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Welcome to the Spring issue of the Northern Bookshelf!
Each season we round up some of the most exciting new books coming out from writers based in our region, and chat to publishers and bookshops from across the North.
This issue's special giveaway includes a bundle of two brand-new books – plus we hear from the founder of a new LGBTQ+ bookshop in Darlington, tell you what our staff are currently reading, share a new episode of our Book Club Live podcast, and more.
Happy reading,
New Writing North and Durham Book Festival
The Wives of Halcyon – the powerful debut novel by Northern Writers' Award winner Eirinie Lapidaki
Three women controlled by one man – their charismatic husband Elijah, leader of their cult who dictates every aspect of life in the remote Scottish settlement of Halcyon.
But cracks have begun to form in the community’s idyllic facade, and Elijah’s increasingly erratic behaviour begins to test the loyalty of the women who love him, especially when he reveals his intention to take a fourth wife, sixteen-year-old Mim.
Deceived and isolated by the husband they share, Aoife, Ruth, and Deborah must set years of animosity aside and come together as danger mounts within their isolated community.
The Wives of Halcyon is published on 15 May 2024 with Legend Press.
"I hope this story encourages readers to consider the breadth of faith, which like many very human traits is neither inherently good or bad, but is something infinitely more complicated."
We interviewed Eirinie about her inspiration and research process, the book's themes of faith and motherhood, and the impact of winning a Northern Writers' Award on getting published.
Win a copy of The Wives of Halcyon, alongside Hera, the brand-new novel from bestselling author Jennifer Saint! 📚
Enter our giveaway by telling us what you're reading on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #NorthernBookshelf. Winners will be drawn on 12 April 2024.
Hera by Jennifer Saint
When Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient Titan Cronos, helps her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father, she dreams of ruling at his side. As they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as the father they betrayed.
She was always born to rule, but must she lose herself in perpetuating this cycle of violence and cruelty? Or can she find a way to forge a better world?
Seaglass by Kathryn Tann
An essay collection blending nature writing and memoir. It portrays with powerful observation and moving honesty the journey of a young woman navigating modern adulthood, from Manchester to the South Wales coastline and out to the Thousand Islands in Canada’s Saint Lawrence River.
The Spoiled Heart by Sunjeev Sahota
Nayan hasn’t risked love since he lost his family in a terrible accident twenty years before. But when Helen moves back into the old house at the end of the lane, he finds himself inextricably drawn to her. A blazing new novel from a Booker-shortlisted author, with a deeply moving family mystery at its heart.
Lublin by Manya Wilkinson
As three young boys set off from Mezritsh with a case of bristle brushes to sell in the great market town of Lublin, they find that nothing can prepare them for the future. Absurd and riveting, with devastatingly sharp dialogue, Lublin is a journey to nowhere that changes everything it touches.
If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando
When 15-year-old Tyrell gets out of a young offenders’ prison, he’s determined to turn his life around, but systemic discrimination makes it difficult. Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice. But will society ever see him as anything other than a criminal? For ages 14+.
The Dark Within Them by Isabelle Kenyon
Faith-healer Amber is hopeful about Lehi, the safe Mormon town to which she and her family have just moved. After the sudden death of her daughter, Amber discovers the community will do anything to keep its secrets. When nothing feels certain anymore, will Amber take a leap of faith, for love?
Running Away for Beginners by Mark Illis
When Jasper is diagnosed with cancer, his friends organise a weekend trip to get away from everything. On the journey they all share secrets, except Jasper – who doesn’t plan to return with them. A funny and heartfelt story, with vivid friendship dynamics and an unforgettable protagonist. For ages 13-18.
Slip by Amelia
Loulli
A beautifully crafted poetry collection about abortion from a Northern Writers' Awards winner. One in three women in Britain will have an abortion by the time they are forty-five. For such a common procedure it still carries social stigma, and before now has not been the subject of a dedicated book of poetry.
