Ordinary Saints by Niamh NÍ Mhaoileoin

Shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award, Ordinary Saints is a powerful debut exploring family, grief, queer identity, and the Catholic Church's legacy in Ireland.

Jay, raised in a devout Irish household and now living in London with her girlfriend, has tried to leave the past behind. But when she learns her late brother may be declared a saint, she's forced to confront her family, her faith, and her own identity.

Inspired by the author's upbringing, this luminous novel asks who gets to decide how we are remembered – and who we become.

The Lamb by Lucy Rose

A folk tale. A horror story. A love story. An enchantment.

Margot and Mama live on the forest's edge, spending quiet days in their cottage, waiting for strays – lost souls Mama takes in. She feeds them wine, keeps them warm, then satisfies her hunger by tearing them apart.

But when a white-toothed stray named Eden arrives in a snowstorm, Margot must confront her mother's monstrous appetite, her own awakening desires, and the cost of freedom.

In this haunting debut, Lucy Rose explores how women swallow anger and desire – and twists the bond between mother and daughter until blood drips from it.

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

In Tell Me Everything, Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout returns to beloved characters Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge during a golden Maine autumn. Writer Lucy befriends lawyer Bob Burgess, drawn into a murder investigation, and finally meets the formidable Olive, now in a retirement community.

As their stories intertwine, they share hopes, regrets, and what might have been. Brimming with empathy and grace, Strout explores how love – in all its forms – binds us and keeps us afloat. Tell Me Everything is Strout at her finest, illuminating the quiet power of human connection.

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

Academic Nadia – disowned by her strict mother and abandoned by her lover – works in Iraq's murky aid sector when she meets Sara, a sharp, foul-mouthed East Londoner who joined ISIS at fifteen. Bonding over their shared Muslim roots, Dairy Milk, and filthy jokes, the two form an unlikely friendship. But when Sara reveals a devastating secret, Nadia faces an impossible choice.

Bitingly original and darkly funny, this novel is a razor-sharp exploration of love, family, faith, radicalism, and the lengths we go to find connection and belonging.

Want by Gillian Anderson

When we talk about sex, we talk about womanhood, desire, consent, and power – and yet, many of us don't talk about it at all.

In this groundbreaking book, Gillian Anderson gathers anonymous sexual fantasies from women around the world, including one of her own. These confessions – by turns tender, raw, playful, and transgressive – reveal the full spectrum of female desire. From forbidden crushes to liberated indulgence, from shame to satisfaction, they open a window into the hidden corners of women's minds, exploring how fantasy can both expose and free us.

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

When lockdown led busy professional Chloe to leave the city and return to the countryside of her childhood, she never expected to become custodian of a newborn hare. Abandoned and no bigger than her palm, the tiny creature compels her to give it a chance at survival.

Raising Hare chronicles their journey together – the challenges of care, the preparation for its return to the wild, and the extraordinary bond that forms between human and animal. This improbable trust reminds us that the most beautiful and hopeful experiences often arrive when we least expect them.

Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green

Tuberculosis has been entwined with humanity for millennia. Once romanticized as a disease of poets, it is now seen as a disease of poverty – tracing the paths of injustice and inequity humanity has carved for it.

In 2019, John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone. Their friendship inspired Green to advocate for wider access to treatment and awareness of the healthcare inequalities that make this curable disease one of the deadliest, claiming over a million lives annually.

Everything Is Tuberculosis tells Henry's story alongside the scientific and social history of the disease – and the choices that will shape its future.

John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie

A majestic biography of two young geniuses whose talents merged to create one of the greatest musical legacies in history.

John & Paul begins in 1957, when two teenagers in Liverpool meet and decide to play rock 'n' roll together, and ends twenty-three years later with one of them murdered. In between, they become global stars, write countless unforgettable songs, and help shape the modern world.

Lennon and McCartney were more than friends or collaborators – they were intimates who poured grief, joy, and longing into their music. Ian Leslie traces their relationship through their songs, offering fresh insights into creativity, collaboration, and human connection.

Dwell written by Simon Armitage and illustrated by Beth Munro

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage was inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, a restoration project where history and mystery intertwine. Its reawakened woods, meadows, and 'jungle' teem with life, offering a fertile realm for creatures of all kinds.

In Dwell, Armitage animates these habitats with riddle and folklore – from a squirrel's 'twig-and-leaf crow's-nest squat' to a beaver lodge's 'spillikin stave church' and a hive's 'reactor core'. Human and animal, cultivated and wild, blur as he captures 'non-stop stop-motion life'.

These poems – illustrated by Beth Munro – remind us of nature's fragility and offer lasting homes to those within their lines.

To the Women: Wise Words Every Woman Needs by Donna Ashworth

To the Women is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and joy of being a woman. Donna Ashworth's poems honor our capacity to love, rage, fear, and rebuild – reminding us that we are stronger together and unstoppable when we accept ourselves.

With pieces like 'Be That Woman', 'Take Up Space', and 'To the Woman Who Thinks She Isn’t Good Enough', Ashworth offers comfort, inspiration, and courage for the many roles we inhabit as daughters, guides, mothers, and friends.

