THE CRAZY TRUTH: Gemma June Howell’s dark coming-of-age tale of pungent prose
Gemma June Howell's The Crazy Truth is a warts‘n’all, coming-of-age tale encompassing drink, drugs, and tough love verging on neglect.
Books
Whether it's paperback, hardback or audio, we’ve got it covered when it comes to all the best new writers, authors and book releases.
Inspiration & resilience from The Afghan women’s football team MY BEAUTIFUL SISTERS
A jaw-dropping tale of bravery and determination, My Beautiful Sisters' rally cry is louder and more beautiful than a lioness’s roar.
HEY, ZOEY: Sarah Crossan uses a literary sex doll to question monogamy in the machine age
Sarah Crossan uses her new novel Hey, Zoey to question whether the line between computers and consciousness hasn’t already been crossed.
HIP HOP IS HISTORY: QUESTLOVE’s 50-year sprint through the genre’s progression
Hip Hop Is History is a semi-autobiographical rummage through the genre’s half-century lifespan, from Questlove’s personal perspective.
PURITY: Andrzej Tichý’s cold but alluring collection of psycho-drama stories
Exploring the fissures which form between lines of social class, Purity is at its most coldly satisfying when Andrzej Tichý’s prose is at its most unexpurgated.
Rediscovering an Orwellian Welsh classic: THE LAST DAY by Owain Owain
Now republished in English, The Last Day transcends the confines of its form, and should captivate a fresh generation of readers.
CINNAMON GIRL: another sharp, heartfelt LA noir starring Adam Zantz
Daniel Weizmann's Cinnamon Girl is a fast-paced slice of noir, but crucially one with a heart.
UNDER A ROCK: BLONDIE’s Chris Stein pens must-read music memoir
Penned by Chris Stein, Under A Rock is a must-read for Blondie fans – or anyone wishing to read a music memoir with a human touch.
THE SECRET PUBLIC: Jon Savage on how LGBTQ+ resistance shaped culture
Jon Savage brings forth his delightfully in-depth examination of the individuals and art from the LGBTQ+ community who shaped contemporary pop culture.
PARADE: Rachel Cusk’s masterful exploration of art and identity
Rachel Cusk grapples with modern motherhood, morality, the self and bodies, gender roles, love and cruelty in her work. New novel Parade is no different.
Journeying into Emet North’s stunning sci-fi debut, IN UNIVERSES
Emet North’s stunning debut novel In Universes gives the reader much more than the usual sci-fi multiverse scenario shenanigans.
Cartoonist LUKE HEALY crams deadpan humour and human insight into SELF-ESTEEM & THE END OF THE WORLD
Nicely paced and with pleasingly effective illustrations, Self-Esteem And The End Of The World is a more personal, reflective venture for Luke Healy.
MY FIRST BOOK by HONOR LEVY – the internet’s leading socialite needs to grow up
As a product of the critical theory classroom populated by the privileged elite, Honor Levy's My First Book is full of contradictions.
New poetry for May: seals, squids, swimming, Sylvanian Families and the avian experience
Mab Jones swoops back to improve this merry month of May with five of the best (in her opinion) new poetry titles from independent publishers.
PLAYBOY: escaping heteronormality in bourgeois France – Constance Debré’s sharp memoir
Shedding class privilege in favour of life without many monetary frivolities, Playboy is a story of bravery and ultimate personal freedom, and the costs that come with it.
Tale across time, north Walian book GLASS HOUSES – a gripping, cinematic page-turner
The second novel from north Wales-born Francesca Reece, Glass Houses’ is a novel of belonging, figuring out what home means to us, and the unique pride of being of a certain place.
Get to know Wales in 100 RECORDS with HUW STEPHENS’ far-reaching book
Wales’ unofficial cultural ambassador Huw Stephens sums up the sound of Wales in 100 records in a new entertainingly presented book.
Lady Of Hay: author BARBARA ERSKINE unveils her next historical fantasy epic
We talk to venerable bestseller Barbara Erskine, author of The Lady Of Hay and still going strong on the same theme with her latest novel, The Story Spinner.
WHAT IS MINE: class, machismo, terminal illness… and lorry-driving in Brazil
Linking class and cultural pride, machismo and familial obligations, terminal illness and capitalism are all central themes in What Is Mine.
STRAY: the riveting life of Bristol music pioneer, DJ MILO
Stray is the autobiography of DJ Milo, who helped set the wheels in motion for Bristol to become a musical and cultural force to be reckoned with.
FOX BITES: the dark & ambitious fantasy novel from Cardiff’s Lloyd Markham
Ideas abound in Fox Bites, the ambitious new novel from Cardiff-based Lloyd Markham, a dark and genuinely gripping work of fantasy horror.
Paul Baker’s CAMP!: a joyful exploration of a world-conquering attitude
Paul Baker offers a glorious investigation into camp in his latest book, a triumphant testament to an attitude that has conquered the world.
MY FAMILY AND OTHER ROCK STARS: child of Rockfield Studios’ magical memoir
My Family And Other Rock Stars is a wonderful memoir telling both author Tiffany Murray's own and Rockfield Studio’s magical backstory.
Hay Festival CEO JULIE FINCH on enabling joy, embracing TikTok & empowering audiences
Hay Festival returns this month sporting snazzy new branding, embracing diversity and a rich cultural calendar. CEO Julie Finch talks candidly about her vision.