Are you looking for your next great read? Why not try out the books from across the pond? Despite from what governments say, books are essential and are needed now, more than ever. So if you are need of a variety and want to read diverse stories, then I suggest you try out some British and Irish titles!
We may have left 2022 behind, but the pain and struggles of last year are still being faced, especially independent bookstores. Continue to support indie bookstores by shopping on Bookshop.org and Hive.co.uk.
Please note that Book Depository closed down it’s website on April 26, 2023.
Waterstones currently ships to the United States but there will be an international shipping fee. You can also try with the British bookstore, Blackwell’s, also with Wordery.com. Now on with the recommendations!
Featured Book of the Month
Only For The Holidays by Abiola Bello
Expected Publication Date: October 12
City girl Tia Solanke is dreading the festive period. She’s on a break with her boyfriend and the last thing she wants to do is spend Christmas away from London. Arriving at Saiyan Hedge Farm, Tia takes an instant disliking to it. She falls in horse manure, is chased by sheep and the Wi-Fi sucks. How is she meant to stalk her ex now and concoct a foolproof plan to win him back?
Country boy Quincy Parker and his family run the farm, and this year they’ve been selected to host the biggest event in the town’s calendar – the Winter Ball. Preparations are underway, and Quincy is working around the clock to make it a success. The only problem is, he’s told everyone he has a date to the ball, when in reality that couldn’t be further from the truth.
At first, Tia and Quincy don’t see eye to eye, until they realise they both have something to gain by pretending to be a couple. But when a snowstorm threatens to cancel the Winter Ball, their fake relationship is put to the test. Will Tia and Quincy be able to keep up the pretence and save the day, or will real feelings get in the way? (Credit: Simon & Schuster UK)
Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty by Emma Dabiri
An unmissable, radical essay from Emma Dabiri, bestselling author of Don’t Touch My Hair and What White People Can Do Next What part of your beautiful self were you taught to hate? We spend a lot of time trying to improve our ‘defects’, according to society’s ideals of beauty. But these ideals that are often reductive, tyrannical and commercially entangled, are imposed upon us by oppressive systems and further strengthened by our conditioned self-loathing. This book encourages unruliness, exploring the ways in which we can rebel against and subvert the current system. Offering alternative ways of seeing beauty, drawing on other cultures, worldviews, times, and places – to reconnect with our birthright and find the inherent joy in our disobedient bodies. It accompanies The Cult of Beauty, a major exhibition at Wellcome Collection, opening in October 2023. (Credit: Profile Books)
Wise Creatures by Deirdre Sullivan
I always thought that hauntings began with houses. They don’t, of course.
It’s people, isn’t it? They begin with people.
If anyone knows what it is to be haunted, it’s Daisy. The ghosts of her troubled past are ever present. Daisy has always done her best to shut the ghosts away. To shut away the wise creatures who used to whisper to her from the walls of the house. To live a normal life.
But now, something is humming in the house. Something dark, and unknown. And it’s targeting Nina, her beloved sister. Daisy knows that something is up. And that the wise creatures, locked away for so long, are back. And this time, who knows what they want? (Credit: Hot Key Books)
The Toll House by Carly Reagon
The past isn’t always dead and buried.
A house with history. That’s how the estate agent described the old toll house on the edge of the town. For Kelda it’s the perfect rural home for her young son Dylan after a difficult few years.
But when Kelda finds a death mask concealed behind one of the walls, everything changes. Inexplicable things happen in the house, Kelda cannot shake the feeling of being watched and Dylan is plagued by nightmares, convinced he can see figures in his room. As Dylan’s behaviour becomes increasingly challenging, Kelda seeks answers in the house’s mysterious past. But she’s running out of time.
