bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 4hI read it twice this year, first for myself and then for book club. Exquisite! And all the more meaningful for me because I'm from Maryland and recognised all the places. 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 04/09/2026(I've taken the liberty of referring to the Bain and Kawakami as linked short story collections, which is not how they have been marketed. Sometimes this is also called a "novel-in-stories".) 011
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 04/09/2026More on my blog today as part of a "My Year in Short Stories" feature: bookishbeck.com/2026/09/04/m...bookishbeck.comMy Year in Short Stories (#ShortStorySeptember)The Short Story September link-up is open (see my pinned post). At the start of the month, I’m inviting you to tell about the short stories you’ve already read this year, especially any that you’ve… 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 04/09/2026For #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). 253
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Join me and other #bookbloggers next month when I host #ShortStorySeptember, celebrating the art of the short story through reviews of individual stories or whole collections. bookishbeck.com/2026/08/17/s...bookishbeck.comShort Story September Is Coming Soon!Every September I make a special effort to get to more of the short fiction on my shelves, e-readers, and library catalogue. Last year, Lisa of ANZ LitLovers launched Short Story September as a pro… 022
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Sending 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.) 010
Reposted by @bookishbeck.bsky.socialR S Thomas (poet) @rsthomaspoet.bsky.social · 05/04/2026Pasg Hapus i chi gyd! Happy Easter to you all! ‘Easter. I approach…’ - #RSThomas (Uncollected Poems, @BloodaxeBooks) 0289
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Not 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/... 020
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Great minds think alike! I have one coming up in my Libraries post on Monday. It's fun how this pops back up sometimes. 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Reminds me of that time the recycling centre labelled a rubble bin with "no terf" and I thought, huh, not where I expected to find trans allies, but good for them! 😉 070
Reposted by @bookishbeck.bsky.socialShinyNewBooks @shinynewbooks.bsky.social · 03/02/2026It's been a wet Shiny Tuesday, cheer yourself up with @bookishbeck.bsky.social reviewing Rachel Joyce's latest, now in paperback. shinynewbooks.co.uk/the-homemade...shinynewbooks.co.ukThe Homemade God by Rachel JoyceReview by Rebecca Foster If, like me, you’ve been following Rachel Joyce’s career ever since her 2012 debut, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I have good news to impart: The Homemade 044
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 29/01/2026These 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.comJanuary Releases by Julian Barnes and Stewart O’NanThese 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… 010
Reposted by @bookishbeck.bsky.socialChris Foster @chrisfoster.bsky.social · 19/01/2026Poor urban foxes, always being vilified by the press 011
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 15/01/2026I 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... 210
Reposted by @bookishbeck.bsky.socialFaber Books @faberbooks.bsky.social · 14/01/2026On 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. 1175
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 03/11/2025Hilarious 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." 120
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 17/10/2025Annoyed 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.comShelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, October 10, 2025 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Many 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.comThe BBC National Short Story Award 2025 AnthologyUPDATE: 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… 021
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 26/08/2025Next 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! 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 21/08/2025The end of an era! It will be hard to leave a place you've known so intimately, though you're not going far. When we moved to the next street, I hated the thought of walking past our old garden and seeing changes made. Good luck with the move and settling in. I'm looking forward to your new book! 130
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 17/08/2025UK 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-... 011
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 06/06/2025Amazing 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. 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 26/05/2025Post-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! 130
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 22/05/2025It'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! 👇 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 21/05/2025What a novelty to get caught in the rain on my afternoon walk! I wasn't expecting to get soaked, however 😆 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Looking forward to this one already! 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 19/05/2025It felt like a necessary part of my UK indoctrination 🤓 (But once was enough.) 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 18/05/2025I was forced to watch it once, at a hen do! 110
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 10/05/2025Hmm, I don't think of anything I've read. I looked at @annabookbel.bsky.social's blog in case she'd reviewed anything relevant and the closest I saw was Symphony in C, but sounds like that was frustratingly scant on organic chemistry: annabookbel.net/hacking-darw...annabookbel.netTwo recent science booksHacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity by Jamie Metzl Genetic engineering is a controversial topic, and news coverage is generally lacking in proper detail or hopelessly bia… 220
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 08/05/2025@chrisfoster.bsky.social Benny wishes this was him! 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 30/04/2025It's been an honour and a pleasure to be involved in judging the McKitterick Prize again this year! 020
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 22/04/2025A 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! 051
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 26/03/2025Many 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 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 15/03/2025Thank 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 021
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 15/03/2025Thank 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 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Thank 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 011
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Many 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 000
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 11/03/2025I just picked this up from the library today! The UK cover is weird, too. I don't know what it's supposed to depict based on the summaries I've read. 100
Reposted by @bookishbeck.bsky.socialThe 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 042
Reposted by @bookishbeck.bsky.socialChris Foster @chrisfoster.bsky.social · 05/03/2025Our 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. 021
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 25/02/2025I'm unfamiliar with the entire longlist! How about you? 100
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Excellent #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. 273
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 06/02/2025Many 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 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 30/01/2025Best 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! 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Weird 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). 030
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 20/01/2025I don't know Klosterman; I got the Tolentino vibes, though. 010
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 20/01/2025I reviewed it for Shelf Awareness. It's great! www.shelf-awareness.com/sar-issue.ht...shelf-awareness.comShelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, January 17, 2025 100
bookishbeck.bsky.social @bookishbeck.bsky.social · 20/01/2025Whew, this winter preview by The Millions only added one book to my TBR (Woodworking by Emily St. James). See how lightly you can escape... themillions.com/2025/01/most...themillions.comMost Anticipated: The Great Winter 2025 PreviewIt’s cold, it’s grey, its bleak—but winter, at the very least, brings with it a glut of anticipation-inducing books. Here you’ll find nearly 100 titles that we’re excited to cozy up with this season. ... 000
