Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix
Inspired by the death of 27 migrants trying to cross the channel on an inflatable dinghy, Small Boat follows the French CROSS radio operator that took their calls during the night of their deaths. The narrator, after refusing to send a boat to help and finally shifting responsibilities to the UK Border Force, points out that she ‘did not ask them to leave.’ Once their bodies wash up in French water, this is a story about shame, about migrants, about war, about hope, and specially about the loss of hope in the middle of the night, waist deep in the cold water. It’s about the desensitised radio operator. It’s about us, as we watch and we point fingers in nearly every direction. – Laura GM
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
Lexi’s looking for no-strings fun. Zeke is looking for the love of his life. But for a night with Lexi, Zeke will happily break all his own rules. Stumbling back home to the marina, both have very different ideas about how the morning after will pan out. But neither are expecting to wake up swept out to sea on an old houseboat…
Somehow, Beth O’Leary’s books just keep getting better and better… and this is my favourite one yet! Fresh, clever, and unbelievably funny, Beth’s trademark wit and endearing, vulnerable characters turn this crazy premise into a deeply romantic, truly moving story about finding love in the most unlikely of situations. – Liv
Don’t miss our event with Beth next Wednesday!
Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt
This has been one my most anticipated reads for 2025, and I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this last September, so it’s been a fairly lengthy wait for me to finally hold it in all its beautiful, green glory!
Set in an English countryside village, the novel follows teenager James, on the cusp of adulthood and yearning for an intimacy that feels so completely unattainable. Then he meets the troubled Luke, and as the seasons pass, the two grow closer.
Open, Heaven is the debut novel from acclaimed poet Seán Hewitt, and you can witness this in virtually every single line: “It was like walking through a folk song that afternoon – the blackbirds and the thrushes, the sweetness if the flowers, the boy who I loved, and who might even love me, waiting for me between the trees.” He beautifully evokes life in the English countryside with an aching sense of nostalgia – the milk bottle run, the canal towpaths, the night skies, the trees and the birds.
A gorgeous read for these sunny Spring days, and perfect for fans of Benjamin Myers’ The Offing, and Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain. – Emma
Don’t miss our event with Seán at Mr B’s on Friday 25th April!