“Gripping, painful, funny, horrifying, this is multi-level entertainment, a consummate performance to the last”: I’ve arrived late at @percivaleverett.bsky.social’s novel ‘James’ but, as Anthony Cummins’ review says, it’s just brilliant: www.theguardian.com/books/2024/a... #BartonBookshelf

Am reading Colm Tóibín’s latest novel, ‘Long Island’ (sequel to ‘Brooklyn’). It’s magnificent - heartbreaking, raw, powerful, evocative. Strongly recommended. #BartonBookshelf

Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’ is simply stunning. And this @newstatesman.com podcast conversation illuminates it brilliantly: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t... #bartonbookshelf

These days, as part of a process of weaning myself off social media, each early morning starts with 30+ minutes reading a book, with a life-enhancing dog lying on my lap. This week, it’s an evident masterpiece - ‘Our Evenings’ by Alan Hollinghurst. Wow.
Have a good week, all. #BartonBookshelf

The view from here: my day starts pretty much as every day starts - Molly B snoozing loudly as I grab 30 minutes or so of pure reading time. And this Taylor Jenkins Reid novel is an absolute gem. #BartonBookshelf

These days my early mornings start with less gloomy news coverage, as I instead carve out some guaranteed daily reading time. Currently on the #BartonBookshelf is Dan Jones’ compelling, magisterial biography of Henry V - a fascinating counterpoint to the Shakespeare narrative. So beautifully told.

Da-dah! Here's the 2024 #BartonBookshelf - my 10 recommended fiction / non-fiction titles for your holiday reading. And if poss, do buy from an independent bookshop: tinyurl.com/2z9nhupj

Just finished Ian McEwan’s latest. At first I wasn’t sure about it. I liked the dystopian stuff, but didn’t care about the people, the narrative. Then part 2 kicks in and it all coheres - a haunting exploration of memory, storytelling, the intersection of our past & present. Superb #BartonBookshelf

Last call for the December 2024 #BartonBookshelf …

As the nation awaits the next instalment of the #bartonbookshelf (my bi-annual list of fiction & non-fiction recommendations), here’s what I’m reading now: Fiona Hill’s compelling exploration of social mobility and restoring political trust. Superb.