Originally self-published in 2020, this fully revised hardback includes over 70 new poems and a ribbon marker – a gift of wisdom and solidarity for every woman.

With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden

With Love, Grief and Fury is poetry full of love and hope for people and planet. Grief poems brimming with compassion, mourning what was lost whilst contemplating what might be found. And poems of fire and fury that kick some ass, tell the truth and inspire change. This is Salena Godden's most audacious and definitive collection to date – like a big sister's arm around your shoulder, it is important and nourishing for the soul.

poyums annaw by Len Pennie

The award-winning poet behind Poyums –  which was shortlisted for the Readers Awards 2024 – returns with another striking collection confronting patriarchy, societal injustice, and more.

poyums annaw is defiant, angry, and trailblazing – a call to arms that pairs tenderness, wit, and righteous fury. Through verse, Len Pennie addresses gender-based violence and inequity while celebrating resilience: 'There isn’t a timescale for how you should heal… You will overcome this and continue to thrive. You are here, you are loved, you are whole, you’re alive.'

A formidable follow-up to her debut, these poems cement Len Pennie as a defining voice in contemporary Scots poetry.

What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore

A hilarious teen comedy about identity online and offline from the Jhalak Prize-winning Nathanael Lessore.

Fred is a nobody at school, but online as Existor@stmarks, he's the most popular gamer around – confident, winning, and followed by thousands. When Existor's fame spills into school, Fred seizes the chance to be noticed, spreading outrageous rumours and finally gaining attention.

But managing his lies becomes a slippery slope, with unexpected consequences. As chaos unfolds, Fred must confront the impact of his actions – and wonder if anyone will ever like him for who he truly is.

Wish You Were Her by Elle McNicoll

Eighteen-year-old Allegra Brooks has become an overnight star after a hit TV show – but nobody knows she's autistic. All she wants is a normal summer.

Her escape leads her to the remote Lake Pristine and its annual Book Festival, run by the dedicated but prickly senior bookseller, Jonah Thorne. In a small town, misunderstandings quickly arise, drawing Allegra and Jonah into unexpected conflicts – far from the drama-free holiday she hoped for.

Her only solace comes from a growing connection with a charming, anonymous bookseller who isn't Jonah. A romcom about finding the person who lets you be yourself under the spotlight.

Solo by Gráinne O'Brien

Daisy often feels like a solo act at home, outside the intense bond of her twin brothers. Leaning on her parents, especially her father, she finds support, while her passion for classical music gives her one close friend and a life full of performance.

Her world unravels when her boyfriend breaks up with her, leaving her disconnected from her true love: music. A mysterious new friend, Flora, offers a glimmer of peace, but family tensions rise as her father falls ill. Daisy must decide whether to return to her past self or embrace who she is becoming.

Skipshock by Caroline O'Donoghue

A dazzlingly inventive sci-fi fantasy romance from the bestselling Irish author of The Rachel Incident.

Margo slips into another dimension on a train, moving from the height of Irish summer to the chill of an alien winter, from a 24-hour day to one that lasts just six hours. Guided by a travelling salesman named Moon, she discovers New Davia – a world scarred by uprisings, travel bans, and time-based power.

As her youth slips away faster than ever, Margo must decide whether to return home or remain in a world where she may have found the one person she'd spend eternity with.

A Box Full of Murders by Janice Hallett

The debut children's mystery from the bestselling author of The Appeal uses Hallett's interactive investigation style to craft a gripping whodunit.

Siblings Ava and Luke discover a mysterious notebook in their dad's attic. As they pore over letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings, and secret recordings, they uncover a decades-old, unsolved murder case unfolding before them.

Determined to solve it, they turn detective – only to realise the killer might still be out there, closer than they imagine.

With all the clues in your hands, can YOU solve the mystery before Ava and Luke do?

Alice With a Why written by Anna James and illustrated by Matthew Land

Return to Wonderland in this extraordinary reimagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by the bestselling author of Pages & Co.

England, 1919. Alyce – with a Y – lives with her grandmother, the original Alice, after losing her father in the Great War. When a mysterious invitation to a tea party arrives, Alyce realises her grandmother's stories of Wonderland might be true.

But this Wonderland is at war: the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon fight over a stolen hour. With the help of the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and a Sailor Fox, Alyce must set things right and find her way home.

A magical adventure celebrating Carroll's classic while creating a modern masterpiece.

The Doughnut Club by Kristina Rahim

A fresh, heartfelt story about family and finding where you belong – perfect for fans of Sarah Hagger-Holt and Benjamin Dean.

Quinn, donor-conceived, loves her family but often feels out of place. With red hair, green eyes, and a passion for drawing, she stands apart from her mums and brother Olly, who prefer surfing, rock-climbing, and other wild holiday adventures.

When she learns she has sixteen donor siblings, Quinn is thrilled – maybe one will be like her. But her parents want to wait before making contact, and Quinn's secret search leads her to question who she can trust. Can she reconnect with her family and share her true feelings?

Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell

The mesmerising follow-up to the 2023 Books Are My Bag Readers Awards-winning Impossible Creatures returns readers to the magical Archipelago.

