iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

For #ShortStorySeptember, I'm looking back at my favourite short story collections read in 2026: The Daffodil Days (Helen Bain), Brawler (Lauren Groff), Strange Weather in Tokyo (Hiromi Kawakami), Interpreter of Maladies (Jhumpa Lahiri), The Typing Lady (Ruth Ozeki), and Nightjar (Emily Ruskovich).

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

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.)

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R S Thomas (poet) @rsthomaspoet.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Pasg Hapus i chi gyd! Happy Easter to you all! ‘Easter. I approach…’ - #RSThomas (Uncollected Poems, @BloodaxeBooks)

Text of poem -

'Easter. I approach'.

Easter. I approach the years' empty tomb.
What has time done with itself? Is the news worth the communicating? The word's loincloth can remember little. A thin, cold wind blows from beyond the abysm that I gawp into. But supposing there were bones; the darkness illuminated like a museum?
In glass cases I have peered at the brittle bundles, exonerating my conscience with mortality's tears.
But here, true to my name, I have nothing to hold on to, an absence so much richer than a presence, offering instead of the skull's leer an impalpable possibility for faith's fingertips to explore.

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

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/...

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

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...

bookishbeck.com

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…

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Chris Foster @chrisfoster.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Poor urban foxes, always being vilified by the press

Newspaper photo of a fox sleeping above the headline 'Sex pest failed to turn up in court'

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

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...

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Faber Books @faberbooks.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

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.

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

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."

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

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.com

Shelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, October 10, 2025

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

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...

bookishbeck.com

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…

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

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!

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

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-...

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

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.

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

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!

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

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! 👇

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

What a novelty to get caught in the rain on my afternoon walk! I wasn't expecting to get soaked, however 😆

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

It's been an honour and a pleasure to be involved in judging the McKitterick Prize again this year!

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

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!

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

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

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

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

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

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

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

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

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

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

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The Emma Press @theemmapress.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

"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

Copy of Daughter of the Sun in a stack of books with a pink Emma Press badge on top

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Chris Foster @chrisfoster.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

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.

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

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.

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

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

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Best spam e-mail I've received through my blog in a long time, advertising "the purple peel exploit — a revolutionary way to boost your body’s calorie-burning power." I can't begin to imagine what it could be, but I'm not going to watch the linked video!

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Weird how niche literary topics pop up multiple times. Looking after a parrot seemed like an original theme in The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez (2024), but then I discovered Room for a Stranger by Melanie Cheng (2019) and, even more similar, We Do Not Part by Han Kang (published in Korean in 2021).

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

On my blog today, I'm featuring my 25 most anticipated books of the first half of 2025. It happens to work out to 15 fiction and 10 nonfiction, with 4 in translation! And 22 of 25 are by women (all the fiction is). bookishbeck.com/2025/01/10/m...

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The Emma Press @theemmapress.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Maddie Ballard's BOUND "is a graceful, enriching book about a young woman making her way in the world and figuring out what is essential to her sense of home and identity.” ~ Bookish Beck / @bookishbeck.bsky.social Find it here: buff.ly/4bReoUb

A copy of bound against a white brick wall beside a window and a pink paper flower.

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

A peek at the (22!) 2025 books I've read so far, including AERTH by Deborah Tomkins (the joint winner of the inaugural Weatherglass Novella Prize and a memorable interrogation of longing and belonging) from @weatherglassbooks.bsky.social -- thanks for my review copy. bookishbeck.com/2025/01/07/2...

bookishbeck.com

2025 Releases Read So Far, Including a Review of Aerth by Deborah Tomkins

I’ve gotten to 22 books with a 2025 publication date so far, most of them for paid reviews for Foreword Reviews or Shelf Awareness. I give review excerpts, links where available, and ratings below …

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Weatherglass Books @weatherglassbooks.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Hello, Please do spread the word about our novella prize, judged by Ali Smith. We're publishing 3 of the first year's shortlist, so odds are better than most prizes. weatherglassbooks.com/novella-priz...

weatherglassbooks.com

Novella Prize 2025 — Weatherglass Books

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BuriedInPrint @buriedinprint.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

My #bookreview of Heather Nolan's pair of novellas (pub by @gooselane.bsky.social) published at Prism International: I still think back to these characters sometimes, a whole year later. The subway and library scenes landed hard too. prismmagazine.ca/2024/11/28/s... #Canlit #booksky

prismmagazine.ca

Solitary Narrators: A Review of How to Be Alone by Heather Nolan

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bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Many thanks to @atlanticbooks.bsky.social for today's #bookpost -- excited about these January releases: UNEVEN (23/1), Sam Mills's book on bisexuality by way of group biography, and THE BOOK OF GEORGE (30/1), Kate Greathead's satirical second novel about a modern Everyman. Looking forward to both!

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