on an isolated island off SW England. Xavier invites some acquaintances to join him and his father for Christmas, to examine the medieval art collection. They are soon cut off by a storm, and all the mobiles disappear… UK publication 30 July 💙📚⚡️

Let us think about making the world a better place. Idealism need not be the enemy of success. Bullshit jobs are (obviously) a waste of time, effort and potential. @rutgerbregman.com provides a very readable introduction to ethical thinking. What is the good life? I like “radical compassion” 💙📚💡

The writing in this new novel is outstanding. The coastal landscape is brought to life, and all of the characters are impeccably drawn. 10-year-old Ruth sees a woman disappear into the river; years later, 6-yr-old Ori is found alone on an island. Themes of motherhood & belonging. Beautiful. 💙📚🖋️

It was a pleasure to read @laylamccay.bsky.social ‘s guide to LGBTQ+ literature. The perfect balance between evoking nostalgia for books I read years ago; nodding knowingly as titles I’m familiar with are mentioned; and introducing me to plenty more to go on my list. I’ll return to this often 💙📚🌈📚

Ursula has grown up in care in Thatcher’s Britain; now 16, she lives in a creepy squat, makes art, and longs for friendship and belonging. Vivid, gripping and sometimes unsettling, this haunting novel swings between realism and gothic horror very effectively. I was enthralled. Very good. 💙📚🖋️

THREAD. A collection of excellent scarecrows I have met on walks in the countryside. You will find the all-important caption to each photo in the alt text.

Very funny novel about serious human stuff by @seamas.bsky.social In Derry, a famous US actor arrives to star in a new TV drama about the Troubles. She goes missing; we hear from various local people, great characters all. The writing is excellent; sharp, perceptive, often hilarious, moving. 💙📚

Interesting and very readable personal account of her time working at Facebook. Packed with fascinating details, which combine to paint a picture of people wielding power without responsibility. It’s most satisfying that attempts to silence her inevitably result in increased sales. 💙📚💡

I enjoyed this original and inventive epistolary novel set in 1557 Florence. When a painter is murdered, Cosimo de’ Medici demands answers. With a wide cast of characters including nuns, revolutionaries, artists and the Queen of France, there are power plays and scheming galore. Entertaining! 💙📚⏳