News by Julie
Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020 long-list – where to start?
Of these 16 books we suggest starting with Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Fleishman is in Trouble, Weather by Jenny Offill and Girl by Edna O’Brian. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is not out until the 31st March but that would be next on my list. If you feel brave (it’s 900 pages long), Hilary Mantel’s last book in the Thomas Cromwell trilogy, The Mirror and the Light, has had amazing reviews. What will you pick from this list?
News by Julie
Three books for mountain lovers
News by Julie
Bookstoker Young Readers
News by Julie
The Magus by John Fowles to hit the small screen
The Magus by John Fowles has an almost mythical place in my literary memory. I read the 670 page long novel in my mid-twenties over two intense days, skipping meals and hardly sleeping. Such was the power of this mysterious, hypnotising book about a young English teacher on a remote Greek island who comes under the spell of a wealthy recluse. I’ve since been hesitant about re-reading it, fearing that my older, more cynical self will find faults with it and spoil the magic. Now there is fantastic news for all The Magus fans, of which there seems to be many. None other than Sam Mendes will direct a TV-series based on the book. I, for one, can’t wait! If you haven’t read it yet, hurry up!
News by Julie
Books to look forward to in 2020
After a tame 2019 on the fiction front, I have high hopes for 2020. Just looking at the list of upcoming publications fills me with joy! Here are a few of the highlights.
News by Kirstin
Read With Your Teen in 2020
I first came across On the Road by Jack Kerouac at the tender age of sixteen. Revisiting it recently, it felt like a somewhat different novel, my teen reading self dazzled by impressions and emotion, the older me searching for nuance and (sadly?) with a good deal more cynicism.
It occurred to us that it would be a very interesting experiment to tackle key influential novels as a team: adult reader and keen teen. What difference would there be in your final analyses? If your teen finds you jaded and you think them naive, what fiery debate may ensue!
Here’s a handful of challenging Bookstoker favourites to get you started and throughout 2020, we’ll add more titles for your family’s stimulation and delectation.
News by Kirstin
Bookstoker Young Readers
News by Nicole
Tackling Ulysses at The London Literary Salon
Happy new year to all you Bookstokers out there! How about this one for a New Year’s resolution? Find out what happened when our reviewer Nicole met Joyce at The London Literary Salon.