In The Poisoned King, Christopher Forrester is jolted awake by a miniature dragon – and instantly thrilled to return to the secret islands where mythic creatures live. But this adventure is far from simple: a rescue mission on a sphinx's back, a daring entry into a dragon's lair, and a mysterious girl with a flock of birds and a thirst for justice await him.

Dragons call, ratatoskas whisper of murder, and Christopher must navigate danger, magic, and loyalty in this dazzling second installment.

Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron

Proving that even disgusting, scary, and monstrous creatures need sleep, this hilarious rhyming picture book is a quirky addition to bedtime reading.

"All creatures grim and evil, under the tired sun, are settling down – and so must you, my horrible little one…"

Whether phantom, vampire, Dark Lord, or yeti, it's time to brush teeth, put on pyjamas, and settle down with a cosy story.

Warm, loving, and delightfully slimy, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob is a rhyming treat that ends with a kiss and sweet dreams for every creature – big or small.

Gozzle written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

Written by Julia Donaldson and beautifully illustrated by Sara Ogilvie – the creative duo behind the 2016 Books Are My Bag Readers Awards-winning Detective Dog – Gozzle is a funny, heartwarming story about family, growing up, and a very cute little gosling.

It's spring, and Bear wakes hungry to find a lost egg outside his cave. But out hatches Gozzle, a sweet gosling convinced Bear is her daddy – and that she should climb, dig, and eat honey just like him.

Follow Bear as he journeys from reluctant carer to parent in this joyous picture book about the true meaning of home and family.

Badger Books by Paddy Donnelly

From the world of Fox & Son Tailers, Badger Books follows Rory the Fox to a bookshop run by a badger, where every animal has a story – from bears to elephants, tigers to pandas. But there's one book Rory really, really wants… and it's nowhere to be found.

Filled with beautiful, funny illustrations and rich detail, this heartwarming picture book celebrates community, creativity, and friendship. Perfect for classroom read-alouds, bedtime cuddles, or sparking imaginative dreams, Badger Books is a delightful story about helping one another and finding your place in the world.

Otto the Top Dog by Catherine Rayner

A delightfully funny tale about kindness and sharing from CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner Catherine Rayner, creator of Arlo the Lion Who Couldn't Sleep.

This is Otto, a sausage dog who loves many things – especially his beloved basket – and is always happy to share. After inviting a friend to join him, word spreads, and soon he's sharing his cosy bed with all the neighbourhood dogs, even local strays.

Everyone sleeps soundly except Otto! Will he ever reclaim his basket – and will he still love it if he does? A humorous, heartwarming story about generosity and boundaries.

Oisín McKenna (Evenings and Weekends)

Oisín McKenna was born in Dublin and lives in London. Recipient of the Arts Council of Ireland's Next Generation Bursary and a 2022 London Writers Award, he has created four theatre shows, including the award-winning ADMIN, and written for outlets like the Irish Times on gentrification and youth alienation in Dublin.

About Evenings and Weekends:

During a sweltering London weekend, Maggie, Ed, Phil, Keith, and Rosaleen navigate love, secrets, and life-changing choices. As tensions rise and desires collide, the city pulses with energy, humor, and heartbreak. Evenings and Weekends is a striking, witty, and sexually charged debut about connection, ambition, and finding your place.

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (Ordinary Saints)

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is an Irish writer based in Edinburgh. Her work – including stories, essays, and articles in Gutter, New Statesman, and The Millions – explores family, grief, and identity. 

About Ordinary Saints:

Shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award, as well as in the Fiction Category of this year's Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, Ordinary Saints explores family, grief, queer identity, and the Catholic Church's legacy in Ireland. Jay, raised in a devout household, must confront her past and her brother's possible sainthood while navigating love, faith, and self-discovery. A luminous, thought-provoking debut about memory and identity.

Aisling Rawle (The Compound)

Aisling Rawle is an ex-bookseller from Leitrim in the West of Ireland, where she wrote The Compound, her dark reality TV satire and debut novel. Aisling currently lives in Dublin.

About The Compound:

In this explosive debut, ten young women wake in a desert compound, escaping poverty, unrest, and environmental collapse, only to find cameras tracking their every move for millions of reality TV viewers. When ten men arrive, survival, desire, and strategy collide. Lord of the Flies meets Love Island in this addictive, darkly satirical dystopia.

Emma Swan (Cruise Ship Kid: Thief At Sea!)

Children's author and West End actress Emma Swan grew up on cruise ships, where her parents worked and she was "ship-schooled" while travelling the world. Her debut book, Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea, draws on these experiences, bringing her adventurous childhood at sea to life for young readers.

About Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea!:

Join Silver, the Cruise Ship Kid, in a hilarious detective adventure from writer Emma Swan and illustrator Katie Saunders. Living on a cruise ship with no friends her age, Silver tackles the CASE OF THE MISSING MEGA-EXPENSIVE WATCHES, navigating clues, quirky passengers, and the elderly "Gang". Diary-style, doodle-filled, and full of fun, friendship, and crime-solving at sea.