Because something has awoken. And now it won’t rest…(Credit: Little, Brown Book Group)
Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes by Leon Diop and Briana Fitzsimons and illustrated by Jessica Louis
Covering historic and current figures from the worlds of the arts, sport, business, politics and social activism, Black and Irish will also find space to celebrate everyday heroes-lesser known figures making a difference in Irish communities today. (Credit: Little Island)
Twelve Bones by Rosie Talbot
Expected Publication Date: October 12
Prepare for more spooky, swoony YA from BookTok star @Merrowchild! The thing about death is … it sneaks up on you. Seventeen-year-old seer Charlie and his new boyfriend, Sam, know that the dead can’t hurt the living. It’s ghosts who need protection from dangerous soul catchers – and the boys have promised to keep them safe. But when a powerful force interferes with their defences, and a brutal attack leaves them questioning everything they know, the boys realize there is more at stake than they ever imagined. A deadly occultist seeks revenge, the bodies are piling up, and everyone that Charlie loves is at risk. As the mystery unravels, Charlie and Sam face a battle for more than just their lives. (Credit: Scholastic)
A Midwinter’s Tail by Lili Hayward
Expected Publication Date: October 12
A town in need.
An extraordinary cat.
A season for miracles…
It’s nearly Christmas and committed Londoner, Mina Kestle, is close to signing a deal that will make her career and give her everything she’s ever wanted. And then she receives a mysterious letter in the post along with an ancient key, sent by her long-estranged godfather . . .
Davy Penhallow is an artist who lives on the tiny Cornish island of Morgelyn with only his pet cat, Murr, for company. Mina hasn’t seen or heard from him in decades, but now it seems he wants her to look after his cottage – and his cat – while he recovers from a stroke in hospital. Mina doesn’t know why Davy has written after all these years, but she intends to do what’s right: sort out the cottage and the cat and then get back to London in time for her career-saving meeting, before everything she’s built comes crashing down around her.
But the more time Mina spends in the cottage, looking after Murr and remembering the magic of Cornish folklore, the harder it becomes for her to tear herself away. And when she discovers that a set of ruthless property developers are coming for Morgelyn, she realises she might be the only one who can stand in their way to save the island, Davy’s cottage and Murr’s home.
As Christmas draws ever closer and echoes of the past – her own and the island’s – wash up in her memory, Mina begins to unravel a generation of secrets… and discover what it is she has truly always wanted . . .(Credit: Little, Brown Book Group)
Storyland: Children’s Edition by Amy Jeffs
Expected Publication Date: October 12
You will have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules. But what about the myths of the British landscape? The Trojan heroes who wrestled giants. The Syrian sisters who found refuge on our lands. The dragons who slept in hollow hills. And the kings who communed with the dead.
In this vivid and beautifully illustrated mythology of Britain, children will discover enchanting tales of magic and adventure, giants and demons, princesses and prophecies.
Travelling across the wildest of landscapes – as far north as Orkney and south as Cornwall – young readers will build Stonehenge with the young Merlin, chase hounds up the mountains of Wales, ride stags into the forests of Scotland and sail with Trojans along the rivers of Britain, discovering a land steeped in myth, monsters and heroes.
Adapted from Amy Jeffs’ beautiful and bestselling Storyland, this is a definitive and dynamic children’s introduction to Britain’s lost myths and legends. (Credit: Hachette Children’s Group)
Where Magic Grows: Unique Tales of Wonder and Enchantment by Onjali Q. Rauf
Expected Publication Date: October 12
From Onjali Q. Rauf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, comes a hardback collection of seven unique fables, filled with humour, heart and messages of hope. Beautifully illustrated by Katarzyna Doszla in full colour, with gorgeous details such as a ribbon marker and patterned endpapers, this is a book to be cherished for years to come.
Have you heard the story about the bird that turned to stone? Did your parents warn you about the extra-specially-super-deliciously-fantastically naughty boy who got a frog stuck in his throat? No? Well, never fear: Onjali Q Rauf is here to entertain you with her sparkling collection of never-before-told fables for kids who want to make the world a better place.
