BOOKS

Rad reads

Autumn recommendations from Wapping Wharf’s gorgeous new Bookhaus, officially opened by David Olusoga last month

Aiming to represent the best of contemporary literature with a focus on diversity and global outlook, as well as children’s and modern fiction, history, science and current affairs – via books that address the burning questions of the world –the Rope Walk store was opened in August to reflect Bristol’s tradition as a centre of radicalism.

Store events include reading and writers’ groups as well as launches. This month sees Juliet Jacques visit with trans tales from her debut short story collection Variations on 13 September, followed by Gerald Stratford and decades of gardening know-how distilled into new book Big Veg on 23 September.

In the meantime, the team have picked out a few reads for you to get stuck into, stat.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney, recommended by Darran McLaughlin

Sally Rooney has become acclaimed as the voice of the Millennial generation since the breakthrough success of her bestseller Normal People, which was turned into a popular TV drama last year. Now her much anticipated third novel is published on 7 September (Faber). The young Irish author has captured the zeitgeist of a section of her generation, touching upon issues of class, sexuality, education, the city versus the provinces, the internet and love. She has been likened to Hemingway and Carver, and reminds me a little of Jean Rhys.

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, recommended by Jack Stead

Earthlings is the latest novel by the international bestselling author of Convenience Store Woman, Sayaka Murata (Granta). In this haunting story, we follow the life of Natsuki, a girl so at odds with society that she believes herself to be an alien from the Planet Popinpobopia, waiting for a spaceship to take her, and her magical toy hedgehog Piyyut, home. Quick paced, darkly humorous and utterly twisted, Earthlings is an incredibly compelling read; more so than anything else I’ve read. This is not a book to be judged by the cover.

The Transgender Issue: An Argument For Justice by Shon Faye, recommended by Nayya Raza

Bristol-born Shon Faye –a leading voice in current politics –is hilariously funny and, with great lucidity, debunks the myths and propaganda that surround gender politics. The Transgender Issue (Penguin) will be published on 2 September and is an incisive and urgently needed book that will empower us to challenge the pernicious narratives that are perpetuated about the trans community, while centring trans voices. This book is essential reading for anybody who is interested in one of the most important social issues of our time. Shon Faye reminds us that trans liberation is central to the politics of freedom and that solidarity between marginalised groups is needed to effect the changes we want to see.

And Away... by Bob Mortimer, recommended by Emilia Bermejo Ford

Bob Mortimer is about to release his memoir –it’s out on 16 September (Simon & Schuster). Framed around the sudden diagnosis of his heart condition and detailing his eclectic life experiences, Bob continues to open his heart up (no pun intended) with what will, no doubt, be a deeply personable and excruciatingly funny story. Bob might have acquired high esteem as a beloved entertainer and national treasure but his genuine warmth and heartfelt honesty makes it hard to believe that he’s not just an old friend. I anticipate this memoir will make us feel the same way.

David Olusoga cutting the ribbon for the new bookshop last month