What the literary experts are reading this summer
What the literary experts are reading this summer
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Rotha Bell, Barnes Book Festival: 25-27 September
“I’ve just finished reading The Correspondent (which won the Women’s Prize for best fiction) – the tale of a surprising septuagenarian protagonist who draws you into her life letter by letter.”
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Fiona Razvi, Director, Wimbledon BookFest: 15-25 October
“Set across Cyprus and London, Wimbledon BookFest’s Big Read title is a story of love torn apart by war, and how trauma can go on to be inherited by the generations who follow.”
The Art of Occupation by Chris Lloyd
Julie Anderson, Clapham Book Festival: 17 October
“The fourth in the series set in occupied Paris from 1940 onwards. Eddie Giral, world-weary, cynical Parisian flic, a good man in a bad world, investigates the suspicious death of an art dealer. I know it’ll be intelligent, funny, as well as a really good mystery.”
The Street Art Mystery by Sharna Jackson
Amanda Brettargh, founder of the London Children’s Literature Festival (June)
“This new mystery is a real summer treat. A trio of courageous kids follow the clues across some of London’s coolest locations to track down a super creative killer, as well as some epic street art, perfect for all junior detectives, ages 9+.”
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LAND BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL
Fiona Razvi, Director, Wimbledon BookFest, 15-25 October
“The new book from the award winning Hamnet author is inspired by her own map making family heritage and tells the epic story of Ireland in the aftermath of the famine.”
Uprising by Tahmima Anam
Fiona Razvi, Director, Wimbledon BookFest, 15-25 October
“A tale of female solidarity and power. This moving novel is based on a real island in Bangladesh, told through eyes of the children of a community of enforced sex workers.”
The Newer World by Sebastian Barry
Siobhan May, Programming & Speaker Liaison, Wimbledon BookFest
“An immersive and unforgettable novel of one man’s life in the aftermath of the American Civil War by the former Irish Laureate. A novel about what it is to survive, and what might be lost along the way.”
Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason
Siobhan May, Programming & Speaker Liaison, Wimbledon BookFest
“Set at a Literary Festival, this is a bittersweet, story of love, loneliness and finding connection in the most unlikely of places. Heartbreaking, hilarious and hopeful.”
Tonight the Music Seems So Loud by Sathnam Sanghera
Siobhan May, Programming & Speaker Liaison, Wimbledon BookFest
“A fresh look at the life and times of the iconic George Michael. Part biography, part social commentary and part love letter, it does full justice to the magnificent man it examines.”
