Looking for your next must-read? We’ve got three incredible books that have completely captured our attention! From a quiet yet powerful tale in The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler to the gripping secrets of Confessions by Catherine Avery and the compelling storytelling of Green Ink by Stephen May—these books have recently left a lasting impression on us.

The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler, transl by Katy Derbyshire

Reviewed by Sarah

This is a quiet, beautifully crafted novel about ordinary lives in post-war Vienna. In 1966, laborer Robert Simon opens a small café that goes on to become a refuge for an eclectic group of locals, capturing the passage of time and the beauty of everyday life.

Seethaler’s prose is simple yet evocative, painting a touching portrait of his characters and their quiet struggles. The book’s strength lies in its gentle storytelling, where small moments carry deep emotional weight. With a wistful, nostalgic atmosphere, it offers a poignant meditation on community, change, and human connection. A tender and reflective read.

Green Ink by Stephen May 

Reviewed by Vicky

A compromised prime minister, a mistress and a secret in the hands of a socialist. In this evocative historical exploration, May provides a possible answer to the unsolved disappearance of Victor Grayson in 1920. Green Ink effortlessly weaves real and imagined lives, not only bringing these characters to life, but also the disillusioned time they live in.

Here there are political and sexual scandals aplenty culminating in a final intriguing twist.
A good follow-up for all those who read Precipice.

Confessions by Catherine Avery 

Reviewed by Jen

An emotive and poignant unspooling of family histories and secrets, this is an enthralling and astonishingly assured debut from Catherine Airey. Following three generations of women between New York and Ireland and across decades, Airey brings this ambitious novel to life with huge compassion for her characters and a deft ability to tackle issues big and small, from the fallout of 9/11, the legacy of grief and guilt, and women’s autonomy over their own bodies with writing that is beautifully evocative.

Writing in a range of forms including computer game scripts, letters and passages in the second person the narrative flows, never seems disjointed and adapts to fit each character. I found this to be a breathtaking novel and even now I am still unfurling the narrative and foundations of a deeply moving testament to the strength of women, memory and past pain.

Our booksellers love to recommend books and share their favourite reads with other booklovers (it is their job but also their hobby). Our blog is a good place to start to find some recommendations but if you still need some help, simply pop into the shop, give us a call or shoot us an email.

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