In no particular order, here are my favourite books of 2025: @saraband-books.bsky.social @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @4thestatebooks.bsky.social @deadinkbooks.bsky.social @manchesterup.bsky.social

I had an incredibly enjoyable afternoon at the @johnmurrays.bsky.social Proof Party. It was really nice to meet Mishika from the @browngirlbookshelf who was a brilliant host. She asked a range of thoughtful questions and led an interesting, spoiler-free discussion. @mcrlitfest.bsky.social (1/3)

Monstrilio, by Gerardo Sámano Córdova, is a wonderfully weird book which follows the lives of our central characters Magos, Lena, Joseph and M. This monstrous yet loving novel discusses themes of grief, sadness, identity and sexuality, to name a few1/5 @samanito.bsky.social @deadinkbooks.bsky.social

It was great to hear from the fantastic selection of speakers at the Comma Press Publishing Insights Day. Each talk was incredibly enjoyable to listen to and very informative. @commapress.bsky.social (1/2)

I had a great evening at the launch of The Orange Notebooks. It was interesting to hear @susannacrossman.bsky.social discuss the book in more depth and great to finally meet her. As always, it was a pleasure to speak to Kevin @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social (1/3)

The Orange Notebooks is a painfully accurate portrayal of grief with many raw and poignant moments interspersed with glimpses of humour and symbols of hope throughout the book. (1/5) @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social @susannacrossman.bsky.social

The Book of Manchester is a great short story collection which celebrates the vibrant and diverse experiences that Manchester offers. @commapress.bsky.social The clarity of each writer’s voice makes for an enjoyable read. It is a collection that you can easily return to. (1/2)

It was another brilliant year at the Northern Publishers’ Fair. Thank you to Isabelle @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social for organising this wonderful event and as always, it was a pleasure to talk to all the delightful publishers. @northodoxpress.bsky.social @saraband-books.bsky.social

Stephen Oram’s latest release, We Are Not Anonymous, explores issues such as poverty, ownership, the influence of media and the question of who is in control. (1/7) @stephenoram.bsky.social @isabellekenyon.bsky.social

Kingfisher is a beautiful and intricate story which covers themes of grief, love, lust, age and identity. @saraband-books.bsky.social (1/6)

The List of Suspicious Things by @jenniegauthor.bsky.social is a heartwarming book which reflects on the breakdown of childhood innocence while simultaneously inspiring a sense of awe and openness in the reader. (1/3)

Wildly Different is a fascinating book which reviews five remarkable women, over a one hundred and twenty year period, who changed the environmental and political landscape. @sarahjlonsdale.bsky.social @manchesterup.bsky.social (1/5)

‘Every winter now, it seemed, had a new challenge. But every challenge, I realised, brought opportunities.’ Over three winters, Helen Moat reflects and analyses her own experience of winter anxiety in While the Earth Holds Its Breath. @saraband-books.bsky.social (1/4)

Last night was a joyful evening celebrating @nussaibah.bsky.social new book, Fundamentally, which will be published on the 25th of February. Nussaibah is a humorous writer and speaker who is incredibly engaging and insightful. (1/4)

Leonard and Hungry Paul is a simple and beautiful story which follows the lives of very likeable characters. (1/5) @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social @ronanhession.bsky.social

After attending the Christ on a Bike book tour at @blackwellsmcr.bsky.social earlier this year, I finally got round to reading this brilliant novel and it was definitely worth the wait. (1/4) @orlaowenwriting.bsky.social @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social

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“What’s college for if not this? To figure these things out… what we want… what we no longer want in life.” ‘How We Named the Stars’ is a beautifully written and moving piece of literature. @andresnordorica.bsky.social @saraband-books.bsky.social @tinhouse.bsky.social (1/3) #howwenamedthestars