Written with Onjali’s trademark heart and humour, this is the perfect gift that will entertain while also gently conveying messages of hope and the power of love and compassion, complete with beautiful full-colour illustrations by Katarzyna Doszla throughout. (Credit: Hachetter Children’s Group)
Animal Tales from India: Ten Stories from the Panchatantra by Nikita Gill and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
Expected Publication Date: October 12
A stunningly illustrated gift book of ancient Indian fables, retold by bestselling poet Nikita Gill.
The stories of the Panchatantra have been read aloud and shared for thousands of years, kept alive by generation after generation of storytellers. In this captivating collection of ten animal tales, reimagined with warmth and wit by Nikita Gill, you’ll meet mighty elephants and courageous mice, cunning crocodiles and clever monkeys, talkative tortoises and little lapwing birds. Discover a world of wonder, wisdom and friendship, of helping others, speaking out and finding courage.
With vibrant, irresistible colour artwork by Chaaya Prabhat on every page, and sumptuous high-end finishes, including a jacket, foiled cloth binding and a ribbon marker, this is a timeless gift book for every child to enjoy and treasure. (Credit: Nosy Crow)
Heroes: How to Turn Inspiration Into Action by Marcus Rashford with Carl Anka
Expected Publication Date: October 12
From the #1 bestselling authors of You Are a Champion and You Can Do It, Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka, comes Heroes: How to Turn Inspiration into Action! Featuring profiles of 10 inspirational people from around the world who have inspired Marcus, this book is full of brilliant advice and top tips to empower you to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
Marcus Rashford is not only an England International footballer – he’s also a campaigner who has been on a mission to end child food poverty. Starting on this journey was never something that he could have done alone, and in Heroes Marcus wants to shine a light on ten brilliant people who have inspired him to make a difference.
Each person has made a changed Marcus’s life in their own way, and now he wants to show YOU how his heroes can inspire you to be your best self, and make a difference to the world around you. (Credit: Pan Macmillan)
You Better Watch Out by Sarah Naughton
Expected Publication Date: October 12
Dark, moreish and chilling – the countdown to Christmas is on … and time is running out. Every day in December, a gift is left for Eleri in the abandoned tower block opposite her flat. At first, she can’t help but be flattered, hoping that her Secret Santa is enigmatic Ras – a boy she has history with. But with each day that passes, the gifts get darker and more dangerous. Is this a harmless bit of festive fun? Or does this have something to do with Nina’s disappearance last year? If so … will Eleri be next? Perfect for BookTok, this thriller is the ultimate blend of haunting and festive Foregrounding themes of disability and broken families: Eleri’s single mum has cerebral palsy Sarah Naughton was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award with her YA novel THE HANGED MAN RISES (Credit: Scholastic)
Mrs Sidhu’s ‘Dead and Scone’ by Suk Pannu
Expected Publication Date: October 12
The debut cosy culinary crime thriller from Suk Pannu, creator of BBC Radio 4’s Mrs Sidhu Investigates and writer for Goodness, Gracious, Me and five series of the Emmy Award winning Kumars at No. 42
Mrs. Sidhu – unofficial Aunty to everyone, caterer, and amateur sleuth from Slough – spices up the lives of Berkshire’s elite with both her mouth-watering dishes and her sharp detective skills. But when she stirs up trouble among the rich and ruthless, she finds herself an outsider in her own community.
Banished to the kitchen by her boss and sentenced to an endless loop of aubergine bhajis, Mrs. Sidhu seizes the opportunity to whip up a new recipe for success – getting a job as a private chef at an exclusive celebrity rehab retreat. But when a therapist is found dead in the quiet village, Mrs Sidhu’s appetite for mystery is rekindled.
As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that the killer is picking victims through a twisted raffle at the village fete. Is a vengeful spirit returning to exact a horrifying revenge, or is there an impostor among the residents hiding a deadly secret? (Credit: HarperCollins Publishers)
The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights
Expected Publication Date: October 19
The tradition of a haunted tale at Christmas has flourished across the centuries. These twelve stories – authored by some of today’s most loved and lauded authors of historical and gothic fiction – are all centred around Christmas or Advent, boldly and playfully re-imagining a beloved tradition for a modern audience.
