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Ask a Bookseller: Zade from Forum Books
Bookshops are the very best places to go for book recommendations – and booksellers are the friendliest, most knowledgeable of readers!
Zade from Forum Books in Corbridge, Northumberland has joined us to answer your questions and share her favourite picks.
Want a recommendation of your own? Submit a question for our guest booksellers and if it's answered, we'll send you a £15/€20 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop.
What makes Forum Books a great place to visit?
"Forum Books is in Corbridge, a beautiful historic village in Northumberland filled with a buzzing community of independent shops and cafes. As we're based in a former Primitive Methodist Chapel, the listed status of the building means we've had to keep certain features: we've repurposed pews for book displays and the pulpit makes for the perfect reading den. We have a friendly, passionate team of bookworms on hand to recommend the perfect read for any occasion and a diverse selection of books to choose from. We also run a range of bookish events and you can find us online at forumbooksshop.com
Our booksellers are friendly, passionate readers who love a good chat and our curated selection of new books is varied with something for everyone." Zade
My favourite poetry book is Bluets by Maggie Nelson. Are there any poetry books you can recommend which I might like? – Sophie
For something that dances that line between poetry and prose like Bluets does, maybe pick up Couplets by Maggie Milner or Goodlord by Ella Frears. If you're instead looking for poets who explore grief through art and beauty, I'd go for If All The World and Love Were Young by Stephen Sexton or That Broke Into Shining Crystals by Richard Scott.
What is a recent read that surprised you the most and why? – Agata
I picked up Waist Deep by Linea Maja Ernst on a whim, despite my never-ending TBR shelves at home. I wanted a short, escapist read and was drawn in by the summery cover. What I got was this hilarious, sexy book that is my definite favourite so far this year! It's full of yearning and tension but also really intelligent social commentary through these shifting friendship dynamics. It's the most clearly I've related to a book and its characters in some time.
What graphic novel books would you recommend to a 12-year-old? – Jacqui
My recent favourite would have to be Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez. I think getting the pacing right even in adult graphic novels is difficult but Rune absolutely nails it. It's a great adventure story with a compelling world, loveable characters and really cool fantasy elements. I could've easily been sold on the artwork alone but I genuinely can't wait for the second instalment coming out later this year!
What book would you recommend for someone who loves reading but doesn't have much time? – Anna
We Hexed The Moon by Mollyhall Seeley comes in at just over 200 pages and is a wholly unique page-turner. It follows a group of friends who try to summon the moon from the night sky. She comes to them as this angry, sarcastic young woman who demands something terrible be done to appease her. If you want the morally corrupt characters and ever-growing tension of The Secret History but shrank right down to a quick punch of a read, this book really hits the spot.
I used to read so much but since ‘having to’ when I studied English at university, I’ve lost my momentum and can’t get it back for very long! What are your book recommendations for someone who has lost their spark? – Holly
I'm currently reading Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I feel like it's the perfect book for that kind of scenario. The chapters are short so it's easy to pick up and put down. As a reader, you're emotionally invested in this group of characters from the get go. It's easy to get stuck into and feels very cinematic with high stakes and a protagonist you're really rooting for.
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