The Literary Sofa
Book Review
Guest Author – Carol Lovekin on being published in later life
As someone who took up writing over forty, I am often impressed by much younger writers who possess a maturity and ability to see beyond themselves that I didn’t have at the same stage. But I also believe that an author’s age isn’t – and never should be – a consideration one way or the other. Surely … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Annemarie Neary on Roaringwater Bay, West Cork, Ireland
By coincidence, my Hot Picks 2016 included three Irish writers. If I were to analyse my selections to date, it’s a fair bet that American authors would come out on top but recently I’ve been particularly impressed with the new talent from Ireland’s ever-vibrant literary scene: Louise O’Neill, Rob Doyle, Lisa McInerney (now longlisted for … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Laura Powell on St. Ives, Cornwall
When I started the Literary Sofa I would never have imagined how attached I’d become to the books I feature here; spreading the word, hearing what others think and celebrating their success once they are ‘out there.’ But there’s an unusual backstory to today’s Writers on Location – Laura Powell’s debut novel The Unforgotten is the only title … Continue reading
Book Review – Maestra by L S Hilton
Wondering what to read on holiday? Check out my Summer Reads 2016. This time I didn’t wait for a hundred people to ask if I’d read the latest publishing sensation, Maestra, by L S Hilton. The level of hype surrounding this book, the first in a trilogy, is something I generally find extremely off-putting. Due … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Lisa McInerney on Cork City
Following my ‘gratifyingly juicy’ (he said, and it really was) conversation with Rob Doyle last week I’m delighted to welcome Lisa McInerney, another bold and brilliant Irish writer, to the Literary Sofa today. Lisa’s debut novel The Glorious Heresies took the final spot on my Hot Picks 2016 and, as so often the case, I knew … Continue reading
Writers on Location – André Alexis on Toronto
I am constantly finding new books to enthuse about (I know, it’s hard to keep up) but today’s Writers on Location visit to Toronto is a special cause for celebration – my guest André Alexis has just been awarded Canada’s prestigious Giller Prize for Fifteen Dogs. As a result, this surprising and original novel (published in the … Continue reading
Book Review/Conversation with the Author – The Age of Reinvention by Karine Tuil
This is my first in-depth look at a novel since Michel Houellebecq’s Submission back in March and coincidentally it is of another French bestseller that has caused a stir internationally. The Age of Reinvention (L’invention de nos vies) is the ninth novel by Karine Tuil and her first to be translated into English, by Sam Taylor. I … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Anja de Jager on Amsterdam
I’ve recently returned from a very enjoyable, stimulating and exhausting week in New York and there will be no drop in the pace over the next few weeks. There’s some great stuff coming up on the Literary Sofa, including several genres you won’t often find here: in this case, crime, and next week, the psychological thriller (even … Continue reading
Guest Author – Helen MacKinven on Setting her Novel in a Small Town
Once again I am very happy to be hosting a writer who has been following and supporting the Literary Sofa from the beginning and who has now achieved her goal of becoming a published novelist. Helen MacKinven and I have still never met in person but we’ve enjoyed exchanging manuscripts and supporting each other on … Continue reading
Guest Author – Stephanie Butland in Praise of the ‘Quiet Book’
Usually (and officially) when a guest author writes for the Literary Sofa it begins with me enjoying their book, getting in touch and suggesting a related topic that will interest my readers. Occasionally it’s the other way round and when Stephanie Butland offered me a piece in praise of the ‘quiet novel’, I didn’t hesitate. … Continue reading
My new novel SCENT – out in paperback on 19 May 2022
The Literary Sofa 