Taking you from a haunted Tuscan villa to a remote Scottish island with a dark secret, and drawing inspiration from festive traditions from all around the globe, these vibrant haunted stories are your ultimate companion for frosty nights. So curl up, light a candle, and fall under the spell of Christmases past.
Perfect for fans of Such a Fun Age, Luster, and My Dark Vanessa, this is a searing portrait of these modern times and our morally complicated online culture. (Credit: Little, Brown Book Group)
Kicked Out by A. M. Dassu
Expected Publication Date: October 19
This sequel to Dassu’s award-winning debut, Boy, Everywhere, finds Ali and Sami living their dream, playing football for the school team and hanging out in their friend Mark’s new luxury pool. But money goes missing and racism rears its ugly head when their friend Aadam is accused of the theft.
Can the boys prove Aadam’s innocence, keep their friendship – and help fight Aadam’s threatened deportation? Can Ali navigate his emotions and stay focused now his dad is back on the scene and his half-brother has joined his school? A powerful story about friendship, being an ally and finding your place in the world. (Credit: Old Barn Books)
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
Expected Publication Date: October 26
There was only one thing on her mind.
I must start a bookshop.
Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart.
Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, divorces her husband, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married housewife, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju – they all have disappointments in their past. (Credit: Bloomsbury)
The Cat Who Solved Three Murders by L.T. Shearer
Expected Publication Date: October 26
Retired police detective Lulu Lewis’s life changed forever when she met a street cat named Conrad. There’s something very special about Conrad, but it’s a secret she has to keep to herself.
When Lulu takes her narrowboat to Oxford, she is planning nothing more stressful than attending a friend’s birthday party. And drinking a few glasses of Chardonnay.
But a brutal murder and a daring art theft means her plans are shattered – instead she and Conrad find themselves on the trail of a killer… a killer who may well strike again.(Credit: Pan Macmillan)
Life Lessons from Literature by Joseph Piercy
Expected Publication Date: October 26
‘I read a book one day and my whole life was changed’ … So confesses the narrator of Orhan Pamuk’s novel The New Life. But what can we learn from reading books? Life Lessons from Literature poses this broad question by examining the works of some of the greatest writers in history.
In it, we can draw wisdom from Charles Dickens’ views on poverty and wealth; seek comfort from ideas about love from Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Yet books are about much more than just romance and money. Through careful examination of over one hundred classic works of world literature, life lessons are also drawn from themes such as conflict and oppression, identity and psychology, showing how literature enriches and informs our understanding of ourselves and the wider world around us.
From Brazil to Japan, the Americas to Africa; from Victor Hugo to Mark Twain and Chinua Achebe to Haruki Murakami, you will find literature from around the world in this gem of a book, in which the plots may differ but the themes and the lessons they have to teach us are entirely universal. (Credit: Michael O’Mara Books Ltd)
Gods Don’t Cry: Unsung Stories of Ireland’s Forgotten Immortals by Ellen Ryan and illustrated by Conor Merriman
Expected Publication Date: October 26
Ancient stories that challenge modern notions of what it means to be a hero.
The ancient gods of Ireland were once worshipped throughout the land. Powerful and brave, they were unafraid to show their vulnerability, reject violence, or lean on others for support. Sadly, their stories – passed down by our ancestors – are all but forgotten.
Gods Don’t Cry reawakens these gods, whose ancient tales redefine modern ideas of what it means to be a hero. From Mannanan, who uses his neurodiversity to discover the Otherworld, to Meiche, who finds the courage to accept his illness, Fer Maisse, a monster slayer who gives up glory to become a healer, and Cnu Deroil, who overcomes bullies with his musical talent. Hurlers and warriors, academics, and activists – these are gods of many abilities, sizes, and skin shades, from every corner of Ireland.
Follow their adventures as they perform magic, battle demons, overcome struggles and find the courage to be true to themselves. You might even see yourself in their stories and discover, that you too, are a hero. (Credit: HarperCollins)
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