How to Be Free by Daisy May Johnson
Hanna and her friends must rally an army of first-years to stop a mean businessman from opening a kale factory and to find their beloved headmistress. As they follow a trail of clues across the country, they will learn about the power of family, friendship, and a well-timed slice of Victoria Sponge. For ages 8-12.
The Toffee Factory Girls by Glenda Young
The beginning of a new trilogy about three women working in a WWI toffee factory in the North-East. The toffee factory girls begin as strangers before forging a close bond of friendship and trust. As the war rages on, they help each other cope through the difficult times ahead.
Sharp Scratch by Martine Bailey
Five candidates. One job. A killer prepared to murder their way to the top. When a lethal dose of anaesthetic is deliberately substituted for a flu vaccine, and a second suspicious death quickly follows, it's clear a killer is at work in the hospital. Can Lorraine find the murderer?
The Cloud Thief by James Nicol
Mara's village needs more rain. Without it, the crops and animals will suffer. But in a world where clouds are brought and sold, the only way Mara can get one is to steal it. A spellbinding new fantasy for fans of Studio Ghibli and Diana Wynne Jones – with an eco twist! For ages 9+.
Error of Judgement by Chris Mullin
Now 50 years on from the Birmingham Bombings and with new writing from Mullin, this classic edition tells the complete story of one of the most significant miscarriages of justice ever. An essential text on corruption, violence and bias in British policing and justice.
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What We're Reading: Spring Edition 🌷Hear from the team about our current reads and recent favourites, spanning mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction, and more. Also find out about some of the new releases we're most excited to pick up – a promising year of reading awaits! |
New and Recent Poetry from the North 🌱Poetry lovers, find a new collection to feast on this spring! Senior Programme Manager Will Mackie has handpicked some of the best new and upcoming writing this season from talented poets in the North. |
The Queerish Bookshop 🌈
The Queerish Bookshop opened in October 2023 to create a dedicated space for the LGBTQ+ community in Darlington. We asked its founder, Megan Hemsley, to tell us about how the bookshop came about and what she hopes it will achieve – as well as some exciting upcoming book club events!
Northern Bookshelf Live 📖
Northern Bookshelf Live brings brilliant Northern authors to libraries near you! Our first events have kicked off, with more being added throughout the spring. Check out our webpage to see the featured authors and find events to participate in.
Gordon Burn Prize winner Kick the Latch 🐎
Based on transcribed interviews with Sonia, a horse trainer, Kick the Latch vividly captures the arc of one woman’s life at the racetrack. Find out more in author Kathryn Scanlan's interview with the Guardian: "I really liked that sensation when I’m reading a book, of being like, what is this? What am I reading here? It’s an exciting feeling to me."
Must-read short stories 📚
Susmita Battacharya, tutor on our Write and Submit a Short Story online course, has put together a list of her essential short story reads. These are perfect picks for aspiring writers to get some fresh inspiration – or for anyone who loves to read well crafted short fiction. What's your favourite short story?
David Nicholls in Conversation 🤩For our next Book Club Live event, David Nicholls, author of One Day, is coming to Newcastle! Come along to the Biscuit Factory on 1 May to celebrate his brand-new novel, You Are Here. And if you can't make it, look out for the podcast recording in our next Northern Bookshelf issue. |
(Re)Writing Shakespeare's Women 💖Our latest podcast episode comes from Durham Book Festival 2023, where we saw Isabelle Schuler (Lady MacBethad) and Natasha Solomons (Fair Rosaline) chat about how they read, researched and wrote between the lines to re-examine the women from Shakespeare we thought we knew... |
Northern Bookshelf is published by New Writing North and Durham Book Festival. If you have news about books by Northern authors or you would like to recommend books as a bookseller, librarian, book group or reader, please contact carys@newwritingnorth.com. The next issue will be published in June 2024 and will cover June 2024 - August 2024. The deadline for receipt of information for the next newsletter is 3 May 2024.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is correct at the time of going to press, things do change, frequently at the last minute and very often without our knowledge.
